Here is part of the story of our Yosemite Ski Bus Trip, February 13-17, 2003. If the other leaders or participants will add their stories, this will be more complete. -Mike Fry

Thursday, Feb 13. Forty-three of us left San Diego in intermittent rain; our bus was following the storm north. Traffic was heavy at times, but Scotty (our faithful bus driver) got us through. After a short dinner break in Valencia, I got a little sleep along the way. The bus arrived in Oakhurst about 1:00 a.m. We got our motel room keys, and caught up on much needed sleep.

Friday, Valentine's Day. Federal regulations require that our driver get 8½ hours off before starting another driving day, so we had a leisurely morning in Oakhurst. Most of us went out for breakfast, and organized our clothing and gear for our first ski day. We loaded the bus and left for Yosemite at 10:00 a.m. We used the next 90 minutes on the bus for introductions and figuring out what the most appropriate ski outings would be. We unloaded the bus at Badger Pass at 11:30 a.m., and split into our ski groups.
  My brother, Don Fry from Arnold, joined our advanced ski group; seven of us headed out to Dewey Point. We made good time. Most of the outstanding view of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks were visible, although it was cloudy. We hurried back to the bus and headed down to the Valley at 4:00 p.m.
  With the usual confusion of unloading the bus, plus finding room keys and roommates, we settled into our rooms and winter in Yosemite! I have always enjoyed the cafeteria. Being a vegetarian, the inexpensive side servings of steaming vegetables are a tasty treat. The little store at Yosemite Lodge had a good selection of fine ales. I was one happy camper!

Saturday, Feb 15. This was our first full ski day, and our bus was nearly full as we returned to Badger Pass. Some of our skiers bought lift tickets at the downhill ski resort, and the rest of hit the trails. Our coordinator, Afra Roet, had always wanted to ski the 21-mile round trip to Glacier Point. She managed to convince 7 of us to join her, so off we went. The ski resort sends a grooming machine over the Glacier Point road each day, so the skiing is as fast as you are able to go.
  It was still icy at 9 AM, so I took off my skis and walked up the first hills. The down hills were fast, and I was able to skate the flats in my plastic telemark boots and backcountry touring skis. Afra skied like the wind, and reached Glacier point in just 2½ hours. I was 30 minutes behind her, and the rest a few minutes after me. Afra had carried a small stove and pot and she had hot chocolate ready for us! We marveled at the view, took lots of pictures, and headed back. My heavy skis and boots (8 pounds on each foot) were losing their advantage, and the long grade back to Summit Meadow was slow and just a little painful. We all made it to the bus by four and felt very proud indeed. I was able to keep Afra in sight for most of the way back, but she finally skied from view, followed by three others, leaving me in 5th place.
  This long tour was remarkable in a new way. Four of us were skiing on metal edged, waxless, backcountry skis with lightweight plastic telemark boots. The usual setup is lightweight skis and boots for groomed track, but we showed that metal and plastic are useful for a very wide range of ski conditions. Most of us that have switched to plastic boots now use them all the time. We hope that the rest of you can find a well-fitting, affordable plastic boot too.
  A storm had been forecast for Saturday evening, and it came in on time, and cleared out by morning.

Sunday, Feb 16th. About half the bus stayed in the Valley to enjoy the sights. The hard-core returned to Badger and found a winter wonderland. I gave lessons on downhill technique for cross-country skis (only one student), and then four of us headed for Dewey Point after lunch. There was 8 inches of new snow on a 2 foot base, and mostly blue skies. We followed what seemed like hundreds of snowshoe tracks. We were joined by Craig Denson's group on the way back, and reached the bus about 4:30 p.m.
  A final evening in the Valley, some dining at the Ahwahnee, enjoying Lee Stetson's one man John Muir show, or hanging out in the cafeteria. It was an evening to remember.

Monday, Feb 17. I had packed the night before so I could open our bus at 7:30 AM and let the people who wanted to ski that last morning load their luggage, and then ride the concessionaire's bus up to Badger. Eleven of us rode the YCS bus to badger, and I gave telemark lessons again to four enthusiastic skiers. We worked on balance and control, and they were looking good! A quick lunch, and Scotty was there. We collapsed onto our seats, and another Yosemite ski bus trip was almost over.
  The trip home was serene and restful. Many orchards were blooming in the central valley. Springtime comes early in the Nation's breadbasket. There were a few spots of traffic congestion, but my thoughts were still in the mountains, reminiscing on past and future trips.
  This was our 20th year of the Yosemite bus trip. Each year is unlike any other. We have seen record El Nino snows (13 feet on the ground), floods, drought years with more hiking than skiing, and changes in lodging, concessionaires, and even ourselves. With only a little providence, it can be the finest ski trip of the season. I hope you can join us next time.

Mike Fry, Ski Section Chair