THE OFFICIAL 20/21 TAHOE SKI & SNOWBOARD THREAD. PANDEMIC SCHMANDEMIC!

[~mikey b]

my scariest moment ever was climbing the north side of mount hood

I had skis on my pack and an electrical storm sorta surprised us

I could feel and hear electricity buzzing around me and my partner saw my skis arcing around my head

I thought that was gonna be it and that my head would be blown off any second

ditched the pack and cowered under some rocks for protection from the hail

fkn scary shit


got chased off the ridge near Leavitt Peak a few days ago…

[old goat]

I was doing the loop around Castle and Basin Peak and got caught in a T storm with big hail. While I groveled in the mud under a downed log with a foot and a half of space under it, a couple sat on the big isolated tree on a ridge. I hollered at them to get out from under that tree. They ignored me. The next thing I knew there was a huge explosion, the tree was smoldering and all that was left of the couple was some ashes under the tree. OK, I made up the last sentence. Nothing happened.

We were in the Winds for a 2 week trip, it T stormed every day, usually starting early in the morning. We did try to climb 2 days that looked like they were going to be clear. We got caught twice before 10AM--once on the summit of Pingora, which we rapped off, and once on Wolf's Head ridge. On Wolf's Head there was fine hail which covered the foot holds on the crux descending no-hands friction traverse. We finally gave up and left, got stuck in the mud between two hills on the dirt road out. Me on my belly putting chains on (it paid off to be too lazy to put away my chains for the summer) while my so-called friends stood there and laughed at me.

[~mikey b]

I’ve used chains more often for mud in the summer than for snow in the winter.

[lepistoir]

Man, I need to just stay at home. Ran a quick trip to the store on the bike and yelled at two idiot drivers.

[powdork]

drove around town a bit and out to blue lakes today. surprised at how little to no traffic there was, except leaving blue lakes during the extended downpour. There was an SAR going on for a missing hiker. Younger kid named Hayden missing out of Lost Lakes area.

[old goat]

Group had to be rescued after being caught in a thunder and hail storm. Must have been a hell of a storm.
https://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/a...pdigest_latest

[powdork]

^^ They were warned!! (from the weather forecasts all weekend)

Oddly enough, you may want to keep access to a spare set of
clothes in case you get rained on. While it`s hot, temperatures
can cool off by more than 30 degrees after a shower or
thunderstorm. There have been cases of hypothermia even in the
summer resulting from this scenario.

Out at Blue Lakes (8,000') it dropped from 82 to 57 during and after the storms. 13 miles is a pretty long way to be out if you're not real prepared.

[Blaster]

Maybe they were caught off guard by some of this new super speedy Squaw Valley lighting...

[~mikey b]

14 “backpackers” from a summer camp near me had to get flown out last week due to being completely unprepared for heavy weather.

fuckers like that waste resources and put rescuers at risk

[powdork]

I disagree. I know in this case it was calfire that did the rescuing, but it's incorrect to say that rescue operations are being wasted by rescuing someone when it is exactly what they are created for. If the rescuers had got there and found everyone ok, that would have been wasted resources, but 4 people were evac'd with hypothermia. Pretty much EVERYONE being rescued in the backcountry has fucked up in some way or another. They just f'ed up in a way that WE think is irresponsible.

[powdork]

Maybe they were caught off guard by some of this new super speedy Squaw Valley lighting...

right? Lightening would take 55 minutes to reach the moon. Light takes 2.5 seconds

[~mikey b]

I disagree. I know in this case it was calfire that did the rescuing, but it's incorrect to say that rescue operations are being wasted by rescuing someone when it is exactly what they are created for. If the rescuers had got there and found everyone ok, that would have been wasted resources, but 4 people were evac'd with hypothermia. Pretty much EVERYONE being rescued in the backcountry has fucked up in some way or another. They just f'ed up in a way that WE think is irresponsible.

my problem with the scenario I mentioned was that this was a group being led by others

individuals have less responsibility than group leaders and the organization they work for

[lepistoir]

In Europe, in the Alps at least, rescue by helicopter is just something you throw in your pack and comes with readily-available insurance. Now, all insurance comes with the basic equation of a few cases taking almost all of the premiums, but of course nobuddy knows who that will be. None of us WANT to break a leg or get mauled by a bear or go hypothermic running down to tree line in a lightning storm, but it happens to a couple people every year. Surviving those kinds of mistakes is what makes for good, cautious, mentors who help future adventurers avoid needing rescue. It's just a part of having rural/alpine/extreme environments that people sometimes get into trouble in. It's just humane to prepare for that as a society. I think all of you who criticize these groups' decisions should devote more time to helping others get prepared for problems in the backcountry.

