Snow climbing in Tahoe area

Hi all, looking for recommendations or info on where there are good snow climbing routes in the Tahoe area (preferably South shore). When I say snow climbing, I mean using mountaineering axe + crampons to ascend steep snow and ideally summit a mountain or some other type of terrain feature. 

I am not looking for anyone to tell me to go backcountry skiing instead. I enjoy backcountry skiing, but also would like to know where around here I can go snow climbing, stay out of the way of people on skis, and not ruin anyone's skin track. Thanks.

Nearly all the steep snow in the area are ski lines FYI. There is the crescent couloir in the carson pass area: https://www.mountainproject.com/route/113022255/crescent-moon-couloir

Tyler Shopshirewrote:

Nearly all the steep snow in the area are ski lines FYI. There is the crescent couloir in the carson pass area: https://www.mountainproject.com/route/113022255/crescent-moon-couloir

Thanks. That’s what I’d gathered, but the crescent moon couloir looks cool

The way the winter is going woodfords may be a good option. The snow is super wet and will freeze hard. The north side of the road ( sunny side) will have lots gully’s, ribs and ridges that would be fun to top out. It’s scary out be careful.

One time watched a video crew & skiers on crescent-moon couloir. The skiers all had to do jump turns because it was too steep to ride skis. 

Extremely high avi danger right now.  I would be super suspect of anything you choose to climb.  Go with a partner and have and know how to use beacons.  This time of year you will just be wading in snow up to your armpits.  I would wait till spring and let the snow pack settle and firm up.

the White Cross Couloir on Mt. Tallac is a decent snow climb...beware of avalanches of course.  went up once with Kristi and while we were standing at the bottom it avalanched nicely.  the hardest part is near the top, a cornice of varying size. Identifyable in that the vertical couloir and a horizontal snow field half way up form a cross. descent to the SW and down to Fallen Leaf Lake.

Round Top on Carson Pass has two nice couloirs that form consistently.  They are pretty obvious, one straight to just right of the summit and one that slants left from the base of that one. the direct chute is steeper. Scrambling from the notch at the top of the left chute leads to the top.  Again, the avalanche thing.  there is a third chute that gently curves up right of these two that looks steeper but I never did it.  descent down the west shoulder.

bob branscombwrote:

the White Cross Couloir on Mt. Tallac is a decent snow climb...beware of avalanches of course.  went up once with Kristi and while we were standing at the bottom it avalanched nicely.  the hardest part is near the top, a cornice of varying size. Identifyable in that the vertical couloir and a horizontal snow field half way up form a cross. descent to the SW and down to Fallen Leaf Lake.

Round Top on Carson Pass has two nice couloirs that form consistently.  They are pretty obvious, one straight to just right of the summit and one that slants left from the base of that one. the direct chute is steeper. Scrambling from the notch at the top of the left chute leads to the top.  Again, the avalanche thing.  there is a third chute that gently curves up right of these two that looks steeper but I never did it.  descent down the west shoulder.

Crescent moon on roundtop.. lots of info on it out there. Most folks rope up & use snow pickets for pro, good luck 

GizzardJoneswrote:

Crescent moon on roundtop.. lots of info on it out there. Most folks rope up & use snow pickets for pro, good luck 

Crescent couloir is a popular ski/snowboard descent. If you climb it, look out for people dropping in from the top.