National Geographic Returns to Chernobyl

We’ll stay a little off topic for the day, I guess. If you’ve found the Ghost Town/Kid of Speed entry on my links page, you may have guessed I’m fascinated with Chernobyl, site of the world’s worst nuclear accident. In the April issue, National Geographic Magazine returns to the site of the disaster 20 years later with a compelling look at Chernobyl, past, present, and future (more…)

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Flirting with the Girly Man

A very chilly storm is working its way down California, with reports of snow falling in the metro Bay Area and Kirkwood skiers claiming the ‘best snow ever’.

Down South, Mount Baldy is reporting 12″ of new snow, with more on the way. Maybe I’ll get to ski the D14-rated Girly Man Chute this year after all?

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Sue Burak: ‘Nervous’

If you haven’t been following Avy forecaster Sue Burak’s updates on the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center website, now might be a good time to pay attention.

The Sierra has been getting incredible snowfall totals the past week or so (I believe Mammoth claims over a hundred inches in seven days). Unfortunately, this new snow sits on top of several problematic layers.

Check out the ESAC website for the complete discussion—especially if you’re planning on visiting avalanche country anytime soon.

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Mammoth Blizzard

Snow, snow, and more snow. It was one of those days at Mammoth where you needed a shovel to dig yourself out. Friday the snow was coming down so hard the air could actually choke you. Saturday the snow and wind stopped for a perfect bluebird day, marred only by the massive SoCal invasion.

Okay, sure, so we’re a part of that invasion—but we skied all day Friday and loved it, so we figure we deserve at least honorary local status. ☺

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Avy Debris and More Snow Coming

Beware the ides of March…some reports on the ESAC website of massive avalanche debris fields visible from Highway 395.

I’ll try to get some pictures this weekend, though the weather (more snow) may not make that possible. In any case, the big concern in the Southern Sierra is a lot of new snow sitting on some weak/junky layers from February’s weird cold snap.

As for SoCal, it looks like temps will be cold enough to snow, but the storm doesn’t look potent enough to offer much help.

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