Got snow, Rat?

sassafraspete · Jan 8, 2005

Heard from my daughter today....they are getting pounded with snow in the Tahoe area. 2-3' additional ft at lake level, and 4-6' above 7000 ft , with 50 mph wind gusts at lake level and up to 100 mph over the ridges.

Unusual amounts of snow stacking up in Carson City and Reno. This made me wonder whether the Rat got insurance and started to grab some of the $580 an hour rate.

He may be out on the plow as we type.

California · Jan 8, 2005

They are getting a little snow up on the hill.

Caltrans reports 4:44 pm Saturday:
I-80 IS CLOSED FROM APPLEGATE (PLACER CO) TO THE NEVADA STATE LINE - DUE TO SNOW & ZERO VISIBILITY

Attached photo: Alpine Meadows livecamera 4:39 pm at the Base Lodge

RobertN · Jan 8, 2005

We're same elevation, but across the canyon from _RAT_, on the south or Highway-50 side(maybe 45 minute ride).

All we have is lots of wind, lots of rain, and some hail. We usually doo get some snow once every year or two; hope we get a little this weekend.

_RaT_ · Jan 8, 2005

Squaw Cam

They estimate 9' to 10' to have dropped at the summit (Donner). What the total is I don't know. The snowplows will push the snow to the side just to make a single lane road. After that, the massive blowers come in. The blowers actually raise off the ground many feet to cut the road. There are times the snow is twice as high as a Greyhound bus. Also up at the Summit is the Union Pacific railroad. Much of the track is covered, but there is still some exposed. They have a massive engine/snow blower. Theres no chance of getting to our cabin for about 3 or 4 days.

sassafraspete · Jan 9, 2005

Yep, sounds like just another flurry. My daughter said it was hard to sleep the other night, as the south lake road crew was grinding the snow tunnel otherwise known as the road in front of her appt bld, and blowing snow back further in the yards in preparation for the next snow. This was at like 2 in the morning and I guess they make quite a racket grinding up that sierra cement. The snow sounds fun....but the wind sounds wicked.

How would you like to be the guy running the snow blowers up on Donner Pass? Sounds like 80 has had a few shut downs lately.....

Let's see we are running abut 50 degrees with mud here. I had to work from home Friday due to flooded roads. The town where I work only had one road in and out. My boss was in the gridlock for a couple hours and decided to give it up and turn around and come home. They were running 17 foot above flood stage with the all time record being 17' 6" I think in 1913. Snow doesn't sound too bad.

sassafraspete · Jan 11, 2005

So what's the latest totals up to out there? My boss was saying yesterday they had 20 ' up there in the passes. I saw some pictures of some homes and it was almost up the the eaves . Those little "elf" houses you see out there in the big pines , probably look pretty cool. I haven't heard from my daughter today...but know they were getting more snow....and avalanche danger is high out in the back country.

_RaT_ · Jan 11, 2005

I last heard about 20' at the pass. I was looking for a shot of me up at Heavenly on a very cold day. I'll post it for you when I find it.

slydog · Jan 12, 2005

Here's a pic of my wife from when we were there in 2003, at the end of Maggies Run. Wish we were up there right now.

sassafraspete · Jan 12, 2005

Nice picture slydog. I've been out there 3 times, and spent a lot of money there helping my daughter out, but have not yet gotten to ski there. My wife was out there last yr...and got to ski some. Funny thing though (or not so funny) was that she got wiped out once by a snowboarder and once by a person skiing. Both were young bucks that were out of control. On one slope it was just her and this snowboarder on the slope at the time, and he still manages to come across the entire slope and wipe her out. I would have liked to have been there to hear what came out of her mouth. She is an ex ski teacher, and recovered 3 yrs from knee surgery...so I suspect her words were not kind. The kid's ears are probably still ringing. My wife is small but mighty.... I wouldn't want to mess with her.

I am hoping to get some pics from my daughter this week. Look forward to seeing Rat's picture as well.

slydog · Jan 12, 2005

Yeah,
I hate snowboarders. I've been wiped out by them myself. Some resorts limit them to certain slopes and I'm all for that idea.
Your daughter is very fortunate. That is some of the most beautiful, breath taking country I have ever seen.