Skiing on June 27th 2027.

S

Sbooker

Well-known member
My wife is 50 that day. I am 55 the day after. I want to be on skis that day on something that is not just a WROD. I'm starting to think about where to go. I'll know by March if Mammoth is likely to be open by then? Timberline is guaranteed to be open then? Kylie won't want to do backcountry touring so I'll be restricted to lift served.
I don't really want to go to Europe as we're going in March and September next year.
 
Odds on Mammoth are about 30%. But they won’t announce July 4 operation until they have full confidence. But most years I will have a strong idea in March/April. And in many years we will know in February that chances are nil.

Yes Timberline is guaranteed to be open. This year was bad and it still made it to July 19.

Skiing should not be the centerpiece of a trip to the USA at that time of year. Thus you should bring boots and clothing but not skis and poles. You should consider Yellowstone. FYI Beartooth Basin might be open but Kylie will not want to ski there.
 
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Tony Crocker said:
Odds on Mammoth are about 30%. But they won’t announce July 4 operation until they have full confidence. But most years I will have a strong idea in March/April. And in many years we will know in February that chances are nil.

Yes Timberline is guaranteed to be open. This year was bad and it still made it to July 19.

Skiing should not be the centerpiece of a trip to the USA at that time of year. Thus you should bring boots and clothing but not skis and poles. You should consider Yellowstone. FYI Beartooth Basin might be open but Kylie will not want to ski there.
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Yes. Skiing will be secondary. We’ve never been to Yosemite. I have my eye on walking up Mt Whitney (perhaps only some of the way). If it’s Timberline we’d want to check out Crater Lake and Mt Rainier etc.
 
Kylie is tentative about flying into America. She thinks there’s a chance she’ll be hassled or held up by ICE at the airport because she has darker than white skin. Lol.
Might have to fly into Vancouver and cross at the land border. Timberline would be closer.
 
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Sbooker said:
We’ve never been to Yosemite. I have my eye on walking up Mt Whitney (perhaps only some of the way).
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As I'm sure you already know Yosemite will be very crowded, though if you can find a place to park the number of visitors that actually go for a hike is dramatically fewer (although still more people than most hikes your likely to take). Also FYI, day permits are required to hike anywhere in the Mt Whitney zone at all. No idea how hard a day hike permit for the area would be vs a hike to the top permit which are very difficult.

Sbooker said:
She thinks there’s a chance she’ll be hassled or held up by ICE at the airport
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Given the recent World Cup with tons of foreign tourism where I don't recall hearing about any issues outside of the Somalia referee, I can't imagine there being any need for concern. Well, unless she has a habit of posting majorly negative or 'controversial' views (for the current admin) on social media for example.

June 27th is a tough date to try to ski significant terrain on a birthday. Southern hemisphere frequently has poor at best snow in many years and Northern hemisphere is down to a literal handful of trails/lifts most years. A few, if any, natural snow spots and a handful of glacier lifts. My birthday is also rough in late Sept. Southern hemisphere is melting fast about then and nothing worth while in the northern hemisphere yet.
 
Mt. Whitney is hiking from 2,600-4,400 meters and about 19km round trip. I am not sure Sbooker has any high altitude hiking experience. He could try something in the Alps in September.

You need excellent fitness AND above average altitude adaptation plus sleeping in someplace like Mammoth for a couple of nights before. For a day hike it’s probably best to camp at the trailhead and start up before dawn. And yes the permits are difficult.
 
Sbooker should take bad surprises out of the equation and ski at New Jersey's Big Snow indoor experience (with Patrick)! If he does, I'll take him and his wife out for a dank, hazy, hop-forward IPA.

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Tony Crocker said:
IIRC Kylie isn’t any darker than the average Spaniard or Italian and she has an Aussie passport.
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Exactly. It’s a totally irrational concern. Her mum’s sister who lives in Utah would like to travel to see her elderly sister in NZ one last time but won’t leave because she’s afraid she won’t get back in. It’s crazy.
 
jamesdeluxe said:
Sbooker should take bad surprises out of the equation and ski at New Jersey's Big Snow indoor experience (with Patrick)! If he does, I'll take him and his wife out for a dank, hazy, hop-forward IPA.

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Thanks for the offer James but indoor doesn’t count. And the haze phase has dissipated to a degree. I’m currently drinking stouts and porters but that will likely pass as our winter passes. I might call in to @tseeb ’s joint as it would be guaranteed that he’d have some choice beers at his disposal.
 
Sbooker said:
I have my eye on walking up Mt Whitney (perhaps only some of the way)
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You should just toss that idea out. Hard Pass. Unless it becomes the focal point of your trip.


Mt. Whitney is heavily forested until the rough halfway point - Trail Camp - where the summit comes into view. Meh. However, there is a stench at the scenic alpine lake. Too many humans camping there with corresponding waste. And day hikers stopping. See: trash on Mt. Everest.

The most interesting thing about Whitney is the rocky, above-alpine ridge after switchbacks at 12-14k.

It can be a day hike, but more like a 24-hour day, 4 AM to 4/5 PM. 20 miles/6.7k ft. Otherwise, it's 2 days. And whatever acclimization you want to do - or not. Plus travel to/from Lone Pine, CA, so you need to add Yosemite, Mammoth, and Death Valley to your trip.

Personally, Timberline Lodge skiing and maybe a Rainier/Camp Muir day hike from Paradise might get you what you want easier. Go see Yellowstone afterward.

Jersey Mall is the most reliable option.


September 2006
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Above halfway:
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