frequency - The Snowboarders Journal News by chris-gallardo

Crystal Range Pond Skimming

Chris Gallardo — Wed, 17 Jun 09 00:26:27 -0700

Last year on a late season trip in June my friend Matt and I discovered the perfect pond for skimming. The pond sits just below of the crest of the Crystal Range in Desolation Wilderness, CA near Lake Tahoe. We had a really fun time so this year we knew we had to go back to session it more. Here's some pics.

Hiking up the granite with a full load

Along the way we pass some of the many lakes in the basin

Camp

The next morning we set out to find the pond now dubbed "the crystal pond", lots of snowmelt along the way

As we gained elevation we were greeted with nice views of Lake Aloha

Soon we were at the pond, time to guinea it

No prob

After a few runs it was time to get down to business and skim the pond lengthwise

Booya kasha

After a few more runs it was time to sample the holy water and head back to camp

We got back to camp in the nick of time right before the thunderstorms started dumping on us

The next morning we awoke to blue skies and had some breakfast before heading back to civilization

Drying our gear

Cheers to a fun trip!

To learn more about splitboarding visit www.splitboard.com and to see more pics check out the Trip Report Forum here.

Tioga and Sonora Passes - mid May

Chris Gallardo — Mon, 15 Jun 09 10:51:50 -0700

In the late season (April/May) backcountry riders and skiers watch the CalTrans website religiously in anticipation of opening dates for the high sierra passes. When the passes open to cars they provide great access to some of the amazing terrain that is more difficult to get to in the winter. Here's some pics from two of the popular passes in mid May.

Heading up Tioga Pass

Booting up Ellery Bowl

Looking down the Ripper Chute

Dropping

Mmcpheet our designated skier is next

Seth plays clean up

Skinning back up to the plateau

On top looking towards Mono Lake

Seth takes a quick break before we head over to Chute Out

Seth in the Chute Out chute

Chris

The next day we drove north to Sonora Pass

Seth skinning

The geology here is unique

Pick a line any line

Seth dropping into the Y Couloir

Chris

Seth on our second run

Venture plug at the pick up spot at the hairpin turn

Looking back

To learn more about splitboarding check out www.splitboard.com and for more Trip Reports click here.

Late season riding at Echo Lakes CA

Chris Gallardo — Wed, 27 May 09 11:57:37 -0700

One of my favorite trips of the year is always the annual Echo Lakes Boat Taxi trip at the end of the season. The Echo Lakes area is located just west of Lake Tahoe off Echo Summit and provides year round fun of all types. In winter the lakes are frozen and provide good access to the surrounding peaks and powder. In spring and summer when the lakes thaw they run a boat taxi for $10 each way allowing you to shave off 5 miles round trip of walking to get into Desolation Wilderness for spring riding and backpacking. If you're in the area you should check it out for sure.

Here's some pics by Chris Gallardo and Davide De Masi

The gear

Don't fall into the holes opening up in the snow!

On top

David drops

Pond skim action

A recycled pond skim from last year

Back for another run

The pencil line

Ralston Lake

Back at the boat dock and the beer stash

Yum...ice cold IPAs

The locals

Rinse

Feeling the crunch of the economy we decided to save our $10 and walk back to the main dock, here's a wild flower along the way

Almost there

Another fun late season trip and there's a few more in the tank still.

To see more pics from this trip or to learn more about splitboarding, visit splitboard.com

The other South Lake

Chris Gallardo — Sat, 16 May 09 09:46:07 -0700

When most people hear the term "South Lake" they probably think of the Super Pipe at Sierra Tahoe or the parks at Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe. There is however another South Lake about an hour south of Mammoth Mountain near the small town of Bishop, California.

There's no resorts at this South Lake or magic carpet rides to take you to the top and there's no park maintenance crew to build you the perfect jump. The terrain features are they type that only Mother Nature could create and you'll find everything from big peaks and steep chutes to bowls and windlips. There's enough sick terrain to keep you busy for days.

At this South Lake you can drive to 9,800ft which is almost 1000ft higher than the top of Sierra Tahoe and just a couple hundred feet shy of Heavenly's top elevation. From the parking lot you'll work your way along the west shore of South Lake to the snow-line and hit whatever looks good. If you're into late season riding and don't mind a little effort you should check it out for sure.

Here's some recent pics from the beginning of March, enjoy.

pics by danmingoriphotography.com

The major difference between the two is that there's no resorts at this South Lake or magic carpet rides to take you to the top. There's no park maintenance crew to build you the perfect jump and the terrain features are they type that only Mother Nature could create. Here you'll find everything from big peaks and steep chutes to bowls and windlips. There's enough sick terrain to keep you busy for days.

Here's some recent pics from the beginning of May, enjoy.

pics by danmingoriphotography.com

The view from the parking lot.

Skinning up to the goods.

Booting the last few steps to a random chute.

Riding.

Back up for another run.

Doubles.

Looking back.

Take a load off.

To see more pics from this TR or to learn more about splitboarding, check out www.splitboard.com

Big Game Hunting in the Eastern Sierra

Chris Gallardo — Mon, 11 May 09 15:54:53 -0700

With the calendar reading May and Cali springtime riding in full effect Chris Gallardo, Dan Mingori, and Brooks Goodnight headed to the "eastside" to kill a big peak. The peak is aptly named Deerhorn Mountain due to the way it's twin summits look like deer antlers. The summit sits at 13,265ft and the roundtrip stats from the trailhead are around 27miles distance and 8,500ft of elevation gain.

At 3:30pm Brooks heads up a dry Kearsarge Pass trail in the John Muir Wilderness.

After a mile or so of walking on dry trail we reach continuous snow and get to put our splitboards to work.

Three hours later we reach the top of the pass.

After a short ride down the valley we reach our camp just as the color is getting good.

Here we find Dan who came out the day before and get ready for the day to come.

The next morning we wake up early and see the day's first light tickling the top of our goal, Deerhorn Mountain.

Before we know it we've had breakfast and start the long hike. The morning crux includes downclimbing a 1000ft or so of dry terrain and finding a way to cross the creek. Eventually we find a snow bridge and start making our way up the canyon.

Dan skinning. Our camp is in the valley in the background.

As we get closer we can't help but throw up some devilhorns.....errr I mean deerhorns.

We also notice some recent wet slide activity.

After 5 hours of hiking and one blister later we reach the base of the couloir and start making our way up it, Brooks.

The climb up the couloir is straightforward and at the top Dan and Brooks decide to bag the summit. Dan makes the last move.

Brooks enjoying the view from the top.

After a short break its time to ride, Brooks does the honors.

Chris is next.

The snow was great.

Brooks.

Chris.

Dan.

Looking back.

Back at the creek we find our snow bridge shrinking but still passable, Brooks.

The dry, trail-less hike back to camp was our least favorite part but it was all in a day's work.

Sleep came easy that night after a 10.5 hour day in our boots but I had enough energy for a slow shutter shot before calling it a night.

The next morning we heading back to the car and were stoked when we got there.

To see more pics from this trip, other cool trip reports, or to learn more about splitboarding check out splitboard.com.