The Headwall Chair is not exactly looking “primed and ready”.
How do I know this ski season is becoming certifiably ludicrous? Because the SHERIFF (who was actually wearing an avalanche transceiver!) just came to my house and told me I should evacuate due to high avalanche danger that will exist thru Sunday, that’s how.
Decidedly not leaving, I dreamily gaze outta my second story window, getting an eyeball full of snow to the middle of the window, and think: “C’mon how damaging could an avalanche be here?” Answer: The house I live in on Sandy was hit by an avalanche in the comparably huge winter of 1983 and was condemned. So…pretty damaging.
The view out of my second story window.
Here’s what you can see of my house and car right now. Avy path to the right.
I’d love to Eloquently Entice you with Wonderous Words about how Absolutely Ape-shit it is in Tahoe but, I know that you simply want the numbers.
45” of new snow at Squaw in 24 hours on 3/24/11.
7-14 feet of snow in Tahoe in the past 7 days.
223” of snow have fallen at the summit of Squaw in the month of March alone. (Alpine is reporting 280”, they are right next door, humans!)
670” at Squaw so far this season and our average is 450”. (Alpine claims 788”.)
12-24” of snow forecasted by Saturday evening. It keeps coming.
#1 snowiest winter on record in Squaw Valley history. (they’ve been recording since 1959)
7th snowiest season since 1879, when they started recording on Donner Summit, if you put our 670″ on the Donner Chart.
13”of snow in 1 hour at 8,300’ at Squaw yesterday evening between 6:30pm and 7:30pm and during that same 1 hour, 4″ at my house in Squaw.
100mph wind gusts consistently on the ridge at Squaw between 12:15pm and 4:45pm on 3/24/11.
120mph wind gusts consistently on the ridge at Squaw between 2:00pm and 4:45pm on 3/24/11.
I-80 has basically been closed due to avalanches, whiteouts, and accidents since Sunday, 3/20/11.
Schidiot’s, Tram Chute, Sacrafice, and McConkey’s, 4 lines that many consider to be the most technical lines at Squaw, have been hit all within the past week.
“Yes, but what does it all mean Basil?“ It means that the snow has been bottomless, the skiing has been epic, and that there has been an uncontainable energy amongst the bro-brahs at Squaw. What it really means it that this is, in actuality, the best winter that Squaw has ever had and the past 6 weeks have been the highlight. It’s been non-stop since February 16th and frankly, as stated in an earlier post, I’m sick of face-shots.
Trees off Squaw Creek Chair on 3/24/11.
Random buried house on Sandy way.
“Ok, well what’s it doing in Squaw Valley right now?” you may ask.
In reply, I’d gracefully answer “It’s f$%king dumping! What the hell did you think it would be doing?”
Here’s the Red Dog Chair about 1 inch off the ground on 3/25/11.
Top of Red Dog Chair.
Sandy Way, Squaw Valley, snowbank.
The view out of my front door. Yeah….that’s snow.
I guess Jeremy Jones has saved your winter becuase humans have control over the weather.
Unbelievable – thanks for the numbers!
Such a funny post, the past 6 weeks have pretty much made up for every bad day I’ve ever had. And I’m not talking about days on the hill, I’m talking about every bad day of my entire life.
At this point I don’t even shovel my crazy steps out. I just bomb off the side of my balcony and slide down the plow berm into the road.
The view out your window works for me. Can I move in? Will make you the best sammies in the world for the rest of the season.
Deal, I even have a pannini machine and it rocks!
Love the post! This is unreal. Just put fat Atomic Bent Chetlers on my hit list.
Time to change the batteries in the transceiver. Hope to stop in on the way down the hill soon if you haven’t evacuated and run for cover somewhere.
Kirkwood will top 800 inches this year!
That’s my random house on Sandy.
good to see your internet is still working.
JRS, I hope it’s cool I used the picture. You’re place is buried!
JRS….Was supposed to be house sitting downstairs! Good thing I havent tried to make it up Wayne!!
and mgmt. says the closing date is may 8th???? wtf!!! say it ain’t so..
Gwt out your skins, bro-brah!!!
@JRS – You probably wanna clear your roof, dude
I lived in that house on Sandy! I remember the floods/mudslides in 1997, they asked to evacuate then too!
You’re numbers are so tight. You’re hired into the fiefdom.
Wow…Incredible what was the differential between “miracle march” and this one gnarlible march? I’m curious I was living two-three doors east of your house on the down hill side with Ty. It was one on Jeans houses. That means it was in the path no wonder why rent was cheap…
as hard as it is to endure the non-ski aspect of a winter like you’ve got going, I’d much rather live there (with beacon, probe and shovel on) than in Phoenix, AZ. If you need a break lets do an all out week trade Az Bike Week is going on right now lots of m/c’s and 80′s rock bands.
Bryce, AZ sounds pretty good right now! Spring training, being drunk and sunburned, warmth, ah…..paradise!
Ahhh reminds of my youth. Great pictures! We lived on Sandy in the early 80′s. Fortunately we were on spring vacation at the coast when the Alpine Meadows avalanche struck in April! Heed all warnings my friend.
Geewizz! I’m here in SoCal and here I am sunny weather and 70 while it’s puking up in the hills… Sucks I really live in Seattle and are just here visiting for the week….. Fml
Of course we visited in the only two week storm break during march.. Dang it! Super lame…