Private trips are non-Sierra Club activities which are not sponsored or administered by the SMS or the Sierra Club.
"Private" does not mean that they are "exclusive" or "closed to the public" . In the contrary, friends and newcomers are equally welcome to join, just like on "official" Sierra Club trips.
For "private" trips the Sierra Club has no information about the planning of these activities, makes no warranties about the quality, safety, supervision or management of such activities and provides no liability insurance for participants. The organizers of these trips need not be approved SMS Leaders or even members of the SMS or Sierra Club. There are no official leaders, just friends skiing together without legal responsibilities.
These trips are listed here because they are likely of interest to SMS members who want to go on trips on a short notice or when two rated SC leaders are not available. The latter is a current problem since most long-term SMS members are unwilling to become leaders.
Private trip announcements should be submitted by e-mail to one or the other SMS Webmaster.
Private trips are not sponsored or administered by the Sierra Club. There is no insurance coverage for such trips. All participants are equally responsible for their own safety and that of the group. There is no official "Leader". It is an outing among a group of friends. Everyone is expected to know and follow the basic safety standards that are practiced on SMS trips. Be again responsible for your own actions and you'll enjoy the "freedom of the hills".
List the following information:
Trip Date:
Trip Location:
Trip description:
Meeting place:
Contact person initiating the trip and potential participants with e-mails:
Trip Date: Nov 27 (Wed) thru Nov 30 (Sun) 2008
Trip Location: San Diego Ski Club Chalet in Mammoth
Trip description: Various moderate day tours from the San Diego Ski Club Chalet in Mammoth.
Meeting place: Los Angeles, CA
Contact person initiating the trip: Walter awalter@pacbell.net Co Leader: Ellen Feeney.
Trip Date: Dec 2008 - Apr 2009
Trip Location: Mount Shasta volcanoe trip
Trip description: Let's climb Mount Shasta on a weekend (Fri-Mon) this spring, and ski it one or more times. Let's do the North or East sides rather than the overcrowded gully. At least one more participant needs crevasse rescue skills. Please email me your preferred weekend!
Meeting place: Los Angeles, CA
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de or 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Dec 12-14, 2008 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Mammoth Crest, Blue Couloir, Red Cones, Tamarack crosscountry area, or Sherwins
Trip description: Let's test the new powder on some small ski tours around Mammoth. Average duration: 5 hours, average elevation gain: 800 m (2500 feet). Also good for BC skiing beginners. Stay overnight at hostel outside Mammoth, and let's have a good breakfast at Schat's bakery before starting the tour.
Meeting place: Los Angeles
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Dec 19, 2008 - Jan 1, 2009 Fri - Thur
Trip Location: Mammoth and Tahoe
Trip description: I'll be going to Mammoth on Sat Dec 20 and return on Jan 1st. I plan to go to the Tahoe area for 3 days, Tue-Thu 23-25. I like to do an overnight trip to Bradley Hut, weather/condition permitting. I am flexible on dates and plan. When in Mammoth I like to ski the lift in the mornings and cross-country in the afternoons with the exception of powder days.
Let me know if you like to join me or have any other idea/suggestion. I have my cell phone with me, but leave a message if no answer. I have access to my e-mail up to Friday afternoon Dec 19. Looking forward to skiing with you.
Meeting place: TBA
Contact person initiating the trip: Bahram Manahedgi (Cell 310 991-0551)
Trip Date: Jan 9-11, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Mammoth Crest, Blue Couloir, Red Cones, Tamarack crosscountry area, or Sherwins
Trip description: Let's test the new powder on some small ski tours around Mammoth. Average duration: 5 hours, average elevation gain: 800 m (2500 feet). Also good for BC skiing beginners. Stay overnight at hostel outside Mammoth, and let's have a good breakfast at Schat's bakery before starting the tour.
Meeting place: Los Angeles
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Jan 16-18, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Mammoth Crest, Blue Couloir, Red Cones, Tamarack crosscountry area, Sherwins, or June Lake area
Trip description: Let's test the new powder on some small ski tours around Mammoth. Average duration: 5 hours, average elevation gain: 800 m (2500 feet). (Please consider joining the official SMS trip this same weekend, which I intend to join for the ski touring part. I only put in this ad for those who do not want to buy expensive lift tickets, or would like to do more ski tours. Can also join me for a single day.)
Meeting place: Los Angeles or Mammoth
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Jan 23-25, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Es-Scha Peak (McGee Creek), Mt. McGee, Rock Creek cirque
Trip description: I'm going with a friend and you are welcome to join. Join us for two days of medium-long day tours in the Eastern Sierra. Estimated elevation gain: 1500 m (5000 feet). Peaks indicated are just examples. Climb some high peaks around Little Lakes Valley, and ski out to the car on the snow-covered road in the evening. Probably stay in a budget lodge or motel for two nights.
