A few weeks back, John peachell had asked me if I could come with him on a trip to Mt. Reslendent. Having had plans already to try a longer traverse, I had to decline the invitation, too many great trips and too little time. A few days later I spoke to my friends and they had bad news, they couldnt make the traverse. I called up John and he had one spot left so I hopped aboard for Resplendent.
What can I say, the trip was stellar. Doug, Allan, Liz,the Johns and myself shot up to the berg lake shelter for some big eats and rest before the next big day. We weaved up through ice falls and crevasses eventually gaining the summit block and the 100 year old cornices. We donned the crampons and kicked steps to the summit proper, all of us pyhsched from the great weather and snow conditions. Back at the col we put the skis back on and "let the skis run", not without near mishap however. At one point, Alan's ski ejected and shot like a farmers snot rocket towards the impending icefalls of the Robson Amphitheater. Luckily for all, Alan left the skin on and the ski came to a stop just before taking the plunge. The team also got a lesson in cornice failure as we treaded down the summit ridge. The group (I) followed old tracks that came as close as 2m away from the cornice edge up and down the ridge. I, the last on the rope and John O were walking along on the way down when the snow opened up between our legs and we could see the slope below the east face, 40m of full season cornice released and rolled down onto the glacier below, but not before making John and I's stomachs take a journey north to the throat! The run down the glacier is truly one of the great ski descents in the Rockies and we all savoured the final views of the icefalls and our tracks laid down in the corn snow. Later on as we sat in the warmth of the sun on the porch of the Berg lake shelter, I could look around and see happiness in the faces of my new friends, we had done one of the best ski trips we could imagine.
The next morning we had some coffee and quesedillas before heading off down the river to Catherine and G's house which is literally right on the river. Our bellies where staring to make noises so right after washing things off with the garden hose we went for a great dinner at a Japanese resteraunt called Shiso. We said our goodbyes, stopped for a timmy hos and shot off towards canmore very content and relaxed from a great trip with good company.
Yesterday Michelle and I joined our friends Catherine and Sean and shot up to Lake Minnewanka where we hiked a few kilometres on the wide lake path before branching off on a lovely side trail leading through the forest and soon after, Black Feather canyon itself. The Canyon boasts some of the nicest 5.10s any of us had done in a while and we had a great time climbing them before moving on to something a bit harder. All day the sun shined down on us and we couldnt believe how lucky we were to have the place all to ourselves on the busiest weekend of the year!
Good times!
The weather around here hasn't beeen to great for climbing so mostly we have been sticking to things where retreat is easy and strighforward, like Wednesday when Jay Billing and I shot up to yam to climb "Rejection of the faith" but were turned around halfway on account of an approaching storm. Jay and I joked around after because we have been out three times together and have'nt got up a single thing, we still always have a good time though.The only other thing lately was the flooding basement at work which we managed to pump out in a few days.
Early season powder skiing at Emerald Lake.
More than anything else, I will recall the many amazing weather days that seemed abundant this winter. Here is our group skiing under Mt. Whitehorn towards a perfect 3 day weather window for climbing Mt.Resplendant in March.
As usual, good friends were what always makes the trips inportant too. Here, the man himself, MA and I are physched after having another stellar day in the hills.
After forming a line of boot-packers to the summit of Fairview, we headed west down a rock ridge to a broad col where we hoped to ski down and rejoin the trail to Surprise pass. What we discovered was quited possibly the strangest snow we had ever seen. A 1 inch thick blue ice lense over 100 cm of sugery facets to the ground. Survival skiing at its best. After re-grouping at a bench, we decided to head back and get some turns on the way down to the car and of course, Laggans bakery.
From the Saddleback/Fairview col we got a few nice runs before having to head back to the car. Despite the disturbing snow conditions higher up, the day was great. For sure one one of the funniest and best group I've skied with all year. Big thanks to the Johns (2 Johns don't make a right), Warren, Lars, and Jay.
After heading up the french and haig glaciers, we soon stood on the Col, looking around at the mountains surrounding us, ready to point the skis downhill. 40-50cm of new storm snow was a nice surprise for us as we made some turns down to valley bottom and took our time skiing the glaicer and into the awaiting sunshine. Jeff and G are always good partners and we really had a stellar time up in the alpine for the day.
