White Pine Basin Peak Linkup

Jon Swain was interested in getting out to ski and was open to suggestions. I laid out a fun one – we were celebrating an American military success, after all. The day’s efforts basically covered the White Pine Basin: landing Red Stack, Red Baldy, White Baldy, and Lake Peak on our journey.

Red is up, green is down. Red Stack led to…

..The rest of the White Pine Basin.

Following the months-long deluge of snow, today was a gift. Virtually cloudless, nearly zero wind, cold enough that we only watched one cornice heat up and break off next to Jon. All of that led to stable snow that, once off the very tops of the peaks, was a powder heaven.

After yet another premium, untouched ski descent, this time down the NW face of White Baldy, Jon said, ‘That was just about the best powder run of my life.’ Or something to that effect. Strong words coming from a man known for his penchant for powder. He seemed pleased, and perhaps surprised that powder existed following several warm days. Beaujolais!

Jon makes turns in front of the day’s real estate – Red and White Baldy Peaks visible in the background (Red on the left, White near the center).

I’ve wanted to do this linkup for some time. Second only to the bridge crossing out of the parking lot, the White Baldy access ridge added the most spice to the day. I really enjoy traversing over steep, rocky faces when I’ve left my crampons at home. It’s good, clean fun, like closing one’s eyes while driving.

As for details, we headed up Red Stack – also known as Red Top – first. My last visit to Red Stack was inauspicious, and it was nice to create a new memory in the area. We skied down skier’s left of the Main Tri-Chute, and then pointed our skis towards Red Baldy. A quick skin brought us to the summit, where we sat and enjoyed the view while we ate. ‘My country, ’tis of thee’ came up more than once. The freedom to ski mountains brought us down from the summit – the top was pretty bulletproof so we descended the way we’d arrived, coming down a NW facing gully with decent snow. This led to the ridge effort that gained us access to the White Baldy summit. Here we lingered again for a few minutes – perfect days should be soaked in like a bathtub – and headed down. Then up and along the ridge to Lake Peak, avoiding massively overhanging cornices along the way. Lake Peak’s north aspect skied like a dream and our smiles at the bottom were wide.

Jon Swain – a man who enjoys powder!

A OK nearing the White Baldy summit. Pic by Jon Swain.

Even the exit and return to the vehicle was relatively pleasant, offering up many different conditions through the distance. Mostly, we were lucky that the returning evening cold hadn’t yet set up the snow into a solid re-freeze. Good times in the White Pine Basin!

Jon approaching the cruxy face from the ridge.

A OK making turns down White Baldy’s NW face. Photo by Jon Swain.

‘Hey, I got snow down my pants when I “let freedom ring!” Jon Swain all smiles on the mountainsides.

A OK on Lake Peak. Photo by Jon Swain.

Jon lost the ‘fall into the covered, yawning cornice crack’ game by 0-2. However, it’s not a game you really want to win, which I did. All kidding aside, avalanches are turning into a big deal lately this Spring. On a related note, cornices are sagging, which is going to present a whole new big deal. Pay attention around cornices – they’re larger than average in this record snow year, and ready to start dropping naturally as it heats up. Very dangerous! Here, Jon makes his way past a massive cornice en route to Lake Peak.