April 24th thru 27th, 2008
Tour de Josephus - 4 days in the Sierra
Joe
Day #1 - Thursday, 4/24/08 - The approach - Rock Creek to Bear Creek Spire
A Classic Sierra ski destination - Rock Creek. I would leave this all behind by skiing over the crest, to the west.
For many months last winter I planned a ski tour through the heart of the Sierras in the glory season for our shining mountains - April. Typically the snow pack is the deepest, the weather is mildest, the days are quite long, and the ski legs are strong. Perfect conditions to go out a little deeper into the folds of the range, sleep in a tent, dress light during the day, bundle up tight at night. I dreamed of these perfect conditions and what I might be able to accomplish with my body following my heart. I have never gone out into the mountains for more than just one night. So I needed to plan this carefully and prepare as much as possible before I just skin on out into the great wide open. I bought gear, I researched routes and mini ranges I wanted to explore. I tapped into the advice of several seasoned friends who've lived this experience x10. I planned my menus, I combed through google earth, I debated gear choices. I invited many friends to join my quest, but was ready to go alone if they answered with a no. I finally resolved the right trip was from North Lake to Rock Creek over 7 days. I had peaks lined up to be skied and valleys targeted to be homesteaded. But with any mountain adventure, the weather gets the final word. And the dry, cold winter left many of my objectives bony and uninviting. Then the Spring stayed cold and unsettled, yet never delivered that sloppy storm to fill in my lines. And then when I realized the first half of my golden week was looking like a stormy one in the mountains, I had to change my plans. But then good news was found when it appeared the low would blow East on Wednesday, making room for a nice warm high pressure from Thursday through Sunday. So I shortened my trip to 4 days and decided to go in and out from Rock Creek. Partners were not available, so I set out solo. Here is my first day.
I was not in a hurry to have an early alpine start. Instead I took the time to take Sophie to the bus stop on my way out of town:
My backyard Tahoe jaunts were looking pretty good this morning as well:
I took a little detour to scope out the Dana Plateau. Looking good with nice low snow!
Then I turned onto Rock Creek Road. Which felt more like a desert than a snowy mountain range.
But that soon changed:
I parked and loaded up at the Rock Creek Pack Station (9,870'). At noon I departed. My destination is Cox Col (13,000') - which is the low point just to the right of the very distant Bear Creek Spire, above and left of the sign:
A closer look at Bear Creek Spire (left) and Pip-Squeak Spire (right) with Cox Col between them.
(L to R) BCS, Cox Col, Pip-Squeak Spire, Hourglass, Mount Dade, Treasure Peak (foreground), Mount Abbot (far right):
The little lakes were mostly still frozen, but questionable. It was easy to skirt along the shores though.
I ended up skiing along side John from Cardiff for a ways. It was good company with several interesting conversations taking place:
The pleasant view over Long Lake.
Treasure Peak was begging to be skied. It would be an exciting link up and not far from the road:
Most folks ski the flanks of Mount Dade and camp at Treasure Lakes. Although hard to see, there are tracks below the shaded face of Dade (center). Several groups had set up camps at Treasure Lake.
I happily continued my journey towards BCS.
Where the slopes steepened above Treasure Lakes the ascending became difficult. The little bit of new snow rested on a firm base that caused the new snow to slide beneath the weight of skinning. Booting was equally as difficult with crampons balling up with the loose snow while barely penetrating the icy base below. Progress became slow and the goal was still a ways off:
From where I came was a ways back too:
After struggling up the steep slopes and annoying unstable (yet shallow) snow I was forced to make a decision:
#1. Press on to Cox Col where I might not reach the crest until dark and then negotiate my way down to Lake Italy, or
#2. Ski down to a flat bench beneath BCS where I could camp for the night and try again in the morning on a more gradual route towards the Col.
I was a bit disappointed in not making my original goal, but conceded that option #2 was the wiser choice. I speculated that I should have made an earlier start. But that would have meant not taking Sophie to the bus stop this morning, and that was just as an important part of my day as this ski into the mountains. Turning around below BCS:
My view from camp was just fine. In fact it had a great view of the Northeast Ridge route we climbed in October of 2005.
I took this picture for Uncle Jack:
And this picture for Jodi. She was so good about helping me pack all the right meals. A spinach salad was great after this long day:
Click here for Day #2
Click here for Day #3
Click here for Day #4
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