Got snow, Rat?

sassafraspete · Jan 8, 2005

Heard from my daughter today....they are getting pounded with snow in the Tahoe area. 2-3' additional ft at lake level, and 4-6' above 7000 ft , with 50 mph wind gusts at lake level and up to 100 mph over the ridges.

Unusual amounts of snow stacking up in Carson City and Reno. This made me wonder whether the Rat got insurance and started to grab some of the $580 an hour rate.

He may be out on the plow as we type.

California · Jan 8, 2005

They are getting a little snow up on the hill.

Caltrans reports 4:44 pm Saturday:
I-80 IS CLOSED FROM APPLEGATE (PLACER CO) TO THE NEVADA STATE LINE - DUE TO SNOW & ZERO VISIBILITY

Attached photo: Alpine Meadows livecamera 4:39 pm at the Base Lodge

RobertN · Jan 8, 2005

We're same elevation, but across the canyon from _RAT_, on the south or Highway-50 side(maybe 45 minute ride).

All we have is lots of wind, lots of rain, and some hail. We usually doo get some snow once every year or two; hope we get a little this weekend.

_RaT_ · Jan 8, 2005

Squaw Cam

They estimate 9' to 10' to have dropped at the summit (Donner). What the total is I don't know. The snowplows will push the snow to the side just to make a single lane road. After that, the massive blowers come in. The blowers actually raise off the ground many feet to cut the road. There are times the snow is twice as high as a Greyhound bus. Also up at the Summit is the Union Pacific railroad. Much of the track is covered, but there is still some exposed. They have a massive engine/snow blower. Theres no chance of getting to our cabin for about 3 or 4 days.

sassafraspete · Jan 9, 2005

Yep, sounds like just another flurry. My daughter said it was hard to sleep the other night, as the south lake road crew was grinding the snow tunnel otherwise known as the road in front of her appt bld, and blowing snow back further in the yards in preparation for the next snow. This was at like 2 in the morning and I guess they make quite a racket grinding up that sierra cement. The snow sounds fun....but the wind sounds wicked.

How would you like to be the guy running the snow blowers up on Donner Pass? Sounds like 80 has had a few shut downs lately.....

Let's see we are running abut 50 degrees with mud here. I had to work from home Friday due to flooded roads. The town where I work only had one road in and out. My boss was in the gridlock for a couple hours and decided to give it up and turn around and come home. They were running 17 foot above flood stage with the all time record being 17' 6" I think in 1913. Snow doesn't sound too bad.

sassafraspete · Jan 11, 2005

So what's the latest totals up to out there? My boss was saying yesterday they had 20 ' up there in the passes. I saw some pictures of some homes and it was almost up the the eaves . Those little "elf" houses you see out there in the big pines , probably look pretty cool. I haven't heard from my daughter today...but know they were getting more snow....and avalanche danger is high out in the back country.

_RaT_ · Jan 11, 2005

I last heard about 20' at the pass. I was looking for a shot of me up at Heavenly on a very cold day. I'll post it for you when I find it.

slydog · Jan 12, 2005

Here's a pic of my wife from when we were there in 2003, at the end of Maggies Run. Wish we were up there right now.

sassafraspete · Jan 12, 2005

Nice picture slydog. I've been out there 3 times, and spent a lot of money there helping my daughter out, but have not yet gotten to ski there. My wife was out there last yr...and got to ski some. Funny thing though (or not so funny) was that she got wiped out once by a snowboarder and once by a person skiing. Both were young bucks that were out of control. On one slope it was just her and this snowboarder on the slope at the time, and he still manages to come across the entire slope and wipe her out. I would have liked to have been there to hear what came out of her mouth. She is an ex ski teacher, and recovered 3 yrs from knee surgery...so I suspect her words were not kind. The kid's ears are probably still ringing. My wife is small but mighty.... I wouldn't want to mess with her.

I am hoping to get some pics from my daughter this week. Look forward to seeing Rat's picture as well.

slydog · Jan 12, 2005

Yeah,
I hate snowboarders. I've been wiped out by them myself. Some resorts limit them to certain slopes and I'm all for that idea.
Your daughter is very fortunate. That is some of the most beautiful, breath taking country I have ever seen.

