SMG's Snow report is for the snow conditions in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. We report on conditions as we see them, or from reports we get from our friends. This snow report is for snow quality and coverage conditions, not for anything related to stability of the snowpack on backcountry slopes. For the backcountry avalanche advisory please visit the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center website. Be aware that snow conditions can change rapidly. You need to be aware and knowledgeable of factors leading to unstable snow, and perceptive enough to shift gears in poor conditions. We highly recommend taking an avalanche course that focuses on backcountry decision making before entering into avalanche terrain. Contact us with your snow observations!
January 30, 2012
January 24, 2012
January 22, 2012
January 2, 2012 Well skiers and snowboarders, if you are still out there, welcome to the Eastern Sahara backcountry. It's dry as the proverbial popcorn fart out there, and the end of this drought is not in sight. Here are a couple of interesting stats: driest December on Mammoth since 1987 after the biggest December on record, driest December on record in the city of Reno since 1883. So tell all of your friends on the CA coast to start pointing their sprinklers at the sky and maybe we'll get a little moisture going. I'm downright parched over here. Get out and climb a rock or some ice will ya?
A picture says it all about December 29, 2011. Thanks Alex Few for the cool, yet depressing (for skiers & snowboarders), aerial photo.
December 20th, 2011 Happy Winter skiers and snow-jonesers! Hope you had a good "other" season. We are just starting up the backcountry snow report, due to the weather history - or lack there of I should say. It is bonier than an anorexic chicken out there. A few brave and desperate souls have sustained core shots in their rock skis this season in Bloody Couloir and similar terrain features, but the wise, frugal, and/or patient among us have been waiting to venture into the backcountry. Unfortunately that wait has been quite long and based on the current long range forecast, we may not be able to backcountry ski in earnest before 2012. This means we might see the leanest December in history following the fattest of 2010. Reno has no recorded measurable snow to date, and the last time they had a snow-free December was 1883. Let's all pray that we don't meet that benchmark, but it could happen.
The upshot is: Mammoth and June Mountain are both open and conditions have been ideal for snowmaking. That gives us something to do while we wait. Perhaps more exciting for backcountry enthusiasts, it is very unusual to be able to access so many beautiful alpine lakes that are frozen over like glass, perfect for backcountry ice skating. Very cool. The roads are all clear, even Hwy 120, so access for winter mountaineering is superb. Plus the ice has come in nicely and there are many ice lines usually covered with snow that are looking good at the moment. See our ice report for the latest on that. Fortunately, we also live in mecca for winter rock climbing and bouldering. There is plenty to do while we wait for the snow season to start.
Until then, relax, eat, drink, and be merry. Enjoy the holiday and we'll update this report when the snow flies again. Enjoy! - Howie
Trailhead Access - January 2, 2012:
-Whitney Portal: open -Onion Valley: open -Big Pine Creek/McMurray Meadows: open -Bishop Creek: open -Buttermilk/ Mt. Tom: open -Rock Creek: open -McGee Creek: open -Convict Creek: open -Mammoth Lakes Basin: normal winter closure -June Lake Loop: open -Tioga Pass (Hwy 120): open -Virginia Lakes: open -Twin Lakes: open
Pro ski legend Kent Kreitler on a SMG Level 2 avalanche course.
Pro Skier Chris Benchetler gets results from a Rutschblock test on a SMG Level 1 avy course.