[frorider]

I’m not sure I’m following the logic here. If I head into the backcountry and make a mistake that results in an injury, you’re saying that’s the same thing as not bringing shelter and warm clothes on a backpacking trip?

[snapt]

So, spitballing here, if one was to make the reverse commute and move back to CA, for a job in Truckee specifically, what would be the bedroom communities if any these days? Born and raised in the 916, It's been a minute since I've lived in NorCal. I know Reno is going bonkers and growing in price but its still cheaper than where I live.

[lepistoir]

I’m not sure I’m following the logic here. If I head into the backcountry and make a mistake that results in an injury, you’re saying that’s the same thing as not bringing shelter and warm clothes on a backpacking trip?

Basically, yes. My take is that people would still rather be prepared and make it home on time than spend a night shivering with a SAR rep before flying out on a heli and having to answer a ton of questions (or still having to hike out -a long walk of shame with the rescuer and having to explain your mistakes to lots of people. So rescue should be available while all of us do our best to prepare folx for the mountains and tut-tut them when they fuck up. Not sure how many rescues you think is "appropriate" with millions of city-dwellers mere hours away.

[old goat]

So, spitballing here, if one was to make the reverse commute and move back to CA, for a job in Truckee specifically, what would be the bedroom communities if any these days? Born and raised in the 916, It's been a minute since I've lived in NorCal. I know Reno is going bonkers and growing in price but its still cheaper than where I live.

Reno is pretty much it

[powdork]

my problem with the scenario I mentioned was that this was a group being led by others

individuals have less responsibility than group leaders and the organization they work for

I agree, but we, of all groups rely on rescue in the mountains more than most. And we fuck up all the time.

[powdork]

I’m not sure I’m following the logic here. If I head into the backcountry and make a mistake that results in an injury, you’re saying that’s the same thing as not bringing shelter and warm clothes on a backpacking trip?

Are they not both mistakes?

Also, what do we really know about this? Two of the rescuers stayed with them overnight at their campsite, so it wasn't a day trip and they weren't without shelter. Point is, we shouldn't point fingers when we don't know the details. just be happy it ended up being a good outcome.

[powdork]

So, spitballing here, if one was to make the reverse commute and move back to CA, for a job in Truckee specifically, what would be the bedroom communities if any these days? Born and raised in the 916, It's been a minute since I've lived in NorCal. I know Reno is going bonkers and growing in price but its still cheaper than where I live.

If you're going to be renting than most likely Reno, but you can still try Truckee. If you have money and lack pets your chances improve

[TahoeJ]

So, spitballing here, if one was to make the reverse commute and move back to CA, for a job in Truckee specifically, what would be the bedroom communities if any these days? Born and raised in the 916, It's been a minute since I've lived in NorCal. I know Reno is going bonkers and growing in price but its still cheaper than where I live.

The real estate all around the lake truly has gone batshit crazy over the past year or so - it's not an exaggeration. Home values nearly doubled. So it depends on your budget.

[snapt]

The real estate all around the lake truly has gone batshit crazy over the past year or so - it's not an exaggeration. Home values nearly doubled. So it depends on your budget.

Yah I figured, I live in the Jackson vicinity so I'm used to that. Reno looks reasonable though I'm guessing houses are getting into bidding wars like most bedroom communities. We'll see, in the very early stages of consideration at this point.

[frorider]

Are they not both mistakes?

Also, what do we really know about this? Two of the rescuers stayed with them overnight at their campsite, so it wasn't a day trip and they weren't without shelter. Point is, we shouldn't point fingers when we don't know the details. just be happy it ended up being a good outcome.

Agree with you. Was more just trying to figure out what Lepistoir was saying.

[GoSlowGoFar]

Yah I figured, I live in the Jackson vicinity so I'm used to that. Reno looks reasonable though I'm guessing houses are getting into bidding wars like most bedroom communities. We'll see, in the very early stages of consideration at this point.

If you have cash it helps. More than half of the home sales in Reno have had cash buyers. I've submitted a couple offers about $20k over asking price just to get outbid by someone offering 10-20k over my offer in cash.

[bodywhomper]

Friends just sold a house in Nevada city. They had multiple all cash offers over asking after a single weekend of showings….