Chantelle Leatherwood skis the westernmost line of May 22 in the Lower 48.

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Most people never ski in Humboldt County at all. No one skis in Humboldt County in late May. For one: Um, no snow!

Right?

WRONG. Honeydew’s Ian Sigman, who has previously proven you wrong about the size of pumpkin you can grow here, is back to prove you wrong again. Day before yesterday he led a ski- and picnic-laden expedition into the majestic Mount Lassic Wilderness, and he’s here to tell the LoCO Faithful all about it. 

Snow fun galore! Sure beats Mt. Everest this time of year.

Sigman issues the following press release on behalf of his SHERPA organization:

What can you do for fun on a late May day in Humboldt County? Go skiing, of course!

Members of the Southern Humboldt Easy Rider Picnic Association (SHERPA) likely skied and snowboarded the furthest-most-Western lines in the lower 48 States for this particular May 22nd. Humboldt County was officially skied upon this late in May. There was also a picnic.

SHERPA Ambassador to Northern Humboldt Chantelle Leatherwood and Board Chair Ian Sigman left tracks far above the Van Duzen, in and around the Lassic Peaks right along the Humboldt/Trinity County line. Black Lassic is the highest of three main peaks, and lies just inside Trinity County. Red Lassic and Humboldt’s Mt. Lassic (AKA Signal Pk.) are the other two.

Black Lassic, at 5,980 feet, is difficult to see from anywhere, but you can catch a glimpse to the south from Highway 36 as you go over the Mad River/Van Duzen divide, and again, for just a second, as you climb towards South Fork Ridge East of Ruth Lake. You can also spot it from Dyerville Loop Road looking east above Ft. Seward and Blocksburg. The dramatic promontory, with its 35-plus-degree slopes, is often believed to be volcanic in origin, but is actually mudstone. Flowing water at 5,600 feet in the Lassics all ends up in the Van Duzen via the Little Van Duzen River, Black Lassic Creek and the West Fork Van Duzen. The headwaters of Dobbyn Creek, an Eel tributary, almost make it to the South West slopes, but not quite.

If you encounter SHERPA operatives in the wild, do not be scared. They are friendly. You should attempt to make verbal contact, then make eye contact before approaching. Do not make eye contact for too long because that would be awkward. As you approach, keep in mind the SHERPA may start picnicking without warning.