Tahoe Back-country Guide

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st tahoe sierra

Back-country guide

winter 2022

INSIDE State of the Back country Back-country etiquette Back-country safety Jim Morrison opening up a Tahoe classic on the West Shore above Emerald Bay on a perfect powder day. When not climbing and skiing the greater ranges of the world, Morrison can be found chasing powder with friends at home. “Morrison must have a powder clause at work, we seem to connect for a lot of powder days like this,” says photographer Ming Poon. | MingPoonPhotography.com, @Ming.T.Poon

Back-country 101

TheTahoeWeekly.com

STATE OF THE Skiing to the Bradley Hut. | Alyssa Ganong, Tahoe Weekly

trailhead parking g u i d e l i n e s C O U R T E SY TA H O E BAC K C O U N T RY A L L I A N C E

Roadside parking is illegal & may result in ticketing and/or towing.

Park off the road in approved parking areas only.

Do not park in areas that have not yet been plowed.

If your preferred destination trailhead is full, please head elsewhere.

Do not park in homeowners’ driveways regardless of the current occupancy situation.

Just because other people are parking there doesn’t mean it’s legal.

Permits are required at California SnoPark and must be purchased in advance.

Be courteous.

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eet the person leading the drive to preserve access to human-powered back-country winter recreation.

As off-piste skiing and snowboarding grows increasingly popular in the Tahoe Sierra, Tahoe Backcountry Alliance skins and shreds the frontlines working to expand trailhead access while simultaneously minimizing impact. The newest executive director, Anthony Cupaiuolo, was hired in November.

Cupaiuolo grew up in New York and first moved to Lake Tahoe post-college when he worked as a snowboard instructor at Heavenly during the big El Niño winter of 1997-98. After attending grad school for political management in Washington D.C., he relocated to San Francisco for a job.

“I didn’t even last a year,” he says. “I was coming up to Tahoe all the time. For an East Coast kid, it was truly mind expanding.”

In 2001, Cupaiuolo moved to South Shore and started a media company, First Tracks Productions, to produce snowboard, ski and adventure films. He has created projects for local nonprofits including Tahoe Area Mountain Bike Association, National Forests Foundation and Tahoe Rim Trail Association. He is a long-time back-country snowboarder with a keen familiarity of the many winter recreation zones scattered in and around the Tahoe Basin.

“It’s something I cherish and love to do,” he says. “One of the reasons I was given the opportunity to come on board is because I am from South Shore. So far, most of the projects have been North Shore focused. We want to expand to South Lake and even beyond, out toward Carson Pass and the Highway 88 corridor.”

Back-country use explodes While back-country winter travel was once a niche activity, it has exploded in popularity since the pandemic, leading to associated issues with parking, litter and user conflict. In partnership with Tahoe Backcountry Ski Patrol, the alliance installed laser counters at Castle Peak and Incline Peak last year to track the number of users. This season, they plan to add Powderhouse Peak on Luther Pass in South Lake. This data is essential to apply for grants and other funding opportunities and to get a clear picture of exactly how many people are using the trailheads in winter months.

The counters reported 13,386 users at Castle Peak from December 2020 to April 2021, with 2,327 users at Incline Peak during the same time frame.

After seeing the unsurprisingly formidable data for Castle Peak on Donner Summit, the alliance partnered with Truckee Trails Foundation to adopt the trailhead and

organize cleanups.

“In many ways, [increased use] is a good thing,” Cupaiuolo says. “At the same time, it’s led to some problems.

Sometimes there’s not parking where you want to have parking. People need to be mindful of Leave No Trace principles. There are occasional conflicts in large part because we’ve got more users and more people who are coming up here.”

Increased parking access While some may take entry to wild lands for granted, there is a lot of headwork that goes into achieving and maintaining sustainable access throughout the patchwork of public and private lands dotting the region.

Last season, in an effort to mitigate the impacts of the popular and historic Donner Lake Run that descends from Donner Summit to Donner Lake, the alliance spent more than $30,000 to repave and plow one half of the parking lot at West End Beach.

