Sierra Lemonade

2012-01-20T15:25:00.000-08:00

Mt. Whitney in early January 2012. photo: Alex Few

Well I always thought lemonade was a summer brew, but as itturns out California lemons tend to ripen in the late fall or early winter. Ilearned this thanks to a stubborn airmass called the Hudson Bay Low. Thisatmospheric feature decided to park itself for the long term this winter. Thismay have worked out well for Alaska skiers so far this season, but it has leftus high and dry.

One year after the raucous start to what became the biggestwinter in Mammoth Mountain’s history last year, we now sit at less than 14% ofnormal snowpack. Indeed, a fine citrus harvest of one gigantic, ripe lemon ofan early ski season. What I mean by that is: the Reno area had the driestDecember since 1883 and recorded a drought of 56 days without measurableprecipitation until it got a dusting North of town, Tioga Pass stayed openuntil January 17^th- later into the winter than it has since the1930’s, people have been hiking in shorts, road biking, and sunbathing shirtlessin the darkest part of winter, and climbing 14’ers in Winter like it is July.

Ice climbing on Drug Dome, Tuolumne Meadows, Dec 2011

Depressing this may sound, call it “June-uary” or “November78^th" if you will, but the truth is that it has been an early winterfor the history books like nothing I have experienced in the Eastern Sierra,and we may never again. I say this in a most positively uplifting and graciousway. Nature reminds us from time to time that some things are unexpected andbeyond our control. Those times actually present the greatest opportunities forus if we are open to seeing them. The critical ingredient – sugar – transformsa sour liquid into a sweet and delicious taste sensation.

Summit of Cathedral Peak, Winter Solstice 2011

I want to thank my local friends, clients, and adventurers in the greater online community who haveembraced the Sierra drought in the last month. I havebeen inspired to enjoy steep, sunny sport climbing in the Owens River Gorge, boulderwith my 15 month old son in the Druids, climb sunny alpine rock in Tuolumne inthe sparking low light of solstice, learn to ice skate and experience theunforgettable ambience of backcountry alpine ice skating in the Palisades, climb legendary,ephemeral ice formations in Yosemite that are rarely in condition and normallytake days to approach on skis, mountain bike after work with my family. Theseare experiences that have created lasting memories I will always be gratefulfor. The 15 ski runs so far I have taken this season on Mammoth Mountain, notso much.

Ice skating with the family on Tenaya Lake. January 14, 2012

Am I ready for snow? Yes, I am. And it is coming very soon. Iwill no doubt savor the cool and refreshing lemonade we tasted through theearly winter though, even as the cold February powder hits my face and my mindobsesses once again about ski lines and snowy adventures. - Howie

Check out this trip report for the last ice climb we had inYosemite, finishing just moments before the Tioga Pass Road finally closed for the season…

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Sierra Lemonade