Mammoth Mountain Ski Patrol

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It has been a great season so far at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.

After three weeks of training, shadowing and a comprehensive final exam, I am now a Professional Mammoth Mountain Ski Patroller. It's been fun experiencing a completely different mountain range and weather pattern. The snowpack was getting scarce until the first week of January when we got five to eight feet of snow! It was great! And with all that snow came a lot of Avalanche Control Work (my favorite part of the job).

The job is a lot of fun and a lot of hard work. I've become much better at my first-aid skills. In one day I helped six people with injuries! It can be a pretty wild job. Some times are incredibly hectic and some times are the most peaceful moments I have ever experienced. The mountain is huge and in one day there were more than 20,000 people on the hill!

The terrain here is steep and open, with great steeps and hidden shots everywhere. The skiing here is definitely a step in the right direction and it's made the move worth it.

I hope everyone is having a great winter.

Sierrally,

Phil

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Photos

8ft. of SNOW
I've never seen that much snow in such a short amount of time!

Rookies
This is the day we got our Parkas! Younghein, Donaghey, Lopez, Schnaidt, Schaefer

AC
Alex Clayton getting a stick of dynamite ready to throw into the Paranoids.

Avalanche Control
Another morning shooting Scotty's

Paranoid 4
This was my first major AC mission. This is Alex Clayton getting ready to ski cut Paranoid 4

Cache
This is one of the avalanche control caches.

Minarets, Banner, Ritter
Sweep has become my favorite time of the day. Everyone is off the hill and there are always amazing sunsets.

Rope Rescue
One day of training was dedicated to Chair Lift Evacuation. We had to train for every scenario, even saving the avalanche rescue dog "King".

Thanksgiving with Sarah and Jeff
Sarah and Jeff held a great Thanksgiving. The first holiday in the new A-Frame!

Sarah and Jeff's
Sitting in Swall Meadows, just below the Wheeler Crest. Sarah and Jeff purchased their first home, a beautiful A-frame overlooking the majestic Mt. Tom and the Owens Valley.

Comments

[hailey]

powpow
Looks incredible, can't wait till I can join you there and shred the nar, that's what your supposed to say in cali right

[Dad]

Let it snow!
Great photos...enjoyed seeing the terrain and dynamite pack...keep safe. Love, Dad

[mom]

SNOWY MOUNTAINS
Loved your new blog entry. Glad you had some computer time. It is fun to keep up with your work as a member of the ski patrol. Love, MOM