Tag: backcountry

Categories
canada general snow trip reports

rogers pass

First trip out to Rogers Pass – three days in Asulkan Valley, staying at Asulkan Cabin. Below the glaciers, above the trees – it snowed the whole time we were there, so visibility wasn’t great, but the tree skiing was excellent.

Starting out on the trail – sorting out packs.

Skinning up to the hut

Alex, telemarking down again

Asulkan Cabin – the skin collection hung a lot thicker first thing in the morning, half of the people in the hut had already headed off by the time this photo was taken.

James contemplating the skin back up.

The view back down to the hut and Asulkan Valley

Categories
canada general snow

sunshine meadows

Going backcountry for the first time in Canada

Categories
general snow trip reports

invisible toboggan

It was the last Mt Stirling trip of the snow season, and the snow was thin on the ground. Happily flowing streams took all the snow away, and mud was everywhere. But there was still enough snow to play on…

 
And the snow shovel tobogganist glides off into the distance.

 
There is one good thing about skiing at the end of the season though – the beautiful weather (as long as it’s not raining).

Categories
general snow trip reports

alpine whaling

We prepare the whale for our alpine whaling expedition at Mount Stirling.

We have a whale. His name is William the Third. Also known as Willie the Whale.
 

We take the whale down some gentle slopes. Getting the correct balance takes a bit of practise.
 

Then we take the whale on some steeper slopes. He gets up quite some speed, and the foot braking mechanism can lead to tumbling falls if misapplied.
 

Now whaling off into the sunset.

Categories
general snow

otherwise occupied

Here’s a picture of the weekend at Mt Hotham. It’s taken on Paw Paw Plain. Yes, the weather and snow were both pleasant and enjoyable. Now excuse me while I go out and strangle someone… or burn a copy of Chapter Nine of my thesis (in the ‘hugely satisfying enormous leaping flames’ sense, not the CD/DVD sense).