Yosemite Crest Ski Trip 1979

Conway Summit to Silver Lake via Tuolumne Meadows
April 7-11, 1979

The weather was poor as we started out, even to have driven down to Lee Vining for breakfast and to stand on the shores of Mono Lake! Following the Virginia Lakes Road, we passed by the trailhead and continued on, into the wilderness. We had some friction already, when the leader fell on some powder snow, and ordered me not to snap a picture!

The terrain became steep, and I thought maybe he was already trying to get rid of me. We came to a camp about three miles along, and I did have a good night's sleep!

We restored our faith in our own snow camping technique, and the sun came out. There was wind, but I did fine, with good gear. We skied by Summit Lake, and then crossed an unnamed pass into the Yosemite Park wilderness.

A long ski down took us a mile or so, just gliding, and then we were down to the Return Creek canyon floor. Then, it was back to shuffling along.

We had in mind a good camp, and found such, well. The next day, it was cruising along the Northern Yosemite canyons, just beautiful! Sunny and nice! We reached Glen Aulin, then the clouds came in. We pushed to make it to Tuolumne Meadows, and lodged in the old ranger station cabin, outfitted for winter visitors.

Then, day four, it was up Lyell Canyon. We were warned of avalanche hazard, but it would have to be a big one. We spoke to some other skiers, and were they tired! We continued on, and camped below Donohue Pass.

We must have had more friction, and the leader said I could leave them if I carried up his sleeping bag to the pass. So, I did that, and skied on my merry way. I am an experienced navigator and skier, so felt totally right about this as I traveled to make it out that night. It was exhilarating to make my own way at my own speed.
Then, there was some slide hazard. It blocked my way out. I chanced it, and made it, relieved. Back to the car by dusk, I waited all night, then got a ride back to my own car. We joined up by accident the next morning, all safe and sound from another Sierra ski adventure!