Comments on: Baldy Freak Show (aka: Skiing the North Face)

By: Dan Conger

Dan Conger — Tue, 12 May 2009 14:50:40 +0000

Dude … you’re an animal. I’ve decided to take some mountaineering classes when I finish my MBA in September. It’s largely your website that has inspired me to get back into it. I haven’t climbed and skiied a mountain since my early 20′s … far too long to be out of the game. Next year, my goal is to be ready to hammer avalanche gulch on Mt. Shasta. Sounds like an epic descent. Thanks for the inspiration!!! By the way, that T-shirt idea is fantastic!

By: Scott

Scott — Mon, 11 May 2009 06:03:54 +0000

San G. from the north is a long haul no matter what time of year. It’s at least 7 miles of slight uphill before you even get to a slope steep enough to justify skiing and it’s a slog even when covered in snow. I’m guessing another 2 or 3 on top of that to get to snow right now, and then another 2 or 3 miles to the top. Then, you have to hike it all back out again.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:37:08 +0000

Bill,

I’ve never actually done Gorgonio from that direction, but my sense is that’s a pretty big bite this time of year. I’d expect a long haul over dry ground to get to snow. From Baldy’s summit, SG looked thin, but certainly no worse than what I was skiing.

Maybe someone else has more current conditions??

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:10:04 +0000

I’ve been following your website/blog. I’m an out of shape newbie to backcountry, I do quite a bit of on-piste. I’d like to do the North face of San G. next weekend , wonder what your experience has been up in that area? thanks.

By: Andy

Andy — Sun, 10 May 2009 15:16:17 +0000

It was funny…being singled out like that started to get sort of disconcerting. A strange experience–though no one (obviously) was trying to be rude. Just made me feel like I was some kind of unicorn or something.

I never really did come up with a good snarky comeback. But I’m thinking a T-Shirt with, “Yes there is snow!!” printed on it would have worked.

By: Robert K

Robert K — Sun, 10 May 2009 07:32:48 +0000

‘Love the before and after pictures of you! Also, come on, ya gotta share some of your wittier comebacks. Surely you had at least one or two ones worth quoting… ?