Customer Reviews

50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California: Mount Shasta to Mount Whitney

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If you are planning a winter/spring backcountry trip and want accurate, detailed information on routes, terrain, and level of difficulty for some of the best skiing/snowboarding terrain in California than this is the perfect book. The book is well organized, clearly written and beautifully illustrated. Everytime I pick up the book I find myself mentally planning new trips and plotting descent routes on the photographs. An added plus to the book is the wealth of information that it contains on preparing for a backcountry experience. The author covers everything from avalanche danger to equipment to bring on an extended trip. He even includes an excellent website for those who want more information. There always is a question in my mind when I read any backcountry guide about the accuracy of the information. Who wants to set out on a trip only to find out that the route maps or the descriptions don't match the terrain? The author is someone with extensive backcountry experience who has done each of the 50 trips described in the book at least once. We all sould be so lucky! Having taken two trips with the author that are detailed in the book, I can say that he did an excellent job of describing the routes and the terrain. If you are someone who is looking for backcountry ski/snowbaording adventure, this book will make your trip planning a whole lot easier. Enjoy

Having recently purchased Paul Richins book, ³50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California,² I was very impressed. Like all books published by ³The Mountaineers,² it is nothing but First Class in every way. Mr. Richins has gone out of his way to provide the rest of us with a gem which will lead one to enjoy the fantastic world of the winter Sierra.

Even if one is nothing more than an arm chair cross country skier they would find this book highly enjoyable and enlightening reading. For the more adventuresome person, Mr. Richins book would be their ultimate guide to a world of adventure. The pictures, the writing, the maps are all five star. The little extras that Mr. Richins has added throughout the book, such as writings of John Muir, and others, adds the spice to this delightful book.

Mr. Richins, since he has obviously researched, personally , all 50 of the peaks listed in his guide, has been able to make a very reliable summary of each peak, from Intermediate, Advance, to Expert. This would easily allow me to select a challenge within my ability and, along with the excellent guide of the book, make winter trips I would have never thought possible.

The most comprehensive guide available for anyone interested in skiing the best of the California peaks. This book will seduce the timid into a world of adventure and outdoor recreation previously thought to be for the "Big Boys" only. The experienced skier and snowboarder will appreciate the breadth of information available in one source. You'll scrunch this one into your backpack along with your topo map. Mr. Richins' writing style flows easily. His excitement for the subject will capture your outdoor spirit. His vast experience will give you the confidence and trust you need in a guide (and this guide will fit in your backpack).

Mr. Richins book is a veritable treasure-trove of information. From well researched check-lists to clear descriptions of everything from how to get to the trailhead to routes on the peaks; this book covers it all! Mr. Richins love of the Sierra Nevada shines through these pages. He invites his readers to share his love of the winter Sierra and imparts knowledge that makes it possible for expert and novice alike to enjoy these mountains. History of the Sierra Nevada is woven in throughout the book, creating an interestng counterpoint to the climbing routes. A must for the backpack on winter trips in the Sierras! Something to read by headlamp on those long nights in the tent!

If you are serious about skiing in California's backcountry, you may already have John Moynier's book, or even Dan Mingori & Nate Greenberg's book on the same topic. Both of those are also excellent, and while there is some overlap in terms of coverage, the overlap is surprisingly small.

Ritchins' book is terrific for people who want to plan a long tour and really enjoy the process of stomping around the backcountry, while perhaps taking in a few long, steep descents (I think that Mount Darwin may be the stiffest descent in the book, and given that I've descended Darwin and enjoyed it, it can't be that hard). Moynier is more about The Rad and how not to get dead while going after it. Mingori & Greenberg is even more oriented to The Rad, particularly single-day trips (I don't remember if they cover anything longer than a day -- maybe Feather Peak is in there).

For most people, if you're honest with yourself, Ritchins' book is probably going to offer the most options, on both sides of the Sierra and up north to Lassen and Shasta. The latter two mountains are not covered in the other books and it's quite a shame, because there are few things as exhilarating as skiing the West Face of Mount Shasta on the 4th of July, harvesting a mile of vertical in nothing but a t-shirt. Lassen's NE Face offers similar thrills without the herds of Silicon Valley types plodding up Avalanche Gulch. I'm not sure if it comes through in my review so I'll just say it: Shasta is probably my favorite mountain in California to explore, partly because it is so massive, and partly because that chunk of the state feels like a totally different part of the country. That said, some other fine peaks further south (like the Thumb, west of Big Pine) are also exclusive to Richins' book, and well worth skinning in to explore.

To make a long story short, if you are looking for a backcountry ski touring guidebook that includes some great descents and excellent camping suggestions, you should buy this book. If you're looking to supplement other Sierra-centric backcountry guidebooks, you should also buy this book. And finally, if you're looking for a guidebook to skiing Lassen and Shasta, you should consider this book, because the topos on the web aren't quite as informative as having one of Richins' maps in your hand.

Have fun and be safe out there.

The most comprehensive guide available for anyone interested in skiing the best of the California peaks. This book will seduce the timid into a world of adventure and outdoor recreation previously thought to be for the "Big Boys" only. The experienced skier and snowboarder will appreciate the breadth of information available in one source. You'll scrunch this one into your backpack along with your topo map. Mr. Richins' writing style flows easily. His excitement for the subject will capture your outdoor spirit. His vast experience will give you the confidence and trust you need in a guide (and this guide will fit in your backpack).