On April 11-12, 1981 Jim White and I skied up South Fork of Big Pine Creek in the John Muir Wilderness on a 9 mile round trip.
We left Independence about 8:30 a.m. and drove to campground above Glacier Lodge. Put the car in a campsite, set it up for the night and then took skis and ice axe/rope up the South Fork. Snow was patchy so we didn't get in much skiing. Left skis on a bare spot on the flat just before the trail starts up the side of the mountain and went up a chute to the left.
Snow got progressively harder as we practiced roped travel and self-arrest. Jim's first lessons. His reading had prepared him for the practice and he caught on real fast. Snow got hard enough we cut steps, then set up boot-axe belay and practiced belay and self-arrest.
Returned to the car after a good practice as the sun went behind the mountain. Next day decided to forget about skiing and took day hike to Lon Chaney Cabin and back. Beautiful weather. Returned to car about 3 p.m. and drove up to Onion Valley to check out the snow. Lots of rocks on the road and blocked by snow about 1/4 mile from parking lot. Hiked up to parking lot. Lots of good snow on the Robinson Creek slope. Returned home after an enjoyable weekend.
Ice Axe Practice trip on South Fork and hike on North Fork Big Pine Creek 1981
