Locale

Sierra Nevada

IDEAL SCENARIOS IN THE HIGH SIERRA

Sierra Nevada
“It was a week or so after the snowpack transitioned—early spring skiing on a five-day trip with Nick Russell, Forrest Shearer, and some other folks riding and skiing some bigger lines. We were camping on a ridge between Lower Lamarck Lake and Upper Lamarck Lake that had 360-degree views and good sunlight as well as nice rock outcrops for camping. Though the temps were cool and still cold at night, the skies were clear, so we were able to enjoy the warm sun in the morning and evening. Here, Nick catches the last bit of sun after our second day of touring from basecamp.” Photo: Blake Gordon
Introduction: Nick Russell. Words: Elena Hight, Jeremy Jones and Nick Russell

Introduction Nick Russell

We begin each season with an ideal scenario in mind: Stay healthy, ride new terrain, and maybe even document some snowboarding. For most, this scenario revolves around one simple, crucial, and uncontrollable ingredient: a good winter at home. For those of us living in California, a state cursed by drought over the past decade, it had been a while since nature provided an ideal scenario.

The Sierra Nevada—more specifically the High Sierra—is a gem of North American mountain ranges. In my biased opinion, this is one of the greatest places in the world for human-powered snowboarding. The high concentration of rideable terrain throughout this rugged 400-mile stretch of ridgelines topping out above 14,000 feet is a freerider’s fantasy. Combined with frequent high pressure systems allowing passage into the alpine, it’s a place of endless potential–so long as there is snow on the ground. Big snow years, particularly in the Southern Sierra, have become less and less reliable recently due to climate change. In the heart of the range, it is feast or famine. We’ve learned to be patient throughout times of hunger and even more appreciative when served a full plate.

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