Big White

This was a quick day trip to Big White post Covid-19 closure.

P*bble Creek Hut Coast Range

We spent a week at P*bble Creek about 50km northwest of Pemberton. It's a tiny one room log cabin with a sleeping loft much like the glacier circle hut. A tight fit even for our small group of seven.

Big terrain in every direction.

Weird trip though. Despite the endless terrain and seven days of bluebird skies the skiing was horrendous. The alpine had been blasted by wind. In some places the snow was scoured flat and hard as a rock. In others it was molded and sculpted into fantastic grooves and ridges. No aspect was immune.

It was brutal. Utterly un-skiable. And utterly heartbreaking.

Also weird because we stayed at the hut with the owner and builder. It was a bit like staying with one's parents for a week. Things are done a certain way. Also weird because we flew in just prior to the Covid-19 meltdown and flew out into a full blown pandemic with social distancing, closed borders, and panic buying. It was bewildering.

In the end it was just great to catch up with the Old Crowd. We'd love to go back again under different circumstances.

Connaught w Damon

An easy day out with Damon who was heading into the new Spearhead Hut the following week.

Asulkan Cabin w ACC

Ross Peak (Cougar Creek East Path)

Corbin Brake Check with Brian

Connaught Slide Path and a Moose, Loose, Aboot the Hoose

Cougar-ish

We've avoided the summit gong show so far this season but the warming trend had us seeking higher elevations. Despite a crush of vehicles at the Visitor Centre on Saturday we still broke trail from the Hospital Bowl intersection to the top of Balu Pass. We've noticed that a few times. I guess a lot of groups head up to Ursus Trees or Grizzly Shoulder and beyond. It was a beautiful day. I think that's the first time we've seen the sun for a month. Steep solar aspects even had a slight crust by late afternoon. Felt like spring.

Fortitude

Afterwards we realized that this was the earliest in the season that we've attempted to get into Fortitude. The hurdle is the creek crossing under the railway tracks. Thankfully that went smoothly. We've had enough falling into creeks this season. Later in the week it became impassable. Good skiing from the ridge down one of the shorter paths into the trees. We underestimated the return journey along the creek. It's still not filled in and was pretty tedious. Almost a headlamp job but not quite.

McGill Glades

A couple of runs in McGill Glades. The good conditions continue. It was overcast and snowy so no point in taking photos. But we saw a porcupine at Steve's place. So that'll have to do.

The Fingers

It was dark and pissing rain at 7am in Revelstoke. And the highway was closed. Again. Brenda declared a no-ski day and went back to bed. Nick and I went up to The Fingers. Just to look. Sometimes you just need to give the mountains a chance. We weren't disappointed.


Photo:Nick

Photo:Nick

Corbin (again)

Everything is closed in Rogers Pass. Back to Corbin.

Corbin Brake Check (Helen's Slide Path)

Deep.


Photo:Nick

Albert Canyon

This was our second attempt in two days. Yesterday two of us ended up knee deep in a creek. With skis and skins on. This creek is particularly sneaky because it's fed by a hot spring. Was it hot? It was not.




50% attrition in less than 30 minutes was a sure sign to call it a day. So we returned the next day to explore the slide paths. A lot of alder-bashing on the way up. Surprisingly good on the way down.



This area is a patchwork of private and crown land. We had permission from the relevant owner. And were with someone who lives there. Crossing the tracks is another issue. Anyway, not a recommended destination.