“As it turned out, it wasn’t quite enough because a lot of people were using it for snow play,” says Cupaiuolo. “From our prospective, it’s great. We don’t look out only for the back-country user. We were able to get an agreement with Visit Truckee Tahoe to plow the rest of the lot this year.

Now, there’s more room for everyone.”

The alliance also plans to install additional signage along the main run from the backside of Sugar Bowl Resort to the exit corridor on Cottonwood Street in a nearby neighborhood. The signs include a QR code, which provides back-country travelers with a map and boundaries for the run. The intent is to avoid travel through private property and alleviate conflicts with residents and other land holders in the area. So far, no neighbors have made any formal complaints to the Town of Truckee or Nevada County on the project, says Cupaiuolo.

The alliance is now looking into a new parking possibility in South Shore at a large lot at the intersection of Elks Club Drive and Highway 50. Owned by Tahoe Conservancy, it is a popular place from which to float the Upper Truckee River. However, it’s not plowed in the winter. If it were, it could provide a critical meeting point for backcountry users headed south toward Luther and Carson Pass.

“We’re trying to reduce the number of vehicles at trailheads,” says Cupaiuolo. “If we can increase park and ride options, it can help with that.”

Several other popular winter trailheads are also on the alliance’s radar. Parking for one of the basin’s classic backCONTINUED ON PAGE 14

January 12-25, 2022 BACK-COUNTRY GUIDE

BACK COUNTRY PARKING EXPANDED, SHUTTLE RETURNS

BY S E A N M C A L I N D I N

“If you are accessing a back-country zone in a neighborhood in the morning, you have to be quiet. Leave No Trace is also important and that includes dog poop. It leads to negative feedback and potential calls for no parking.”

~ Anthony Cupaiuolo

Executive Director of Tahoe Backcountry Alliance, Anthony Capailuolo, snow bikes to his splitboard line high on the Tahoe Rim Trail at Freel Pass. Photo by Greg Johnson.

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country tours, Mount Tallac, consists of a few tiny turnouts along Highway 89 and Spring Creek Road that are only sometimes plowed. The current situation can be dangerous with cars precariously crammed along a busy, blind turn.

As part of an upcoming forest-thinning project adjacent to Spring Creek Road’s seasonal gate, there may be a chance for a new winter parking lot. A National Environmental Policy Act study was done on the area, but the Forest Service doesn’t have the budget to create an expanded trailhead.

“Fundraising efforts would take place when projects like this are shovel ready,” he says. “There will be plenty of frustrations. The good part is there is opportunity to get meaningful things done.”

Respecting private property Another access point that has long been stressed is the base of Rubicon Peak. The only public trailhead at the top of Highview Drive in Meeks Bay has room for a handful of cars. The alliance paid for a study of what it would take to rebuild the lot. The Tahoe Regional Trails Plan currently being developed by a coalition of Tahoe-Truckee partners could help push the project forward.

“With the highway 400 or 500 feet below the only parking, people are sometimes coming down through private property to get to 89,” says Cupaiuolo. “That’s not something we encourage at all. We want public access to public lands. We don’t want people to have to trespass. The alternative is no access to Rubicon Peak, which is also not feasible. We need partners for this one.”

Access points located in neighborhoods are particularly sensitive to winter traffic. In South Lake, the alliance is monitoring the trailheads to Trimmer Peak at High Meadow Road and to Echo Peak on Wintoon Drive.

“We are making sure plowing is taking place in a timely way and that users are being respectful,” says Cupaiuolo. “If you are accessing a back-country zone in a neighborhood in the morning, you have to be quiet. Leave No Trace is also important and that includes dog poop. It leads to neg-

ative feedback and potential calls for no parking. I think a lot of people do get it, but not everyone. Sometimes there is an educational component for the people who live there, too. It can go both ways.”

In short, it really all comes down to respect.

“How would you want your backyard to be treated if people were coming to where you live to access skiing, biking and everything like that?” Cupaiuolo asks. “There should be no showing up with three buddies in three different vehicles. Don’t block mailboxes, etcetera. Park head in if you can.”

