Donner Pass to Squaw Valley with public transit.

February 28, 2009: 'Donner to Squaw' always counts as stupid, since there is so little skiing on it. The first time we did it, we even skied out Shirley canyon, which was VERY stupid [and wet].

This time, we made it an "all public transit" tour by catching the Sugarbowl employee shuttle in Truckee to drop us at Donner Pass, then taking TART back to town from Squaw. Had to hustle to catch the last bus, though.

Who?:

Jeff, Faerthen, Beth, Dr. Jim, Virginia, Susie

We were all very colorful today, so Susie made up names for
us based on our color scheme (like Chastity Pumpkin!).
They were meant to sound innocent and old-fashioned, but
they came off kind of porn-y :)

Public transit tour both ways! That means there's a deadline
to get to Squaw for the last shuttle!

Made it just in time! Virginia's knee may never be the
same, however.

Sagehen to Donner Summit.

February 2, 2009: We did this route in this direction once before & liked it despite its difficulties, so this time we added a mountaineering ascent of the "BBC" [Beth's Birthday Couloir].

Most people thought it was stupid not to ski the couloir after :)

Who?:

Jeff, Faerthen, Beth, Dr. Jim

Gear recommendation: ice ax, crampons and rope!

Beth and Jeff in the snowcat on the way up Sagehen basin.

Quick skin up to Carpenter Ridge and a visit to Tower 6.

The route ahead! Down into Warren Lake, up and over
the Devil's Oven to Basin Peak, then down and out via
Castle Pass to Donner Summit on I-80.

Snow getting thin on the drop from Carpenter ridge.

Scratchy!

Easier to just hike rather than taking skis
on and off...and on and off.

Memorializing a nice patch of turns.

Skinning up to the BBC couloir.

Relaxing in the sun as Beth tops out.

The route to here from the top of Sagehen basin. Bit dry.

Scootching over to Basin Peak for the descent.

Bumpy ride out the Castle Peak luge.

And back to the shuttle car!

Luther Pass to Carson Pass.

January 10, 2009: A Waterhouse-Stevens-Red Peak traverse was envisioned, but thin snow & lots of talus walking had us bailing early down Stevens Peak [see Gregor's picture at top of page].

We couldn't work out the South Lake-Kirkwood bus this time.

Gayle's photos.

Who?:

Jeff, Faerthen, Beth, Gayle, Virginia, Sue, Gregor, Shaggy