Immediately after hearing word that we had passed candidacy exams, we (Matt Dilligan, Mark Duttweiler, Alastair Preston, and Clancy Rowley) departed for Mammoth Lakes. After passing through Lancaster and Mojave, we began the drive up the Owens Valley. Three or so hours into the trip, we arrived in Lone Pine.
Matt, Al, and Mark in the parking lot at Lone Pine.
And if you don't think that Matt looks like Dale, then you haven't seen King of the Hill. [Un]fortunately, Clancy was not quick enough to catch Matt with the three foot stick of beef jerky up his nose. A few more hours in the car, and we arrived in Mammoth Springs, and immediately drove up for a quick look at the ski area.
We camped the first night at the campground in Mammoth Springs, despite the fact that it was closed. After enduring sub-freezing temperatures, we were ready for our first day of skiing. Following skiing we took a trip to the local hot springs to ease the sore muscles (highly recommended if you are ever in Mammoth). Finally, we returned to town and checked into a hotel.
Both Clancy and Al's cameras opted to rest up on the first day, but decided to hit the slopes on the second.
Group photo (Clancy, Mark, Matt, Al) at the top of the gondola.
They say the the camera adds at least ten pounds. I sure hope so. Then again it could be the hat, goggles, breakfast, and lunch that I had stuffed in my front coat pockets.
Clancy at the top of the Chair 1.
Al in a bowl below Avalanche Chutes.
Mark stops for a breather on top of Dave's Run. The Owen's Valley can be seen in the back.
Mark working his way down Dave's Run.
Al laying down the law on Dave's Run.
Al on Paranoid Flats.
Mark atop Phillippe's.
Gulp! No, I did not actually ski this entry into the chute. Although the alternatives, as well as the rest of the chute, were not exactly easy going either. After a side-slipable cornice entry smaller than the one shown, the chute hardened up considerably. Shakkkeeeyy knees...
A far away view of Phillippe's. The cornice shown in the previous picture is at the upper left of the entry into the couloir.
Al, from New Zealand, is lamenting the fact that snow conditions did not permit us to ski down from Kiwi Flat. (The picture above was taken during the peak of a heavy snow year). Maybe next year.
Al going through the pre-flight check atop Dave's Run.
If only there were knee deep powder below...
Al (if your monitor is good) on Huevos Grandes.
Finally, for some more cool pictures of the skiing at Mammoth, here's another nifty Mammoth web page.