TR Mammoth 5/27/12

Started late in the afternoon and slept a few hours in the car in the
desert, and then in the parking lot after I got to Mammoth.

First run I went up the gondolas all the way to the ridge to find an
ugly mix of rock, ice and fresh snow that disguised which parts were
rock and which parts were ice. After a few semi-controlled turns on
Cornice, I bailed out with a long traverse to the Saddle. I went back
later in the day - the loose snow was no longer hiding the rocks, but
the ice was still boilerplate. I worked my way down, bu it was not
enjoyable.

Saddle Bowl back of 3 was excellent. Everyone else thought so too.

Broadway down to the main lodge was a narrow strip of snow dragged
down from other trails. The snow is so thin that they dragged in some
rocks and gravel too. The strip was narrow enough that a snowcat
grooming and salting the surface completely stopped skier traffic.

Interesting sight - a snowcat towing a box truck up to the Mid Chalet
- full of stuff to set up for the closing day party tomorrow, I guess.

Today I broke even on next year's season pass, even at spring discount
prices.

There was a surprisingly big crowd - cars were parked along the
highway all the way down to the Chair 2 lot.

Tomorrow is supposed to be warmer and softer surface. I plan to sleep
in and take it easy on the hill, more enjoying the party than hard
skiing.