Hiking and Flying

Still waiting for snow to fall on the coast so we went on some hike and fly adventures in the meantime. I joined the Elk boys for a few flights in the Chilliwack Valley and took a new friend from Washington up there. We also explored some new launch sites on the North Shore Mountains. The snow cover improves launching options from spots that are otherwise covered by shrubbery and small trees. One of the flights was rather exciting since we had picked a landing site in Indian Arm which is a fjord where steep tree-covered mountain sides drop into the ocean. Our flying buddies had landed there before but I didn’t entirely like the idea to land in such a tight spot I had not seen before. Good thing the tide was receding and I launched (and landed) last. The beach was several meters wider when I came in for landing compared to the narrow strip of beach the first flyer in our group had to work with to keep his wing dry.

Drought and finally Pow

The snow pack is at record low in many areas on the coast. But finally we got fresh snow, and lots of it (80 cm)! To our surprise it was of nice fluffy quality at Red Heather/Paul Ridge and we had some nice turns. So did dozens of fellow snow-addicts. When we left the slope looked like Whistler after the first run. This may be OK for lift skiing, but is hardly acceptable when 'you earn your turns'. Must try for a semi-alpine start next time to get our runs in before the crowds show up.

Pete working hard on the up-track

Environment BC snow-water equivalent graph

Blanket Glacier Chalet 2013/14

After the December drought and lack of snow we were not sure what to expect from our second visit at Blanket Glacier Chalet. But there was no reason for disappointment! Temperatures were warmer than last year, but still cold enough (-4 to -8 oC) for lots snow to fall. During our week it was almost 100 cm.

We didn’t quite reach our elevation gains from last year with over 10.000 meters climbed during the week, but got very close (250 meters short). Most days it snowed heavy which made the sauna look simply too tempting at the end of a long skiing day. We still got a couple of +1600 meter days in. Just like last year our fellow skiers (most from Alberta) were very keen and lots of fun to ski and hang out with.

Before the hut trip we skied at the Revy ski hill and crosscountry. And we almost had to stay longer. On the day we flew out of Blanket Highway 1 was closed due to avalanches, west and east of Revy. But when the highway opened we decided to leave. The line up at the ski lift was over two hundred meter long. Hard to get enthusiastic about lift line-ups after 7 days of untracked pow!

To the photgrapher's delight bright colors are in fashion again!

Pete enjoying some Monashee pow

Coming back to Blanket Glacier Chalet after a long ski day