Squaw to Deep Creek traverse

With the most minimalist snow pack in recent Tahoe history, there hasn't been enough white on the ground this season for even a truly absurd ski tour until about a week ago.

So, once the new storm softness turned to mank and frozen crusts, it was definitely time to get after it. Mike was forgiven for bowing out, since his popped lung and cracked ribs still pain him. I suppose that's what happens when you insist perversely on mt. biking during what the calendar--if not the color of the ground--clearly indicates is ski season.

Jeff , FF, Beth, Starker and Kim car-pooled over to Squaw and skinned up the backside of Silver Peak, then dropped into Pole Canyon before skinning up the other side. To do what? Ski the sunny, proto-corn back into Pole?

Nah! After a very short lap in the sun, we dropped the shady slopes into Deep Creek, enjoying the longest sustained run of breakable crust any of us could remember. My legs still kind of ache remembering the energetic, extended jump-turning.

But what's worse than excellent breakable crust? That would be EBC through a cliff band and a tight dog-hair tree stand thanks to cavalier, irresponsible route-finding. Acting on a premonition, Kim very sensibly brought her crash helmet.

At least no one else had the bad sense to skin up the road, rendering the exit rutty and miserable for us--it was as smooth as it's ever been.

Beth initiated a new blog feature on this tour: gear recommendations.

Use the following link to shop for her choice du jour for this tour...skiing shin guards!