Friday, June 14, 2019

Tioga Pass Ski Days

The high country got a good solid freeze and high pressure was building in, so I hitched up the trailer, camped up in Lee Vining Canyon, and went skiing.

Day One: Kidney Chute

The first day up we skied up from Tioga Pass under pretty skies.


On Dana Plateau

Mt Dana

Looking Southeast from the top of Kidney Chute. Grant Lake, Mono Craters, White Mountains

Ann & Olive blissing out in the chute. Perfect corn skiing!

Kidney Lake

Snack time at the bottom of the chute.

I headed west and skied down the Dana Fork back to Dana Meadows.


Day 2: West Face of Mt Dana

The next day Jason came up looking to ski something fun and mellow, so we toured up from the pass.

We cruised over to the northwest ridge to look at the chutes and admire the views. Dana Lake and Mono Lake

Matt, Ann and Ben contemplate their next move

Jason and I skied the big mellow bowl

To a fun avalanche path

Looking back at the runs lower on the west side of  Dana


Day 3: Tioga Peak & Pt 11365

Skiing in this zone is popular no doubt. The next day I opted to get off the beaten path and head up to Gardisky Lake to ski the slopes above.

False White Mountain (center) is a magnet for skiers.

From Gardisky Lake I skinned up these low angle, south facing slopes to pt 11365. Later I hit the north face of Tioga Peak on the right.

Fine views of Mt Conness  (left) and North Peak (right)

Mt Dana & Tioga Pass

Gardisky Lake and Pt 11365


Day 4: White Mountain

Next up I decided to ski the north slopes of White Mountain.

After an exciting creek crossing I cruised the pretty meadows near Sawmill Campgroung

Mt Conness

Lots o sun cups

Ptarmigan!

There are some very attractive chutes off the northeast of ridge of White Mountain

 Eventually the gorgeous bowl north of White Mountain appeared. I skied from the skyline left of center.
 
Views from the ridge

Mt Conness

The slog out was nicely punctuated by several interesting features.


Twas always nice to return to camp and relax after skiing.

So much fun!

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