Hugh Sakols Photography

Winter Storm at Ostrander Ski Hut and Badger Pass

2011-05-04T07:41:00.000-07:00

For the last ten years my wife and I have been making an annual ski to the Ostrander Ski Hut located about 10 miles out from Badger Pass ski area. Most years we have been caught in the middle of fierce winter storms. Still we continue this tradition because it brings together a diverse group of like minded individuals who are infactuated with winter, backcountry skiing, and Yosemite. Our last trip on the third week of March brought more snow to the area than some can remember in over 50 years making our departure from the hut very difficult. The snow was quite deep and heavy making it hard to break trail. After a long day of trail breaking we made it to Badger Pass ski area where we knew that we would be spending the night. A good description of our ordeal can be read here http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/ski/detail?entry_id=85537&plckOnPage=5&plckItemsPerPage=20&plckSort=TimeStampDescending

During the trip we had a short break between storms.

Next came a system that closed the park.

When we left the cabin we knew that we would probably be spending the night at the Badger Pass ski area. The roads were already closed. The prudent thing to do would have been to stay at the ski hut, but we had a strong crew who were physically capable of breaking trail. These images show what Badger Pass looked like after we dug out our cars the night before!

Later that afternoon a plow made it in and we convoyed back to El Portal along a single lane. And no we were not rescued. We could have stayed for days and been just fine.

When we arrived in El Portal, we had no power for the week. El Portal received more snow than anyone can remember toppling oaks everywhere. Luckily we still got our organic veggie delivery despite some dangerous obstacles.

Winter in Yosemite's High Country

2011-03-31T20:46:00.000-07:00

Wind Lee Vining Canyon from Hugh Sakols on Vimeo.

In mid February a group of us set out for Tuolumne Meadows on skis. During the summer months my wife and I volunteer for the National Park Service and live in the historic Macauley Cabin next to Parson's Lodge. We thought it would be interesting to see the area covered in snow. The only problem was a storm was coming our way bringing even more snow. This was a welcome relief after about 6 weeks without any storms. This year I think California is OK.

After surviving the wind we continued up the road from Lee Vining to what was surely a winter landscape.

The morning after we arrived, the snow came. So much that we were worried about getting out before spring.

We made a dash for it to Tioga Pass where we were trapped for the next three nights. On the first day at the pass we had a short break between storms which was spectacular yet mighty cold. I've never been able to handle a camera well with any type of gloves.

There was no shortage of snow at Tioga Pass - elevation 9943 ft.

Once again we had to break trail back down the Lee Vining Canyon. However, we were rewarded by a thick coverage of snow on everything.

At Ellery Lake the wind picked up. Gusts on the ridge tops were impressive!

Ever wonder why trees at the crest grow bent over in clumps? The wind was quite intense blowing snow and quickly making my hands and face feel as though they were frozen. No one wanted to stop with me when I took this photograph.

We were on extra alert entering areas of avalanche potential. Luckily some of worst areas were scoured free of snow thanks to the wind.

Looking back up at the crest it was good to be back at our cars. We spent the following eight hours driving back around to El Portal.

Yosemite Winter 2011

2011-03-14T17:42:00.000-07:00

Winter in Yosemite began with a blast of cold air and plenty of snow. These are my first images of the year taken in January. The short days and low angle of the light is a welcome change from summer's blazing bright glare.

Yosemite Falls on a chilly winter morning. I can't remember if it was 9 AM or 10 AM.

I made this photograph of Half Dome by blending two differently exposed images, a darker top and a lighter bottom. I like the way I have kept detail in the snow covered foreground.

This year I skied into the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias but there are also white firs.