The day started off well. Got down to the kite centre nice and early and there was enough wind to go riding. Yipeee
I was hooked up with a 12m Cabrhina and a 148cm board. The centre helps you launch from the pontoon, by landing the kit in the water and handing the bar over to you. So I took it over and did a little body drag to get away from the pontoon.
First turn I was up and away, quite a long way. I was struggling a bit with the new kit and it being the first day on the kite, so didn't make any up wind. Also, my turns were terrible. I think I managed about 1 good turn in about 10 tries!
I was starting to get used to the kite and conditions soon enough. Unfortunately I had drifted down wind quite a bit and was near the landing beach. I did manage however quite a lot of runs, and long ones at that, before I had to land. Again the centre have people on the landing beach to help you land your kite. However the walk back to the pontoon, if you do not have boots, and are westerner soft footed like me, is really not easy and hard on the feet.
I got back to the pontoon and they launched me again. This time I was ready for it all and was riding up wind really quite well and managing to keep my station. I rode out really quite far, about 1pm and back all the way in again. Slightly better turns but still not as good as I was doing in Fuertaventura.
Then it all started to go wrong. The wind very quickly dropped and my kite fell out of the sky. I de-powered but simply could not get it to launch again. I made the mistake of when I was getting nowhere (but being dragged down wind) and closer to the beach, I let my board go. I now know that I should have used it on my feet to provide extra resistance. Oh well. However, as I was riding quite far out, I was being dragged to an area outside the landing beach. Subsequently the kite washed up over rocks and onto the beach. I managed to recur it and get it secured however. I did manage to cut my feel and shin on the coral! Doh!
The walk back to the pontoon felt like a walk of shame. However the school had no problems with it. Agee a short rest I headed out again. The guy launching me said that it probably wasn't going to work as the wind had dropped. Unfortunately he was right. I got up on the board once and sank, I then could not launch the kite again for love nor money. So it was basically a swim to the landing beach.
Kiting day over.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Dahab, Friday 22nd September 2011
After arriving last night I called it an early night in order to get some sleep. I didn't set my alarm so work up 45 minutes later than I wanted. No problem really.
The breakfast was your typical help-your-self affair, but the fruit and salad were great. So after that I got my rucksack ready and headed to the Harry Nass centre 4 to see about my kite surfing rental. I already knew that there was no wind so I wasn't going to get riding in, but wanted to get my name/face recognised and to know the layout of the land. I was shown the ropes by one of the main guys there. I did find out that kite insurance is extra, and also harness hire is extra. They don't tell you that when you book! Not much money but still a pain (30eur for insurance and 15eur per day for harness hire).
There was no point in hanging about the centre if there wasn't going to be any kite surfing so I headed back up to my room and got together my beach and snorkelling gear. I am just SO glad I bought some snorkelling gear before coming here, because as it turned out the coral is bloody brilliant here. It's literally just off the beach and is a shelf that just drops off and goes along the coast, and on, and on...
The coral is a bit on the dark side (not great colour) and I have seen more tropical fish, but they are in abundance and within such easy reach. Well worth it.
After my second snorkel, I met up with Dave and Cat who were on the flight and transfer, and are my neighbours here at the Mercure Bay View. So we got chatting and drinking the G&T. Needless to say I needed no encouragement. A few G&T later we headed up for lunch.
The lunch again is the buffet style and was actually really good. I had the liver, rice, vegetables, and other stuff. I did enjoy it.
So after lunch, we all headed down to the ocean front and started the G&T again. Myself and Dave did then go and do some snorkelling. This time I ventured much farther and did deeper dives.
After a short rest (=G&T stop), we returned to the water. I promptly lost Dave and headed up the reef towards Dahab. It was a much better coral and had better sea life. Including quite a number of Lion Fish (spines=v poisonous). I followed out an outcrop of reef quite far and dove down about 5m and sat on the ocean floor and had a little look round and up. The water is just so clear. I also touched and very quickly held a sea cucumber ( no idea what it's real name is). Very soft and spongey.
I returned to the beach after a thoroughly good day (without wind). Back to the room, shower, and ready to hit the bar :-)
The breakfast was your typical help-your-self affair, but the fruit and salad were great. So after that I got my rucksack ready and headed to the Harry Nass centre 4 to see about my kite surfing rental. I already knew that there was no wind so I wasn't going to get riding in, but wanted to get my name/face recognised and to know the layout of the land. I was shown the ropes by one of the main guys there. I did find out that kite insurance is extra, and also harness hire is extra. They don't tell you that when you book! Not much money but still a pain (30eur for insurance and 15eur per day for harness hire).
There was no point in hanging about the centre if there wasn't going to be any kite surfing so I headed back up to my room and got together my beach and snorkelling gear. I am just SO glad I bought some snorkelling gear before coming here, because as it turned out the coral is bloody brilliant here. It's literally just off the beach and is a shelf that just drops off and goes along the coast, and on, and on...
The coral is a bit on the dark side (not great colour) and I have seen more tropical fish, but they are in abundance and within such easy reach. Well worth it.
After my second snorkel, I met up with Dave and Cat who were on the flight and transfer, and are my neighbours here at the Mercure Bay View. So we got chatting and drinking the G&T. Needless to say I needed no encouragement. A few G&T later we headed up for lunch.
The lunch again is the buffet style and was actually really good. I had the liver, rice, vegetables, and other stuff. I did enjoy it.
