Deeper: Steep, But Not Yet Deep, in Tahoe. Early Jan, '09
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By ChrisEdmands | July 10th, 2009
I have bronchitis and a sinus infection. Is that even possible!? It's early January and apparently the perfect time to have a cold. It's also the perfect time to head into the Tahoe backcountry to test the sharpness of our edges on some variable snow. I've come to the realization that Jones is so good because he rides every type of snow condition. He considers it training, but most of all he considers it fun. As we arrive to our camp with a view of the lake I begin to feel better. Must be the exercise and fresh air.
Jones is joined by ripper Ryalnd Bell, photographer Seth Lightcap, TGR filmer Pete O'Brien and myself. After setting up camp we go to the top to see what the snow and terrain are like. We come to a really steep face with inadequate coverage that Jones is stoked on. He tells me it will have to wait for more snow though. I agree and we head to a southern face hoping for better snow. Jones and Bell warm up on some lines with mandatory airs. What are mandatory air lines warm ups for I wonder. What do they plan to do next? Double mandatory airs? 60 degree northeast faces peppered with rocks and exposure? Perhaps Las Lenas type winding chutes with high speed exits? All of the above.
**Jeremy noticed this face first thing. "This one will have to wait for another storm to be ridden safely" he told me. Good call-looks kind of sketchy to me.**
**This southern aspect had some softer snow on it. It was the perfect place to "warm up". Still a lot of exposure. Jeremy and Ryland both took turns on this face.**
**Ryland Bell. He's always smiling like this and loves to go fast. I love to film him because he's got fresh freestyle moves and and likes the steep stuff too.**
**Jeremy taking it all in. It may not look amazing but it is. The Tahoe backcountry has the most amazing short faces and fun stuff to shred. You just have to put some time in looking around. Park your sled and go for a hike! I guarantee you'll be amazed too.**
**When it's too tight to turn what are your options? Straight-lining is it! Jones pinning it.**
**Ryland liked the look of Jeremy's last run so much he thought he'd give straight-lining a go as well. Pedal to the metal!**
**Jeremy getting ready to drop a line back to camp with Desolation Wilderness off in the distance.**
**My camp spot for two nights. Although I wasn't feeling great because of my cold I still had an awesome time. Something about living out of a tent makes me smile-just not in this particular photo.**
**In addition to the stellar snowboarding this is the stuff that sticks in my memory. I live here! How frickin' fortunate am I?
In this post: Jeremy Jones Chris Edmands Ryland Bell Location: California Film: Deeper Keywords: Big Mountain Cliff Backcountry Line Couloir Trip Report Premium Content Teton Gravity Research Featured Snowboard