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Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 2:15 am
by tedryan10
Looking for recommended ski mountaineering routes in the Sierras. Any peaks, routes, or resources are appreciated.

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:01 am
by Bob Burd

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:12 am
by fogey
There are so many options it's hard to give specific suggestions without knowing the person who's asking. Some places to start:

50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California--Mount Shasta to Mount Whitney by Paul Richins, Jr.

Backcountry Skiing California's Eastern Sierra by Dan Mingori and Nate Greenberg

Both good books. The Eastern Sierra book covers the area roughly from Tioga Pass (eastern entrance to Yosemite) to Bishop. Richins also maintains a website. There is an older book, Backcountry Skiing California's High Sierra by John Moynier, which covers more of the range but with less detail about specifics of routes.

Backcountry Skiing & Snowboarding - Lake Tahoe by Brandyn Roth covers Lake Tahoe pretty well.

There are also even older books by Dave Beck and H. J. Burhenne, and a series of more cross-country oriented guidebooks by Marcus Libkind.

And, of course, there is the web--but it's probably easier to get oriented in the better-edited world of publications on paper.

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 4:20 am
by tedryan10
Perfect, thank you! Did a lot of backcountry back home in New England so just getting acquainted to the stuff out here.

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 6:08 am
by 96avs01
You have received some excellent guidance from Bob and fogey! I own all the recommended texts, and they have all proved useful.

There is another book in the works to cover the area south of Bishop, but haven't heard how its progressing.

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 3:42 pm
by Palisades79
Take a look at the talk forum at Telemarktips.com for daily Sierra route and condition updates during the season. H.J Burhenne's "Sierra Spring Ski-Touring"(1971) is a wonderful classic .

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 5:21 pm
by jareds
agreed - start with the two books mentioned, they include many of the most popular spots and a ton of less-traveled route ideas.

if you're from NE you're gonna flip out, these mtns are gnarly.

HERE'S TO A GOOD SNOW YEAR!!!!

Re: Ski Mountaineering

PostPosted: Tue Sep 17, 2013 7:24 pm
by mchin
Umm, Telemarktips.com went down this summer, RIP. In it's place is a forum on Earn your turns which appears to have many of the T-tippers as members. One can assume that there will be snowpack, avy conditions, etc. when the snow begins to fly.
The books that the other posters are very useful for trip planning. I can recommend a few of my favorites:
- Paiute Pass- Lamarck Col - three days of wonder, ski through Darwin Bench, views of Mt Humphreys, Evolution region, challenging passes (not technical, but you will walk and crampons are good idea).
- Tioga to Mammoth - the crest tours of which this is one of them, take a high line on the Sierra crest. Roughly paralleling the Muir Trail, and the Sierra High Route (not to be confused with the High Route, or the High Sierra Route), these tours go over high passes, through remote valleys, and along sharp ridge lines. Tioga to Mammoth is perhaps best done in spring as are many of tours. Long days, temperate weather, stable snow pack, potential for long corn descents.
- High route - "the" trans-Sierra, it goes through some of most remote regions of the Sierra. Passes include Milestone, Shepards, views of the Kaweahs.
- Shasta - IMO, this is one of the best ski mountaineering peaks around. Sure, some of the routes are crowded especially on Memorial day weekend, but if the conditions are right you can get a 4k to nearly 7k ski run after summiting a 14teener.
- Lake Tahoe has several routes and peaks. Most of us do the peaks as day trips. Some of the more popular include Tallac, Jakes, Waterhouse, Castle Peak.