Central California

[~mikey b]

[~mikey b]

well, that didn't work

if you're on Facebook, Bear Valley has a new video from last week with the Mtn Mgr poking around the area looking at stuff. Looks like Koala is being worked on and Grizz had line work done. That's good. The Bear Bungalow tent structure was torn down and is being replaced. Snowmaking equipment and snowcats are ready to go.

[~mikey b]

snowing a tiny bit

[~mikey b]

again

[Ottime]

Mike, I’ll be in touch. Hoping to get to BV with the kid this winter. We didn’t renew our KW pass but hoping to get a few day tickets to BV this winter once my shoulder is good to ski.

[~mikey b]

http://southtahoenow.com/story/11/20...xtgopBYqxGdxnY

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - The least populated county in California is just to the south of Lake Tahoe. Alpine County, population about 1,200, includes the towns of Markleeville, Woodfords, Kirkwood and Bear Valley. While not big, Alpine County is experiencing a surge of COVID-19 cases just like the rest of the country.

As of November 19 there were 39 cases of the virus with 11 of those active. Two residents are currently hospitalized. In late October the remote county had experienced just three cases. All cases have been in the eastern slope of the county, in the Markleeville and Woodfords area.

While the county is one of only two in the state remaining in the "minimal" tier, current rates of positivity equal 51.2 new cases a day per 100,000, drawing concern from the county's health officer.

"How bad things get in Alpine County does not depend on the federal, state, or local government. It is up to all of us and the crucial decisions each of us makes about our individual behavior that will determine how bad it will get in these winter months," County Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson told residents in a news release.

Bordering counties with surging COVID-19 counts, Dr. Johnson is urging county residents to prevent the spread by not gathering with those from outside their household, wear a mask, wash hands and maintain social distancing. He also asks that residents cooperate with contact tracers and quarantine for 14 days when in contact with positive cases.

Dr. Johnson said the surges aren't because of restaurants, hotels or other businesses and to prevent restrictions in those areas it is up to residents to prevent the spread and to prevent the county from changing tiers in the California Roadmap to Recovery. It took 10 months to reach 10,000,000 cases in the United States and just ten 10 days to reach the most recent 1,000,000. In California there have been 1,059,267 cases to date, 114,691 in the last 14 days.

Although people may follow guidelines at work, it is after work activities when people let down their guard that causes community spread. People then often bring infection into the workplace, said Dr. Johnson.

List of how to limit the number of new cases in Alpine County from Dr. Johnson:

- Get tested. Testing is available 5 days a week at the Alpine County Health Department and the Washoe Tribal Health Center for all who have symptoms. For those who do not have symptoms, we have drive-through testing sites in Woodfords, Bear Valley and Kirkwood every week or two. Widespread testing allows early identification and effective efforts to limit the spread.

- Stay home if you are sick! This is the same message we preach each year in flu season, but it is even more important this year.

- If you receive a call from one of our staff, please answer the phone, and honestly provide us the requested information in order to protect your household, close contacts, and the community.

- If you have been instructed to isolate or quarantine, please do so! It disturbs me when I hear reports of people that we know have been asked to isolate or quarantine being seen grocery shopping or at a box store in Gardnerville.

- Do not participate in “gatherings”. I do not mean hundreds of people. I mean persons from out of your household, who might get together to enjoy a movie night with popcorn, or a game or puzzle night for example. Indoor gatherings with more than 12 people from more than 3 households are especially risky.

- Do not get tested assuming a negative result will give you a “Get Out of Jail Card” to travel over the holidays. A test only tells you what is in your body that day, not days later when you may go visit Grandma or other family members at increased risk of death from a COVID-19 infection. That would be the gift left behind that you do not want to be known for!

- Be compulsive about that face covering, your social distancing, and your handwashing. These small infringements on your rights will buy huge dividends by reducing risk to those you love.

- Remember – you are safer at home for the holidays! Begin planning for Thanksgiving 2021!

[~mikey b]

From the BV FB page -

It’s just about our favorite time of year! We can’t wait to welcome you back, this Friday. You’ll be greeted by some of the best early season conditions we’ve seen in the past decade ��
Here’s what you need to know for your first visit:
❄️Pickup for season passes and lift ticket purchase will be at outdoor windows only.
❄️Ambassadors will be present outside of facilities to answer questions and to collect info for contract tracing.
❄️Face coverings are mandatory.
❄️Parking shuttle & village shuttle will not be running, so come early to snag a preferred parking spot!
❄️Mokelumne Express, Cub Chair, Cub Carpet and Panda Carpet will be running.
Complete details are available at bearvalley.com
If you need us, we’ll be here counting down the minute

[~mikey b]

and I am not patrolling this season, but I'll still be skiing my face off

[Jack Burton]

Nice! Thanks' for the update

[~mikey b]

https://youtu.be/k6GfC7io5Zk

[~mikey b]

windy at Lake Alpine

[powdrhound]

Opening day at the Bear WROD was fun. A day to get some exercise, no crowd, pickup a pass.
In the morning lineup, they passed out a bunch of passholder comp tickets, spreading out the rush for photos, etc.

[~mikey b]

I could use a comp ticket

[~mikey b]

registration for SAC’s free Motorized Level 1 avalanche classes is now open

https://www.sierraavalanchecenter.or...ducation-class

[~mikey b]

BV is in 7 day operating mode

headed up tomorrow to check it out

[~mikey b]

it was excellent

[~mikey b]

hopelesslyadolescent and I got kicked off BV for hiking closed Koala terrain today

it was fun

[ScotFree]

Huh? Koala is closed closed? I'd heard that the lift wasn't running, but people traverse over there all the time. Kicking you out seems a little drastic! Or maybe you're just being tongue-in-cheek?

[~mikey b]

nope

[~mikey b]

Dodge Ridge opens Monday

[~mikey b]

game on bitches

[~mikey b]

[~mikey b]

OB

[powdrhound]

OB

You should be proud.

[~mikey b]

I am