Back-country shuttle returns This winter, the alliance will revive its micro-transit program to provide shared rides for four to six skiers at a time. The free shuttle paid for by the alliance is available on 16 Saturdays and Sundays through April 2. Users should contact Tahoe Sierra Transportation directly by phone at (530) 550-5300 to make reservations.

“It’s not the solution, but it’s a component of how we make things better,” says Cupaiuolo. “We need to limit impact at these trailheads. It allows people to access crowded locations or do point-to-point travel.”

At the end of the day, a big part of the alliance’s mission simply involves spreading the good word about back-country sustainability and ethics. They have posted a Backcountry Tips and Etiquette guide on their website along with a link to Report an Access Issue. Last month, they raised more than $4,000 from a well-attended film and raffle event at Alibi Ale Works in Truckee.

“It gives us a chance to chat with people,” says Cupaiuolo. “That includes people at trailheads and out on the skin track. We need to bring things up politely if we want to see change in some negative behavior that happens in some zones. If you see something that isn’t cool and keep it to yourself, that doesn’t work.” | tahoebackcountryalliance. org n

r e s o u r c e s AIARE courses | avtraining.org Avalanche information & education | avalanche.org Back-country shuttle | (530) 550-5300 Sierra Avalanche Training Center | sierraavalanchecenter.org Sno-Park Permits | (916) 324-1222, ohv.parks.ca.gov Tahoe Backcountry Alliance | tahoebackcountryalliance.org Take Care Tahoe back-country safety | takecaretahoe.org/backcountry

PHOTO BY MING POON

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get out of the

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ABOVE: Backcountry Avalanche Forecast | sierraavalancecenter.org LEFT: Sierra Avalanche Center’s Jason Bilek collecting data. | Courtesy Emily Tidwell FAR LEFT: Eric Petlock in the back country. | Courtesy Eric Petlock

BACK-COUNTRY SAFETY GEAR, TRAINING & FORECAST ESSENTIAL by priya hutner

back-country b a s i c s

Get educated. Take courses and AIARE trainings.

Know before you go: research avalanche danger with Sierra Avalanche Center daily reports.

Know the terrain.

Don’t go alone.

It’s best to have a partner.

Make sure to have the appropriate gear.

Clothes matter.

Make sure to layer.

Bring food, water and snacks.

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ahoe has seen record-breaking snowfall after an epic 214 inches of snow in December. Snow for most means it’s playtime in the mountains. Skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing are just a few activities that make winter fun. The resorts are spinning their lifts and the back country calls to winter enthusiasts looking to get out in nature.

The allure of fresh powder, snowshoeing in the quiet, crisp snow and being outside in uncrowded areas calls to many ski and snowboard adventurers. Planning to venture into the back country is no joke.

It requires awareness. Avalanches are real and dangerous. According to the National Avalanche Center, at least 45 people die in avalanches every winter. If you plan to go into the back country, here are a few things to consider.

Know the avalanche forecast The first thing is to always check the daily forecast on Sierra Avalanche Center’s website or sign up for the daily newsletter.

“We put out the avalanche forecast every morning all winter long. And you know, that should be the starting place for everyone planning their trips into the back country. This information helps people make smart decisions,” says David Reichel, Sierra Avalanche Center’s executive director. “The Sierra Avalanche Center’s role is to provide the forecast, what we think the danger is, what the specific avalanche problems are present that day and any additional weather information.”

He says this information is more useful

for someone who has taken classes, read books and developed a snow avalanche literacy. There is a field staff of six people; three are forecasters responsible for getting readings and writing a daily report.

“A forecaster goes out every day, taking a reading at 5 or 6 in the morning and publishes their report by 7 a.m. In addition, we have three professional observers who do the same field observations as the fore-

“Get the gear. Get the training. Get the forecast. This is the back-country mantra.”

- Eric Petlock

casters but don’t write the forecast,” says Reichel, who is also a professional observer.

