Comfort Levels

Yesterday morning we brought Charley up to the ski hill for a few runs and a Gondola experience. And then around noon, my Mom, Step dad and myself went up the lifts to access the backcountry. They had not seen any of the south facing terrain so I thought I would show them some easy access touring that they would be able to access on their own.

They have toured with me for years but this season they are living here. And since they are living here they are having to ski tour on their own. I have always “guided” them around and now that they are here full time they are starting to go out on their own. So they are finding their comfort levels. I thought that they should see some of the easy terrain so that they could grow familiar with it and more comfortable.

But since we were testing out comfort levels I decided to see where their comfort line was. We toured up Kokanee ridge and I thought we should ski Holy Cow. This little chute is rimmed with cornices and steep cliffs; its very dramatic. So we stood on top and peering down the line I began convincing them that they would be able to ski it and enjoy it. It is a short chute, 200ft, and then it has a great finish to the valley floor.

Both of them starred apprehensively down the chute, wondering if they had the skills to ski it. I knew they did and proceeded to talk them down it. The first key to success is understanding that you can side slip down anything. Its the best tool in the book. “too scared to turn, side slip a few more feet till your confidence is high enough to jump into it.” Realizing that its true, Deane and Don both slid down till they could jump turn and then worked their way down the chute. And like most chutes they enjoye d the turns down the fan the best. It was great to watch them and I believe that they enjoyed their”extreme skiing” episode.

Well the weather is looking great for the next 3 or 4 days and I can’t wait to get after it.

Some new lead

Yesterday we toured off RMR (Revelstoke Mountain Resort) and ventured into Kokanee bowl. I had hopes of  blue skies and sun, but inevitably we were stuck in the clouds all day.  I have never skied in Kokanee bowl so I was interested in checking it out.  There are a few nice alpine lines that tear down into this small bowl, and I have always wanted to ski them. As I have mentioned in the past I have an obsession with skiing new lines. Any exploratory adventure gets pencilled in on my maps. So for 9 years I have diligently marked down each and every line I have skied in the Selkirks. I get excited while I am out touring these new lines and usually I can’t wait to get home and pencil them in. Especially if they are great descents.

 The North Westerly winds had played havoc with the alpine so our line off Kokanee was not  exactly the way I had dreamt. But regardless the exploration was great.

 Today we hit a highway shot I have always thought about. Nothing dramatic but a 4000 foot line that is always spotted when driving home from Roger’s Pass.  This little line sits above Greely and gives access to a ridge that is full of great features. We sampled a few runs off the east side and then finished off with the  four grand to my truck.  Today was the first somewhat sunny day in awhile and the mountains looked beautiful.

Jumbo Cabin

The whole reason I went up to Jumbo was that I hoped to be able to get some quality footage for the Sweetgrass Production boys. I figured that if I wanted a small section in their movie I would have to dedicate some time to getting the footage. When the opportunity to go to Jumbo presented itself it seemed the ideal location to get some great video. I imagined hiking a summit before sunrise shredding down in the morning light, while the boys filmed from the cabin doorstep. Then nailing great footage all day to finish off with some really beautiful alpen glow turns.

 I couldn’t have been farther from the truth. We experienced amazing snow, but absolutely no light. No matter that the turns were epic it seemed like we would never get the light to capture it. It grew frustrating for me to be there. I was there strictly for video purposes and it seemed pointless since we were not getting anything decent.  But we tried and hopefully some of it turns out.

The cabin was a classic backcountry hut. Designed for six we filled it with ten people. Great times were had I just wish I had been there to simply ski the fantastic snow.

I have almost finished the latest movie, I have had enough footage for a bit I just didn’t have enough time to put it together.  Nothing epic just great mountain moments.

The last two days have been memorial days for two friends who have been lost to the mountains, Greg Todds and Aidan Oloman. Both amazing people that  are missed by many. Greg died on th 13 of jan 04, and Aidan the 14th of Jan 06.