TR (photos): Chicken Little, Rock Creek (CA) - April 26 2005

Eric O · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 5333 Location: Tahoe City

Tuesday April 26, 2005

Today we skied a chute that I've wanted to hit since 2003. That year, Steeleman/Telenater/BCRider and myself went and skied the Hourglass on Mt. Dade, and the whole time we were looking straight across the Little Lakes Valley at this other chute, thinking it would have been better. I photographed it and showed it to anyone I could but couldn't find partners for it until just recently when my buddy Brian brought up the idea again.

We got together Brian, Lisa, Bill and myself and headed up Rock Creek into the Little Lakes Valley, reached Chicken Foot Lake and booted up. Conditions turned out to be almost entirely powder and corn, with the crust on which we booted up the lower half disappearing in time for descent.

We were here: Topo Map

Lisa and Brian descended the main Chicken Foot chute; Bill and I chose Chicken Little, one chute over to looker's right. It was steep and tight and a whole lot of fun. Bill didn't mind me keeping the camera out the whole time. The snow was better than I'd even hoped for, just lots of fun. Everything in the general Rock Creek area looks fantastic right now. During this day trip I also got a crazy idea for tomorrow, so stay tuned.

^ Bill and Brian skin up the Rock Creek road

^ There's lots to do on Mt. Morgan

^ Little Lakes Peak and Rosy Finch Peak, with Morgan Pass in between. Our chutes were on Little Lakes Peak, exiting to the big skirt that's half sun / half shade.

^ Chicken Foot Chute in the middle (our up route and Brian & Lisa's descent); Chicken Little is hiding, the next line to the right.

^ It goes.

^ It goes and goes!

^ Across the canyon, over by Mono Pass, we can see the Ruby Wall, along with a very interesting gully that I don't remember seeing in good shape before.

^ Lisa and Rosy Finch Peak. Bear Creek Spire at back right. So many chutes, so little time.

^ The back side of Mt. Tom is still in business and so is that Hanging Valley tour.

^ That one possibility is keeping me from sleeping tonight.

^ Mt. Starr

^ Bill's a hell of a skier. 150 pound guy on 195cm Triple-Xs.

^ I'm sorry I only got a couple of pics of Lisa and Brian's run, couldn't zoom in enough. They had a great run.

^ Lisa puts TeleDaddys to good use.

^ Treasure Peak is in great shape. Needs some tracks.

^ LOTS to do up here. Amen.

Eric O · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 5333 Location: Tahoe City

Apologies for the blur on the camera lens. It's due to a chip out of the glass which just happened the day before, while skiing another chute. The chip might have happened while Ben was wearing the camera and skiing lowrider-style over a swiss cheese of snow and rock. Also might have happened the one time I crashed face-first onto frozen corn, which felt like shaving my cheek with a cheese grater.

A photo report from that day will show up in another day or two.

Andrew L · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1775

Nice TR EO!

Todd G · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 921 Location: Vacationland

Nice TR! Thanks to whoever helped Eric get a camera!
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Bob T · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 1:21 pm Post subject:

Love this pre "sproing" shot, nice form!

Damn, the lines are long in your neck of the woods Eric. Thanks for the TR and tantalizing photos of a thousand other chutes/TRs to come!

telemikey · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1769 Location: Yurp

Great stuff...
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jw · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 6318 Location: Nevada

Grrrrreaaat!!!!!
Love that action series down the chute.

The Sierra Range is being done justice in these TR's.

barbara · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 276 Location: Long Beach, CA

Great photos and report, Eric. How far were you able to drive up the road to Mosquito Flats?

herridge · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1596 Location: Ottawa

Fantastic shots.

D

bcrider · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:08 pm Post subject:

Right on eric!!!

I remember staring at that couloir from our camp. Glad you went and did her proper.

How far could you drive up the road? To the lodge or all the way to Mosquito Flat?

otis of moab · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:22 pm Post subject:

Totally awesome.
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cesare · Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2005 2:34 pm Post subject:

Holy canoli, that's a sweet, creamy dessert roll! Cool

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that sounds like a sure-fire way to get bitch-slapped by devil's club -- dschane

Snow Weasel · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2830 Location: Somewhere Else

Good going! Thanks for the report.
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HB · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 57 Location: ID

Another great TR - looking forward to tomorrows report Cool

shredgar · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1575 Location: This is the Place

Whoa way to go!

That's a great neighborhood.
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