Sunday, December 08, 2013

Jenga Sessions

Had a great time skiing and touring with Linda, John and Ryan over two days lately up in the Diamondhead area of Garibaldi Prov. Park. Just a bunch of fun skiing with friends in the scalding cold, blue skies and remarkable beauty of the Coast Range...
Skinning up to the Gargoyles..

Great preserved and slightly windpressed pow on the SE fave of the Gargoyles. Wind pressed POW is my second favorite kind of pow....I love some good wind press.

I joined the crew on their second day up at the hut. They had been walking around and discovered that S Aspects held quite enjoyable skiing due to the preserving nature of the cold temperatures and so with that in mind, made a nice descent off of the S side of columnar during their first day. When I arrived we headed back to the south facing terrain, this time the Gargoyles. South facing because we had the desire to stay warm amidst the arctic flow but also, its not always possible to ski S aspects on the coast...
You guessed it...Gargoyles!


Gargoyles? yup!
The Upper slopes of the Gargoyles were a bit 'schnarbed' but still quite ski-able, as we went lower though, the surface turned to powder and we enjoyed multiple laps on this great little ski peak. Hooting and hollering and just enjoying the great day, company and ski conditions...
The H.U.T.


The focus.


We did an exploratory mission down the NW side of Columnar Peak, was very cool and even a tad remote feeling down there..

Back to the Gargoyles!

A great trip, thanks Linda, John and Ry!


Friday, November 29, 2013

Early Season Riding - Coast Range

Another season lays before us and excitement is building amongst the ranks of skiers in the coast range. As always, the most experienced skiers are waiting for more coverage, preferring intact bones and long seasons to that early season lap. The house of youth have been out for weeks already, lighting the slopes on fire and living the dream, the thought of a rogue stump or barely hidden rock as distant in their minds as an RRSP or getting enough fiber in their diets.
Early season at Pauls Ridge..
I am somewhere in the middle, mostly because I just can't help myself once the snow starts to stick in the alpine. I imagine un-tracked alpine fetches, hidden basins, old growth up tracks and laughs with friends over Bengal Spice tea...its just TOO MUCH fun! However, I do know that a later start means more stoke for me in April and May when the hills are alive with possibilities, the days long and its really  'game on' time in these beloved peaks of ours ..
One week later, Pauls Ridge again. Very different and nicely pressed coastal pow for us all to enjoy..5 laps as it was just soo tasty.
It has not always been that way, I am a walking/talking contradiction for sure. I've hiked for turns in Sept, walked for hours to ski a boney glacier in October and most things in between...likely I will continue to do so..!
Never get tired of this view, on the way back from Pauls...
The last few weeks Ive managed a few memorable days in the hills, I'll let the pictures do some of the talking for a change. :-)
Hiking up Automan, South of Cayoosh Peak...the reason for this unconventional approach was to ski the amazing "burnt tree's" run on the N facing side of the unnamed peak that houses the run..

I thought this zone would get some loading off of Cayoosh making for an early season success story, this time I happened to be right! Even a broken clock is right twice a day..

Hiking out of burnt trees...

More Pauls ridge.. Picture courtesy MAC.

Yet more burnt trees...picture courtesy MAC.

Sliding on snow, just so damn fun.
Enjoy those early season turns, the stumps will dissapear and soon the 'coastal meters' will cover the landscape. I am working for the next few days while also trying to think of serious reasons to not buy a snowmobile...

Cheers!
Ross

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Alpine Horeshoe - Gentian/Helm Ridge Traverse

Last week we had the pleasure of having a few friends stay with us in our new home in Squamish. Chris Haywood stayed over the weekend and we had the opportunity and weather to head into the high country in Garibaldi Park. No dogs, hunting or off roading allowed in this park. Luck would have it that we left our pups, six guns and Dakar-Paris bikes safe at home so we were all set for a great adventure - perfect weather forecast tucked into our back pockets!
A right had turn up Helm Creek leaves the Chekamus Lake Trail and brings you Helm Meadows and later, the volcanic smorgasbord that is Black Tusk meadows..
After Helm Campground at KM 9, we took a NE turn, off trail to gain the tow of Gentian Ridge where we gained the alpine, a place we would stay for the next two days as we walked around the ridges that connect Gentian with panorama ridge.
Its all just walking, not even 'fancy' walking. You can have your hands in your pockets the whole time, which would be hard for taking pictures. But you could do it.
The views were amazing along the way, very beautiful country and not a single person on the ridge, which is not a traditional route although signs of passage are everywhere.
Campsite at the head of the Helm Glacier with a tiny tarn for water and a cool view of the mighty glacier spilling from the Castle Towers.

Sunset we wont soon forget.

The next day we left our tarn under an approaching storm front, we quickly moved and make our way to Panorama Ridge, scrambling a few summits along the way.
Including Helm Peak..
Garibaldi Lake comes into view...
A couple of buddies, a great reunion and a stellar trip into the high country.

Thanks Chris!

Monday, August 12, 2013

Chilcotin Riding

Had an amazing time with some friends riding from Lorna Lake to Tyax lodge over two days last weekend...
Loading up the beaver. 5 bikes, dudes and packs.

Unloading at Lorna Lake.

Hike a Bike over Lorna Pass.

Martin cresting Lorna Pass.

Camping at the junction of Deer Pass Trail

A little yoga goes a long way.

Ultralight, not so comfy sleeping pad set up demonstrated by Scott.

I brought a 20L pack and carried a stove, sleeping pad, bivi sack, liner, lots of food and 3 L of water.

Cresting the 550m climb up Deer Pass.

Horseflies are not your best friend.

Sweet rewards. hours and hours of single track riding from Deer Pass to Tyax Lodge where I had the best burger Ive ever had.
A great trip with Scott, Martin, Rob and Jamie - Thanks guys!

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Shudder and Tremor Glaciers

I've been wanting to check out these glaciers for a couple of years, if you consider the Spearhead remote, then these would probably be the 'remotest' in the range. If not, well its just a really cool place to check out and guess what; you get to ski some of the longest runs in the area if you so choose..
The route leaves E Col, over the N shoulder of Mt. Decker, down and across the Trorey Glacier and a quick bootpack pops you onto the Tremor, with the Shudder a short ski away as well.
On the Pattison bootpack.

Gaining the mini summit over looking the Shudder Glacier.

Dreamy turns down the Shudder

Happy powder skiers!
Post powder smile!

The Shudder keeps on going!

Back up to the 'home run" on the Tremor Glacier. We followed that out to Decker creek where a 500m climb takes you to Decker Col, 7th heaven and later, your car.


Down the Tremor

Linda


I ran an app this day to show elevation gain, etc. The calorie consumption is off because the app thought we were cross country skiing, there is no field for 'Ski Touring"