Little Bit Different Snow Years... 2/26/12

Its the end of February, and there is still not very much snow on the ground. In fact, its starting to melt out on a lot of the ski runs, and the south facing mountains are pretty much bare again. Stark difference from this time last year! This is a picture of me hiking up to Poulson's Peak last February 2011, and below that was the same hill but from yesterday, February 26, 2012!! Please let us have a Miracle March!!

Hiking to Poulson's Peak across snow in February 2011.

Hiking to Poulson's Peak across dirt in February 2012!

Finally some powder in 2012!! 2/16/12

After a foot of new snow hit the Sierras, we decided to head back out in the Mt. Rose back country to find the elusive powder that we had yet to see this year. Skinned up Tamarack Peak again, but skied down the North facing slope this time... Best powder turns of the year!! And really, I'm not lying. In fact, there is pretty much nowhere to go but up this season, so I'll probably be able to make that claim many more times this year:) Anyway, like I said, the skiing was fantastic, and so was the company. The awesome group of hard core chicks heading out today included myself, Heather, and Julie Brown. Thanks for a great day ladies!

Heather navigating up a particularly steep and slick part of the trail.

Julie smiling about a successful back country trial run before her big trip to Chamonix!

Heather, Julie, and Raven summiting Tamarack.

Me looking back on Lake Tahoe.

It's a pretty cool spot at the top of Rose...views of Tahoe one way and Reno the other.

Tahoe Style Biathalon 2/9/11

Big day today! There was finally enough snow on the ground in Tahoe to hit the back country, so my trusty back country partner, Heather, and I headed over to Mt. Rose to check it out for the first time this season. We hiked up to the top of Tamarak Peak from the summit lot, and skied down the south facing side toward the lake. Unfortunately the skiing wasn't stellar, the new snow had gotten to warm too fast, but the day was gorgeous and the hiking was great! After that, I head straight for Reno to meet my friend Ryan and hit the mountain biking trails of Cow Canyon. Talk about a crazy year when you can do both of these opposite season sports on the same day in practically the same place!! It was really fun, but I sure was exhausted by the end of this day.

Heather skinning up toward Tamarak with Lake Tahoe in the background.

Yay, we reached the summit!

Me and my trusty back country partner.

Heather celebrating a successful ascent on her new Dynafit binding system, talk about a happy camper right here!

Fresh tracks of cement on the way down!

Heather and Raven navigating the way down.

Heading off on part 2 of the day's adventure with a new mode of transport.