So after lunch, we all headed down to the ocean front and started the G&T again. Myself and Dave did then go and do some snorkelling. This time I ventured much farther and did deeper dives.
After a short rest (=G&T stop), we returned to the water. I promptly lost Dave and headed up the reef towards Dahab. It was a much better coral and had better sea life. Including quite a number of Lion Fish (spines=v poisonous). I followed out an outcrop of reef quite far and dove down about 5m and sat on the ocean floor and had a little look round and up. The water is just so clear. I also touched and very quickly held a sea cucumber ( no idea what it's real name is). Very soft and spongey.
I returned to the beach after a thoroughly good day (without wind). Back to the room, shower, and ready to hit the bar :-)
Friday, March 04, 2011
Whistler, Canada - 23/03/2011
New Snow: 6cm
Piste Condition: Soft and powder, but with some wind crust in places
Visibility: Occasional sunny periods in the morning, closing into poor in the afternoon
Wind: Calm increasing to moderate in places
Temperature: -7 to -14
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
It's been a while since I've been riding, all due to injury (ankles). It was great to be back!
I decided to head on over to Whistler, as i know that mountain very well. I decided to start off on the slopes that I knew best, and that I knew wouldn't pose too much trouble for my ankles. So I headed on down "Orange Peel", onto "Bear Cub" and past 'Big Red Chair', and down onto 'Garbonzo chair'.
I headed on up Garbonzo and down to the right. This was the first real challenge for the ankles, as it was really quite choppy and difficult riding here. My ankles did hurt a few times, but not so much as to stop me riding. This was to be the same throught the day, and unfortunatley on many occasions.#
I got onto 'Emerald Chair' and headed on over to the 'Peak Chair' and I headed on over to the "Symphony Ampitheatre". I knew the 'Symphony Express' wasn't running, but it was my intention to head to the 'Harmony Express'. The snow lookead and felt really great, so I decided to cut the normal line into "Burnt Stew Trail", and this was a mistake. It was here that I found a few hard lumps of snow that really jarred my ankles. I thought that I might have to call it after that, but they calmed down shortly after. To the right of the "Burnt Stew Trail" the snow was practically completley untouched. I was a little surprised at that. It made for a really good ride. I couldn't make the trail all the way around, but I was again surprised that there was so much powder untouched in the area. I therefore decided to make the most of it.
I headed back up and into the 'Symphony Amphiteatre' a few times that day. Each time I rode further over onto the right as possible, each time getting cleaner and cleaner powder lines all the way. Just the medicine I needed after a long time off the snow and the injury.
All too soon the lift was to close at 15:00, so I had to make may way over and down "Pitkas Traverse". Normally I would have hurtled down there, but I could feel the ankles holding me back (and as usual, silly skiers [not all skiers are silly!] got in my way). I cruzed over the top of the 'Emerald Express' and down onto the usuall "Orange Peel" and "Bear Cub" and onto the 'Big Red Chair'. It was also starting to get quite cold, so I decided to call it a day.
Once again I took "Orange Peel", onto "Bear Cub", around and then into "Crabapple" and to the far left on "Lower Olympic" and int othe village. It was a good day in all, and a good test for the ankles. They have stood up well, but are definatley hurting now... Hopefully they will be OK in the morning and allow me to get out riding again.
Total Time: 04:04:33
Moving Time: 03:47:28
Distance: 63.3km
Moving Speed: 16.69km/h, 76.59km/h max
Elevation Gain: +5664m / -5686m
Calories: 2058.1 KCal
Piste Condition: Soft and powder, but with some wind crust in places
Visibility: Occasional sunny periods in the morning, closing into poor in the afternoon
Wind: Calm increasing to moderate in places
Temperature: -7 to -14
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
It's been a while since I've been riding, all due to injury (ankles). It was great to be back!
I decided to head on over to Whistler, as i know that mountain very well. I decided to start off on the slopes that I knew best, and that I knew wouldn't pose too much trouble for my ankles. So I headed on down "Orange Peel", onto "Bear Cub" and past 'Big Red Chair', and down onto 'Garbonzo chair'.
I headed on up Garbonzo and down to the right. This was the first real challenge for the ankles, as it was really quite choppy and difficult riding here. My ankles did hurt a few times, but not so much as to stop me riding. This was to be the same throught the day, and unfortunatley on many occasions.#
I got onto 'Emerald Chair' and headed on over to the 'Peak Chair' and I headed on over to the "Symphony Ampitheatre". I knew the 'Symphony Express' wasn't running, but it was my intention to head to the 'Harmony Express'. The snow lookead and felt really great, so I decided to cut the normal line into "Burnt Stew Trail", and this was a mistake. It was here that I found a few hard lumps of snow that really jarred my ankles. I thought that I might have to call it after that, but they calmed down shortly after. To the right of the "Burnt Stew Trail" the snow was practically completley untouched. I was a little surprised at that. It made for a really good ride. I couldn't make the trail all the way around, but I was again surprised that there was so much powder untouched in the area. I therefore decided to make the most of it.
I headed back up and into the 'Symphony Amphiteatre' a few times that day. Each time I rode further over onto the right as possible, each time getting cleaner and cleaner powder lines all the way. Just the medicine I needed after a long time off the snow and the injury.
