Sounds like a solid plan! I’ve been to Mt. Lassen a couple of times, and late June seems like the sweet spot for snow conditions—usually soft enough without the postholing. I’ve hiked the trail in the summer, but skiing it definitely sounds more fun. The first few thousand feet should be good for AT...

That sounds like a fantastic day! I’ve always preferred skiing in quiet spots like that, too. There’s just something so much more rewarding about being out in the woods, away from the crowds and noise. I feel the same way about resorts—too many people and the whole vibe gets ruined. The deep snow an...

Sounds like a real challenge but also a cool moment when you found your skin! I’ve had similar experiences where gear gets buried in the snow, and it’s a relief when you manage to track it down. The weather conditions seem to have made it tricky, but it’s good that you still managed to enjoy the tri...

Hey Chris, reading your post brought me back to some of my solo trips through snowy backcountry, although I’ve never been as deep into gear specifics. I’ve had those moments sinking too far into soft snow, and upgrading skis made a massive difference. I swapped to a broader ski (Rossignol BC110 in m...

Two failures in two days? Yikes! Glad you're getting new ones. Sounds like a design flaw.