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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>With threatening skis overhead, eight daring souls,
three instructors, and one loyal snow dog left the Echo Pass Sno-Park parking
lot along the Pacific Crest Trail and headed up the snow-covered road toward
Echo Lake Resort (closed in the winter). The first hour was easy as we walked
along, adjusting snowshoes and chatting freely while getting to know each
other.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>By the time we arrived at the Resort
Lodge it was almost 1100hrs and it was starting to snow heavily, so we took
refuge on the porch of the little general store to get out of the wind and have
a bite to eat while considering whether to continue on. Just to get to the
porch, we had to climb down a 4 to 6 foot snow bank! We had known that a storm
was coming in, but we thought that it might at least let us get to our
destination, Tamarack Lake, only 7 or so miles in, before lettin' loose on
us....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>As it might be, the storm wave lightened up after
about a half-hour, raised our spirits, and we decided to venture out and on
across the Lower Echo Lake, quite frozen solid and safe for travel. The lower
lake is only about two-and-a-half miles long, but by the time we got to its end,
we were pretty tired of the increasing wind-driven surface snow hitting our
faces, therefore, we dove into the trees between Upper and Lower Echo Lakes
to vote whether we all wanted to continue on or stop to wait out the
storm.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>After another bite to eat to keep the internal
fires going and our bodies warm, the vote was unanimous, we go on to the end of
Upper Echo, just a mile further on. Well, I guess it wasn't the best timing
because the winds increased in strength and buffeted us all the way across.
Sometimes we simply couldn't see anything for all the new and blowing snow
swirling around our faces and getting in our eyes! The route across was a
straight shot and we made it in record time (you really didn't want to stop for
anything!).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Back into the trees for shelter and another vote.
Do we have the strength and determination to finish the day's endeavor by
climbing up the last mile-and-a-half and mere three hundred vertical feet (no
big deal in the summer, right?) to Tamarack Lake, our base camp for the weekend?
Once again, our gutsy group insisted on pushing on, so off we went. Little did
we know how all the powder snow, high winds, and miserable visibility would make
the going more than hard!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Equipped with snowshoes and two poles each, every
student rallied to the occasion with true brute will to power up the hill,
through gullies, around small cliff-like walls, between trees, and along little
ridges only to be periodically and literally blown over by gusts of wind and
falling snow. I was pulling our 7-foot equipment sled and I rarely fall, but on
one stupid little bluff, the wind caught me and over I went, falling into the
powder on my side and being "sand blasted" by the roaring ice crystals. Lady J
called back to me to see if I was "ok" and all I could do was to wave the
affirmative, not being able to yell over the gust. Several other times, as I
brought up the rear of the procession, for the most part, I looked ahead only to
watch over and over again the group of eight suddenly spin and cover their faces
right in their tracks to avoid another white wave of wind.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Pretty much exhausted, we did make it to camp after
a two-hour climb and quickly circled the tents while the snow continued to dump
and blow. It wasn't easy, even for seasoned veterans! Anchoring tents in the
wind on dirt is one thing, but in soft, new snow it is quite another challenge!
This is not the time to assume your tent stakes will do the job. Improvising
dead tree branches made into "deadmen anchors," we all were able to make our
tents take the shape resembling their design, however, in the intermittent
winds, this was the best we could do. Taking longer to get things right only
meant that more snow stuck to tent bodies before flies could be put on top and
starting with a wet tent was not a good one, so hurry we did! Most tents made it
up well enough, gear was thrown in, and occupants sped off to get water from the
nearby outflow creek before diving into their shelters and out of the elements.
It was dark, now, maybe around 1830 or 1900hrs. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Now, efforts turned to starting stoves, spreading
out pads and sleeping bags, and getting hot foods into our cold and tired
selves. Normally, this, too, would not have been a big deal, but when you're
beat from the cold climb and muscles are starting to cramp up, even working
with nylon or turning a stove valve is a feat! Those who were most cold
stayed in their tents. Those who could go get water shared it with them or
helped however they could. In the dark swirling snow, voices called out from
tent to tent assuring each other that they were all right. At times the wind
blew so hard against the tents their poles threatened to break. But as the night
wore on, the winds calmed down and we awoke on Saturday to a beautiful, though
still threatening, snowy but calm morning. We got about two feet of snow that
day and night. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>During the night, one student needed help. As
leaders, we bring large mountaineering tents that can hold five in one and three
in another, just in case a hiker's tent fails or collapses. In this case, tent
and gear had become wet and its occupant was too cold to make it through the
night inside. In the dark, as we were just starting to go to sleep, I heard a
voice outside our main tent asking if he could join us for warmth and shelter.