All too soon the lift was to close at 15:00, so I had to make may way over and down "Pitkas Traverse". Normally I would have hurtled down there, but I could feel the ankles holding me back (and as usual, silly skiers [not all skiers are silly!] got in my way). I cruzed over the top of the 'Emerald Express' and down onto the usuall "Orange Peel" and "Bear Cub" and onto the 'Big Red Chair'. It was also starting to get quite cold, so I decided to call it a day.
Once again I took "Orange Peel", onto "Bear Cub", around and then into "Crabapple" and to the far left on "Lower Olympic" and int othe village. It was a good day in all, and a good test for the ankles. They have stood up well, but are definatley hurting now... Hopefully they will be OK in the morning and allow me to get out riding again.
Total Time: 04:04:33
Moving Time: 03:47:28
Distance: 63.3km
Moving Speed: 16.69km/h, 76.59km/h max
Elevation Gain: +5664m / -5686m
Calories: 2058.1 KCal
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
New Backcountry BackPack
My old Dakine HeliPro backpack just wasn't cutting it when going into the back country. So, for a while I have been considering buying a new back country backpack.
On a day where it was raining, very high freezing level and zero visibility on the mountain, I took the opportunity to go shopping. After walking around a few stores in whistler, I ended up in the "Excess Backcountry" store.
I ended up buying a Mammoth Nirvana Ride 22L.
This functional backpack is perfect for all-mountain and freeriding activities. With functional equipment and high carrying comfort, it is ideal for 1-day ski or snowboard tours as well as freeriding.
trim fabric 1680D Nylon Ballistic
base fabric 420D Nylon
Back System CONTACT V Frame TM
On a day where it was raining, very high freezing level and zero visibility on the mountain, I took the opportunity to go shopping. After walking around a few stores in whistler, I ended up in the "Excess Backcountry" store.
I ended up buying a Mammoth Nirvana Ride 22L.
This functional backpack is perfect for all-mountain and freeriding activities. With functional equipment and high carrying comfort, it is ideal for 1-day ski or snowboard tours as well as freeriding.
- V-frame 6 mm aluminum, adjustable and removable
- 2-layer, high-density EVA back padding, hip and shoulder belts with stretch fabric cover
- Front pocket for avalanche safety equipment
- Ski attachment, can be used on the side or diagonally
- Lateral, extremely sturdy, width-adjustable Velcro ski loops
- Snowboard carrier with fully adjustable stabilisation belt to ensure freedom of movement of the legs
- Helmet carrier with snow protection, stowable
- 2 front gear loops for helmet fixation
- Ice axe straps and trekking pole straps
- Padded goggle pouch
- Zipped inner compartment with key clip
- Removable, padded hip belt
- SOS label with emergency instructions
- Insulated hydration tube cover in shoulder harness
- Hydration system compatible
trim fabric 1680D Nylon Ballistic
base fabric 420D Nylon
Back System CONTACT V Frame TM
Monday, January 24, 2011
Whistler, Canada - 22/01/2011
New Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: Groomed but choppy
Visibility: Poor
Wind: Calm increasing to moderate in places
Temperature: -1 to -6
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Heavy
With the computer disaster earlier in the week, I obviously didn't charge the GPS device properly, as the battery died out part way through the day. This was a real shame as it was an epic day!
Got a call from Chris to say that he was on the mountain with Victor. First time he's got up the mountain before me!
I met them at the bottom of the "Fitzimmons Chair" as the line for the Village Gondola was huge. We then took "Garbonzo", then "Emerald" and headed on over and took the "Peak Chair". We rode around to the left and headed to the "Symphony" chair, as it was our intention to hike the Flute!
We decided to drop into the left side of the first flute horse shoe, and drop into the "Flute Main Bowl", next to "Stuie's Slope". It appeared that only one person previously had put in any lines here. Chris wanted me to take a video of him coming off the wind lip. So, I rode straight on in and took a decent drop and stopped above the little cliff drop which is in the top middle of the slope. Chris did put in a good sized drop but didn't manage to hold the landing so well. Victor too also put in a decent, but smaller drop but stuck the landing. The snow was good but there was occasions when it simply turned to crud and practically became ice in patches. I put the camera away, took a little drop of the side of the cliff, rode right and took jump over the ridge and landed on some really icy crud. The ride out gave some great turns and also some really icy turns. All in all good through.
At the bottom of the "Symphony" we decided to head on down to the village and grab some supplies. This meant some lunch at the pub and a pint, and also a 15 pack of beer!
After 'stocking up', we took the "Excelerator Chair" up Blackcomb, straight on to the "Glacier Express" and then onto the "Showcase T-bars" to get to the Glacier. We walked along the wind lip before riding hard right to get to the "Back Country Entry Gate".
Unfortunatley, it was part of the way up the "Glacier Express" that the GPS logger battery died! DAMN IT! If died at about 14:30, yet we actually rode off the mountain and got to the village at 17:00, so I'm missing 2 1/2hrs of GPS data!
Once you enter the back-country entry gate you have two hiking options. Our choice was to go right and up and over into DOA (Dead On Arrival). The hike was good hard work, and took us about 45-60mins. Victor took the first stint, then Chris and I then finished off the hike to the top of the climb. The views from here were amazing, and obviously very different from any view that you can get from 'in bounds'.
