Sagehen Ski Weekend.

Does ski weekend count as a Stupid Ski Tour?

There are certainly a lot of stupid elements: planes, trains & automobiles shuttles; big groups in the backcountry; peak ascents; lots of laps [almost mogulled Carpenter this year!]; steep skin tracks; big avalanches & now a redneck bonfire.

2010 was great snow, sunshine, & no problems other than the wheels falling off the 'cat on Monday :)

Everyone keeps asking about elevations, so I ran some Topo lines:



UP...
- The cat saves us +1100' & 4-miles of walking.
- The first climb from the cat parking to Carpenter ridge is +1100' & 1.4-miles.
- The continuation up to Carpenter Peak is an additional +400' & .75-mile.
- The climb out of Independence from the usual spot back to Carpenter Ridge is +1300' & 1-mile.

DOWN...
- The ski descent of Carpenter Peak to where we usually start the hike is about 1600'.
- The descent of the Lake shots is about -1300' to where we usually hike.
- The ski out the road from the cat staging area is -750' & 1.5-miles to the pick-up.
- The cat ride [or skiing] from the pick-up point back to the station is -350' & 2.5-miles.

WEEKEND CLIMBING TOTALS [STN TO STN]...
- Lake shot: roughly +2500' & 6.25-miles.
- Carpenter Peak, 1-lap: roughly +3000' & 7-miles.
- Carpenter Peak, 2-laps: roughly +4750' & 9-miles.
- Carpenter Peak, 3-laps: roughly +6200' & 11-miles.



- Three day total [least & most]: +8500-13,450' & 20.25-26.25 miles.

Who?:

Jeff, Faerthen, Beth, Dr. Jim, Sue, Shaggy, Gayle, Susie, Rob, Anne, Paul, Buttercup, Gregor, Erica, the Hornimores, Chris & Susan, Kim, Nate, who did I forget?

Gear recommendation: extra legs.

Here are some pics and info from past years:

FF's 2009 avalanche report.
Virginia's 2005 avalanche report.

2009 photos:

Shaggy loads up on stimulants.

Getting sketchy on Carpenter Ridge.

Checking cornice sensitivity on a small
test slope.

We remotely triggered a BIG slide that wrapped the north side
of Carpenter Peak. Fortunately, no one was in the way,
but everyone learned a few things about big groups in the
backcountry that day.

Waiting for the cat at the end of the day.

Jeff clears the road.

Natural activity the next day.