Baldy conditions tomorrow 1/13?
- Thread starter peakay
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SoCal Rider
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Well, it's always going to be 4 first, then Thunder - Bonanza, Robin's and Skyline usually first. Herb's Hollow and that other one, followed by Emile's and Liftline. Am I right, Tony?
SoCal Rider
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I went Thursday, too. What time did you hit 4? I was over there from about 9:45 to maybe noon, and it was really good. But if you went later than that, I can understand your disappointment. Then again, some people just prefer harder-packed snow. I like it softened up pretty good — short of grippy slush, of course. I went one more time at 2 and it was definitely past its peak. Still, the ungroomed area between Spring Ridge and Roller Coaster never properly softened like it does on a similar-temp day in spring. Maybe more than other places in SoCal, you really have to obey the "follow-the-sun" rule there.
I agree about Ch. 3 — surprisingly really good. I dig that the mtn. grooms the Emile's short cut — great for us boarders who aren't crazy about hard bumps. I saw a handful of skiers go down the middle, but not a single single-planker.
I agree about Ch. 3 — surprisingly really good. I dig that the mtn. grooms the Emile's short cut — great for us boarders who aren't crazy about hard bumps. I saw a handful of skiers go down the middle, but not a single single-planker.
SoCal Rider
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Truth be told, I still really liked my run down Roller Coaster at 2, at least before the runout, which can get pretty slow. Emile's and Liftline probably weren't as hard as I first suspected, based on watching (and listening) to some skiers. I suspect, though, that skis are better suited to those conditions.
Just reading this in Tokyo. I haven't been on FTO since Jan. 7, as internet connections in Palau make dial-up look fast.
Chair 4 faces south, goes to instant spring if the sun is out, period. So you get a window of 2-3 hours when it's good. Definition of when it's good varies, my taste runs from 10AM to noon on a typical day. Holcumac is direct south also, but much steeper than chair 4. Therefore it will soften earlier. It's usually toast IMHO by noon. And this year getting from Holcumac to Sugarpine and the base of chair 1 is going to be even more of a PITA than usual with the creek/erosion from the rain in December.
A lot of Thunder is north facing, steep and shaded. Those runs will stay packed powder for a long time in January low angle sun as long as it doesn't rain. If it does (like Jan. 2005) you're screwed because it won't soften until February, barring new snow to resurface it.
The reports this week confirm nearly all of the above comments.
Chair 4 faces south, goes to instant spring if the sun is out, period. So you get a window of 2-3 hours when it's good. Definition of when it's good varies, my taste runs from 10AM to noon on a typical day. Holcumac is direct south also, but much steeper than chair 4. Therefore it will soften earlier. It's usually toast IMHO by noon. And this year getting from Holcumac to Sugarpine and the base of chair 1 is going to be even more of a PITA than usual with the creek/erosion from the rain in December.
A lot of Thunder is north facing, steep and shaded. Those runs will stay packed powder for a long time in January low angle sun as long as it doesn't rain. If it does (like Jan. 2005) you're screwed because it won't soften until February, barring new snow to resurface it.
The reports this week confirm nearly all of the above comments.
I was on that hill around 10:45. I found it to alternate between ice and really sticky heavy stuff...I almost came out of my ski once. That was all the experience I needed and headed to chair 3. As I mentioned, the conditions on skyline were amazingly good as compared to what I expected. I skied top to bottom on those runs until my legs were cashed.
So the REAL question is what the conditions will be like this week. Worth going or not? I have a virtual pass and my plan was to go once a week to get my legs in shape for a big trip to steamboat I have planed in March.
Thanks for all predictions and feedback. Tony seems to really have the conditions on the hill figured out.
I have prevailing Baldy conditions figured out. Mix in some high wind or no overnight freeze in the spring and it can be quite unpleasant nearly everywhere. Just think exposure, pitch, time of day and overall temperature and you can usually be in right place at the right time as long as crowds don't get in the way.
Any guesses for tomorrow, Thursday 1/19? I can't read the weather. Down her by the coast its almost foggy and weather is rolling in. weather.com says it will be windy in baldy tomorrow -- are they reliable or are their better weather eports for Baldy?
Friday sounds like a better day, but I am trying to go once a week and tomorrow is my only day -- thanks!
Friday sounds like a better day, but I am trying to go once a week and tomorrow is my only day -- thanks!
peakay":1gqbp1nv said:
I rarely, actually never use weather.com. NWS is the way to go for general forecasts here's the top at baldy http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClic...99&site=sgx&smap=1&unit=0&lg=en&FcstType=text
Nice link, looks like top of Thunder. Highs of 50 are quite warm. I'd expect spring mode over most of the mountain. Upper Emile's and Goldridge will be the last places that retain packed powder. And a few tree shots with direct north exposure. I wouldn't recommend skiing under chair 1 if you care at all about your equipment.
FYI the online ski report is somewhat more informative this year:
FYI the online ski report is somewhat more informative this year:
SoCal Rider
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A ways to go but getting better. I doubt a person unfamiliar with Baldy would realize just how thin "thin cover" means in the Baldy lexicon, especially as it relates to Chair 1. It's not a rock here and there. To me, it's been "walk-out" bad for at least a week. I have a date coming with P Tex thanks to riding to the bottom on the Tuesday following the last storm. (Well, on second thought, it could have been the drainage runout earlier in the day.) That was Jan. 4. Now I am not the most technically able rider, but I had no qualms about downloading on the 13th. Just about everyone else did, too.
I had no qualms about downloading on Dec. 28. While I'd still like to see a complete list of trails and their open/closed/groomed status, this year's report is providing at least enough info to assist those who have even a passing familiarity with Baldy. The complete trail list would align them with Big Bear and Mt. High and reduce the general public's impression that Baldy is amateurish vs. those other places.
SoCal Rider
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My point -- maybe I buried it under that thin cover -- is that the mountain too long to note that. I think that is only in the last few days.
SoCal Rider
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With rocks, boulders and brooks!
Of course, anybody with a working eye or two can see it for themselves when they are riding up, but still ...
Riding up last week, I saw a sign on Sugar Pine where one part merges with another and I assumed it said "closed." Nope, it said thin cover. Um, you call that cover?
Of course, anybody with a working eye or two can see it for themselves when they are riding up, but still ...
Riding up last week, I saw a sign on Sugar Pine where one part merges with another and I assumed it said "closed." Nope, it said thin cover. Um, you call that cover?