Hidden Bowl

The last couple of days marked the return to skiing and the first spring like days I have had all year in the mountains. Thursday, Niall and I went to the Bow Summit area north of Lake Louise to lay some fresh turns in the 50-80 cm of fresh storm snow from the previous days. For sure the best turns of the season with perfect, forgiving powder. Outstanding. Yesterday it was time to head up high and I joined my friends Simon and Jeff on a tour to the Lake Louise back country, namely Hidden Lake and its en-compassing bowl and peaks.

The tour starts by skinning up the Lake Louise ski hill to temple lodge, hanging a left and following the trails to Skoki Lodge. At the halfway hut, turn left again and you can witness the beauty of the Hidden lake area.

We headed up into the alpine and skied some nice slopes in the sunshine.
Jeff savouring a rarity in 2009, perfect powder...in the Rockies!

Weeping Wall Weekend

A couple of weeks ago we enjoyed great weather for a couple of days based out of the Rampart Creek hostel. I had the pleasure of joining the company of Marc and Niall for a climb of Melt out and weeping wall. A great time was had as we climbed and climbed, ate some great dinners and climbed and climbed again. Over the last month or so we have been busy with orders, trade shows  and spending time with our new dog so it was great to have a full weekend to just get out there and be in the mountains. I am looking forward to more ice climbing this year as I probably wont be skiing until march or later. Its great to have so many options.

Marc after some steep ice, ready for more
Marc amidst the "sea of ice"

Niall, a classic guy and a classic route.