After a short interlude, a couple beers and a photo session, we rode on down to the entrance of DOA. The top section was scowered by the wind, but we managed to pick our way through and avoid the majority of the rocks :-) We had decided that we were going to keep hard left along the bottom of the ridge, as there was hardle any lines there and also we wanted to hike up onto the ridge. I managed to catch a rock at one point, as it was quite rocky at the top (only slight damage to the rail, which I'll file out). I also managed to keep very high and get a lot of clean open turns.
We eventually got to a point where we were close enough to hike the ridge, and I set off first. The ridge was a very steep hike, and I had to use my board to help hold me. After another 30min hike with me at the front (I was feeling good), we eventually made the ridge and also hiked back up the ridge a way. This was to both get to a good point to drop over the ridge wind-lip and also to get a good view of the sun set.
We did want to stay for the sun set, but there was too much cloud cover. The guys got some decent photos however. We then started our decent. Obviously it was getting dark, and the lifts had ALL closed about two hours ago!
Chris went first and dropped into a little couloure. Then Victor took a drop off the lip higher up. I didn't see either of their drops, as I was further back, as I wanted to ride into the lip rather than just drop it. The drop wasn't too big, but I made a great landing and rode it right out. It was helped with the snow being some of the best on the mountain at that time.
The lines back down to the bottom of 7th Heaven were fantastic, and really what snowboarding in the backcountry is all about.
The rest of the ride down "Sunset Boulevard", "Upper Main Line" and then into the village on "Green Line" and "Village Run" was basically a speed blast and us getting down there as quick as we could. It's definatley a great ride when it's getting dark and there is virtually no-one on the mountain.
PARTIAL GPS LOGGING (missing 2 1/2 hours of details!)
Total Time: 04:58:59
Moving Time: 02:41:11
Distance: 45.6km
Moving Speed: 16.97km/h, 94.83km/h max
Elevation Gain: +5189m / -3213m
Calories: 1459.7 KCal
Piste Condition: Groomed but choppy
Visibility: Poor
Wind: Calm increasing to moderate in places
Temperature: -1 to -6
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Heavy
With the computer disaster earlier in the week, I obviously didn't charge the GPS device properly, as the battery died out part way through the day. This was a real shame as it was an epic day!
Got a call from Chris to say that he was on the mountain with Victor. First time he's got up the mountain before me!
I met them at the bottom of the "Fitzimmons Chair" as the line for the Village Gondola was huge. We then took "Garbonzo", then "Emerald" and headed on over and took the "Peak Chair". We rode around to the left and headed to the "Symphony" chair, as it was our intention to hike the Flute!
We decided to drop into the left side of the first flute horse shoe, and drop into the "Flute Main Bowl", next to "Stuie's Slope". It appeared that only one person previously had put in any lines here. Chris wanted me to take a video of him coming off the wind lip. So, I rode straight on in and took a decent drop and stopped above the little cliff drop which is in the top middle of the slope. Chris did put in a good sized drop but didn't manage to hold the landing so well. Victor too also put in a decent, but smaller drop but stuck the landing. The snow was good but there was occasions when it simply turned to crud and practically became ice in patches. I put the camera away, took a little drop of the side of the cliff, rode right and took jump over the ridge and landed on some really icy crud. The ride out gave some great turns and also some really icy turns. All in all good through.
At the bottom of the "Symphony" we decided to head on down to the village and grab some supplies. This meant some lunch at the pub and a pint, and also a 15 pack of beer!
After 'stocking up', we took the "Excelerator Chair" up Blackcomb, straight on to the "Glacier Express" and then onto the "Showcase T-bars" to get to the Glacier. We walked along the wind lip before riding hard right to get to the "Back Country Entry Gate".
Unfortunatley, it was part of the way up the "Glacier Express" that the GPS logger battery died! DAMN IT! If died at about 14:30, yet we actually rode off the mountain and got to the village at 17:00, so I'm missing 2 1/2hrs of GPS data!
Once you enter the back-country entry gate you have two hiking options. Our choice was to go right and up and over into DOA (Dead On Arrival). The hike was good hard work, and took us about 45-60mins. Victor took the first stint, then Chris and I then finished off the hike to the top of the climb. The views from here were amazing, and obviously very different from any view that you can get from 'in bounds'.
After a short interlude, a couple beers and a photo session, we rode on down to the entrance of DOA. The top section was scowered by the wind, but we managed to pick our way through and avoid the majority of the rocks :-) We had decided that we were going to keep hard left along the bottom of the ridge, as there was hardle any lines there and also we wanted to hike up onto the ridge. I managed to catch a rock at one point, as it was quite rocky at the top (only slight damage to the rail, which I'll file out). I also managed to keep very high and get a lot of clean open turns.
We eventually got to a point where we were close enough to hike the ridge, and I set off first. The ridge was a very steep hike, and I had to use my board to help hold me. After another 30min hike with me at the front (I was feeling good), we eventually made the ridge and also hiked back up the ridge a way. This was to both get to a good point to drop over the ridge wind-lip and also to get a good view of the sun set.
We did want to stay for the sun set, but there was too much cloud cover. The guys got some decent photos however. We then started our decent. Obviously it was getting dark, and the lifts had ALL closed about two hours ago!
Chris went first and dropped into a little couloure. Then Victor took a drop off the lip higher up. I didn't see either of their drops, as I was further back, as I wanted to ride into the lip rather than just drop it. The drop wasn't too big, but I made a great landing and rode it right out. It was helped with the snow being some of the best on the mountain at that time.
