Appearance on Google Earth

A friend discovered this photo on Google Earth. Running Bridge River 14 years ago (in my play boat ;-)). We did quite a few runs of this remote and beautiful river (really more a creek), even some club trips. And had some rather exciting moments: swims, walk-outs, a dislocated shoulder, a scary pin but in the end we got it right. Even ferried some stuff across for a couple interesting characters. Gold mining they said... really? I'm missing paddling, the clear water, exciting rapids, deep canyons but grateful for amazing times with good friends.

Weather 2018

The weather was quite changeable in 2018 year: 2017/18 snowfall was average with less in January (less snow but more rain!) and more in February / March.

April was cold and wet, May very warm and dry and June rather cool and rainy (which is normal). July was dry and my garden vegetables suffered (it also didn't help that they didn't get any care and attention while we were away paddling the Nahanni for 4 weeks).

August wasn’t any wetter and there was lots of smoke from numerous forest fires (of note: Telegraph Creek) although no densely inhabited areas where affected like last year (Williams Lake).

October stayed sunny and dry and we enjoyed hiking and fall colors.

Thanks to El Nino we had to wait for snow in December which was dry at first and then rather wet. Local ski areas opened late (my first ski day at Cypress was December 13).

Skiing at Namulten - Valkyr range

Our visits to Blanket Glacier Chalet have come to an end. Al, the owner, retired and has handed over the business to his son Marty. As the interest in back country / powder skiing increases, Marty gets enough guests that are happy to pay for guiding and catering. But this almost doubles the price from what we pay for our self-guided self-catered weeks.

But still we went skiing, with the same group and at the same time, just a different location: in the Valkyr Mountains near Nakusp. Unfortunately this years snow pack was somewhat underwhelming, everywhere. We still got out every day and had lots of turns but the motivation to climb and ski the customary 10,000 meter was not there. In any way, a good trip with good friends and we'll try again next year!