A PYRAMID LAKE AND A RENO VISIT, PLUS A LIGHT SKI TOUR TO PETER GRUBB HUT February 17-18, 2000

Having taken a mid-week, winter, overnight excursion to Reno, Nevada, for a few years now, to take advantage of the discounted hotel rooms in the Downtown area, I chose to make this current trip to dispel my inactive winter blues. This web site doesn't seem to attract any wilderness users to offer company for these trips!

Not wishing to ski pack and snow camp solo, especially with the then current, USFS announced, avalanche warnings, and also with the oncoming storms, I spent the night indoors with outside low temps of freezing or below.

Driving up Interstate 80 through a light blizzard, I stopped at the Patagonia Outlet where a holiday weekend sale was in progress. All items were 50% discounted from the already reduced Outlet prices. Seeing the 100 or so people going in and out of the store, I asked if there had been an ad in the paper. "No, all by word-of-mouth," I was told. Customers were leaving with big, clear plastic sacks full of fleece and other clothing. Having many Patagonia items already, I thought to avoid the long wait in line. But, the deals were too good. I chose two items, and would have taken more if I had more room and time to shop. But, standing in line for 70 minutes as it was, I didn't want to lose my place in line. I didn't have plans for much else to do today, with the poorer weather.

I finally left the store to see clouds, blue skies, and sun. Checking into the Hotel, I then opted for a drive out to Pyramid Lake. The rain fell lightly, but I could see sunbreaks on the snowy peaks in the distance.

Coming to my lake viewpoint on Highway 445, I parked and waited for photos with the changing light. A rainbow appeared on the lake water, and I knew this was a good sign. The clouds shifted so slowly, and then I could see the peaks. A beam of sunlight hit the pyramid that the lake is named after. Beautiful!

I waited and took pictures for about an hour and a quarter, then as the weather began to worsen, I headed back for my hotel room. I watched the TV news, and most importantly, the weather report. I hoped to complete a checkout ski tour to test my equipment and restore my technique.

My buffet dinner meal consisted of delicious pasta, mushroom, shrimp, and seafood salads, then tasty herb roasted chicken, pork cutlets, salmon, stuffed bell pepper, rice pilaf and gravy, with carrots, cauliflower, and squash. There were plenty more entrees to choose from, but I try to be moderate. My free drink choice was lemonade. For a lighter dessert, I picked two big finger-sized, flaky pastry rolls, covered with chocolate, and whipped cream inside. I wouldn't need to eat again tonight!

I woke up at 8 a.m. the next day to bright sunshine. I quickly got moving, checked out, and drove over for a fast, light breakfast at a nearby burger joint. There was a grey cloud layer over the Mt. Rose massif.

Taking Interstate 80 west, I watched the weather. Sunbreaks appeared on the snowy ridges above as I passed Verdi. The sky cleared somewhat as I came to the highway vista point west past Truckee. The light was so soft and the snow so pure and fresh, I took two photos of Donner Peak and the snowsheds of the train tracks.

Coming to the Castle Peak Exit, I drove to the south frontage road Sno-Park area. I purchased my Sno-Park parking pass ($5) from the motel there, and changed into my ski clothes. My skis and pack were ready to go.

Making the short hike to the snow on the north side of the exit, I was skiing at just after 10 a.m. The sights were gorgeous already! Fresh snow on the trees, and fresh tracks in the snow brought back many old memories. I couldn't help start taking lots of photos.

I choose this area, since skiing alone, there would be other skiers to lend a hand if a disaster struck. I have never been immobilized skiing or climbing, but there might be a first time. I carry plenty of clothes and gear to survive bad luck. With the two Patagonia jackets that I carried, I could probably survive a cool night in relative comfort. For search and rescue, it puts less pressure on the teams if it is known that there is no immediate threat to life. Dangers to the teams would be lessened. This safety concern could be used for other hapless individuals. I try to be a responsible skier.

I slowly took the snowmobile, ski, and snowshoe track up to Castle Pass. Rather having to break trail, I take tracks as they are there. I stripped out of a layer or two, and enjoyed the sunny skies and cool temperatures. Reaching the Pass, I stopped and put on my jacket and shell. Another tourer with a cotton flannel shirt came and quickly left due to the cold wind. I was toasty warm, and did photography and general relaxing. Last year, in colder conditions, I had a thermos of hot chicken and rice soup here. This really hits the spot!

It was still before Noon, so I took a track toward the Sierra Club's Peter Grubb Hut. I enjoyed a short, deep powder run through the trees before coming to the meadow. Coming to the hut, there was no one about. I checked inside, and saw the firewood supply was low. I sat on the front steps, enjoying the views of Castle Peak's north slope and the snow-plastered trees high on Basin Peak.

The outhouse was accessible. The hut had three or four feet of snow on the roof, and the snow came up to the second floor on one side. Reapplying sunblock, the SPF 50 did me well. I shot self-portraits of me and the hut with my self-timer. I no longer ski, that often, to consider this a once, ho-hum, tour.

I would have skied Basin Peak if I had a companion. However, having done that so many times before, I chose to be conservative since I was using touring boots that had failed twice before. That was a good call.

Climbing quickly back to the Pass, I stopped as seven snowmobilers roared past. I had seen some of them playing the game of high-marking. Then, my right boot came apart. I tried anyway to do my usual tele turns on the steep slope here, but I took a fall as my boot ripped even more. I repaired the separation with parachute cord (duct tape would have been better), but was more careful skiing out on the powdery track.

Other tourers were still going up, as it was early afternoon. I came back to the car at about 2:30 p.m., and was driving home at about 3 p.m.

The stats today were about a thousand feet gain over 5 miles round trip. One season, my first real ski tour, made with a SMS group, required a gain of 5,000 feet on mostly 25-35 degree slopes. I was slow, and took falls. It is a necessity to build up muscle that simply isn't used in regular everyday life. If you do this frequently, you build up apparent, superhuman strength.

I used a cheaply bought pair of waxless, half length metal-edged skis. My bindings are 75mm norm three-pins. This time, I left the skins and wax kit at home. I utilize a lot of gear only for winter. You won't get dirty, worn equipment from skiing. Good Gore-Tex parkas, bibs, and gaitors, while not often necessary in three-season hiking or climbing conditions, wind up wasted while not being used. But, they last for years if cared for. If the price is right, make the investment!

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