Friday, April 17, 2009

Sunshine - Mt. Shark Ski Traverse

Easter weekend entailed a whole lotta skiin' baby! The recipe for the trip was perfect, with our two good friends Emily & Dan, warm spring temperatures, and long sunny days. There were Easter festivities, including how my mom puts it we "Ate the Easter Bunny". The trip started off with blue skies and warm 3 degree temperatures as Emily & I skinned up the cat track at Sunshine ski resort. We met up with the rest of the group, Mike & Alicja who also skinned up, and Ian & Dan, who took the gondola up (lazy boys- at least they took our packs!). Sunshine meadows was everything I had heard it was and more.

Here is Em & I after skinning up.  We're ready for some rock and roll!
Choosing the best route from Sunshine Meadows to Citadel Pass.  We went along the right tree line.
Em took this photo below, Ian & I getting a closer look at Citadel Pass.
Skiing is sort of like heaven.
Psychedelic Dan- almost at Citadel Pass.  Getting late in the afternoon, and we still have a nice big 600m cooked south facing slope to descend.  Yay!  My camera battery died after this, so the following pictures were taken on Emily's camera.  Thanks Em!
After arriving at Police Meadows Cabin at 10 pm the night before, we headed out a little tired the next morning, off to Naisette Huts today! 
Valley of the Rocks was awesome- insanely interesting terrain.  Once you get out, you get lovely views of Mt. Assiniboine and Og Lake. 
Almost at Naisett Huts, just after Og Lake. 
Rockin' out. 
I am ready to go skiing!  A day of touring around Naisett Huts before skiing out the next day.
Back at the Naisett Huts after a great ski day. Now for some afternoon coffee!
Another spectacular trip with great friends.  Can't wait for the next.

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

The Itch

The past week and a half have been so uneventful I think I might just be going a little nuts! Thoughts of skiing and climbing are consuming me as I sit here in my office, writing and reading away. Last night was the Trip Planner's Meeting for the ACC, and although I was getting excited about all the trips we are running this summer, I was annoyed that I hadn't been out climbing yet, and that it wasn't the weekend yet so I couldn't go skiing either! My friend Brace Lee who has been living the "ski bum" lifestyle down in Rossland this past winter just posted photos of him climbing last week- ggrrrrrr! If I wasn't jealous enough. I am definitely looking forward to the Sunshine-Mt. Shark Traverse this weekend.

Okay, I will stop complaining and get back to work so eventually I can finish my thesis, and then ski and climb my brains (muscles?) out.

Sometimes, climbing in the city helps ease the pain.