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“We are dealing with a very difficult avalanche problem at the moment. Many of the obvious signs that indicate avalanches can be triggered may not be present. However, if you are travelling in steep terrain in the alpine or at treeline, you will PROBABLY trigger an avalanche and it will very likely be large and destructive.” Canadian Avalanche Forecast.
The plan was to be in Canada but the above report led to a last minute cancellation on my part. The buried surface hoar in Utah also thwarted multiple attempts to flea the Sierra. The problem with buried surface hoar is that it will give you a false sense of security. 5o people can ski a bowl and deem it safe only to have the 51st hit a trigger spot and have the whole mountain come down. This is why it is such a killer and has left 5 people dead in the last week in Canada.
The steep, deep and stable snow of the Sierra kept me close to home most of the last month. Multiple 1 to 2 foot storms followed by cold temps made for some of the more memorable Tahoe sessions I have had in a long time.
**My main Tahoe objectives slowly went out the door a I spent more and more time in the mountains and discovered a whole new area of unridden gems. Nothing is more refreshing then backyard discoveries. It is amazing what one will find if they just get off the beaten path and drop over the edge into the the unknown.**
**Josh Dirksen is one of the best snowboarders I have ever ridden with. For years I have been a fan but to see his act in person is something special. His time hanging out with Gerry Lopez has rubbed off. He surfs the mountain with effortless flow and precision that would make any goofy footer proud. It is clear that his time away from the camera the last two years has allowed him to mature his snowboarding into one of the more well rounded approaches in the snowboarding.**
**Ryland Bell successfully negotiates a tricky line and pauses for a moment before leaning into one of the deepest bottom turns of his life.**
**The remnants of a small avalanche, a backhand bash and a backside air.**
**Dirksen four off the lips in and setting up for the big finish off the cornice.**
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**Ryland Bell enjoying the fruits of his labor. Double overhead sprays and no one with in ten miles of us. Solitude is easy to find in the mountains.**
**The gateway to the goods was through the green forest.**
**It took three days of skinning to session this face. It left us all scratching our heads. The Lightning fast sluffs and mandatory airs made line selection critical.**
**Sluff management 404 and some indecent exposure was needed to leave this exit clean.**
**Pausing to enjoy the last rays of light 15 hours into the best day of the year before making the final push to camp.**
