Jacob, Will and I at Freeze Fest #3
We started Freeze Fest #3 on Friday 2/23/07. When we got to the Echo Lake Snow Park we discovered that 3 feet of fresh powder had the parking lot snowed in. Fresh, Fluffy, Virgin powder!! Miles of it just waiting for us. We found a temporary parking spot at the lodge about 200ft down the road, got out our skis and hit the powder. Skiing through powder above your knees is a lot of work but awwwsome.
Will during our practice skiing in the deep powder
Jacob getting used to the great snow at Echo Summit. While we waited for the parking lot to be cleared we traveled around the resort area
The view from the summit overlooking Tahoe in the distance was breath taking
Lake Tahoe in the distance
Jim takes in the great view near Echo Summit
Watch our video from the summit overlooking Tahoe
Joyous Powder and so much of it. This must be powder heaven. In the many years I have been Freeze Festing I have never had the pleasure of skiing in such deep powder. The snow was so light that we sunk to our knees with our skis on. It made it hard to ski through it.
Skiing the road to Echo Lake. The Snow Cat worked the road to the lake all morning and by the time we finally got the car parked the trail to the lake did not require breaking trail through deep powder.
Watch our video of skiing on the trail headed to Echo Lake through the snow, powder and winter wonderland
The Winter wonderland was glorious. The trees were decorated with so much beauty, it was breath taking.
We continued to be awed by the beauty of the fresh snow falling and dressing the trees with winter beauty
Arriving at Echo lake meant breaking our own trail across the lake. The wind was howling, the temperature was dropping and the powder was deep.
Jacob following in the trail on the lake. Staying in the trail that was broken by the lead meant easier traveling and a lot less work.
Watch the video of us skiing across the lake through the thick powder and the howling wind
We set up camp within view of the docks at the lake shore but far from human neighbors. We were the only human tracks across the entire lake. Setting up camp was a lot of work. We had to stop the powder with our skis to pack it down. After nearly 20 minutes of Jacob, Will and I stomping the snow with our skis we thought we had packed down a camping spot in the snow. When we took off our skis and stepped onto the snow we still sunk up to our shins. The snow was so powdery and cold that we began to think we would never get it packed down. As you can see we finally got a firm platform in the snow to establish a campsite.
It was a beautiful view from our camp site on the shore of the lake
Enjoying the beauty of nature in the solitude of winter is one of the wonders of every Freeze Fest. Freeze Fest was pure winter pleasure with lots of fresh powder, freezing temperatures and great companionship. I measured the temperature at 15 degrees F at 7pm. With the wind blowing and the continued drop in temperature we were in for a Freeze Fest of a night
Winter camping means living on water but having to work for it. Melting water for dinner takes a lot of snow
Getting Ready for Dinner at camp with great ambiance. I am not so sure about the quality of the food. We struggled with the stove and once we were ready to eat the food turned cold nearly before we could eat it. It is so hard to server a hot meal in 15 degree weather. But the warmth of the companionship with Will and Jacob make the meal and the adventure all the better.
Melting water in the darkness
Morning brought stories of numb and nearly frozen toes, cold sleepless nights and a desire to find some place warm. Poor Jacob only slept for 2 hours and counted nearly every frozen moment
Will was nestled in his frozen abode with frosted toes and frozen tent. Alas his enjoyment of Freeze Fest was heartfelt throughout the night as he was reminded of the plunging temperatures and frozen wonderland. I heard rejoycing for the Gatoraid bottle which prevented late night wanderings into the frozen darkness.....
Ahhhh a cup of hot chocolate on a morning like this really hits the spot
Jim breaking camp
Jacob and Jim at Echo Lake in the morning. Yes we spent the night together in the same tent.
Despite a freezing night Will regales the pleasure and beauty of Freeze Fest on Echo Lake
A positive attitude makes all the difference in the world. Instead of railing about the hardships Will is the example of seeing the beauty in the journey and cherishing the adventure with every hardship.
Skiing out of Echo lake was a lot easier. We followed the trail we broke the day before. In the places (there were many) where the snow covered our trail we had to rebreak the trail but the snow had settled and we were only sinking into the powder up to our shins
Did I say we were only sinking up to our shins? Will managed to find a hole in the snow and sunk up to his chest, skis, pack and all.
Video of Will fallen and he can't get up. Well he did but it was a lot of work.
Just 5 feet later Jacob managed to find anothe hole and sunk into the snow past his waist. Skis, pack and all.
Yes Jacob struggled to get out of his snow hole too.
Skiing up to the top of the hill leaving the lake below we were now on the downhill and an easy fun ski back to the car.
