Dave led a great CMC trip to the glades to enjoy the new snow.
Cathy gives us the pit-zip salute on a stop on the way up to the glades.
Dave rousted us early for a 7:00 am meet time at the HH section of Woolly Mammoth. There we saw Cathy, Sarah, Kashia, Ginger, Norm, and Bob. We quickly loaded the gear and our way up the highway. Mrs. Droid warned us of a slowdown on Floyd Hill, so our car detoured along the frontage road, allowing us to be the first to Downieville. Soon afterwards, the Boulder contingent arrived with Diane driving Judi, Ted, and Jacob. The other car arrived after 10 minutes or so of slogging up the interstate. After a bit of coffee and greets, we headed up to the Current Creek trailhead, where we unloaded in the freshly plowed lot and clicked into the bindings for the climb up the hill. Dave took us up the creek trail past the cabin, and the snow was looking good on the edges.
Bob, Ted, and Ginger head around the Peter Rabbit cabin.
Soon after the cabin, Bob took over the front position and plotted a great switchbacked track to the aqueduct. From there we climbed steeply up the aqueduct road to where it leveled off, then contoured over to the aqueduct gate at the bottom of the glades. After a quick snack, we resumed the climb.
Sunny skies and warm temperatures favored us for the first couple runs.
With no sign of the predicted storm and wind, we ascended a bit higher than usual to de-skin above the willows. With a couple of inches of newly fallen or windblown powder, we all enjoyed our turns on the upper section. As we descended lower, we found that staying on the groomed slopes was the best course, as off-piste lurked the bottomless powder traps of the previous weeks. With a great run, we quickly re-skinned for a second climb.
Clouds are moving in as we de-skin for the second run.
Dave and the crew prepare for the run.
This time we headed for the bowl to the skiers right of the glades, where untracked powder beckoned. With the firm wind crust beneath a few inches of powder, we all started off well, though many were trapped by the sneaky change in conditions half way down. We triggered a major whomph as the snow settled, but the low angle slopes precluded any avalanche worries.
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The bowl was great, but getting back to the glades took its toll on some, including a major face plant for me. Despite that, I and all the others were ready for another run. This time, the clouds and wind moved in, and the temperature seemed to plummet.
Wind blows the snow around on the ridge. Compare to previous picture (#3 above).
After climbing up for the third run, half the crew continued in the white-out to the previous starting spot to hit the bowl again, while the smarter half stayed in the trees to enjoy the glades. After rejoining at the aqueduct gate, it was all smiles.
Ted is ready.
Norm takes a poll for the down track choices.
Cathy bundles up against the elements.
Judi is ready to descend.
Kashia uses her skins to puff up the jacket.
Diane tries to get the ice out of her helmet buckle.
Ginger waits to make her move.
Jacob buckles up for the down track.
Half the group followed Norm down Ginger's track from Friday, while the other half followed Dave down the uptrack by the cabin. Both reported good skiing, though there were some trapdoors off-piste once again. Back at the cars, we all basked in the afterglow of a great trip. We loaded up the gear and headed to Tommyknockers. The storm stayed at high elevations, so the traffic was not bad.
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