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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
I posted about this to rec.backcountry, but could not get a response.
I would like to try backcountry skiing for the first time. The idea is to ski from Fallen Leaf Lake, Tahoe, to Lake Aloha, Desolation wilderness. It's going to be my buddy and myself (he has good experience in bcs, my experiences are in XC racing and backpacking in summer). Does anyone have a suggestion on the best starting point? My Tahoe Ski touring book suggests starting at "Tahoe Mountain Road" in South lake Tahoe, but the book is relatively old (judging from 80s style clothing and 75 mm bindings they use ). Does anyone have comments (snowmobiles, private land crossings, etc)? The plan is to ski up to Aloha on day 1, sleep, and ski down the next day. Also, looks like the backpack will be much heavier compared to summer b/c of all the winiter clothing. Does the fact that you are skiing instead of walking (i.e. less pounding on legs) make the pack feel... well... lighter? |
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#2
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
On Jan 26, 11:56 am, "
wrote: I posted about this to rec.backcountry, but could not get a response. I would like to try backcountry skiing for the first time. The idea is to ski from Fallen Leaf Lake, Tahoe, to Lake Aloha, Desolation wilderness. It's going to be my buddy and myself (he has good experience in bcs, my experiences are in XC racing and backpacking in summer). Does anyone have a suggestion on the best starting point? My Tahoe Ski touring book suggests starting at "Tahoe Mountain Road" in South lake Tahoe, but the book is relatively old (judging from 80s style clothing and 75 mm bindings they use ). Does anyone have comments (snowmobiles, private land crossings, etc)? The plan is to ski up to Aloha on day 1, sleep, and ski down the next day. Also, looks like the backpack will be much heavier compared to summer b/c of all the winiter clothing. Does the fact that you are skiing instead of walking (i.e. less pounding on legs) make the pack feel... well... lighter? ....and - do I really need metal edges and heavy expedition boots? I am thinking to rent regular touring skis and light bc boots at Pacos (done this before for day outings to the backcountry - and did not have much trouble, did not have to break trail though). I am thinking that the reduced weight will help easier going. I am hoping that I have enough experience with snow from my racing days to negotiate backcountry. Oh, and, probably, no skins, either. Thinking to take snowshoes just in case, but this will add a couple more pounds to the already humongous pack. |
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
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#4
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
Buy a snow park permit, park at Echo Summit, and ski to Aloha from there. The snow will be chopped up near the road but you will have less vertical except where you want it (Price or the side of Pyramid, no trees) and minimal tree skiing. I will consider Echo summit as a starting point. We will be driving from Truckee, so Fallen Leaf seems closer. Also, the road from Fallen leaf seems more wind-protected. I do not mind the vertical. |
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
Ever camp on snow? - Oh, ***no*** to this. Planning to bring 2 thermarests and 2 sleeping bags (don't have a 4-season sleeping bag). I've slept in sub 10 deg nights before, but not on snow (racetrack, death valley). |
#6
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
On Jan 26, 4:44*pm, "
wrote: Ever camp on snow? - Oh, ***no*** to this. Planning to bring 2 thermarests and 2 sleeping bags (don't have a 4-season sleeping bag). I've slept in sub 10 deg nights before, but not on snow (racetrack, death valley). If you have never done an overnight in the snow you may want to give it a try by skiing in a short distance with your loaded pack, spending the night with what you think you need before trying expedition travel. By short, you should be close enough to your vehicle so that you can self-evaculate without having to trouble search and rescue. You may also want to try skiing with a loaded pack, both climbing and descending terrain and trails similar to your proposed trip. Executing a turn with a full pack on wild snow is a lot different than turning on groomed Tahoe Donner XC trails. You may or may not need metal edged skis, but you need a ski that will support your weight with pack without breaking. Also 100 percent carbon fiber poles may not survive your calling on them with your pack. You may want to take along one of those satallite beacons that send GPS "cookie crumb" trail locations to a designated E-mail address. That will simplify recovery if it turns out that you really don't know what you are doing. That said, wild skiing in nice places is a great experience. Personally, I'd prefer to do a DNT hut to hut carrying a lighter pack with guides who know what they are doing. |
#7
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
If you have never done an overnight in the snow you may want to give it a try by skiing in a short distance with your loaded pack, spending the night with what you think you need before trying expedition travel. By short, you should be close enough to your vehicle so that you can self-evaculate without having to trouble search and rescue. That's why I liked the Fleaf route better: if I realize that I am not getting anywhere, I will crash and sleep wherever I get to on the first day (while still being in a valley, i.e. protected from the wind) and then ski back downhill the next day (which, to my limited experience, is ~3 times faster than the way up) You may also want to try skiing with a loaded pack, both climbing and descending terrain and trails similar to your proposed trip. Executing a turn with a full pack on wild snow is a lot different than turning on groomed Tahoe Donner XC trails. Damn, so, no hockey stops? You may or may not need metal edged skis, but you need a ski that will support your weight with pack without breaking. Also 100 percent carbon fiber poles may not survive your calling on them with your pack. I've learned this the hard way on one of my previous day trips into BC. RIP my SWIX TEAM pole. So, only cheap Al. You may want to take along one of those satallite beacons that send GPS "cookie crumb" trail locations to a designated E-mail address. Interesting. Can I rent one in Truckee? Can I add everyone's emails at RSN to the list? That will simplify recovery if it turns out that you really don't know what you are doing. That said, wild skiing in nice places is a great experience. Personally, I'd prefer to do a DNT hut to hut carrying a lighter pack with guides who know what they are doing. |
