Weekend in Golden

We spent last weekend in Golden with the entire Thompson-Lawless family + 2 members of the Green crew. It was an absolute blast and an insight into the insane amount of work that babies are! Heather and I are now well versed in 3 month and 8 month baby care. We kinda got the hang of it... kinda...

Taken from the highway on the way into Golden.

Greens.

By the time we were done, I had just as much food on me as Jack.

Thompson-Lawless contingent.

Haven't seen blue skies in the mountains for a while. Heady got some great shots on the ride home.

Blue Bird!

I was lucky enough to spend a fantastic blue bird day at the pass with Paddy and some physio folks from Golden. Not too often you see all these peaks. Provided some great views and future trip plans... Can't take credit for the photos, Paddy made me look like a rockstar. More photos of the weekend in Golden to come...

The views were spectacular; including the familiar Thompson "Poll-Lean".

MEC catalog perhaps...

I didn't include the photos of the massive ass-check that followed the air.

No complaints on a day like this.

Extremely rare occasion, I actually stuck the landing, really...

Grizzly Goodness

Finally hooked up with Manks for a long overdue trip to the old stomping ground. It felt pretty good to be the 2nd sweatiest guy on the trip for once. The pass got stupid amounts of snow over the week and it kept dumping all weekend. Despite the sketchiness in the alpine, Grizzly Shoulder provided enough terrain for pure pow perfection! We even stumbled upon a hidden skin track for easy access to the stash. Switch-backs were all shoveled providing a 2 m landing on every turn. Pretty sweet. My video addiction continues...

Lake Minniwanka

After a supreme Storky Start due to a Paddy Brunch, the crew finally arrived in Banff to tear up Minniwanka. I promised sun but couldn't completely deliver.

Heady wishing for turns...

The cold temps had really caused the ice to heave in some spots.

Never skiied with baby on my chest. Ethan was digging the skis for sure.



Can't believe we got Storky out in Februray. He brought 2 puffies.

The little man slept the whole time!

We had to move the bag of soccer balls out of the trunk for this shot. I think it's now only a matter of time before Paddy's going to be wearing Lulu's.

I think the sled is rated for 200+ lbs. I think...

Weekend in K-Country

We spent last weekend out in K-Country for the annual Emerg retreat. The wives club has changed substantially (i.e. many new additions have changed the list of feasible activities!). Heady was able to get out with a big crew on Friday on Upper Kananaskis Lakes and I got to ski with another big crew on Sat at Burstal.

View across the Lake to Indefatigable (I think).

Nothing manlier than a man with a beard or chariot, take your pick... Note: the equal height of Dowling and Kyle is a photographic illusion. Ottawa did not produce a growth spurt.

Surprisingly, there are 3 more people that are hidden in the photo.

33 weeks...

34 weeks...

6 months...

I met up with the AT crew for the annual slog into Burstal. It always seems like a great idea in the parking lot... not so much at the end of the day.

The weather actually cleared just before we got up to the pass. Wind didn't...

It was great to finally get out with Mark and Carmen.

Lindsay soon discovered, this wasn't Baja. Nice tan.

We figured out that the closer we stayed, the warmer it was. Notice Manks' stink was forced to stay at the back.

Wind?

Faux summit on Mt. Robertson.

Finners checking out his dad's styles.

Heady's back on skis!

Definitely a step in the right direction! After the go ahead from Paddy and her new knee consultant Dr. Lawless, Heather strapped on the boards for some low-angle training on the path. This inspirational video will give you chills...

Another Weekend in the Pass

Contrary to popular belief, life does exist during med school... Steve and I figured that good skiing outweighed medical therapy for coronary artery disease and left bright and early Friday morning for Rogers Pass. Good decision.It's been a long time since I've gotten to see sunshine in the Pass. Not a bad way to start the day.
Steve on his way up NRC. Good thing he's sporting new skins. Yeah no slippage!

Pretty nice uptrack someone left us from the day before.

Ice climber turned ski tourer...

All I could think about at this point was the 1000 meters of vert that lay ahead. Turns right to the car!
Definitely better than school...
Thanks to Steve for the use of the camera and video footage. He is also the inspiration behind the music!

Late Christmas Additions

These photos have taken way too long to post. Some highlights from our trip home at Christmas.

Deb and I hiking in the new road to the cottage to shovel the roof. I can't believe that thing is still standing.

I think this is the first year that I can remember when we had to actually put the lights on the tree. Normally Ian has it pre-assembled in plastic warp complete with lights!

Christmas casualty...

No germs on this sucker!

A great dinner with all the fixing, including the new tradition of veggie haggis.

Good looking bunch if I do say so myself.

Unfortunately, it was our last Christmas with Shamus. We'll all really miss this guy.

Onwards to K-Town. Mom and Dad opening the long awaited wedding album. Heather and I had $5 on my mom crying.

Christmas dinner complete with the Jefferies. It was great to see everyone.

To up the "local-factor", I cut some holes in the ice. I may be the worst fisherman in the world. Can't even catch trout in a stocked pond! Maybe I'll stick to gathering.

The entire family got in on the action and I got to make more holes.

Heady's knee couldn't take the walk. We improvised... Only one tree collision. Pretty good I'd say!

Cedar was pretty into the idea too.

A second attempt to increase the "loc-factor", no dice.

A final photo under the new breeze way. Good work Dad!

Post Exam Pow

After the final slog of exams, the med contingent had 3 killer days in Rogers Pass. Got to visit some old terrain in Ursus and Mousetrap and found some new lines in NRC. First crack at the ski video, I'm sure this won't be the last...

Merry Christmas!

We were inspired by Karl's brilliant video of their tree and thought we'd give it a try. All creative credit is given to Karl! (mine has all but disappeared since the start of school...)