The closed Mt. Loop Hwy is our go-to X-skiing run. We headed up for our first trip of the winter yesterday, just walking on 2-5" of snow, but should be skiable next week if the predicted storms come through. I brought a pack full of camera and drone gear but didn't get anything out until the clouds cleared a bit on our way out. I was pretty psyched to see some new angles on my favorite mountains.
L-R North Face of: Lewis Pk, Del Campo in clouds, Morning Star, Sperry, ridge of Big Four
A unique (only with a drone) view of Sperry's North Face, still unclimbed (very hard to approach).
Great images, Jim. The third one, in particular, really appeals to me. The frosted trees and your composition with the peak visible through the open space between them bumps it up a notch.
Brent
#2 for me - I had plans to climb that face (you only see the upper 1/2) for many years, but good (and safe) winter conditions are rare in the Cascades so that never came together with a willing partner. Just getting below the face would be a very difficult undertaking with no trail and myriad cliffs and gulleys to negotiate. At my age/fitness I've put such climbs behind me.
Nice set of images, Jim. I've wanted to try cross-country skiing and/or snowshoeing as alternate winter ways to stay in shape. 61 seems like a late age to start, but it won't ever get easier, and there's no time like the present. I intended to do it last season, but snow didn't happen in our neck of the Sierra. There was a decent snowfall last week and some predicted next, so I may give it a go.
Doug, I hope you get out this winter, in many ways it is my favorite season. In all other seasons I sweat like crazy when hiking uphill, but in the winter I can usually control that with layering. I often ski most of the day with just a thin long sleeve Smartwool shirt and a light Gortex type top if there is any wind or snow.
We skiers call snowshoes SLOWshoes because skis go so much smoother up, and of course are a ton of fun on the down. Slowshoes are better for tight steep trails through brush or tight trees, and don't require much technique. If the trails near you are that type go with them - don't forget good ski poles (with appropriate baskets - not trekking poles).
If you have decent balance and coordination X-skiing is relatively easy to get into. You won't be kicking and gliding for a while, and icy conditions are a no-no. If you are on prepared tracks start on green, and if that feels easy you will graduate to blue runs this season as long as you stay in the tracks that guide your skis.
Gear is very important, but good stuff will last many years (I was on my last set 20+). You will want to go with "fish scales", not wax, any good ski shop will steer you that way in CA. Make sure to keep them waxed with glide wax as you use them to help avoid the dreaded icing if you are breaking trail in variable temp. snow. Wider skis are easier to balance on, and work better in soft snow if you head off prepared trails. Metal edges (or partial) are very nice when it gets icier, which isn't uncommon in CA. The beefier the boots the better, esp. for beginners. Debbie and I have boots with external plastic heel cups/straps now - more expensive, a bit heavier/slower, but really help with control. Cheap rental gear puts many people off the sport when they can't control the skis on the downhill.