#8
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
My wife and I used to live and teach xc skiing at a lodge on Fallen
Leaf Lake; Desolation was our backyard. It's a great potential introductory place if the weather is good (which it is a lot of the time), but should be respected if the weather and/or snow conditions are threatening. I have seen some major avalanches in the Glen Alpine valley (which is where you will likely be if you start at Fallen Leaf Lake rather than Echo). One thing my wife and I did is to pitch our tent (make a base camp) and then day-ski with a lighter day pack. This was back in the 80s and we seldom saw anyone. We used relatively light metal-edged waxless Fischers and Karhus. They were fast and if the snow was corn, we would actually skate. Boots weren't that heavy either. I still use these skis when the conditions are good, but mostly use alpine touring gear for the steeper downhills. If you are in pretty good shape, your equipment is light enough, and the snow conditions are good, you may find that you can cover huge distances in a small amount of time. On the way back from the bay area, I used to get dropped off at Echo and ski to Fallen Leaf Lake: a couple of hours. It's actually a lot shorter distance than you might think. In fact, Desolation itself isn't all that big. I imagine there are a lot more people these days, but it's still a wonderful place. Torsten On Jan 26, 5:23*pm, " wrote: If you have never done an overnight in the snow you may want to give it a try by skiing in a short distance with your loaded pack, spending the night with what you think you need before trying expedition travel. *By short, you should be close enough to your vehicle so that you can self-evaculate without having to trouble search and rescue. That's why I liked *the Fleaf route better: if I realize that I am not getting anywhere, I will crash and sleep wherever I get to on the first day (while still being in a valley, i.e. protected from the wind) and then ski back downhill the next day (which, to my limited experience, is ~3 times faster than the way up) You may also want to try skiing with a loaded pack, both climbing and descending terrain and trails similar to your proposed trip. Executing a turn with a full pack on wild snow is a lot different than turning on groomed Tahoe Donner XC trails. Damn, so, no hockey stops? You may or may not need metal edged skis, but you need a ski that will support your weight with pack without breaking. *Also 100 percent carbon fiber poles may not survive your calling on them with your pack. I've learned this the hard way on one of my previous day trips into BC. RIP my SWIX TEAM pole. So, only cheap Al. You may want to take along one of those satallite beacons that send GPS "cookie crumb" trail locations to a designated E-mail address. Interesting. Can I rent one in Truckee? Can I add everyone's emails at RSN to the list? That will simplify recovery if it turns out that you really don't know what you are doing. *That said, wild skiing in nice places is a great experience. *Personally, I'd prefer to do a DNT hut to hut carrying a lighter pack with guides who know what they are doing. |
#9
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
On Jan 26, 5:23*pm, "
wrote: Interesting. Can I rent one in Truckee? Can I add everyone's emails at RSN to the list? with guides who know what they are doing.- Hide quoted text - http://www.rei.com/product/766529 With a SPOT Satellite Messenger, Backpacker April '08 states, ''Now you can call in a rescue—or simply send the OK signal—from anywhere.'' The world's first satellite messenger, SPOT sends your coordinates and messages via commercial satellite to inform others of your location and status. Offers an affordable alternative to personal locator beacons, satellite phones and cell-based GPS trackers Provides virtually full coverage in North America, Europe and Australia Also covers portions of South America, northern Africa and northeastern Asia, along with thousands of miles of offshore areas ''Alert 911'' function dispatches emergency responders to your exact location Use ''Help'' feature to request assistance from friends or family ''Check In'' allows you to transmit your location and that you are okay |
#10
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ski from Fallen Leaf lake to Lake Aloha, Deso wilderness
On Jan 26, 6:43*pm, freeheelfunhog wrote:
My wife and I used to live and teach xc skiing at a lodge on Fallen Leaf Lake; Desolation was our backyard. It's a great potential introductory place if the weather is good (which it is a lot of the time), but should be respected if the weather and/or snow conditions are threatening. I have seen some major avalanches in the Glen Alpine valley (which is where you will likely be if you start at Fallen Leaf Lake rather than Echo). The forecast looks good. We have decided to do exactly what you suggested - ski into Deso on day 1 (half day, realistically), make camp, sleep, ski around on day 2 (Pyramid peak?), sleep, ski back down (half day, realistically). I am a bit worried about avalanches, but I am hoping the snow have settled by the time we get there (they just had a storm and it is supposed to be warm for the rest of the week). |
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