Origins of a Legend
The Redline Traverse, envisioned in the 1980s by Allan Bard, Chris Cox, and Tom Carter, was conceived as a high-alpine ski journey across the Sierra Nevada
crest. Their goal was to follow the geological divide, linking peaks from Mt. Langley to Mammoth, with an emphasis on exhilarating experiences rather than a rigidly defined path. Dubbed 'Redline' to signify pushing the fun meter to its maximum, their expeditions between 1981 and 1983 involved traversing challenging terrain, crossing numerous passes, and summiting many peaks, all while maintaining an elevation above 11,000 feet. They intentionally provided only broad descriptions, encouraging future adventurers to forge their own routes and interpret the spirit of the traverse. This approach fostered a sense of mystique and personal challenge, allowing the mountains themselves to guide the journey.
Modern Interpretations Emerge
Decades after its inception, the Redline Traverse remains an elusive challenge, largely due to the Sierra Nevada's capricious snow cycles. Jed Porter, a guide from Bishop, California, significantly advanced the Redline concept. Inspired by the founders' vision but recognizing the evolution of ski mountaineering, Porter mapped his own iteration, identifying 25 peaks and aiming for continuous travel. In 2017, he completed a solo, 16-day expedition covering 125 miles and over 79,000 vertical feet. Porter’s approach blended aesthetics with a community-minded ethic, prioritizing creative route selection and respect for the endeavor's history. Despite leveraging modern lightweight gear and digital navigation, Porter views his traverse as one step in an ongoing evolution, acknowledging ample room for future interpretations and advancements in the pursuit.
Divergent Paths Taken
The 2022-23 winter presented an extraordinary snow year, prompting multiple teams to consider the Redline. Jenna Kane and Greg Cunningham, experienced Sierra skiers, saw this as an opportunity for a significant expedition. Their journey, driven by a desire to honor the exceptional season, focused on immersion in the mountains and adhering to the founders' spirit by staying near the crest and above 11,000 feet. Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, Spencer Dillon, eager for a challenge, planned an extended version of the Redline, aiming to finish 40 miles north of Mammoth. Dillon's objective was to ski the route 'to the letter' before conditions deteriorated due to climate change. Despite setting out around the same time, their differing philosophies on route selection and personal goals led them to carve distinct paths across the range, highlighting the subjective nature of modern Redline adventures.
Navigating Tradition vs. Tech
The advent of GPS and digital mapping has fundamentally altered backcountry exploration. While the Redline's founders relied on sparse descriptions and film, Jed Porter, though sharing GPX files, intentionally withheld full route details to preserve the element of discovery. Spencer Dillon echoes this sentiment, believing that meticulously following pre-defined routes diminishes the personal discovery and fosters unhealthy comparisons. He argues that sharing too much information can dilute the 'sparkle' of an adventure. However, this approach also raises questions about inclusivity, as skiing remains a predominantly white and male sport, and the Redline has historically seen few female participants like Kane. Both Dillon and Kane emphasize that true preparation involves more than just digital data, advocating for foundational access and mentorship to make ski touring more accessible.
The Spirit of the Line
Unexpected challenges tested the resolve of Kane and Cunningham. Six days into their trek, faced with impassable cliffs and deteriorating snow conditions, they made the difficult decision to descend below the 11,000-foot threshold, a core tenet of the original Redline. This deviation, though minor in elevation change, felt like a compromise to their pursuit of purity. Despite this setback, they pressed on, maintaining their commitment to the traverse. The founders, like Tom Carter, have voiced that the 'spirit of the range' should inform the plan, suggesting that rigid adherence to specific markers is less important than the overall experience and connection with the mountains. This perspective acknowledges that there isn't one definitive Redline, but rather a spectrum of interpretations driven by individual journeys and the ever-changing mountain environment.
Defining a Successful Traverse
The question of what constitutes a 'true' Redline Traverse remains open to interpretation. Kane and Cunningham meticulously attempted to follow the founders' sparse criteria, including staying within a mile of the crest and skiing named peaks, covering 19 days, 145 miles, over 80,000 vertical feet, and summiting 26 peaks. Spencer Dillon, initially focused on strict adherence, eventually embraced his own adventure, skiing 16 days, 160 miles, and 70,000 vertical feet. He reflects that while details matter historically, the individual effort is paramount. Dillon suggests a collective understanding exists regarding what defines an endeavor, hinting at a balance between personal fulfillment and community perception. Ultimately, the Redline Traverse represents a complex translation of a past ideal into modern adventures, where each skier crafts a unique experience, honoring the original gesture rather than a literal replication.
