Robin Waldroup Skiing Grab at Squaw Valley Spring Jam 3 (2000)

Hank Baker skiing steep Corn snow above Sand Harbor

We hiked up Bear Claw Chute early this spring day. The snow was very marginal down low where it did not freeze hard; had a crust on top and loose crystals below. This run is a slide area that slides often enough as we could see by all the trees at the bottom of the slide path that were broken and leaning downhill. So we carefully worked our way up on skins and snowshoes in the trees and out of the slide path. Once we got higher the snow pack was a more solid and stable condition so we proceeded almost to the top. The sun was starting to get pretty hot and the question of the snow pack stability on this steep grade helped us decide it was time for decent before we made the crest.

Will Church snowboarding above Sand Harbor

Very steep fun corn snow turns down the top third, fair careful turns on middle third, and pure survival traversing and sliding on bottom third. Poor Hank almost broke his legs a couple of times as the snow snakes were grabbing his skis. I could barely side slip on my board on the very variable snow; the worst snow conditions I have ever experienced. Not the full glory run we hiked up there for but still a good day on the snow.

We were talking about some adventurers likely do this run in the winter and access from top of Diamond Peak ski resort or from Hwy 50. The resort does not have open borders so it would be a poach; Hwy 50 may be closer. Or straight up the thing as we did so you can get a feel for the snow, but is a lot more vertical work. Be mindful and make informed decisions so you can come back and ride again.

Tight FS Cutback – banking off the moving wall

Original image by Dave Nelson

Eric Toda FS floater with grab at the 2000 Cold Water Classic