After easily making room around the three of us for one more, we all slept
fitfully.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Day #2 promised to be better. Immediately,
another student had trouble and needed help. He had gotten too wet during the
night and needed to bail out of his tent. So, my son, John, and I quickly
pitched our Mountain Hardwear Trango 3 tent and he and our midnight tent mate
moved in to dry out. The winds had died down, yet the snow continued to
fall gently between moments of sunshine, enough to dry out all the camp's tent's
condensation issues. After waiting for the snow showers to stop and having a
long and leisurely hot breakfast, we decided to try to snowshoe up to Lake
Aloha, only a few miles away by summer-time measurements, to try to reclaim some
teaching aspects of the trip. We would attempt to cover avalanche
awareness, safe route selection skills, how to learn about snow pack
stability by digging a snow pit, the proper use of your snow shoes while on
traverses and your boots on ice, and about other hidden dangers while climbing
just the few hundred yards up toward Haypress Meadows and toward the old
avalanche path there. About three hundred yards up the slope, we stopped to
discuss route selection in order to avoid avalanches and dig that pit. Across
the lake from our hillside loomed the Mount Ralston massif which made for good
stories of avalanches seen there and slopes to avoid when hiking over
snow.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The pit revealed several crust layers down its six
foot depth (we didn't dig all the way to dirt, so this is an educated guess)
with poorly bonded snow layers between, especially at the four-foot-from-the-top
level. There was the feeling that this slab would not hold well on top of that
crust layer and could slide if sufficient force, weight, steepness of slope, or
a trigger were applied to it. We knew that we were on safe snow, but we didn't
want to stray onto anything steeper! It started snowing very hard again before
we could finish the lesson and we decided to forego the expedition to
Aloha, because we couldn't see where we would be going as the clouds had dropped
into the trees above us. After a little discussion about how to dig a snow cave,
we bailed off the hill and back to base. It was mid-afternoon and the storm was
raging again! Although it might sound silly to be in your tent at this time of
day, with the stove cooking and an early dinner and laughter in our voices,
we entered the night in higher spirits because of it.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Sunday morning dawned bright and warm! Like
emerging bears from a winter's sleep, we crawled out of our tents, up the two or
three foot new piles of snow around each, and greeted each other with concerned
evaluation and encouraging excitement for the day! This was our last day. Really
just a half-day according to the trip schedule, where all we needed to do
was the Self-Arrest clinic in the morning, then pack up and head back to the
cars, seven miles away. Yet there seamed to be no urgency and we all had another
slow, hot, soothing breakfast and then got dressed in our, now dry, shells and
gloves for the clinic. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>As we headed off from base camp, going down
the slope a quarter mile or so, we noticed about a mile across the bowl we were
in and over on Ralston's northeast flank four snowboard tracks had come
down from the mountain's top to a slight bench about mid-way down. From there,
only three continued on. Upon closer look, and past some trees in front of us,
we found out why.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>An avalanche had been triggered by the fourth
boarder and his track didn't emerge out the bottom of the slide! It was a wide
slide that tumbled out onto Ralston Lake about four hundred feet below. If
anyone was caught in it, they probably didn't make it out. We could see two
little black dots moving up the right side of the slide. These
people didn't seam in a hurry, so I assumed they were not starting a search
and rescue for the victim. Then, just as slowly, they turned and snow-boarded
down to the bottom and out of sight. We had no idea when the avalanche happened.
Quite possibly that morning. As we snowshoed down the slope to where we teach
the Self-Arrest clinic, we studied the slide from a distance, hoping for clues
of the fourth boarder.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Since we had received two or more feet of fresh
powder on top of the existing foot we had snowshoed over on our way in on
Friday, the slope was not hard enough for training. What we needed to do was
pack it down and how else to do it but by glissading on our rears the fifty feet
to the bottom! With this opportunity, child-like joy erupted across the
hill as all of us spread out and slid feet-first. When that became easy, after
many repeated runs, and as the snow packed down, the daring put their hoods up
over their heads and slid down head-first on their backs, laughing all the way!
This was faster! If someone's slide went the farthest, he or she was scored
highest by fellow "judges" and applause encouraged the next to attempt the
"course." What an excuse to be a kid again!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>After practicing our self-arrest skills in basic or
starting position, seated and feet-first, all progressed to upside-down and
head-first becoming more certain of what to do if they should fall on a
steep snowfield this spring along the Crest Trail or elsewhere. The sun was
bright and screen was applied by many before we headed back to base to gobble a
little lunch and pack up camp. Some were even a little sad to be leaving.
Despite the trials of the storm, many lessons had been learned and wisdom
realized that would guide students confidently through their
adventures ahead, but we had fun and didn't want it to end. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The route home was difficult at first as there was
a lot of powder to plow through on the way down to Upper Echo, but after three
hours or so of going, we made it back to the cars in time to catch the last rays
of sunshine before everyone went their separate ways, some to L.A. and the Bay
Area, one, even back to Texas! It's wonderful how, even over the course of three
days' adventure, perfect strangers become lasting friends. Such is the
trail.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>If you're interested in more details about the
avalanche we witnessed and the fourth boarder, follow this link: <A
href="http://sierraavalanchecenter.org/node/513">http://sierraavalanchecenter.org/node/513</A>.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>If you're interested in becoming more proficient
in snow travel, whether with snowshoes or without, navigating over snow
while following a buried trail, or just snow camping, go to <A
href="http://postholer.com/SnowTravel"><FONT size=3
face="Times New Roman">http://postholer.com/SnowTravel</FONT></A> to view
our up-coming Snow Course dates and read all the snow-related info there that
will help you with your trip planning and realistic preparation for your next
adventure ahead.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>A hearty "Congratulations!" to all eight students
of Snow Course 2/26/10 because you made it through one of the worst weather
incidents we have ever experienced! (Donna, it really was worse than the
one you guys had because of the wind!). Now, you all can say that no matter
what the trail-weather throws at you, you will know what to do, how to
prioritize emergency decisions, know what gear "works" in the worst of
conditions and what doesn't, will be safe and warm, and can find your way
through anything! Have a great summer and hikes ahead. Let us know if Mountain
Education can be of further assistance.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>See you all at the Kickoff!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Ned Tibbits, Director<BR>Mountain
Education<BR>South Lake Tahoe, Ca.<BR> P:
888-996-8333<BR> F: 530-541-1456<BR> C:
530-721-1551<BR> <A
href="http://www.mountaineducation.org">http://www.mountaineducation.org</A></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>