Training Log Archive: Carbons Offset

Day 4
All 5 of us got to ski together in the morning before coming back to the hut for another hot lunch and the boys (Cousin Larry, Kiwi Rob, Hot Lunch Mike) packed up for their trip out today.
Skied a couple of good runs this morning, the snow is deeper. Mike and I paired up and hit a few good pillows and drops.
After lunch, Revy and I went back out and found some really nice runs that would have room for the five of us, including a cool little gully on a run that did a nice tour down the mountain.
Bootpacked and switchbacked our way up a couloir to get back up again, a fun little adventure.
Another run, this time found a little bit of old suncrust underneath, just to remind us to appreciate the excellent conditions we had been skiing on the other aspects. A few steep roll offs including one tiny icefall that Revy directed me to and I skied right off for a brief feeling of weightlessness. All good.
Headed back to the hut but decided we had time for one more short run. Could feel ourselves slowing down at the end of the climb.

Day 3

Skied a couple of runs below the hut. Good consistent snow and then plenty of drops and pillows in the trees. Dropped a big one at almost zero speed followed by another.
Climbed back to the hut and had hot soup for lunch. Then was cold starting out again but dried out and warmed up later on that run.
More good snow and good turns, heavy overcast all day and often snowing.
Cousin Larry did test drives on three different skis. I was happy to give him a partner for his last lap although the light was getting low. Climbed back in near darkness at the end and came home to spicy Malaysian curry and rice, followed by chocolate and two more great games of Carcassone.

The right big toe continues to improve. The attempts at minimizing its motion after my sprain injury probably contradicted the arthritic joint's preference to always have a little motion.

Day 2:
Hot in the upstairs of the cabin last night. I had a light sleeping bag but could only get in it for one hour, laid on top of it the rest of the time. Didn't get to sleep until about 3:00 or 3:30. Still didn't feel to bad when I woke up.
Today did a big day to go check out Cauldron glacier nearby. Dropped off the other side to descend into the other valley behind the hut (Glacier Creek drainage). This valley and its logging road would ultimately take you to Meadow Creek about 80-100 km away.
Pretty good snow today, boot top deep or more. Pretty consistent quality, easier to ski than some of yesterday. Snow was just slightly heavy/thick. Skied terrain that was somewhat treed. One small patch at mid elevation that was slightly more open pulled out when Revy skied it, forming into big blocks and doing a slow slide. The avy reports rated the mid elevation as higher hazard (considerable). The slide was 15 metres by 15 metres, and about 60 cm thick. Revy was fine and we were able to verify this by simply shouting even though he and I had radios on, once the snow stopped moving. Kept eyes on him until the very end when he dipped out of sight.

Continued along down the slope with more good snow. Eventually picked up a logging road and traversed toward the glacier. Then toured up the left moraine, often following a cool wolverine track. Then hung left and climbed up for a run down through the trees. Then picked up the road again and were able to coast down the track we brought in.
Finished the day with a big climb of about 800 metres back to the cabin. Rob and I were slowing down for the last few hundred metres.
Wrapped the day up with great elk stew and two rounds of Carcassone.

Had a couple crashes where I noticed that on the binding on one ski (with right sticker), the toe lever would flip up into a more locked position.

Right big toe was better today, only some discomfort.

Jumbo Pass cabin with Revy, cousin Larry, Kiwi Rob and Mike Baker.

Day 1
Not toughened up to winter and cold yet. Felt cold on the snowmobile ride in. Got to double with Revy rather than being towed. Nice.
Skied up to the cabin and ditched the extra gear and food. Had a quick lunch and then went above the cabin and dropped off the other side. Wasn't sure what the first turns of the season would be like. It went quite well, felt at home. Snow conditions were variable and made the skiing challenging. Still had some good turns and only struggled a bit on the trickier stuff; I think those skis help. Conditions got better further down and enjoyed some nice deep snow and good pitches. One long run down, then back up to the cabin as it was getting dim.
Dinner of Cousin Larry's bathroom butter chicken. Yum. Then discussions about how we each proposed to our wives. Finished with a big game of Carcassone and good dark chocolate.
A pine Martin scoped out the cabin.

Right big toe not very happy.

16.9

15.9

16.7
Texas trip weight gain :)