These are pictures taken during a snow-camping class taught through the Livermore Parks and Rec. Dept. The class was taught by Kim (the guy in Orange) from a local sports shop. These photos are an amalgamation from several different people.

Twelve people went on the trip. We all got along well enough. The trip started by gathering at Sunrise mountain sports at 5:30 (well before sunrise). We organized a couple of car pools utilizing the several 4x4’s we had in the group. We were loaded and on the road in about 30 minutes; next stop: Jackson for gas and a quick stop to pick-up last minute items. After another short drive, less than an hour, we were stopped in miles of traffic leading to Carson Pass Spur. While we were mulling around speculating on why everyone was stopped, a ranger came by announcing that avalanche control was being performed and the delay would be 2-4 hours. Since we were near Silver Lake, and didn’t have concrete plans, we decided to park and stay near the lake.

Head’em up, move’em out	Form up, single file	Trudging along
A short break in the woods	Step 1: Stomping the quarry	More quarry preperation
Step 2: Digging the keyhole	Step 3: Setting the first block	Looks easy enough…
Just a few more blocks	Front door	If you set it flat, you may lose it
Melting water at the end of day 1	Beginning of day 2	Starting breakfast
Gathering around the kitchen	Mmmm, oatmeal	Everybody’s up and around
Slow moving, cold, sunny morning	We blend in well	Snowscape, with tree
A stream from Granite Lake	Snowscape	Part of the group in front of some falls
…without the people	Starting the big igloo	Starting on the entry way
Coming along nicely	Really starting to take shape	It took ~60 blocks to finish the big igloo
Each block weighed ~40 lbs	Depleting the quarry	Taking a break to enjoy the alpenglow
Almost finished	Looks flimsy from inside	Fitting the final block
Still need an entry/exit	Digging out the bench	Finished igloo
Job well done	Sunset on day 2	The camp from a nearby hill
The dinner table	Everyone trying to keep warm	…and socializing
… and talking	…and having a good time	Group shot on last day
Interesting shot	Getting packed-up	Waiting for everyone to pack-up
“Here” is relative	Heading out	Good thing they’re all 4x4’s
Snowscape of Silver Lake
The camp on day 2

05/17/08 C.Kunz