...nwood...

8:15 p.m. on a Thursday evening at the height of a May heatwave. Despite its heavy load Esther's Mini Cooper cuts and jukes through downtown San Francisco traffic like Baron Davis driving to the hoop. I fish out a crusty camelback hose from the mountain of gear occupying the rear 3/4ths of the vehicle - musty sleeping bags, stained parkas, world weary T2 telemark boots, an ample cooler of beer and a smelly bear can. Peering through the sun roof I verify the security of Esther's brand new Voile Mojo splitboard and my battle-scarred K2 World Pistes. Despite the advanced hour of our departure and the miles of mountainous road unfolding before us we gaze out into the east-bound 580 dusk and entertain carefree dreams of perfect turns carved on the spring flanks of Mount Dana, False White and other Eastern Sierra gems.

Conversation meanders a familiar route - traversing Buddhist philosophy, modern psychology and finally settling on the question "if your lover were a pastry what would s/he be?" Over the next half hour the bakeries of our lives quickly become littered with melted devil's food cake, stale croissants, vacuum packed Ding Dongs and a promising strudel. A debate ensues as to whether challa french toast qualifies as a pastry.

At 12:20 am the Mini rocks precariously as we take a downhill hairpin turn above the Marine Corps Training Center on route 108 at an optimistic speed. I exhale and wipe the sweat from my brow. Esther's grip on the wheel is unrelenting and her jaw is clenched in determination. Bed by 1:00 am. 12:45 am finds us barreling down Jack Sawyer Road south of Bridgeport where we quickly locate a desolate tent site and allow our poor heads to drift into blank, dreamless unconsciousness.

After a mediocre breakfast and weak, watery coffee at the otherwise friendly Hayes Street Cafe in Bridgeport we make haste to Virginia Lakes road and our first taste of the soft spring snows. While crossing the creek behind Trumbull Lake I narrowly escape disaster when a 5 x 3 foot section of the opposite bank tumbles into the water under my feet. Undeterred, Esther insists on following me and thoroughly soaks a snowboard boot. In order to ensure some bona fide suffering, I lead a horrendous route straight up a scree field.


Bruised, cut and demoralized we finally reach the summit and enjoy views of Mono Lake and the neighboring mountains. Miraculously neither of us hits a single rock on the ride down.

Esther's new Mojo performs admirably on its maiden voyage.



Apres ski dip:

Apres ski beer:

Blow drying Esther's boot liners:

Friday evening we shack up at a tent site in the Mono Vista RV park in Lee Vining.

We make the obligatory visit to the Whoa Nellie Deli where we chow down on delicious fish tacos and Mango Salmon Salad.

What would a evening at the WND be without a chance encounter with a long lost friend? Just as we finish our meal MChin shows up with a handful of recruits from Seattle. They set about fueling up for their impending Tioga to Twin Lakes traverse.
Saturday morning we opt for breakfast (including meticulously brewed Peets coffee) in camp before charging off in the Mini for Tioga Pass. It's a blazing hot day and Esther is still dialing in her gear, so I lead a slow, modest route to the summit of Gaylor.

On the final ascent Esther takes a small ride in the slush when the skin track gives way under her, but redoubles her effort and makes it to the summit for lunch.

After a couple of runs, it's time to hit the hot springs. We pick Wild Willy's (Crowley) on Benton Crossing Road.

In the spring we make friends with a naked Marine from Idaho and a Tecate swilling Australian snowboard coach. A couple of dirt bikers show up in full battle gear and join the party. I learn from our cohorts that Hot Creek is closed to the public (perhaps permanently) as a result of dramatic temperature increases at the vents.

After a satisfying dinner at Angel's in Mammoth and a restful night at another Mini Cooper-friendly RV park on the outskirts of town, we come to a group consensus on a rest day. In lieu of using our gear we make a beeline for Mammoth Mountiaineering's "Early Memorial Day Sale" to ogle the goods. 90 minutes later I emerge with a pair of 186 Karhu Jaks, Black Diamond 01 bindings and Ascension skins for $688.

The Mini and Esther at Bodie

All Photos