Patchskiing 2018

[Vets]

Instead of posting a separate TR for every patchskiing day, I'm going to put them in one thread. I hope that others will add to this. I also hope to provide views, creamed corn and soft-serve snow images, along with some dog stoke.
I'll post a few highlights from each day.
To see more just click on the link for http://patchskiing.com

A slow start to winter in the Tahoe area led to an early start to patchskiing in 2018.

Monitor Pass, February 3, 2018

With weather that felt more like late May than early February, Makisha, Penny and I headed up the surprisingly open Monitor Pass road for a dusk patrol.

A self-timer photo of Makisha and Vets.


Penny and Makisha join me in a double-dog selfie.


We had fun and I started my 172nd consecutive month skiing in style.

[Vets]

Winter actually kicked in in March in the Tahoe area.

Mt. Sputnik, March 2, 2018

Since there was enough snowfall to cover the slopes on Mt. Sputnik, a dawn patrol mission was in order.

Penny, Vets, and Makisha on Driveway Run.


Vets and Penny skiing Sagebrush Glade.


We all had a fun way to start the day as well as begin the 173rd consecutive month skiing.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, April 20, 2018

Finding out that the road over Monitor Pass had recently opened meant that a ski trip was in order. Mrs. Vets and I headed up after work with Makisha and Penny for a dusk patrol mission.

Penny joins Vets.


Vets skis down to the Tacomama.


We saw plenty of other skiing options that would make return trips worthwhile.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, April 21, 2018

Since we saw so many areas with skiing potential the previous evening, we decided to explore some more of Monitor Pass.

Vets slarving down the North Face of Skyrockets In Flight Knob.


Makisha watches Penny and Vets.


There are still plenty of other good lines to ski up near Monitor Pass.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, April 28, 2018

Since the skiing was so good a week earlier, I returned to Monitor Pass with Makisha and Penny.

Penny is ready to start skiing.


Makisha joins us.


Makisha follows while Penny adjusts her path.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, May 1, 2018

On the first day of May, actually evening since it was a dusk patrol, Makisha and Penny joined me to start my 175th consecutive month skiing.

Makisha and Penny are excited about Vets doing some more skiing.



We had fun at one of our (closest to) "home" mountains.

[Vets]

Sonora Pass, May 4, 2018

A dusk patrol ski mission was in order after hearing that Sonora Pass had recently opened. I was joined by Makisha and Penny.

Makisha, Penny, and Stev start downhill.


Penny is ready to go skiing again.


Makisha contemplates biting ski tips.


Even though it was the evening, the snow was soft and smooth.

[Vets]

Ebbetts Pass, May 5, 2018

Since Ebbetts Pass just opened we headed up for some more fun on the snow.

Vets, Penny and Makisha with Folger Peak in the background.


Vets and Penny skiing down Swedish Short-snout Dragon Chute.


Ebbetts Peak as seen from Kinney Reservoir.

I skied from looker's right of the peak down to the shore of Kinney Reservoir.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, May 9, 2018

In order to get it while it lasts, we headed up to Monitor Pass for another dusk patrol mission.

1st run self-timer, Makisha, Stev, and Penny.


After taking three shorter runs off of the top, we took one more relatively longer run from the top down the north ridge until the snow ran out.

Penny, tracks, and Lhasa Pows on my pack after a 4th run.

[Vets]

Blue Lakes Road Ridges, May 19, 2018

A recon patchskiing mission was in order with Blue Lakes Road just being opened up to the 4th Gate (7 miles in.) Penny joined me and was happy to explore as well as model.

Penny in the foreground with Jeff Davis Peak in the background.

While this wasn't too far away, it was a little too gnar to solo ski.

Penny in the foreground with The Nipple in the background.


Penny and Vets (1st run self-timer photo)


Penny following Vets (4th run self-timer photo)


We enjoyed a successful recon mission. Almost all aspects of The Nipple looked skiable and Jeff Davis Peak has been added to my to-do list.

[Vets]

The Nipple, B-Cup Chute, May 20, 2018

On the recon patchskiing mission I did the previous day, I noticed that the snow around The Nipple looked good. B-Cup Chute looked like it still went with a narrow gap at the exit. This meant I needed to get it while it lasted.

