the unbearable lightness of skiing

 The last couple of months have been hectic. Back to back weeks of steady work with nary a day off in between, my busiest season yet of work was in full swing from Sept to...well...now. The odd run here and there sprinkled savory flakes of sanity on the meal but for the most part, it was head down and squint your eyes as the light at the end of the tunnel is faint, work times. When things became more manageable in the last two weeks I was struck down with a cold that made anything but the daily work tasks quite low on he fun scale. Not that I am complaining (although it seems like i am), in fact, I love my job and I am acutely aware of how fortunate/lucky I am to be able to work at all, let alone do a job I love and live in a place that people go to on their holidays. Ya, ya. All that said, at the end of the 'period of unfortunate immobility', I was keen as mustard to get that hell out of the house at the first opportune moment and just FEEL ALIVE for F^&#'s sake!

So, this last weekend a plan was hatched to spend a couple of days in the Duffey Lake environs to shake off the cobwebs and see how things were coming along in the snow dept. Nothing planned, but given the group, bigger days were likely and good times were ensured. In a word, perfect.

Day one we made our way to the summit of Mt. Rohr, were we found not a breath of wind, a pleasant lack of the 3000+ M freezing levels and surprisingly good preserved pockets of powder in sheltered zones, even to ridge top in the nebulous N/NW facing aspects which are not that common in terms of ski features in this area.

Felix feeling the stoked of an approaching ski day.

The group ascending

The Author. Photo courtesy Felix Jauvin

Just so so good.

Up, up!

Summit of Rohr. Photo courtesy Felix Jauvin

Surprisingly good snow in this zone, buts its all schralped now.   

Day 2 we ventured into the alpine on the W shoulder of Vantage Ridge. Usually a protected safe haven for powder, things weren't quite as preserved but somehow we all had a great time.

Who wants a cookie?

John approaching sub peak on Vantage Ridge.

photo courtesy Felix Jauvin

Photo courtesy Felix Jauvin

Still pretty fun if the angle was low.

All in all a great trip. Thanks for Felix, John, Linda, Greg, Mike and Allison for the awesome times and especially Mike for opening up his cabin in Pemberton to a bunch of sticky skiers!

Linus

Yesterday at 11:09 am we said good-bye to our best friend Linus.

For us, dogs are family. We feed them, train them, spend countless hours with them, walk with them, curse them, hold them when they are in pain, be proud of them, cry for them, can't wait to get home to them and love them with all we have. In turn they give us more then we can understand - from them comes a connection to a basic existence and teachings to live in the moment, always. They are not thinking about yesterday or tomorrow. We have the opportunity to learn a lot from them if we are open to it. For them, we are everything they have and they show it in every action. The connection is not easily described by this language.

 Linus was a truly special soul, an old soul. We always joked of him being an old man in a fur suit. He was good when he needed to be, affectionate when he needed to be and excitable when he needed to be. He could pick up on our emotions in a very in tuned way and always seemed to have the right reaction. He was Erin's rock for the highs and lows of the last 13 1/2 years. He went on countless road trips, rock climbing days, sailing days and brightened our home every day. Everyone loved Linus. For the last 6 years I got to know him like a best friend too, he came with us on every adventure we did pretty much. 2 years ago, we took our time taking him up to Joffre lakes. Erin didn't know I'd ask her to marry me this trip but I knew Linus had to be there if she said yes, it wouldn't be the same if he wasn't. We always had a plan to have him bring in the rings for us but Osa will have to take his place for that now.

He was a really strong dog. Both physically and in his personality. You had the feeling like you met 'someone' when you first saw him, he wore everything on the outside.  Maybe that's why its so hard to say good-bye, he really left a mark on you, a huge impression. In the end, there was nothing too tragic about Linus dying, he was an old dog that lived a good long life surrounded by love and people that planned their lives around him, just like family does.

Off to the happy hunting grounds buddy.

Norquay to Mosquito Cr in photos

Its already been a year since our last trip together. Jonny and G met me at the Helen Lk parking lot for the usual vehicle drop off. Seeing these guys is always the same, they bring out the best in me and I always cannot wait to spend time with them on these annual trips, as they have become.

According to Parks Canada, the booking levels for backcountry campsites had its peak in the 1970's. We are always amazed at how quiet it is, we have only ever seen a few people over the years and I think I can remember them all. There was Graham and his family hiking for two weeks from near Sask Crossing to Jasper: We encountered them in the lower reaches of Pobotken Crk and after us trying to swim accross the swollen Maligne river the day before and knowing that's what was in store for them, we wished good luck.  G gave the young kids his Chocolate stash as they seemed disenchanted with the 'add-water' hummus for likely the 8th or so day in a row. Their big eyes jumped out at G's outstretched hand, chocolate enclosed, then darted to Mom who nodded approval before graciously taking the sweets, smiling. I recall a few days later, after a few stream crossings and moving cross country over a higher pass, seeing a tiny boot print an wondering how the Maligne went, I am thinking that those kids will grow up to be pretty cool folk.

Its that quiet that I love......and simpleness..after the 2nd day a system is attained..sleeping, eating, packing and walking become a lesson in pragmatism. Stop when hungry, drink when thirsty..walk, walk. The mornings are my favorite, when the air is cooler and coffee has spiked your attention and the day is all ahead of you with a whole bunch of promise.

Trip notes: We packed light, under 12 kg each in total pack weight with food and water. Light sneakers and a ski pole each, we use ULW tarp tents made by Henry Shires.

We left Norquay and traveled up 40 mile creek, over Pulsatilla Pass, the Skoki area, the remote Pipestone, Molar Passes, Fish Lake and finally, Mosquito Crk. 120 ish KM.

I'd like to thank Jon and G for being stalwart attendees on these sojourns, good friends and rock solid mentors for me over the years. Till next year hombres.