The lines back down to the bottom of 7th Heaven were fantastic, and really what snowboarding in the backcountry is all about.
The rest of the ride down "Sunset Boulevard", "Upper Main Line" and then into the village on "Green Line" and "Village Run" was basically a speed blast and us getting down there as quick as we could. It's definatley a great ride when it's getting dark and there is virtually no-one on the mountain.
PARTIAL GPS LOGGING (missing 2 1/2 hours of details!)
Total Time: 04:58:59
Moving Time: 02:41:11
Distance: 45.6km
Moving Speed: 16.97km/h, 94.83km/h max
Elevation Gain: +5189m / -3213m
Calories: 1459.7 KCal
Whistler, Canada - 21/01/2011
New Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: groomed but choppy
Visibility: None, improving through the day with increasing sunny periods
Wind: Calm at lower altitude, gale force at peak
Temperature: 0 to -3
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
Had a bit of a disaster earlier in the week. My computer 'black screened' and I was forced to re-build. This has meant that I have lost all of my GPS tracking information for the season so far! Doh! Oh well...
Anyway...
I headed on up the village gondola, which was back up after breaking down last week. I then headed straight on over to the Peak Chair and around into symphony. At the top here the wind was very strong, and it was whipping up the snow so much that you couldn't see the board on your feet.
I rode a few lines down in Symphony, all of which were to the right and through the trees, but can't remember the names of these runs. They were nice and steep with a decent helping of powder on top of hard pack. Didn't take long for the fun the wear out over here and I headed on back "Burnt Stew" trail and onto Harmony.
I did a couple runs down the "Harmony Piste". Normally I go as fast as is possible down here, but it was so choppy and the light was poor that it just wasn't going to happen today. So headed on up Emerald, and down "Orange Peel", "Pony Trail" and "Bear Paw" to Big Red chair.
I decided to take a look at the Peak again and headed up the "Peak Chair" and turned right onto "Upper Peak to Creek" and turned off right into the top of "Stefan's Chute". Wasn't to bad here as it was quite sheltered and had decent snow until you met the avalanche debris and tracks at the bottom. I headed on far right over the "West Bowl" so as to avoid as much of the "Highway 86" cat-track before I was forced to join it.
It was getting on in time and I was getting tired so I headed on over the Peak2Peak and took a few runs in the "Terrain Garden". I am definitely hitting the jumps with more confidence as the days progress. I even had the courage, on the last run (especially as there was no-one really around me) to try a "Half Cap" on a couple jumps. They weren't great, but at least I gave them a go. I was disappointed with my "Backside 180" on the whole however. I really was trying with this but found that I has stooping and my head was looking at my feet, causing me to be off balance on the landing. Need to work on that.
The last run of the day was also through the park and down and out along the line of the "Wizard Express" chair.
Total Time: 05:21:03
Moving Time: 04:15:24
Distance: 75.2km
Moving Speed: 17.67km/h, 80.22km/h max
Elevation Gain: +7150m / -7150m
Calories: 2312.0 KCal
Piste Condition: groomed but choppy
Visibility: None, improving through the day with increasing sunny periods
Wind: Calm at lower altitude, gale force at peak
Temperature: 0 to -3
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
Had a bit of a disaster earlier in the week. My computer 'black screened' and I was forced to re-build. This has meant that I have lost all of my GPS tracking information for the season so far! Doh! Oh well...
Anyway...
I headed on up the village gondola, which was back up after breaking down last week. I then headed straight on over to the Peak Chair and around into symphony. At the top here the wind was very strong, and it was whipping up the snow so much that you couldn't see the board on your feet.
I rode a few lines down in Symphony, all of which were to the right and through the trees, but can't remember the names of these runs. They were nice and steep with a decent helping of powder on top of hard pack. Didn't take long for the fun the wear out over here and I headed on back "Burnt Stew" trail and onto Harmony.
I did a couple runs down the "Harmony Piste". Normally I go as fast as is possible down here, but it was so choppy and the light was poor that it just wasn't going to happen today. So headed on up Emerald, and down "Orange Peel", "Pony Trail" and "Bear Paw" to Big Red chair.
I decided to take a look at the Peak again and headed up the "Peak Chair" and turned right onto "Upper Peak to Creek" and turned off right into the top of "Stefan's Chute". Wasn't to bad here as it was quite sheltered and had decent snow until you met the avalanche debris and tracks at the bottom. I headed on far right over the "West Bowl" so as to avoid as much of the "Highway 86" cat-track before I was forced to join it.
It was getting on in time and I was getting tired so I headed on over the Peak2Peak and took a few runs in the "Terrain Garden". I am definitely hitting the jumps with more confidence as the days progress. I even had the courage, on the last run (especially as there was no-one really around me) to try a "Half Cap" on a couple jumps. They weren't great, but at least I gave them a go. I was disappointed with my "Backside 180" on the whole however. I really was trying with this but found that I has stooping and my head was looking at my feet, causing me to be off balance on the landing. Need to work on that.
The last run of the day was also through the park and down and out along the line of the "Wizard Express" chair.