First I took a run on the backside of B-Cup.

A self-timer photo of my first run on the backside of B-Cup.

The Nipple can be seen in the background.

A self-timer photo of my second run on the top of B-Cup Chute.


I look forward to return trips to ski many other aspects of The Nipple.

[Vets]

Monitor Pass, May 26, 2018

During our drive home Friday evening, from a distance of about 15 miles or so, we saw a band of snow holding up on the north ridge of Leviathan Peak. We headed up Saturday morning prior to storms forecast for the afternoon. We were met by heavy clouds, but no rain.

A self-timer photo of Vets on his first run.


A self-timer photo of Vets on his second run.


Vets on his third run.



Afterwards I was greeted by Penny and Makisha.


While the quantity of snow is dwindling, the quality was great, smooth, corn snow.

[Vets]

Ebbetts Pass, May 28, 2018

Mrs. Vets and I headed back up to Ebbetts Pass with Makisha and Penny.

Looking across Kinney Reservoir up at Ebbetts Peak.


Penny at the top of Welsh Green Dragon Chute.


Vets skiing Welsh Green Dragon Chute above Kinney Reservoir.


The view looking down toward Kinney Reservoir.


Penny and Vets making a log crossing at the outlet of Kinney Reservoir.


We shared a beautiful day.

[Core Shot]

Monitor Pass, May 26, 2018
Vets on his third run.




While the quantity of snow is dwindling, the quality was great, smooth, corn snow.

Humorous pic with helmet and avy gear.

But great stoke thread
Way to get after it!

[Vets]

Humorous pic with helmet and avy gear.

But great stoke thread
Way to get after it!

Thanks!
Safety first.

[splat]

Lots of pine cone slides just ready to bury patch skiers out here, Core Shot.

Seeing any ticks, Stev? Couldn't believe I had one in my hair from Ebbets last year.

Chinese Fireball Dragon Chute looks good.

[Vets]

Splat, I didn’t see any ticks, but I better double check the dogs. Chinese Fireball Dragon looks pretty good from a distance. However, when I looked at it up close there was a gap in the choke that looked like someone slit the dragon’s throat. Even with more snow than last year it would be a short mandatory air there.

[happytimefunbox]

Killing it!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using TGR Forums mobile app

[Vets]

The Nipple, June 2, 2018

After finding out that Blue Lakes Road had just opened all the way to Lower Blue Lake, there was easier access and I headed up to the East Ridge of The Nipple.

A panoramic view of The Nipple.


Makisha and Penny below The Nipple.


A self-timer photo of Penny, Makisha, and Vets on his first run.


A self-timer photo of Penny, Makisha, and Vets on his second run.


I took two more runs.

Penny and Makisha with The Nipple in the background.


It was a beautiful way to start my 176th consecutive month skiing.

[Mike Pow]

Leg End

Keep on truckin'

[Vets]

Carson Pass, June 3, 2018

Makisha and Penny joined me on a scenic recon ski mission on the patch above the Meiss Trailhead at Carson Pass.

Penny and Makisha checking out the snow on the patch.

Elephant's Back, Roundtop and Sisters can be seen in the background.

Penny and Makisha join Vets on his second run. (Self-timer photo)


Looking back up at the patch above the Meiss Trailhead parking lot.


This was worth it for the views as well as the smooth creamed corn turns.

[happytimefunbox]

This tr delivers!

[thefortrees]

This tr delivers!

^^^ looks like it’s more than just patch skiing! Nice.

[Vets]

Impressive TheFugitive!
Those look like bigger and longer patches.

[Vets]

The Nipple, June 9, 2018

Saturday, June 9th started a weekend of making turns with friends that I hadn't seen in while.

Photographing the photographer, Britton, taking photos of Dan, Yogi and Sammie.


Penny, Makisha, Vets, and Maggie.

Photo by Britton

Vets, Makisha and Penny.

Photo by Britton.

Makisha watches as Maggie joins Britton on another run.


Makisha encourages Vets to keep going.

Photo by Britton

Maggie following Air Britton.


When the snow is this good everyone has fun.