Broke trail up East peak of Waterhouse yesterday. 17 degrees at Luther Pass at 9am with 2 +feet of unpacked powder above good base coverage to the summit .

On our way to Luther Pass thursday morning, we saw some backcountry skiers crossing Hwy.50 who looked like they were heading for the South Face of Ralston Peak. Wonder if they were involved in the skier-triggered avalanche report posted on the Sierra Avalanche Center site that day ?

I did a quick trip on Powderhouse yesterday morning. It was my first ever ski tour (thanks for the help with gear, Mike). I had skied at Heavenly the day before and I had to be back at South Bay in time to catch a 6pm flight from SJC, so I got up early and drove down to Luther pass.

I was surprised by about a dozen vehicles already parked at 6am, but I guess it is a pretty popular spot. I didn't really need a headlamp because it was already getting light by the time I was all ready to leave. I followed what looked to be a popular skin track up for a ways, and eventually turned off on a different newer one because the first track was getting kind of slick and chewed up.

It didn't take me too long to get used to the whole skinning thing, although the first couple awkward kick turns were a bit interesting. It took me longer than expected to make it to the top because I'm a bit out of shape...I'll have to remedy that with a lot more skiing :) Conditions were really nice: cloudless skies, a little below freezing, no wind, and great powder.

I must have dropped my headlamp on the ground as I was getting ready, because someone had looped it on my side mirror when I got back to the car. Thanks, whoever did that.

Pics here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calebspare ... 288454683/

Had an afternoon frolic on La Casa de Agua. 10-16 inches of fluff on top of a sometimes scratchy, but consistent base.

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