“We cover a large area: Donner Summit to Sierraville and north of Truckee, all around Lake Tahoe and the mountains on all sides of Lake Tahoe itself, down to Carson Pass, around Kirkwood and a thin strip that goes down Bear Valley. It’s a large area.”

An important message Sierra Avalanche Center staff reminds everyone before going into the back country is: Know before you go.

Get the training Local guide Eric Petlock is well versed in the back country as a guide for Pacific Crest Snowcats and International Alpine Guides. He also teaches back-country education with Sugar Bowl Ski Team & Academy Snow Rangers program and skiing at Palisades Tahoe. Petlock can’t stress enough the importance of education before heading into the back country.

“Get the gear. Get the training. Get the forecast. This is the back-country mantra,” says Petlock, adding that there are several local companies offering back-country courses, avalanche rescue training and American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education (AIARE) courses.

“There are some basic things that people should do when considering going into the back country. The first is to take an Intro to Backcountry course from one of the guide services in the area,” says Petlock.

These courses teach people how to properly use climbing skins, bindings and gear, including what type of backpack to use — that it fits properly and is for the right application. They also teach what gear is necessary and how to use equipment, including beacons, probes and shovels.

Petlock stresses the importance of warm clothing, water and food, in addition to learning some basics in terms of navigating in the back country.

“There are a number of reputable guide services in Tahoe. They have insurance and standards for guides in terms of training.

These are the people that you want to go with if you’re going to go on a guided ski tour,” he says. n

January 12-25, 2022 BACK-COUNTRY GUIDE

BACK-COUNTRY ETIQUETTE courtesy tahoe backcountry alliance

Get educated | If you really want to get into the backcountry, you need to take a class.

Get your friends educated | Make sure everyone in your party has taken an AIARE Avy 1 and Avy Rescue course.

Does your group have the skills to safely recreate and selfrescue should something go wrong? Seems obvious, but do you know if everyone in your group can ski in variable terrain and deep pow?

Prepare to be self-reliant | Bring the equipment and skills you need to take care of yourself and others in the event of gear malfunction, accident or an emergency. This includes Wilderness First Aid Skills.

Check the weather & avalanche forecast | Plan your trip in advance; let somebody know where your group is headed. Does the weather look good where you’re going?

Will conditions change while you’re out there? Check the Sierra Avalanche Center forecast daily.

Be safe | Follow safe back-country travel protocol. Do a beacon check before you enter avalanche terrain, make

snowpack observations, know your group’s limits, don’t ski directly above or below parties in avalanche terrain. Be prepared to adjust your expectations and plans for the day when conditions change.

Be respectful | Pack out your trash, control your dog, limit loud music and excessive noise, and think about where you go to the bathroom.

Be courteous going uphill | Set an efficient, user friendly and safe skin track. If there’s already a safe, established skin track, don’t create new, unnecessary routes to the same destination. Please don’t boot in the skin track. Try to build a skin track around (rather than in) the descent line.

Be safe going uphill | Ascend single file, yield to downhill traffic, control your dog, give people space, wear a headlamp for visibility if it’s dark, avoid travel near cliffs, in gullies or in terrain where a downhill skier can’t see you.

Observe closures & back-country access rules | Each forest, state park or wilderness zone may have its own rules and regulations. Educate yourself about the zone you are

headed into. Be especially aware of avalanche control work on roadways and in and around ski areas.

Practice | Find safe places to hone your skills before heading into bigger terrain. Practice with your avalanche transceiver multiple times, work on your skinning (and skiing) technique, build fitness and test out your gear before you head out into the back country. Meadows are great practice zones.

Think before you park | Should you park parallel, angled or perpendicular to fit more cars? Park as close as safely and reasonably possible to other vehicles to maximize the number of parking spots. Don’t park on private property, don’t park in zones that haven’t been plowed yet and be prepared to dig out a spot beyond the plow line. Know the local regulations and avoid disturbing residents.

