Ash and Joel's visit to Calgary

Ash and Joel came for a visit at the beginning of March (took me a while to upload the pics). We stared the weekend at Emerald Lake and kept on driving to the pass. Heady was forced to study in the info center for the skiing in the Roger's Pass Info Centre, while Karl, Jo and I took the newbies up Grizzly. Ash and Joel signed up for the authentic tour and we even spent the night in Wheeler - Heady made it for that adventure! We can't wait for them to come back again now that we have them hooked on the backcountry!

We started rather flat... The lake was a good warm up for the Ontario Legs Syndrome.

As we were poking aroud the cabins at Emerald Lake, the entire roof of snow fell about 10 ft in front of us. Tree bombs have nothing on an entire roof of snow.

We were treated to some nice schmoo lower on Grizzly.

Joel just before his first backcountry turns. Changed his life!

Ash scoping her line.

On Sunday morning, we were treated to blue skies and decided to check out the Illecillewaet Valley and glacier.

I always win... Newbies...

Heady was pretty stoked to be back on skis in the backcountry. Obviously the camera was in full action.

On the way into the valley.

We dug a pit, but the Patterson girls decided to turn it into a fort.


Not a bad day for a tour.


I think that Joel is going to give up the urban life for good.

Parting shot through the trees.

The hut was almost empty with all the luxuries of home.

Seems like some sort of add for port. I think they liked the trip!

French/Haig/Robertson... Finally

After 2 failed attempts at the French/Haig/Robertson traverse, the weather "seemed" like it would cooperate and Nick was forced to spend the day with 3 medical students high in the alpine.

The tour started in beautiful, hot weather and we were suckered into heading for the col.

It was great to see Goad back out in the backcountry... sober too.

Pete " Gut Rot" Stevers

We started to see the heinous weather that awaited us on the Haig.

We figured that roping up would give the appearance of being hardcore. No one messed with us.

Not looking so pretty ahead.

The weather turned to complete soup but at least there was a track to follow across the glacier.

Stupid Weather Network...

This guy is always smiling...

Mount Field Sweatfest 2008

After the 3rd man on the rope bailed, Manks and I decided that a glacier traverse might not be the best plan. Considering he's got about a few pounds on me, it was a good call. So we checked out Mount Field in Yoho. Neither of us have toured in that area before and the new scenery was a nice change.

After 5 kms on along the road to Takaka Falls and a quick ascent through the trees, the alpine awaited us. There may have been a wee bit of sweating at this point...

Manks about to clear the trees.

We held our breaths across this section. Good thing it wasn't a directly south facing slope.

Despite the blazing sun, the snow was surprisingly dry. The nasty surface hoar layer is resolving quite well and should be gone soon!

Manks making his way across the valley.

Almost at the bench that we skied from. We didn't attempt that last headwall; looked a little sketch.

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...