Rogers Pass Jan 17-18 2008

One more photo I like this one but I forgot to post it.

Another great trip with J Billing, M-A Cousineau and Ross .

Quote of the trip.
"Ross it looks like you got the short one"

We skied up to Asulkan Valley to the Asulkan Hut. The first day we approached the hut we we arrived at noon we grabbed a quick cup of tea and un-loaded our pack. From the up we proced up toward Young's peak were we skied a great line from Asulkan pass back to the hut. For most people that would be a great day but for the crazy crew that I was with they decide that they wanted more powder skiing so we continued down pass the hut to the valley bottom skiing over 1000m vertical. At the bottom we put our skins back on had a sip of Scotch and climbed back to the hut just as it got dark.

Day two we stared from the hut and skied down to the valley bottom again were we head up to the Asulkan Glacier. The climb up was great we had good light and great views of all the beautiful peaks around us.
We decide to ski down from just below Dome mountain were we got another 1000m of great fresh track. Again for most people that would be a great day but NO we did 2 more great short runs were we got fresh track every turn!

Before I knew our trip was over and back to the Renovations

Home Rono January 13 2008

Finished and looking good! If anyone knows of someone looking to rent a basement let me know.

Well another day of the bathroom repairs! Ya day 3, It did not go as well as I hoped the shower did not line up with the drain so I had to chip out all the concrete and do some plumbing wow what a mess well I think everything should go better from here I just have to wait for the concrete to dry then I will attempt the shower again.
One thing if you are planing to do a simple renovation remember it will never be a easy a you would like it to be.

Whats a guy to do when you are not skiing?

Well I guess some home renovations. Now that my good friend Evan has move in to his own great place, I have decided to tackle some bathroom repairs. Well as usual it turns out to be more work than originally expected. Well here is the up date on day one.

Keep you posted on the progress.

Jeff

Day two is going good. As usual I have made a big mess but I think things are going as planed. Work then let things dry.

Rogers Pass January 10-12 2008

5:30 am departure from Canmore, We end up in Golden and find the road to the pass closed Surprise, Surprise! We had a great breakfast while waiting for the road to open shortly after the road was open we hit the road and managed a great day of skiing at the Bonney Trees with a link up of the NRC gully.

The second day we skied up the Hermit to the toe of the Rogers Glacier where we dug a beauty snow pit and prepared for a great run back down to the car. The skiing in the alpine was great we skied rolling terrain into the final gully where we got some more good turns totaling 1000m of skiing. The evening activities include a lovely meal at the cafeteria (chicken fingers and fries) and washed down with some beers.

Our last day up Balu Pass as a great casual day with some great view and good skiing. Life in the pass was great and we had lots for laughs told dirty jokes and also some good clean fun.

Thanks for the great trip!

Jeff

Icefields trip Jan 3-5 2008

I have Copyed Ross's discription because he describes it best.

Hey All,

Just arrived home from three great days of ski touringwith Ross Mailloux, Jeff MacPherson, Marc-Andre Cousineau and ChrisHaywood.

Day 1 we fired a 1000m up-track towards the col aboveEmerald Lake slidepath, noses out and ears perked,waiting for signs of instability. The conditions andsnow were oddly silent and after digging around wefound a pretty decent pack with about 180cm at around2160m, no major reactive layers either...hmmm. Weripped the skins off and let the skis run. Crankingthe first turn the snow hit the knees, the second andthird turns blew our minds as perfect rocky mountainpowder eventually hit our waists and caused enormoussmiles to span our shiny faces. Steak and scotchawaited us at the Hostel, as well as enormous talk forthe upcoming days.

Day 2 we ventured to the "snow zone", a line of peaksjust east of the south wapta that seems to trap absurdamounts of snow. Last year for instance, we found 2+mof snow there in December, perfect untracked dreamruns and bowls noboday seems to go to. Deep andperfect snow awaited as we went back up tp the sunnysummit of one of the peaks as many times as we could,trying to soak it all in and revel at some of thedeepest and best snow we had seen-anywhere. With thefading light, we shot back to the trees and made ourway to the highway and to the huge meal and sauna weknew was waiting.

Day 3 we awoke tired and content from skiing dark todark days in a row and a relaxing pace was in order.We skied up the frozen creek and canyons leading to avalley south of Observation peak in the bow summitarea. A weak snowpack and highwinds kept us fromventuring too high but allowed us a few nice runs inthe trees as well as another great day in themountains with good company. We could smell the darkroast coffee and pastries at Laggans so we did theluge run out to the road and answered the call inshort order, reflective and happy.

A stellar few days!

Rogers Pass Dec 29-31

Hanging out with Chad Mansell, Heather Strukalo, and me. We had some great skiing 2 days in the pass and 1 day at the new Revelstoke ski Resort. The snow was great and we had a great skiing every where we went.

Day 1 Skied up Grizzly Shoulder were we found some good turns is nice soft snow.

Day 2 We when to Revelstoke mountain ski resort. It was great to be part of the opening week of this great ski hill. This is the only ski hill I know of the feels like you are in the back country all day. We had an overcast day but 15 cm fresh. Chad and i skinned up from the top of the lift to the summit where we got some windy turns down but still a good adventure. Heather clamed all day how she was not tired one bit and she ski hard all day, but we say the results from the hill the next day when we were skinning up to the Asulkan hut.

Day 3 Had a short day as it is NEW YEARS eve and we had some BEER to drink in Canmore. We Skinned up to the Asulkan Hut and has a nice ski down and out to the car. Once again we did not see much as it was fogged in again.

Rogers Pass Dec 28 2007

Ski Touing in Rogers Pass in December 28. Chad, Kendra, Heather and me o'ya and Finn. We had a great day out in the mountains. Well I lie a little, I did not have the best day of my ski touring career. Being the cheep bastard I am I decide to create a short term touring set up while I wait for my new skis to come in. I bought some sport check specials and dusted off an old pair of skins (45cm straight) well to say the least I had no chance to skin up the mountain I struggled all day. I look like the worst beginner you have ever seen I could not make one step with out slipping backwards. I had fallen skinning up more time than I have fallen in my life on skis. I would have to say thanks to the group for putting up with my frustrations and your good company keep me going as long as we did.