Keep COVID-19 in mind | Be mindful and practice good pandemic etiquette. Please don’t create crowds on summits or parking lots, and if you’re sick, stay home. For more pandemic-specific tips check out TBA’s Backcountry Safety During COVID-19 on its website. n

Less Impact For Greater Good Understand the Impact of Your Flight to Truckee Tahoe

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3,351 lbs from air travel

14,727 lbs from home electricity use

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A Closer Look at Your Carbon Footprint When You Fly to or From Truckee

12,897 lbs from home heating and cooking

5,556 lbs

from vehicle travel

Thank you for doing your part.

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BACK-COUNTRY 101 by sean mcalindin

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n a nutshell, back-country travel means moving through any area that is not maintained or supervised by resorts or other entities.

In the back country, your safety is 100 percent reliant on yourself and those with whom you are traveling. There is no ski patrol and even if you are able to reach emergency services by phone or radio, search and rescue may be many hours away.

Back-country travel is a commitment both in terms of risk and preparation.

While the rewards of tranquility, fresh powder and communion with nature are immense, the potential hazards are real.

You can spend decades perfecting these skills, but there are a few basics everyone should know before stepping foot into the winter wilderness. One of the most important things is you must already be an expert-level downhill skier before you tackle back-country skiing.

Get the gear Safe back-country travel requires a unique set of equipment that may be purchased at several area sports shops. Rather than buying online, it’s always a good idea to support a local vendor. Their knowledgeable staff will also help you find the right gear for your needs and provide an invaluable local perspective on how to prepare for the Tahoe Sierra back country. They also 18

offer demos and rentals to try before committing to a big purchase.

However, they are a light, simple option for exploring mellower areas closer to home.

where seconds can mean the difference between life and death.

Back-country travel options

Snowshoes | Tried and true, the original back-country mode of travel is easy to use.

Although not as efficient as skis, these classic tools can take you to many special, untouched places if you’re willing to put in the effort. If you are new to the game and looking to explore the back country with minimal hassle, this is the way to go.

Probe | This collapsible pole allows rescuers to pinpoint the location of a burial victim. It can also be used to indicate various layers and depth of snowpack.

Alpine touring skis | This is the most popular choice for back-country winter mountain travel today. When paired with climbing skins, this setup features a detachable rear binding that allow skiers to hike uphill to access the mountains. The heel can be resecured when it’s time to go downhill for normal alpine turns.

Telemark skis | This old school touring setup is now more of a niche sport. The skis are the same, but the binding features a permanently free heel. You’ve probably seen them on the mountain styling their unique dropped-knee turns.

Splitboard | Basically, it’s a snowboard that breaks in half to form two skis for uphill travel. Thanks to local advocates such as Jeremy Jones, splitboards have soared in popularity in recent years. After all, there’s no feeling quite like snowboarding through untouched powder and earning your turns is the best way to get there.

Cross-country skis | Perfect for trails, but difficult to use on deep snow or steep pitches, you probably won’t venture too far from the beaten path on cross-country skis.

Snowmobiling | In addition to having all the safety gear and training, you’ll also need to be an expert-level snowmobiler already before you venture into the back country. As well, you also need to be your own mechanic. There’s no one to call if your sled breaks down.

Essential safety gear While hypothermia and trauma from collision with a tree are always risks, the biggest hazard of the back country comes in the form of an avalanche. The following gear is essential to keep safe in avalanche terrain – if you know how to use it.

Beacon | When someone is buried in an avalanche, a signal beacon can lead rescuers to their location. This specialized equipment requires proper training and hours of practice to use effectively in a situation

Shovel | This is the essential tool for digging out a buried skier. It also comes in handy when accessing avalanche conditions during ascent and digging a snow cave if you happen to be caught in the back country overnight.

Airbag pack | More and more backcountry users are wearing backpacks that contain an inflatable pouch that can be deployed in the event of an avalanche to help keep them afloat and protect their head and neck from deadly impact.

Climbing skins | These grippy sheets of fabric stick to the bottom of your alpine touring skis or splitboard to allow for uphill travel in variable conditions.

In addition to sport-specific gear, all back-country travelers should be prepared at minimum with warm layers, water, high-calorie food, a headlamp, a helmet, a communication device (not a cell phone; there is no service in the back country) and a first aid kit. n