Meeting place: Los Angeles, CA
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Jan 30 - Feb 1, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Day tours around Tioga Pass (Gaylor Peak etc.)
Trip description: Let's do some powder skiing around Tioga Pass, starting from the waterfalls behind Lee Vining. These can be done perfectly as day tours with about 1200 m (4000 feet) elevation gain or a little bit more depending on which peaks we climb.
Meeting place: Los Angeles
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Jan 31, Feb 1 (Sat & Sun), 2009 Sat - Sun
Trip Location: San Gorgonio Area
Trip description: San Gorgonio Area snow camp to ski the bowls and chutes. Suitable for moderate to expert skiers and anyone wanting to shoot photos or make movies.
Meeting place: TBA
Contact person initiating the trip: Alvin Walter awalter@pacbell.net, Co Leader: Ellen Feeney.
Trip Date: Feb 6-8, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Koip Peak, Eastern Sierra (day tour)
Trip description: Let's ski this mountain (if conditions are safe) with a 1500 m (5000 feet !) long descent from the summit on one day. Start before sunrise. We'll surely spot another great ski mountain for the second day.
Meeting place: Los Angeles
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Feb 7-8, 2009 Sat - Sun
Trip Location: West Baldy,
Trip description: Baldy Hut ski loop over West Baldy then along San Antonio ridge and down Good Canyon. We will ski the bowl on Saturday, spend the night at the hut then proceed with the loop on Sunday. We will have to set up a short car shuttle from the bottom of Good Canyon back up to the Baldy trailhead. Suitable for Advanced skiers with a spirit of adventure.
Meeting place: TBA
Contact person initiating the trip: Alvin Walter awalter@pacbell.net, Co Leader: Angel Ocana.
Trip Date: Feb 13-15, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Sequoia National Park, Pear Lake Hut area
Trip description: Ski about 2 days in the wonderful area around Pear Lake Hut in Sequoia National Park. Climb Matterhorn and other peaks around as day trips (around 3000 feet elevation gain) from a basecamp. Bring your tent and warm sleeping bag, so we can camp in the snow in case the hut is full.
Meeting place: Los Angeles
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Mar 7 & 8, 2009 Sat - Sun
Trip Location: Mt. Alice
Trip description: Climb and ski Mt. Alice from the south and the chutes on Mt. Kidd from the north. These will be done as day trips from the parking area for the Palisades trailhead. Suitable for moderate to expert skiers
and anyone wanting to shoot photos or make movies.
Meeting place: TBA
Contact person initiating the trip: Alvin Walter awalter@pacbell.net Co Leader: Ellen Feeney.
Trip Date: Mar 20-22, 2009 Fri-Sun
Trip Location: Yearly Buttermilk ski basecamp
Trip description: Let's do medium long day tours (3000-5000 feet) in corn snow, and let's do a campfire in the evening (still allowed at this time of year!). "California skiing"...
Meeting place: Los Angeles, CA
Contact person initiating the trip: Heiko Knapp (heiko.knapp@web.de 310 999 9538)
Trip Date: Mar 28 & 29, 2009 Sat - Sun
Trip Location: Red Slate
Trip description: Climb and ski Red Slate via its classic east facing couloir and/or its more moderate north facing slopes. We will make a base camp on the snow below the peak and make some runs both days. The Convict Lake trailhead will be the meet-up point. Suitable for moderate to expert skiers and anyone wanting to shoot photos.
Meeting place: Convict Lake
Contact person initiating the trip: Alvin Walter awalter@pacbell.net, Co Leader: Angel Ocana.
Trip Date: May 2-9, 2009 Sat - Sat
Note: Due to the Forecast for rain and snow for the next 5 days in the Sierra, I have postponed my week long Sabrina to Goddard and various other peaks trip for one week.
Trip Location: Sierra Ski Tour
Trip description: Sierra Ski Tour out of Lake Sabrina to bag some or all of the following peaks: Mt Goddard, Solomons, Black Giant, Warlow, Huxley, Fiske, Hermit, Spencer, Darwin, Mendel. Climbing, skiing, snow camping experience essential.
Meeting place: TBA
Contact person initiating the trip: Alvin Walter, awalter@pacbell.net.
This weekend I will ski Baden Powell from Vincent Gap on Saturday starting at 7:00am then Burnham and Throop on Sunday starting at 7:00am and using a mountain bike from Vincent Gap to the start of each peak.
Trip Date: May 8-10, 2009 Fri - Sun
Trip Location: Tioga Pass, Virginia Lks
Trip description: Mark Goebel, John Anderson and I are planning to go up to Tioga Pass and Virginia Lks May 8-10. The Tioga Rd opened this Monday on the eastside. If you are available, come join us.
Meeting place: TBA
Contact person initiating the trip: Bahram Manahedgi, bahram3@earthlink.net