_RaT_ · Jan 12, 2005

Not being a snowboarder myself, I have found quite the opposite today. Snowboarders now account for about 50% of the folks on the mountain. In the beginning they were the scourge on the hill. A famous resort in Tahoe even forbid them. Now, not only do they allow them, but build slopes exclusively for them. I see 60 year olds out boarding to 5 year olds. I generally ski nothing but very steep ungroomed runs and in the trees as much as possible. I am suprised to see the boarders right in there with me. They have been a blessing of sorts in that they have really helped out the resorts in income and that has helped maintain ticket prices. I think it boils down to the individual, some folks are just self centered jerks that care about me, myself and I. They can be found on boards, skis and of course on the highways and roads, but that's another matter. Anyway, Heavanly is a spectacular place to ski. The views of the Lake are the best there. If you really want a treat, check out Squaw Valley. Attached is a shot of me at Heavenly. It was cold, really cold for us Californians. Those things in the background are tree's

sassafraspete · Jan 13, 2005

Whew weee ..... that is a great picture of snow ghosts. My nostrils start sticking together at -30. Thanks for sharing it. I don't have problems with snowboarders really. I have problems with people who are dangerously wreckless and ski/board without regard to others.

As for skiing steeps with trees... forget it. I could never be that good. I already have too many bumps on my head.

_RaT_ · Jan 13, 2005

Speaking of skiing in trees and getting a bump on the head. Heavenly is were Sonny Bono hit a tree and died.

slydog · Jan 13, 2005

WOWWWW! That is an awesome shot! I wish I were good enough for the Alpine skiing. I really wish I had started younger.

I didn't ski my first time till I was in my mid 30's, but I have to say it is one the most enjoyable, exciting things I have ever done. I ski the blues, but have gotten up the courage to ski a couple of blacks at Copper Mountain. Even made it all the way down ONE without falling /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif. After that personal accomplishment...i've stuck to the blues, or some nice greens with my wife who has only been twice.

She claims I like to take vacations where I can try and kill her. lol.
I actually proposed to her on the slopes at Copper Mountain, on her very first ski trip. Here is a shot of her right after I gave her the ring. I had a romantic proposal all planned for a sleigh ride to dinner in a camp tent, but after she wiped out and threw her ski poles at me, amidst all the cussing, I was forced to ad lib it on slopes. WOMEN...they just don't know what fun is! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

_RaT_ · Jan 13, 2005

Thats pretty funny. Even the best layed plans.....

Skiing has that effect on folks. My wife pretty much hated me the first day I skiied with her. At that time she was a girlfriend. I told her to walk up to the chair lift (with her skis on). 2 steps forward and 3 backwards, I think that's when the trouble started.

I have yet to ski any of Colorado. I have been to Utah and Sun Valley, Idaho. Sun Valley, is unbelievable.

ByronBob · Jan 13, 2005

My wife has been to Tahoe skiing but I have not. We ski in the East which is nice but not this winter.

What's more fun than skiing with the wife is seeing my 4yr old doing it. It's quality family time

RobertN · Jan 13, 2005

I have skiied off and on since '84, in the Tahoe area. When I started, lotsa folks would announce they were behind you, coming along side ect. You hear"on you left" or right ect.

Now, people just buzz up on you and past you. And crash in to you. I think there are more people on the slopes; more traffic to bump in to. I also think a lot of people were not taught the courtesies, so they do not have a clue.

And, a lot of people "go for it" even if they really do not have the expierience to judge that distance or gap.

It's about common courtesy, which aint as common as it used to be, just in general.

slydog · Jan 13, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It's about common courtesy, which aint as common as it used to be, just in general. )</font>

Amen! I always yell ahead, and ski within my abilities.

I love Copper Mountain, lots of varied terrain in all classes. I've skied Park City (where I learned), Copper several times,
and Heavenly once. I do have to say, while the Rockies around the Denver area are lovely; Tahoe, the Sierras, and the drive from Reno up and around the lake, and back through Carson City, are the most beautiful moutains I have ever seen. Any readers who have never made this trip, you have got to experience it, even if you don't ski.

_RaT_ · Jan 13, 2005

Ken, that is a amazing look at the East side of the Sierras. The mountains just take off and get very tall, very fast. With Carson and Reno at about 4000' and the peaks at about 10,000 you have some vertical climb. A fabulous and perhaps one of the most spectacular drives anywhere is down 395 to Bishop. You have the White Mountains to the East, High Sierras to the West with Mt Whitney at well over 14,000 feet and Highway 395 down in the 3000' level. The mountains tower. If you ever wondered what "purple mountain majesty" must have meant, that is it.The mountains take on that look in the evening. Down there is also Mammoth Ski Resort. The name doesn't do it justice. It too is awesome.