Report from May 23, 2026
All-star crew for this mission in Lamarcklandia: Natalie, Fox, Big Sam, doggers Vega and Sarah, and me.
It’s just so fun to have this epic crew here in Mammoth every May.
I’m forever grateful.
Lower Lamarck Lake Basin, CA
“Half Chub Couloir”
Details
- Summit (actually a ridgeline): 12,027′
- Car: 9,260′
- Vertical From Car: 2,827′
- Vertical skied: 1,100′ (700′ in the chute/apron)
- Max Pitch: 40º
- Avg Pitch: 38º
- Aspect: North
- Distance: 8.8-miles round trip
- Time From Car to Top: 3 hours and 47 minutes
- Car to Car Time: 6 hours & 57 minutes
- Recommended Equipment: Crampons, Ice Axe x2, skins
Up at 6am.
Walking by 8:30am.
The crew was all fast – except for me…
I dragged behind on the trail and they bounded ahead.
I was tired from the Lamarck mission the previous day but that mattered not – these folks are always faster than me.
I caught up when they took breaks then from Lower Lamarck Lake, we rolled together.
The terrain is challenging and gorgeous in here.
We hit snow after about 2 hours of walking and did a small bit of skinning to the base of the chute.
From there they put in the booter and I followed.
We topped out 3 hours and 47 minutes after leaving the car.
The views of Lamarck proper were impressive.
We enjoyed the top and dropped in when ready as we watched the clouds building.
The skiing was good and dogger approved.
Beautiful, textured corn with some big smooth patches on the left.
It skied like a dream and we all met up at the bottom.
From there it’s a complex ski/traverse back to the shoes then a jolly old walk back to the car.
We hit the car 6 hours and 57 minutes after leaving it.
Feet went directly into the ice-cold stream and it felt oh so good.
Directly to Bishop for a quick jamboree of BBQ and ice cream.
Holy Smoke Texas Style BBQ delivered (I went for the Redneck Taco) and the Salt & Shop ice cream was on another level this day.
When we asked if there was ice cream, she said no, there was only vanilla ice cream, and then we found out there was also a toffee peanut butter brownie.
We combined those two and went straight to heaven.
Fox was loving it.
We grabbed cheap Indian gas and headed back up the hill to our gracious abode in Mammoth, satisfied and buzzing from the day.
Thanks, California!
Photos in Chronological Order
