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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>With threatening skies overhead...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Yes, this snow skills instructional weekend started
out like the last one two weeks ago. This time there were 10 daring souls, two
instructors, and the same loyal snow dog bound for adventure into the Desolation
Wilderness near Lake Tahoe.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>It started snowing as we left the parking lot. The
clearest sign of impending challenge was that the clouds were descending and
blocking our view of the peak to the south, across highway 50. The flakes
started out infrequent and small, yet, within the mile's snowshoe into the
(seasonally closed) Echo Lake Resort General Store, they had developed into
large, wet, and blowing goose feathers racing by at a 30-degree
angle.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Once again, we took refuge under the overhang of
the Store's front porch while we ate a snack and evaluated the storm and our
intentions. We still had about six miles to go if we wanted to reach Tamarack
Lake's base camp.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Rather than easing up, like at the start of the
last Snow Course, this storm settled in and blew our hats off! It became an easy
decision that, if we wanted to stay warm and dry, it would not be wise to step
out into the wet flakes and battle the headwind, nor would it be smart to get
exhausted trying, only to have to pitch camp with wet and freezing fingers
somewhere down-lake (which we couldn't see because of the white-out), ending up
with wet tents and gear (if we could pitch at all in the high winds), which only
compounds our safety.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Just before deciding to make camp right there, six
or seven poorly dressed snowshoers with dogs and improvised sleds went by us
headed across the lake. One was wearing a very light shirt that was flapping
open in the wind and pulling an orange, plastic kid's sled piled high with
gear and being chased by a thin-skinned dog. I still can't believe that they
continued on. This was like some classic movie where the novices struggle on
into the storm only to be found huddled together and frozen when the snow melted
next season....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>We decided for safety, figuring that the storm was
just starting, and pitched camp right across from the Store (in what in the
summer would be the picnic area). The wind made it difficult to get the tents
pitched square and taught and the never-ceasing snow got most tents pretty wet
before their flys could be put on. Not the best situation since wet tents in the
snowy cold often mean wet and cold people, too.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>But not in this case as we all cozied-up in our
tents to stay warm, dry out our wet clothing by hanging them from the ceilings
(some tents were too low to accomplish this), and enjoy a nice, long, and
extended lunch over cards, a good book, or friendly conversation. Meanwhile,
others went off to fill their water bags or start digging out their tents
(already).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>During the evening and on into the night the storm
continued. I'd like to say it "raged," but, actually, the wind calmed down and
the storm completely stopped around 0300 Saturday morning. Lady J and I were
outside about that time making sure all the tents did not collapse by digging
them out again. Much to our surprise and great delight, the two young adults in
the group, had already been out three times during the night to do just that and
their tent looked free and unencumbered by snow. When the morning came, our camp
looked like an ant's nest with 18" of new snow piled around each tent and trails
running between them!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>After drying out our bags and tents (you don't want
to put one away wet) and enjoying a leisurely breakfast, we shoved off from the
docks and began snowshoeing across Echo Lake at around noon. I was last to
leave; my sled just didn't want to move. While I tried to assess what was wrong,
those same six or seven poorly clad snowshoers and skiers with dogs and
improvised sleds passed me heading out. They had had a miserable night, were
cold and wet, and just wanted to get back to their cars to head home and dry
out. They only made it to the trees between Upper and Lower Echo Lakes before
they had to pitch in a vain effort to keep some of their party warm and try to
dry out. They were not very happy.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Something was wrong with my sled. It wasn't sliding
very well. I could barely find enough energy to get across the first lake's two
and a half miles! Even the skins on my skis were amassing with snow making
the moving of my feet extremely hard. Twice while going across the first lake I
stopped, flipped the sled, and cleared the runners of ice and sticky snow.
Eventually by the end, I had to ease my load amongst a few other hardy
volunteers and my loving wife just to make it to the end of the second lake and
the old Boy Scout Camp that had been there for decades (now eliminated
due to the Wilderness designation). We were all pretty beat, though, when I
decided to hold-up there for the night.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Along the way, while going down the lake, we
noticed a few downhill backcountry skier's tracks in the fresh powder on the
peaks above us. Occasionally, even, we heard their joyful voices echoing
off the hillsides as they found a nice snowfield in which to make their long,
swooping tracks downward. We remembered that it was just two weeks ago in the
same area that a snowboarder got caught in an avalanche immediately after
another snow storm and barely got out alive. His board didn't make it, though,
as it got broken in two places during the white tumble through the trees down
the hill.
<DIV></FONT> </DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Just before dark, we held the avalanche slope
safety analysis pit digging clinic on a steep slope nearby. With six strong men
digging and moving snow, we had a great, eight-foot long by nearly six foot tall
headwall cut into the side of the hill on which to notice all the previous snow
storm's layering's. Just like last week, there was a very strong and cohesive
accumulation of snow on top of a layer of depth hoar about four or five feet
down, meaning a dangerous instability in the pack should we snowshoe across it
while on a slope of 30 to 40 degrees. We would pick our route carefully
tomorrow, we thought. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Immediately after that, we discussed snow cave
building, their designs, and how they are so much warmer than tents. Four of the
guys decided that it wasn't too late to start digging and shaping, so they
formed three stations in line and began to "bucket-brigade" the snow out of the
tunnel so that in no time two remained to spend the night inside. One did!
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The cave entrance was dug from waist height to feet
into the avy pit wall and about three feet in diameter and went in about
six or more feet before turning up to make a place to stand. From there and at
the height of the roof of the entrance tunnel, the sleeping platform was cut
further back into the hillside while the new roof was arched even higher in one,
great smooth dome above. The inside, now, looked like the inside of an igloo!
The diggers were stopped from going too far back because they hit a large
boulder, so the platform had to be more wide than deep so one could sleep on it.
A vent hole was pushed through from the inside for air circulation, a tarp
thrown down upon which to lie, pads and bag added and there one had it, a
fine, quiet, windless, warm place to sleep inside the snowpack! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>After a night time low temp of just 12 degrees, we
arose to head up to Tamarack for a little self-arrest training and lunch amidst
the brilliant sunshine of that Sunday morning. Once again, adults became like
children as we transformed a steep, fresh powder slope into a packed
sledding hill. How do you do it? You start by trying to slide at all on your
rear in the powder. Isn't very easy. As it packs down, the best is yet to
come--sliding head-first on your back down the raceway to the bottom of the
hill. Certain nylon jacket fabrics go faster than other's, and we held races
amongst each other, Eventually the hill was smooth and "solid" and we
reluctantly continued on with the self-arrest training. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>The day was getting away from us and we needed to
be back at the cars before dark, so we had to hurry through the various body
positionings of the training sequence, from seated, feet-first to on-your-back,
head-first slides down the hill just to use your ice axe or self-arrest pole to
stop before you hit the bottom. Once back at camp, those who had to leave early
took off after packing up while the rest of us stuffed bags and tents and
miscellaneous belongings, did a quick sweep of camp, and proceeded to follow.
This afternoon the snow was wonderful and I barely even felt the 120 pound sled
behind me as we crossed Upper and Lower Echo Lakes on back to the parking lot.
</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>As usual, a sadness crossed each face as we said
our last "good-byes" to the lakes and peaks of the area and climbed out of the
lake basin.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Days later, after everyone had recovered and
muscles rejuvenated, students wrote back to say how much they had appreciated
the Course, what they learned, and that they wanted to return. That's what it's
all about, no matter the trials or the weather. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>When will you join us?</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> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><BR>Ned Tibbits, Director<BR>Mountain
Education<BR>P.O. Box 1477<BR>South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96156<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>