More Throop
Here's Matt D working his way down Throop's north gullies today. We ascended from Dawson saddle, summited, skied probably a thousand vertical feet, and then exited back up to the north ridge.
It would have been possible to ski farther down, but it's getting really firm in there, and visions of getting stuck on an ice patch over exposure did not fill our hearts with glee.
I still don't think the shady aspects are going to melt out, but the snow is definitely transitioning to rock-hard. If we get a heat wave, I'd consider going back. Otherwise this is probably the end of our fall ski season for me?
UPDATE 10/29: Given the recent heat wave, I did go back. With temps approaching 70 degrees, steep north aspects unfortunately did not soften enough for me to feel comfortable skiing them.
— October 27, 2025
Andy Lewicky is the author and creator of SierraDescents
Walter Kibler October 27, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Wow, you wouldn't guess there'd be anything skiable at all just by looking at Baldy from the LA Basin. I guess that's the power of slope aspect. Congrats on making it happen once again!