Monday, May 30, 2005

Ski - Squaw 5/30

Nancy in Rockpile

Skiing down Rockpile, with the Shirley Lake tree runs in the background.

Today was the last day of the season at Squaw. I hiked up Shirley Canyon again; it’s already lost a lot of snow in the past week.

We just spent the afternoon cruising around, and then hiked out to KT one last time. The snow is still very good on KT—nice condensed corn.

Hiking to Headwall

End of the season—hiking to Headwall.

Every year I make my final run of the season on West Face. I used to call it the “KT Larry Memorial Bump Run” after a legendary old coot we used to ski with, but now it’s the “Sheissty Boy Memorial,” in memory of Andy.

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Ski - Squaw 5/22

Nancy at the top of Cork-It-Out

Nancy at the top of Cork-It-Out

Nancy in Lower Screw.

Nancy in Lower Screw.

We took advantage of the sunny weather to get in some skiing at Squaw. Since she has a pass, Nancy rode up the tram. Since I’m a poacher, I hiked and skinned up Shirley Canyon, which gains about 1500’ and takes around an hour and a quarter.

We hooked up with Bill for a few runs, mostly in the Break-It-Out/Corkscrew area where the snow was the least mushy. It was a beautiful day up on the crest, with a breeze to keep things cool (although blazing hot hiking up the canyon).

The Palisades are still loaded with snow.

The Palisades are still loaded with snow.

Hiking up to KT-22.

Hiking up to KT-22.

Siberia was running, which made it easy to traverse up to Headwall and ski down the Ho Chi Minh Trail to the Saddle. From there we hiked up to KT-22 and skied down Chute 75.

Nancy at the top of Chute 75.

Nancy at the top of Chute 75.

Bret on teles at the bottom of Chute 75.

Bret on teles at the bottom of Chute 75.

Chute 75 is completely full of snow, nice and condensed and corny, with no rocks showing.