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

Alpine to Ho-Ho-Homewood.

February 10, 2008: We read something that said someone tried to put a ski resort between Alpine & Homewood.

Really? Is there that much terrain back there? Better check.

This tour turned out to not be all that stupid. We liked it so much we came back with Jim & Shortie.

We didn't think of it at the time, but there is a shuttle between Homewood & Alpine that would turn this into a public transit tour.

Gayle's photos.

Who?:

Jeff, Faerthen, Beth, Gayle, Virginia, Jim, Shortie

Leaving Alpine Meadows the hard way.

Good corn!

Backside of Twin Peaks.

At the bottom of Blackwood Canyon--
Virginia couldn't give this sandwich away.

Gayle's secret weapon snack.

Looking down onto Homewood.

Treewell yoga.

There's that sandwich again.

Otis the shuttle!

Back to Sagehen on the 'bile in the twilight.

Next day with Jim and Shortie.

Ralston to Echo.

January 19, 2008: A traverse from Ralston Peak to Echo Peak & out through the burn sounds like just the ticket while the snow is hateful everywhere.

Polly's photos.

Here's a video of someone else's good snow day on this tour:


Who?:

Jeff, Faerthen, Beth, Sue, Polly

Hm. Ski the creamy corn to the left, or finish the
climb to the peak and the traverse out through the next
basin on frozen crust? Remember, it's us...

Scratchy bit.

Ralston Peak.

EBC (excellent breakable crust) all the way down!

Echo Peak.

Our through the Angora burn off Echo Peak.

Hot cheese in South Lake!