TR: Up and Down in North Lake Tahoe

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Date: December 2014

Location: North Lake Tahoe

Skiers: Enginerd, Noah & UCL

Photos: As noted

Early season in Tahoe this year was coupled with big expectation and hype (including the December Mega Storm), which as typical largely under delivered on account of fluctuating snow lines. As of present, we are once again combatting a high-pressure ridge off the West Coast leading to another dry January. As I sit and await our historically biggest snow months of February and March, I think back to some great days early season in December. There were certainly good days to be had, both in the resorts and touring in the backcountry.

Similar to the rising tides and fluctuations in the weather, each day had its ups and downs. Once such great day in December had a lot, in fact!

Gearing up to head up the skin track. Photos: UCL





Taking in the heavily rimed trees, appearing almost like interior British Columbia. Photo: Enginerd



Heading down, floating along on the fresh powder. Photos: UCL







Rising back up for another lap. Photos: Enginerd, UCL





Moving down through the trees, enjoying all the untracked powder that a great day has to offer. Photos: Enginerd





Our path back up, and up again. Photo: UCL



Gearing back up for another trip down. Photo: UCL



The snow makes it effortless on our journey back down. Photo: Enginerd



Photos: UCL







UCL contemplates a great day on the way up again. Photo: Enginerd



And sure enough, we head back down. Photo: UCL



Despite the downs with the Tahoe weather right now, I am hoping for some more ups in February and March!

[sqikunst]

Some really nice shots in there! Love the rimed up tree.

[AKbruin]

Nice, UCL.

It seems like ages ago, but I recall those halycon days of 8" storms (in my neck of the woods) last month fondly.

[Baaahb]

Nice. It was good while it lasted and it looks like you got it near the peak.

[Ottime]

Nice. You got some of winter this year.

[TahoeJ]

Nice pics. This year was off to such a good start too... I even let my weather anxiety guard down just a little, then boom, punched right in the face. At least you've got some recent-ish memories to look back on.

[Driver]

Nice UCL. Keeping the dream Alive

[MTT]

I think March/April is the Tahoe sweet spot for big storm's. Has been so as long as I can remember

[mcski]

I think March/April is the Tahoe sweet spot for big storm's. Has been so as long as I can remember

I agree w this and have had my most epic days in April, but usually there was some kind of base. This year will be land mines everywhere waiting to blow up my powder starve body.

Those were some nice pics. Didn't think anywheres been that deep this year so far. Was that CP?

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Yeah, Castle area. Was deep that particular day.