Lines on the east side of the Dana Plateau.
I’m back in Jackson for a few days before heading out on another skiing road trip. Here are a few pictures from skiing the Ripper Chute on Dana Plateau on a “rest day”. The Dana Plateau is a must-do for skiers looking to get into some fun couloirs with a minimal amount of approach. From what I know, the Sierras snowpack is anywhere from 130-175% of average right now…so it should be skiing well for quite some time. Get some if you can!!!
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Randosteve skins towards the death star.
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Reed boots past lichen covered rocks in the Ripper Chute.
Randosteve high in the Ripper Chute.
Randosteve drops into the Ripper Chute.
Reed skis through a tight section.
Exiting the Ripper Chute.
Ripper! Keep rippin’!
Gettin’ after it! Nice. Love it that you Teton folks are having a good time in the Sierras…
so much so that i’m switching partners and heading right back to the eastside!!! looks like a big H is about to park itself.
Good one,bringing back some memories!
Giver….
I just flew over this area between Tioga Pass, Mono Lake, and Mammoth, last week. I was surprised how good the snow looked. I am now considering heading over there, as the snow in CO (I guess this is true for most of the Intercontental Snowpack) has turned to crap. Can you give some equipment reccomendations, like ski width and temperature? Also how long do they think the snowpack will hold up?
John
Looks great Steve. Keep on getting after it.
John,
The sierra snowpack is just getting started. After a foot of new last week, the corn is just starting to set up between 10K and lower, everything up higher is still transitioning. Our season should last thru June, with May being the Prime MONTH of great backcountry skiing. Right now the snow level is still low enough that you can drive to many of the starts of things. I drove to with 15 ft. of a short ski on Sat, near Mr. Morrison (batch plant bowls).
This is the best year we have had in 4 years, get out there!
thanks for that mark. most aspects are corning up, but we have still been able to find some old pow and wet pow up high on some north facing aspects.
i think skis in the range of 90-100mm at the waist are perfect for this kind of snow and touring, but you could probably get by with skinnier skis just the same and save weight. the temps are probably in the low twenties up high and with radiant heat, feel like 100 degrees mid-day, but the snow holds up well none the less. some of the snow is a little sloppy and sticky later in the day…if you are running late.
Thanks guys,
I appreciate the info, I plan on going out this weekend or next.
John
Heading up to Dana tomorrow! Thanks for the pics Steve.