Mountaineering practice on Tallac

Hello all, wanting to practice mountaineering skills on an easy fun climb. was thinking Mt Tallac NE ridge but ascend up the bowl rather than stick to the ridge to practice crampon/axe use as well as self arrests lower down. ideally looking for somewhere were I can go solo just because finding partners can be a pain as I've just moved to the states, and I just am itching to get out! does anyone have any advice or different options for routes?

Thanks!

Christian

I don’t know about going straight up the bowl but I’d love to get some day trip practice around Tahoe with anyone who might be interested. I’m new to climbing but I’m doing a guided trip on Baker in June, and Emerson over summer.

Pyramid Peak would be awesome too if you can find parking. The normal parking spot is probably snowed over... I’ve hiked a lot of those peaks during the summer. 
I live in the North Bay Area and haven’t really been able to find anyone interested in climbing. 

Doesn't it make more sense to ski tallac or pyramid peak?

I would agree. Or atleast ski to a location to practice crampon and ice axe techniques then ski out. 

Ski comments above are why I said I don’t know about climbing the bowl. You’d probably get run over!

I’m sure skiers would see you that wouldn’t be my concern unless it’s a pow day but then the conditions wouldn’t re right for crampon use. It’s more of a time thing  I have hiked tallac in boots, snow shoes and skins.  Hiking in in boots or snowshoes is far less enjoyable and takes far more time then skis especially on the way out. 

If you were climbing up something steeper or where visibility from the top is poor I would be concerned with being run over. From the top of the bowl you can see pretty well what is below you. 

Okay do you recommend a different mountain or route I can go up that would be suitable for easy mountaineering to practice skills solo? 

Red lake peak has steep slopes and probably better crampon conditions almost right out of the lot at Carson pass.  

splitclimber wrote: Red lake peak has steep slopes and probably better crampon conditions almost right out of the lot at Carson pass.  

Awesome! Thanks for the advice

I'm not an experienced mountaineer but I think matterhorn peak is really nice in winter. You probably wouldn't summit without camping unless you started really early though. 

Matthew Wells wrote: I don’t know about going straight up the bowl but I’d love to get some day trip practice around Tahoe with anyone who might be interested. I’m new to climbing but I’m doing a guided trip on Baker in June, and Emerson over summer.

Pyramid Peak would be awesome too if you can find parking. The normal parking spot is probably snowed over... I’ve hiked a lot of those peaks during the summer. 
I live in the North Bay Area and haven’t really been able to find anyone interested in climbing. 

I'm up for day trips or overnighters, have basic mountaineering gear.

Katarina Owens wrote:

I'm up for day trips or overnighters, have basic mountaineering gear.

I’m also keen for adventures! 

Booting up the bowl or otherwise establishing yourself in the ski descent is poor backcountry etiquette. Especially poor etiquette in the popular Tahoe area.  Also don't boot or snowshoe the skin track, FYI.
90% of mountaineering is to choose the best line for avalanche, rock fall etc. That's rarely if ever in the bowl.  You're looking for steep ridges.  

Maureen Maguire wrote: Booting up the bowl or otherwise establishing yourself in the ski descent is poor backcountry etiquette. Especially poor etiquette in the popular Tahoe area.  Also don't boot or snowshoe the skin track, FYI.
90% of mountaineering is to choose the best line for avalanche, rock fall etc. That's rarely if ever in the bowl.  You're looking for steep ridges.  

okay thanks for the heads up. I chose Tallac due to reading other peoples posts about it being a suitable place to practice, wasn't trying to step on toes or go against etiquette. not many back country skiers where I'm from so I appreciate the advice. like I said just keen to get out.

I'm always looking to get out on the mountain with my crampons and ice axe!  

Eileen Takeshita wrote: I'm always looking to get out on the mountain with my crampons and ice axe!  

Would you be willing to take a newbie out? 

If you do plan to travel through the bowl, please be aware of avy conditions. With no experience, this weekend is unlikely to be a wise choice. 

Alyssa K wrote: If you do plan to travel through the bowl, please be aware of avy conditions. With no experience, this weekend is unlikely to be a wise choice. 

I appreciate that honestly, I understand the dangers of avalanche conditions but I think with what I’ve read and monitoring the temperature/weather before I go I should be okay? How else are you meant to gain the experience :) 

If anyone wants a partner for winter adventures pm me

Christian Nunnally wrote:

I appreciate that honestly, I understand the dangers of avalanche conditions but I think with what I’ve read and monitoring the temperature/weather before I go I should be okay? How else are you meant to gain the experience :) 

Experiential learning is a great way to acquire new climbing skills. Experiential learning is not a great way to acquire avalanche skills. Take a class, read up on human factors, and spend time in potential avalanche terrain with more experienced partners.