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Spring ski season is in on. I was lucky enough to get the hall pass for a Eastern Sierra ski mission this week and finally made it down to Mt. Whitney. Although Mt. Whitney is not known for its amazing skiing it is a peak that's gotta be done at some point right? At 14,491 ft It is the highest point in the lower 48. Like most big ski tours this day had it all: Crust, corn, powder, knee deep post-holing, sun, wind, and some good turns as well. Pretty psyched to have had good weather and the chance to knock this out in a day.

The Backcountry write-up

Winter is in full force.... Powder days.... Avalanche courses.. Skiing with Wyatt!!!! Backcountry ski trips... and cool Workshops for my Industry friends.... Check out the flyer.

I've got one more avalanche course in Shasta with a few spots left. It is an AIARE Level I. March 19-21. Contact me asap if you are interested.

I'll also continue doing Backcountry Ski tours in the Tahoe area well into April & May. These backcountry ski days may include skills sessions, peak ascents, or just harvesting the stellar spring corn snow. Contact me directly or the North American Ski Training Center for details.

The Dec 2009 Ecuador Expedition was great! That was the third trip I've lead down there and I plan to go back for many more in the years to come. We had mellow hikes on trail to help acclimatize, snowing and blowing snow and ice climbing, amazing Ecuadorian food, a massive cravasse blocking our route, beautiful sunny summit days, and much more, all in one trip... I love the big glaciated volcanoes, the high altitude huts, the climbing, the people and the culture. The great Haciendas we hang out at between climbs are pretty great as well. Every year we hook up with Luis, for his driving, cooking of local cuisine, and tons of logistics. He IS the man down in Ecuador. I'll let a pile of photos tell the story...

Enjoy,
Rich Meyer

My latest schedule of trips, classes, & events...

Nov. 18: Free Avalanche Awareness Slideshow at Clif Bar in Berkeley
Nov. 30 - Dec 13: Ecuador Expedition
Jan. 9: Backcountry Skiing, Tahoe CA
Jan. 16-18: AIARE level I avalanche Course, Mt Shasta CA
Feb. 5-7: AIARE level I avalanche course, Truckee CA
Feb. 12-15: AIARE level II avalanche course, Location TBD
Feb. 20-21: Backcountry overnight, Lost Trail Lodge, Truckee CA
Feb. 27: Backcountry Skiing, Tahoe CA
March 19-21: AIARE level I, Mt. Shasta CA
March 27: Backcountry skiing, Tahoe CA
April 3: Backcountry Skiing, Tahoe CA
April 15-18: High Sierra Ski Mountaineering, CA
May & June: Climbing & Skiing Mt. Shasta, dates TBD
June & July: Climbing Mt. Rainier, dates TBD

Slideshow Wrap Up-

The 3rd annual Avalanche Awareness Slideshow raised over $700 last night. Clif Bar was kind enough to host us again this year at their headquarters here in Berkeley. After an educational slideshow on avalanche awareness, and some exciting ski video, we held the raffle to benefit the Friends of The Mount Shasta Avalanche Center. We had about 70-80 people come out and support the cause and lots of folks went home with some great information and prizes!

Special thanks goes out to Pat & Caron at Clif Bar. And my go to volunteers Meg & Sachiko.

As well as our sponsors who donated a ton of great stuff! We had jackets, books, gift certificates, goggles, hats, backpacks, bindings, shovels, probes, and on and on…