A few weeks back, we ventured up to Mammoth Mountain to catch closing weekend with our friends Zach and Annette. Despite a reportedly terrible season, there was still snow on the slopes and Zach and I had a blast tearing up the mountain while still in our t-shirts. By midday, the warmth turned the snow turned to slush, so we spent the mornings on the mountain and the afternoons exploring the area. Among the sites seen were the ghost town Bodie, the limestone tufas of Mono Lake and Fossil Falls, a lava flow that was later reshaped by the Owens River. On Sunday, we stuck around the mountain to watch the annual Pond Skim, a tradition whereby skiers and snowboarders dress in ridiculous costumes and attempt to make it across a man-made pond at the bottom of the hill. While several made it, most took a dive. This was also my first time getting on a snowboard since I sold my gear prior to moving to Florida for grad school. Twelve years ago! I’m happy to report that it’s very much like riding a bicycle. That said, I avoided most jumps. Probably best to wait for better conditions before giving that a go again.
