'Now that's what I'm talkin' about'

The gang at the top

Another perfect day at Mammoth Mountain!

Be careful about what you say to kids. They're always listening and believe they can do anything. Actually, they can do anything, assuming we don't limit them with our own assumptions about where a kid's place is. Here's one place a five year old kid belongs: Cornice Bowl.

Aaron and Meghan were on their way to the top of the mountain and Mina, pictured here, said she wanted to go too. She always skis with us wherever we go, and she's usually not last. She's skied some of SoCals steeper test pieces and so she completely understood what she was getting into: the chance to test herself on one of the world's classic bowls: Mammoth's Cornice Bowl.

Before we could get into the far side of the bowl where the snow was a little steeper and cut up into perfect bumps, we needed to traverse under a dozen skiers and riders perched on the precipice in various states of fear. One nice guy smiled at us and said he'd 'never seen a seven year old up here before.' I smiled back and told him he still hasn't; she's five, to which he replied 'Now that's what I'm talking about.'

Aaron and Meghan went down to the bottom of the run to take pics and shout encouragement while dad stayed up top, taking pics and ready to offer assistance should it be needed. By the time I got the camera out she was half way down. Check out li'l sis at the end of the vid getting air over the jumps. . .

Then came the phrase I didn't expect to hear for at least two more years: "Dad, can we ski Cornice again?". Now that's what I'm talkin' about! Let's race to the gondola. . .

I want to set the record straight. Cornice Bowl wasn't my idea. Sure I put the idea in her head when I told her last season you can tell people you're a good skier once you've skied Cornice, and sure I didn't try to talk her out of it and tell her she's too little. She was skiing well all week and she and I both knew she was up to it. In the end it was her choice, and her success! Great Job Mina!

Mina got another confidence boost on the way to the Main Lodge. I asked her if she wanted to learn how to zipper bumps or if she just wanted to cruise, and to my surprise she wanted to learn more. We were on Broadway and since it was afternoon there were some nice soft bumps to play on; smallish and easy to bomb strait down. I made twenty or so quick turns down the fall line, then stopped and watched her come right down my line, quick little bump bump bumps. She finished by making a hockey stop right below me and smiled. She knew she nailed it.

Everything was perfect. Just then, a really nice ski instructor stopped and introduced herself. She talked to Mina and told her she had seen her from the lift and wanted to meet her. She complimented Mina on her natural style and great form and gave her some words of encouragement, namely that a kids place is in the terrain parks and on the steeps! What she said!!

It seems like by the end of every trip the girls are a year better. Cornice Bowl? Zippering bumps? Cruising the super pipe? What the heck can we do next week? We'll have a week of comet watching, cave exploring and geocaching in Anza Borrego to think about it!

Enjoy!

-g

Another fun day at Mammoth

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, we headed off for another great day on Mammoth Mountain yesterday. Tony and the girls had never been here, so we did a big tour of the front side including two terrain parks and a ride on the gondola.


We had 20-40mph winds so we didn't go to the top. Mina was working on skiing fast and loading the lifts without help from parents or lifties, and Minnie was working on getting maximum air on all the jumps and skiing mogals.

Today looks like a perfect day with only light winds so we'll try for the top. Aaron C. just arrived after a power commute so we'll be trying to keep up with him today. -g

Tomorrow might be interesting. . .

Today was perfect. Sunny skies, soft snow, cheap tickets, and no crowds. There were several 10 minute lift rides where we saw no one on the run under us or on the chairs. A liftie told us only 90 people had been there by noon and that most of them had probably gone to work/school already. Contrast that to Mountain High last week. Larger crowds than I've ever seen; seems like folks are staying local.

Tony and Meghan got here tonight and we were all sharing our Mammoth horror stories. In-bounds avis, mega volcanos, steam vents, scalding hot springs, arsenic laden trout and brutal winds. Tony still thinks we're kidding about the wind shed and cargo net under chair 23.

Tomorrow's plan is to head over to Mammoth because June's forecast isn't promising. . .

Point Forecast: 2 Miles SSE June Lake CA
37.76°N 119.08°W (Elev. 9086 ft)

Hazardous weather condition(s):

Wind Advisory

Overnight: Snow likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23. Very windy, with a west wind around 45 mph, with gusts as high as 95 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.

Thursday: A 50 percent chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 27. Strong and damaging winds, with a southwest wind between 55 and 60 mph, with gusts as high as 100 mph.

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Lots of dead trees are coming down tonight. Wish us luck!

-g

We Made It!

We made it! 15 years at REI and we're off on a month long adventure! Together!! A little sun and a little snow. Gotta love SoCal.

The original plan was to leave EARLY. Yeah, like that was ever going to happen. First, I packed everything winter-ish I've managed to acquire at used gear sales over the past fifteen years, put the two body bags into the Trooper, Stuffed the girls bags, alpine skis, boots, helmets, food, snowshoes, XC skis, assorted electronic gizmos, books and some rum into the truck, checked the oil, kicked the tires, imposed on Susan to feed Bill the Cat, then headed off for Mammoth.

Almost.

First I had to do my review before disappearing for a month. Then, since I'm heading in that general direction, shuttle a van to Arcadia. And hey, since In-N-Out is right down the street. . . We finally hit the road at frak'n two.

We stopped at Red Rock Canyon on the way (no cell reception, but they do have WiFi) so the girls could climb and play, then headed to Lone Pine on fumes. The cheapest gas was in Mojave (2.26/87) and at the casinos in Independence and Bishop. Called ahead and ate pizza in Bishop, then got here about 10pm.

We found a cheap place in June for $70/night including WiFi, a king, a queen futon and a kitchen. Sleeps four but will have to cram six tomorrow when two more come to play.

June midweek is now $37! The roads were empty and this place is dead. Folks are worried about the economy, but if you can swing it, right now looks pretty good. Hey, if you aren't working, may as well play.

Going to bed now. . .

-g