Total Time: 05:21:03
Moving Time: 04:15:24
Distance: 75.2km
Moving Speed: 17.67km/h, 80.22km/h max
Elevation Gain: +7150m / -7150m
Calories: 2312.0 KCal
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Whistler, Canada - 14/01/2011
New Snow: 8cm
Piste Condition: Heavy
Visibility: Very poor
Wind: Very high
Temperature: +2 to -4
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
I didn't go up today. Mostly because it was chucking it down with rain in the village, the freezing level was 1600-1700m, the snow was heavy, and I basically didn't want to ride nor hurt my ankles!
Doesn't look that good for tomorrow either, with slightly warmer conditions, rain all day, and a very high freezing level!
Piste Condition: Heavy
Visibility: Very poor
Wind: Very high
Temperature: +2 to -4
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
I didn't go up today. Mostly because it was chucking it down with rain in the village, the freezing level was 1600-1700m, the snow was heavy, and I basically didn't want to ride nor hurt my ankles!
Doesn't look that good for tomorrow either, with slightly warmer conditions, rain all day, and a very high freezing level!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Whistler, Canada - 13/01/2011
New Snow: 4cm
Piste Condition: Powder, but getting heavy during the day due to rain
Visibility: OK at lower altitude, white-out at upper altitude
Wind: Calm at lower altitude, gale force at upper altitude
Temperature: -2 to -5
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
Started later today than I wanted. Had to make a phone call to someone in the UK. So after that was done, I took the Fitzsimmons Chair (as the village gondola is still out!)
None of the alpine lifts were open, so I decided to hike "Pikas Traverse". This is well worth doing when the alpine is not open and not too many other people have done it yet. There weren't too many tracks here so it made a good ride. When I got to the top of "G.S." before the Harmony chair I could see that people were starting to line up and wait for the lift. So I decided to chance it and waited.
After about 1/2 hour the Harmony chair opened and I managed to get on one of the early chairs. The wind at the bottom was negligible, but at the top, it could knock you off your feet! I decided to go straight off "Little Whistler", but couldn't see anything to didn't make a very good job of it. I tried to go over the "Camel Back", but as I was first to make the lines I just didn't have enough speed so came around onto "Back Bowl" and on to the lower section of "Harmony Piste". All of the way I was the first one to make any lines. If the visibility was better I would have been fab, but with no visibility it took some of the enjoyment out of it.
Getting back up "Harmony Express", I could see that it was going to be tough to get fresh lines, as there was loads of people over here now. So, when i got to the top I followed the Harmony Ridge and pulled off to the right and took "Hidden Chute". There was really, really good riding in here to be had. So I made the most of it and pulled in some fat lines through the trees and then into the open. The ride out onto the "Burnt Stew Trail" I completely bollocksed up! Basically, I came in a little too hot, trying to keep my speed up, and caught a fat edge and completely splashed it! Meant i had to hike along to get to the cat track. Not fun, and I was starting to get wet.
I did the same run again, down "Hidden Chute" as it was so good earlier. This time, the visibility was worse, but the riding was still great. Also, this time, I made damn sure that I didn't bolock up the the run out :-)
I thought that this time, that I would head on over into the "Symphony Amphitheater" to see what I could get there. Big mistake! The wind was so strong that I did actually get blown over, and the snow was stinging. Couldn't see a damn thing either. As I headed down I kept to the left and decided to take "Cresendo". Second big mistake! As I couldn't see anything, I ended up getting stuck as I hadn't managed to keep my line nor my speed. Took me nearly 1/2 hour of hiking to get to a spot where I could ride again. I also got totally soaked, as the temperature was rising and the snow was turning to rain. Plus I had to hike and dig my way out. All the time I was there, I didn't see another soul. it was quite peaceful!
I eventually managed to make it back towards the "Harmony Express", but when I got there, it had been closed due to the high winds. Not surprising really. So "Sidewinder" it was. When I came to "Emerald Chair" it was packed with people so I bypassed it and headed down "Olympic". the conditions here were really heavy and wet, so I decided to call it a day. Passing "Garbonzo" I cruzed on over to "Crabapple" and took my usual run out to the village.
All in in a painful and wet day. Both of my ankles are hurting and my left knee. Not good, but I've got until tomorrow morning to recover, and for my gear to dry out :-)
Total Time: 05:00:34
Moving Time: 02:53:32
Distance: 37.0km
Moving Speed: 12.79km/h, 77.77km/h max
Elevation Gain: +3325m / -3311m
Calories: 1627.4 KCal
Piste Condition: Powder, but getting heavy during the day due to rain
Visibility: OK at lower altitude, white-out at upper altitude
Wind: Calm at lower altitude, gale force at upper altitude
Temperature: -2 to -5
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Light
Started later today than I wanted. Had to make a phone call to someone in the UK. So after that was done, I took the Fitzsimmons Chair (as the village gondola is still out!)
None of the alpine lifts were open, so I decided to hike "Pikas Traverse". This is well worth doing when the alpine is not open and not too many other people have done it yet. There weren't too many tracks here so it made a good ride. When I got to the top of "G.S." before the Harmony chair I could see that people were starting to line up and wait for the lift. So I decided to chance it and waited.
After about 1/2 hour the Harmony chair opened and I managed to get on one of the early chairs. The wind at the bottom was negligible, but at the top, it could knock you off your feet! I decided to go straight off "Little Whistler", but couldn't see anything to didn't make a very good job of it. I tried to go over the "Camel Back", but as I was first to make the lines I just didn't have enough speed so came around onto "Back Bowl" and on to the lower section of "Harmony Piste". All of the way I was the first one to make any lines. If the visibility was better I would have been fab, but with no visibility it took some of the enjoyment out of it.
