What is it like to ski Sun Cups?

Discussion about winter adventure sports in the Sierra Nevada mountains including but not limited to; winter backpacking and camping, mountaineering, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, etc.
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Love the Sierra
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Re: What is it like to ski Sun Cups?

Post by Love the Sierra »

Hi Ian,
I completely agree!!!
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paul
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Re: What is it like to ski Sun Cups?

Post by paul »

these suncups look like fun:
https://twitter.com/bethpratt/status/16 ... 44/photo/3

Type 3 fun, that is.
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Gogd
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Re: What is it like to ski Sun Cups?

Post by Gogd »

paul wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 3:25 pm these suncups look like fun:
https://twitter.com/bethpratt/status/16 ... 44/photo/3

Type 3 fun, that is.
May need ice screws, rope, and spikey hand and foot tools to cross that snow field.

Ed
I like soloing with friends.
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c9h13no3
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Re: What is it like to ski Sun Cups?

Post by c9h13no3 »

Gogd wrote: Wed Jun 28, 2023 1:01 pm
paul wrote: Tue Jun 27, 2023 3:25 pm these suncups look like fun:
https://twitter.com/bethpratt/status/16 ... 44/photo/3

Type 3 fun, that is.
May need ice screws, rope, and spikey hand and foot tools to cross that snow field.
The ice screws are for your skull, so you can put yourself out of your own misery.
"Adventure is just bad planning." - Roald Amundsen
Also, I have a blog no one reads. Please do not click here.
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MikeAndreas1
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Re: What is it like to ski Sun Cups?

Post by MikeAndreas1 »

Love the Sierra wrote: Wed Jun 14, 2023 6:26 am I have five days blocked off my calendar for a trip this week. I can’t believe it, Noaa is saying blue skies!!! WOW!!
I plan to base camp at Mosquito Flat and hike/tour around for three or four days into Little Lakes Valley, Ruby Lake, maybe up to Mono Pass for views and whatever else we feel like doing. No speed, no bowls or steep downhill skiing for this girl. Strictly touring.No itinerary, per se, just want to go out and tour and enjoy the sun and Sierra each day.
Highs will be mid 50s so I anticipate sun cups and sticky snow. What’s going to be easier and more fun, snow shoes or skis? Whereas I have skied spring conditions and I know what to expect, I have never skied sun cups. I have snowshoed sun cups and had the joy of postholing with full pack and snowshoes. AHHH! That’s why I’m asking. On the other hand, if I do not have snowshoes, would I be able to get up, and of course there is always that difficult down, from Ruby or Mono Pass?
I cannot put snowshoes onto my duckbilled ski boots so no way to take both unless I take two pairs of boots. …On the other hand, the road is open to the pack station, so why not? I got tails for my snowshoes, hopefully that may help the postholing but makes them heavy! Definitely bringing crampons in any case, lows will be in the low 30’s. NOAA IS TELLING ME PERFECT CONDITIONS!! Can’t wait!!!!!!!

So, should I carry the extra nearly 10 pounds and have both snow shoes and skis? (Doable since it is such a short backpack and worth it for a great day or two skiing Little Lake Valley.) Skis only and maybe not be able to do much more than Little Lakes Valley? Just take snowshoes since Little Lakes Valley will be covered in sun cups and that is miserable to ski in? (I guess that last one is the real question.)
THANK YOU for your input!!!

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