Category Archives: Western Canada

Travels within Western Canada

The Ultimate Backcountry

It’s quiet here. The ride is noisy but as soon as the chopper leaves the silence becomes one of the first things I notice. The wind blows but even that is not noisy. We make noise, it is hard to … Continue reading

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Posthumous Bowl

I’m up. It’s 6 am and everyone else is still in the sack. It’s spring and the outside temperatures are not that extreme but the fire in the stove died and when I get up the digs are cold. I … Continue reading

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Touring

Today is a day to tour. B spent last night studying the maps and planning a route to what looks like skiable terrain. Earlier start today – 10:30! No skins, as the first part of the trip is downhill. Over … Continue reading

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Posthumous Bowl Reprise

The mornings are getting warmer. Not so good for skiing. Good for morning stability but the snow is getting crustier and crustier. (I haven’t been skiing yet, this is just speculation.) The routine has been set. I’m up first, the … Continue reading

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Can’t Quite Get There

The morning is dull. When the light comes up it’s snowing. Good vision for a skier. Today we’re headed south to a massive granite wall. There is an area where the forest is burned out. We were told the slope … Continue reading

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Tired Legs

There is snow on them thar trees. Yesterday it was snowing when I got up but today the snow adheres to the branches of the evergreens trees and it is colder in the cabin. Clouds in the valley but I … Continue reading

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Salvation Bowl and Redemption Ridge

One last day. High overcast, no sun, no new snow. The wind is howling. A little cool in the house. 6 am is my time. Everybody else sleeps, I do not hear a stirring until at least 7. No plan … Continue reading

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Amiskwi Epilogue

Amiskwi Backcountry Lodge is ideal for a backcountry ski trip. The chopper ride is short.  10 people is not a crowd in a lodge that holds 16. The indoor composting toilets are a boon. No outhouse in the middle of … Continue reading

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“You’re going to do WHAT???”

Our friends, J&R,  invite Murray and me to backpack the West Coast Trail with them and their daughter and son-in-law. We debate this invitation alot since we haven’t been backpacking in, maybe, 10 years. We decide to go for it … Continue reading

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Hiking Boots

Murray and I both have 30 year old Hanwag hiking boots. Unfortunately they have been sitting in the camping gear cupboard for about 8 years unused. Here is what what they look like. Murray and I slowly increase our mileage … Continue reading

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