Thoughts about…
Snowstorms and Power Outages
In anticipation of the intense Tahoe snowstorms of December (2021), I was anxious yet hopeful for all of the new snow. It’s been awhile since Tahoe has had a truly snowy holiday season. However, we received so much snow that the entire region effectively became snowbound and paralyzed for multiple days. Power outages for many hours and, on occasion, for many days plagued us. And, because highways and roads leading to and through the Tahoe region were shut down, we experienced some short-term food and gas shortages.
Long story short, it felt like I stumbled and tripped out of 2021 (which is par for the course for last year) rather than ringing in the New Year with any sort of grace or dignity. I’m keeping it brief this month because it’s already the 10th and I’m just now getting around to publishing this newsletter. So, in lieu of words of wisdom or a meaningful discussion, I offer you a photo album of beautiful snow-flocked trees and landscape images from last month. Additionally, I did find the time to publish three new cross-country skiing VLOGS that, to a lesser degree, chronicled the month.
In spite of last month’s challenges, though, I have many things for which to be grateful. Between all of the snow shoveling and cross-country skiing, I’m feeling quite fit again. I’ve had countless positive interactions on Tahoe Trail Guide and my YouTube channel regarding snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. I’ve committed to working toward earning my Level 2 Cross Country Certification (through PSIA). I officially claimed the 3rd place in the Tahoe Big Year with 201 bird species. And, again, we have so much snow that I get to ski all of the time now!
Here are the three XC Ski VLOGs I published during this past month (thanks to all of that Tahoe snow). In each of these videos, I briefly described my experience dealing with the snow.
Please subscribe to my channel if you haven’t already. Thank you 🙂
Cross-Country Skiing Explained Mini-Series
This list of links will probably remain her for the winter, as well. I’ve noticed an increase in traffic (looking for xc ski related content) both at Tahoe Trail Guide and at my YouTube channel.
Please note that I wrote Cross-Country Skiing Explained with the beginner or intermediate cross-country skier in mind. This is the demographic for whom I most often served while working in the outdoor recreation industry at Lake Tahoe. I basically treat these articles as extensions of the conversations I’ve had with those customers. That said, expert skiers probably could take away something of value from this article. Just know that I don’t intend to address racing-oriented philosophy, technique, or gear selection.
Considerations for buying cross-country ski gear (new and beginner xc skiers)
- Intention, Types of XC Skis, and Whether to Buy New or Used (Part 1)
- How Much Gear to Acquire, Evaluating Your Commitment, and the Value of Taking XC Ski Lessons (Part 2)
- Can One Set of Classic Cross-Country Skis Work for Groomed and Off-Track XC Skiing? (Part 3)
- Can I Use One Set of XC Ski Boots for All of My Cross-Country Skiing Needs? (Part 4)
Classic Cross-Country Ski Components
- Introduction to Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 1)
- Geometry of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 2)
- The Grip Zone of Classic Cross-Country Skis (Part 3)
- Types of Bindings for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 4)
- Ski Boots for Classic Cross-Country Skiing (Part 5)
- Classic Cross-Country Ski Poles (Part 6)
- FAQs about Classic Cross-Country Skiing
Waxing Your “Waxless” Cross-Country Skis (for beginner and intermediate xc skiers)
Thanks for being a part of my life. Until next time…
-Jared Manninen
Tahoe Trail Guide is an online resource for hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the Lake Tahoe region. In addition to trail data, I offer backcountry “how-to” articles and information about the local and natural history of Tahoe. Tahoe Swag is a collection of art and design products I create based on my love of the outdoors and appreciation for Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains.
If you like any of the images I post in these newsletters, please contact me. I’d be more than happy to upload them to my RedBubble account so that you can order prints and other merchandise featuring the images.
Rabe Meadow (1/6/22) © Jared Manninen
A Note about Patreon and PayPal…
Patreon (orange button) is an online platform for providing financial support to creators who provide quality digital content that’s otherwise free. I offer various subscription tiers starting at $3. And all subscription tiers from $6 and up will receive original artwork after six consecutive months of contributions. The button directly below the Patreon button is a way in which to provide a one-time payment via PayPal (if subscriptions aren’t your thing).
My newsletters here on JaredManninen.com, the articles that I publish on Tahoe Trail Guide, and the videos I upload to YouTube will always be free. But if you’re interested in contributing to the health and longevity of my websites and YouTube channel, consider subscribing. Even a little goes a long way 🙂
