Training Log Archive: Bash

It was blowing hard today so we didn't go into the forest under the old deciduous trees. We'll be cleaning up fallen branches later. Listening to the news from Ottawa was so stressful that when the gusts dropped below 50 kph late in the day, we decided to ski a loop in the southwest of Kolapore that is largely sheltered by cedars. That plan went sideways when we found an "Emergency - Road Closed" sign on the main road heading south, probably due to blowing snow.

So we started from a trail entrance on Marc's Folly that was a lot chillier and less protected. 'Bent got nasty frostbite on his face from the early hours of his Canadian Ski Marathon adventure and he could feel it acting up today. It's a good thing he has always needed to wear a mask for work. Patients might be frightened otherwise. ;)

We'd planned to ski toward the area with cedars but when we arrived at the trail junction, it was clear that my racing skis weren't up to the challenge.



So we went the other way and did a short out-and-back with the sun just above the horizon. Lovely light, fluffy snow, really cold.

Snowshoe loop with 'Bent and the pooches. The dogs were at a distinct disadvantage without snowshoes.

After the warm weather and rain, snow fell all night. Coach LD came over to help us make first tracks in Kolapore on a bluebird day. See her log for a great description of the magical conditions. Apologies in advance for all the photos. If it's any consolation, I took *way* more than this. Time is all included.

Even the ski to the bottom of our property was pretty nice.







After finishing our bushwhack to the Kolapore Trails, we discovered that no one else had skied. Here's what a typical trail looked like. Our skis disappeared under the snow and it was hard work for the person up front - even going downhill.



But it was worth it.









I think this one should be Coach LD's Christmas card next year. :)



Or maybe this.





Happy skiers.

Dog walk through deep snow with our neighbours. Time deeply discounted.

After a day and a half of warm temperatures, pouring rain and icy surfaces, 'Bent, the pooches and I went for an out-and-back snowshoe to the Bruce Trail and a short distance along it. There was a crust on the snow from all the rain and we punched through it regularly. It wasn't too bad for us but it confused and annoyed the poor dogs! Tonight it's colder with blowing snow so it should be easier going tomorrow.

'Bent and Stephen had a surprisingly leisurely morning for Day 2 of their virtual Canadian Ski Marathon. Given that they were sleeping in frigid weather, I laughed when they discussed setting their alarms. I figured they'd be awake, shivering and ready to ski with headlamps at 4 am. I figured wrong. They were warm enough - too warm in 'Bent's case - and they enjoyed coffee and apple crisp over their morning fire before hitting the trails at 7:30 am.

After lunch, I parked on 10th Line to get different options for a medium Kolapore ski loop. I was also watching the guys' GPS tracker and hoping to find them. I ran into them in County Forest enroute to their aid station in Bruce & Val's garage. They mentioned that they wanted to ski the planned new trail since they had almost completed their goal of skiing every trail segment in Kolapore. I left them and headed up there to break trail for them. It's still just a bushwhack through powder with flagging tape on the saplings that hit you in the eye, but it's going to be a fun trail. On my way there, I ran into Chad Spence, skiing Kolapore for his birthday!

The guys arrived home at 5:30 pm, exhausted after 120 km of ungroomed skiing and considerable trailbreaking over the past two days.





If you wait a few days to ask, they will probably say it was fun!

Bushwhacking and trail breaking through deep snow in fields to help 'Bent and Stephen get through the final stretch of today's virtual Canadian Ski Marathon stage.

They left our place this morning before 6:45 am, about 40 minutes before sunrise. There was an Extreme Cold Warning. It was the first time that my InReach tracker has turned off because it got too cold. It worked for the first half hour then went on strike.







I met the frosty skiers at a road crossing two hours in and discovered that the tracker had flipped to face backwards. It didn't occur to me to check whether it was turned on since there was such an obvious problem.



They skied 60 km around the ungroomed Kolapore Wilderness Trails. Most people doing the CSM would choose faster trails.



They need to do the same distance tomorrow. Part of their plan is to ski every trail in Kolapore over the two days.

I met them near the end. They were tired!





'Bent's watch read 60.1 km at our house. Unfortunately, Stephen's phone said 59.78 km. So they had to ski up and down our driveway to be 100% sure.





Then they got to work preparing for tomorrow's 60 km ski and for tonight's frigid Gold Camp in our back yard. Coach LD dropped by with much-appreciated cookies.

They heated up pizza on the fire pit grill. Kevin, who was supposed to ski with them but had to postpone due to injury, fat biked over and joined us by the fire.







'Bent and Stephen were exhausted.



They were in bed at 8:30. I'll bet they're up *very* early.