Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra | Nate Greenberg | E36

Boasting some of the biggest vertical relief in North America and some of the best skiing anywhere in the world, California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada hits its zenith in spring with warm weather for camping at the foot of massive snow-covered peaks. For the last 25 years, Nate Greenberg has been documenting all the best lines to ski, and his book, Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra (along with co-author Dan Mingori), is the “bible” of the region. In addition to co-authoring the book, Nate was also a GIS expert in his former life working for Mono for two decades, now the Chief Administrative Officer for Inyo County. He’s also the co-founder of the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center. We chat with Nate about a variety of topics related to the Eastern Sierra and what makes it so special, as well as the controversial launch of the OnX Backcountry app featuring ski lines from the book, which some fear will blow up all the secret spots. Nate also opens up about a harrowing avalanche incident in the Bardini Chutes that nearly took his life. Purchase the book at your local outdoor retailer or online at Wolverinepublishing.com and donate to ESAC at esavalanche.org.

1:00 – Pow Bot and Trail Whisperer recording from the Toyota Sunrader on the shores of Convict Lake in the Eastern Sierra Nevada after skiing Mount Morrison.

7:00 – Nate Greenberg – CIO for Inyo County, 20 year employee of Mono County, GIS expert,  Co-Author of Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra.

11:00 – Talking about avalanches, the OnX Backcountry app and the concept of gatekeeping

18:40 – The story behind the convicts who Convict Lake was named after.

21:00 – The unique gift of skiing the Eastern Sierra Nevada.  

22:25 – Nate grew up in Orange, California and skied and climbed in Mammoth as a kid.

27:00 – Nate’s background in GIS, and built Mono County’s GIS infrastructure.

30:30 – All about Backcountry Skiing California’s Eastern Sierra by Nate Greenberg and Dan Mingori

40:00 – Has Nate’s perspective on skiing big lines changed in recent years with having a family and a real job?

43:00 – The challenges of finding a good skiing partner.

46:20 – Founding the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center (ESAC) with Walter Rosenthal, who passed in the fumarole accident at Mammoth Mountain in 2006.

57:00 – Nate’s story about getting caught in an avalanche in Bardini Chute and being seriously injured.

1:13:15 – Going from the book to an app on your phone – the launching of a partnership with OnX Backcountry featuring skiable lines in the Eastern Sierra Nevada, and the controversy of gatekeeping.

1:26:30 – How do you protect “secret spots” from the masses with an app like OnX, and how does it compare to the impacts of social media accounts and influencers?

1:39:00 – Incorporating an ethos of how to appropriately experience the outdoors, the importance of mentorship and education and having respect for the rules of backcountry skiing.

1:47:00 – Nate’s Mentors: Don Sharaf, Ian McCammon, Christian Pondella.

1:50:00 – What is it that Nate loves the most about skiing the Eastern Sierra Nevada?

1:54:14 – What does Mind the Track mean to you?

1:56:45 – Support the Eastern Sierra Avalanche Center, make a donation.