Getting back up "Harmony Express", I could see that it was going to be tough to get fresh lines, as there was loads of people over here now. So, when i got to the top I followed the Harmony Ridge and pulled off to the right and took "Hidden Chute". There was really, really good riding in here to be had. So I made the most of it and pulled in some fat lines through the trees and then into the open. The ride out onto the "Burnt Stew Trail" I completely bollocksed up! Basically, I came in a little too hot, trying to keep my speed up, and caught a fat edge and completely splashed it! Meant i had to hike along to get to the cat track. Not fun, and I was starting to get wet.
I did the same run again, down "Hidden Chute" as it was so good earlier. This time, the visibility was worse, but the riding was still great. Also, this time, I made damn sure that I didn't bolock up the the run out :-)
I thought that this time, that I would head on over into the "Symphony Amphitheater" to see what I could get there. Big mistake! The wind was so strong that I did actually get blown over, and the snow was stinging. Couldn't see a damn thing either. As I headed down I kept to the left and decided to take "Cresendo". Second big mistake! As I couldn't see anything, I ended up getting stuck as I hadn't managed to keep my line nor my speed. Took me nearly 1/2 hour of hiking to get to a spot where I could ride again. I also got totally soaked, as the temperature was rising and the snow was turning to rain. Plus I had to hike and dig my way out. All the time I was there, I didn't see another soul. it was quite peaceful!
I eventually managed to make it back towards the "Harmony Express", but when I got there, it had been closed due to the high winds. Not surprising really. So "Sidewinder" it was. When I came to "Emerald Chair" it was packed with people so I bypassed it and headed down "Olympic". the conditions here were really heavy and wet, so I decided to call it a day. Passing "Garbonzo" I cruzed on over to "Crabapple" and took my usual run out to the village.
All in in a painful and wet day. Both of my ankles are hurting and my left knee. Not good, but I've got until tomorrow morning to recover, and for my gear to dry out :-)
Total Time: 05:00:34
Moving Time: 02:53:32
Distance: 37.0km
Moving Speed: 12.79km/h, 77.77km/h max
Elevation Gain: +3325m / -3311m
Calories: 1627.4 KCal
Whistler, Canada - 11/01/2011
New Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: hard Pack and icy in places
Visibility: Overcast and poor
Wind: Calm
Temperature: -5 to -16
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Very Light
Had to take the Fitzsimmons chair up Whistler today because the Village Gondola has broken down and is unavailable "indefinitely"!
I rode on down the "G.S Run" to Harmony, and took a quick run down "Burnt Stew" trail. It was a little choppy, but managed to work out the legs a little. I then did the "Harmony Piste", that too was a little choppy but I like that run as it's quite long and wide withe very few people on it at any time. Enjoyed it so much that I did it again. This time however, in the poor light I didn't ride it as good as I know I can.
I then decided to head on over to the Symphony chair and have a look over at the Flute. The flute didn't look inviting, so I passed and simply rode on down the "Adagio" and out to Harmony chair again. Was not much fun without anything to see, and with it being so cold.
Took another run down and out of the "Harmony Piste" and along "Lower Ratfink" back to the Emerald chair. On "Lower Ratfink" you can get up some good speed, but have to be careful of the cross traffic on "Marmot" when you cross the car tracks.
By now I was really feeling the cold and had to take a stop at the "Round House" for a hot chocolate. I stopped in there for nearly an hour and just couldn't warm up enough, so I decided to take the run out down "Orange Peel", "Tokum", "Crabapple" and down to the village on "Lower Olympic". I do like that run!
Time to warm up!
Total Time: 04:18:04
Moving Time: 02:52:54
Distance: 51.9km
Moving Speed: 18.01km/h, 78.61km/h max
Elevation Gain: +4375m / -3907m
Calories: 1617.9 KCal
Piste Condition: hard Pack and icy in places
Visibility: Overcast and poor
Wind: Calm
Temperature: -5 to -16
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Very Light
Had to take the Fitzsimmons chair up Whistler today because the Village Gondola has broken down and is unavailable "indefinitely"!
I rode on down the "G.S Run" to Harmony, and took a quick run down "Burnt Stew" trail. It was a little choppy, but managed to work out the legs a little. I then did the "Harmony Piste", that too was a little choppy but I like that run as it's quite long and wide withe very few people on it at any time. Enjoyed it so much that I did it again. This time however, in the poor light I didn't ride it as good as I know I can.
I then decided to head on over to the Symphony chair and have a look over at the Flute. The flute didn't look inviting, so I passed and simply rode on down the "Adagio" and out to Harmony chair again. Was not much fun without anything to see, and with it being so cold.
Took another run down and out of the "Harmony Piste" and along "Lower Ratfink" back to the Emerald chair. On "Lower Ratfink" you can get up some good speed, but have to be careful of the cross traffic on "Marmot" when you cross the car tracks.
By now I was really feeling the cold and had to take a stop at the "Round House" for a hot chocolate. I stopped in there for nearly an hour and just couldn't warm up enough, so I decided to take the run out down "Orange Peel", "Tokum", "Crabapple" and down to the village on "Lower Olympic". I do like that run!
Time to warm up!
Total Time: 04:18:04
Moving Time: 02:52:54
Distance: 51.9km
Moving Speed: 18.01km/h, 78.61km/h max
Elevation Gain: +4375m / -3907m
Calories: 1617.9 KCal
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Whistler, Canada - 10/01/2011
New Snow: 0cm
Piste Condition: hard Pack and icy in places
Visibility: Overcast and poor
Wind: Calm
Temperature: -7 to -19
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Very Light
Started late yet again today and headed out with Gareth and Karl from the house. We headed up the Wizard chair, onto Excelerator, and then around to 7th Heaven. We made it Karl's choice today of where to go. We took "Hugh's Heaven" down. it was a nice long run, but quite bumpy and a bit icy in places.
We headed over 7th Heaven and up the T-Bars and up into the "Blackcomb Glacier". It was the first time up the glacier for Karl. The conditions of the snow up here weren't so great, as it was quite wind swept and therefore crusty. We all did enjoy the run down to the top of the "Glacier Road". It was really bumpy in places where you needed to keep you speed, and Karl took a "head over heals" tumble, but was perfectly OK.
The "Glacier Road" was a really good ride out and I do enjoy that one, as it does have a lot of good features to ride. we got to "Excelerator" and then over to "Solarcoaster" where we met some of Karl's friends.
We all decided to run through the Terrain Park. I must admit that I only hit a couple of the hits on the way. However, when I got to the top of the half-pipe I decided to hit it, after all I had hit it a couple times a few day's ago. So, it was a real shock when I took a little bit too much speed into the drop in, and found that there was absolutley NO transition and I smashed into the bottom of the pipe. I couldn't take the full impact through the leggs and the board slid out from under me and I landed really heavy on my ass! MAN that did hurt! Thank god for impact shorts. I was numb for a bit, but it wasn't bad. If that's the worst bail I have all season then I'll be really happy.
When we got to the top of Solarcoaster, me and Karl decided to take a quick hot chocolate. My ass needed a rest too :-) After that we met back up with Gareth and Karl's friends and took a ride out via the Terrain Garden. Now, here are all of the features that I can hit. Two jumps, a box, a jump, a rainbow box, 3 roller jumps and a rail, is basically the line through the Garden I take. I need to build up to taking the hit's faster, bigger and adding in grabs and spins. Got to work on it!!!
I thought that we were going to catch the last Solarcoaster up and then take another run through the Terrain Garden, however, everyone else was taking the ride out. So, I too took the ride out. We went via the top of the Tube Park and then to the right to the top of the village. I honestly don't think I put in more that 1 turn (you have to make 1) all the way to the village. Good way to end the day!
Total Time: 05:27:37
Moving Time: 02:29:00
Distance: 37.9km
Moving Speed: 15.25km/h, 73.61km/h max
Elevation Gain: +3954m / -3988m
Calories: 1401.6 KCal
Piste Condition: hard Pack and icy in places
Visibility: Overcast and poor
Wind: Calm
Temperature: -7 to -19
Piste Crowding: Light
Lift Lines: Very Light
Started late yet again today and headed out with Gareth and Karl from the house. We headed up the Wizard chair, onto Excelerator, and then around to 7th Heaven. We made it Karl's choice today of where to go. We took "Hugh's Heaven" down. it was a nice long run, but quite bumpy and a bit icy in places.
We headed over 7th Heaven and up the T-Bars and up into the "Blackcomb Glacier". It was the first time up the glacier for Karl. The conditions of the snow up here weren't so great, as it was quite wind swept and therefore crusty. We all did enjoy the run down to the top of the "Glacier Road". It was really bumpy in places where you needed to keep you speed, and Karl took a "head over heals" tumble, but was perfectly OK.
The "Glacier Road" was a really good ride out and I do enjoy that one, as it does have a lot of good features to ride. we got to "Excelerator" and then over to "Solarcoaster" where we met some of Karl's friends.
We all decided to run through the Terrain Park. I must admit that I only hit a couple of the hits on the way. However, when I got to the top of the half-pipe I decided to hit it, after all I had hit it a couple times a few day's ago. So, it was a real shock when I took a little bit too much speed into the drop in, and found that there was absolutley NO transition and I smashed into the bottom of the pipe. I couldn't take the full impact through the leggs and the board slid out from under me and I landed really heavy on my ass! MAN that did hurt! Thank god for impact shorts. I was numb for a bit, but it wasn't bad. If that's the worst bail I have all season then I'll be really happy.
When we got to the top of Solarcoaster, me and Karl decided to take a quick hot chocolate. My ass needed a rest too :-) After that we met back up with Gareth and Karl's friends and took a ride out via the Terrain Garden. Now, here are all of the features that I can hit. Two jumps, a box, a jump, a rainbow box, 3 roller jumps and a rail, is basically the line through the Garden I take. I need to build up to taking the hit's faster, bigger and adding in grabs and spins. Got to work on it!!!
I thought that we were going to catch the last Solarcoaster up and then take another run through the Terrain Garden, however, everyone else was taking the ride out. So, I too took the ride out. We went via the top of the Tube Park and then to the right to the top of the village. I honestly don't think I put in more that 1 turn (you have to make 1) all the way to the village. Good way to end the day!
Total Time: 05:27:37
Moving Time: 02:29:00
Distance: 37.9km
Moving Speed: 15.25km/h, 73.61km/h max
Elevation Gain: +3954m / -3988m
Calories: 1401.6 KCal
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