Training Log Archive: revy

Nordic twoonie race - warm up on Mickey's, two laps of the race course and then cool down on part of Mickey's picking up some signs. All the younger kids seeded themselves in front of me on the start so wasted some time trying to navigate traffic on the first hill. Managed to settle into 3rd at the top behind Brendan. Eric was off the front and never saw him again. Brendan and I took turns leading. Perhaps we were a little complacent not pushing the pace as the three nordic club girls caught us at Evelyn's on the last lap. I tried to stay with them but slightly slower skis and not enough speed to stay with their young legs. Brendan faded a bit finishing a minute behind. 29 minutes and change.

C • Blame the skis and the age, eh? 3

A tale of two skis - first part was rather slow and choppy and second was more steady. The dog was annoying today as constantly 100m behind me and then acting weird running after other skiers as if he was looking for Courtney or something. Snow was a little snow and the grooming was a not the best. Felt like the waxless skis were really noticeable today although later had faster skis than the nordic kids on their skate skis so maybe it wasn't that bad...

Wow my weight has really dropped too (5kg). This means I might be able to fit into those Salmon capris I bought that Courtney said were too tight but feel so comfortable... ;)

C • How could you loose 5kg?! I... 8

Easy run on the greenbelt with the dog. The trail along the river was packed nicely. First run of the year!

40

Last day of the trip and everyone was interested in a longer day of exploration so headed to the Valkalla zone. A bit cooler and with snow settlement the conditions were much improved. A number of convective flurries through the day topped off the snow with more face shot snow.

Skied right down from the lodge and then down to our uptrack to gateway Ridge from the end of the Norns. Luckily it was still there despite all the new snow and wind. The run into marsh trees was the same spot as the previous day, then we climbed up the south facing slopes across the valley. Looks like at least four or five possible lines down this side. Skiers right would be the most sheltered. The other lines do get you into some really nice open pitches. The upper parts of 4/5 look the most steep. We went down the middle one and cut left part way down to the fourth one as this made the run 150m longer. A short climb brought us back to the the usual talus slope we often stop at. Set the uptrack skiers right of the creek then crossing to the left and climbing to the cliffs. You can sneak through the cliffs on the right side and then we rejoined our old uptrack. Added on bonus run off the nose of the ridge that I had been eyeing up on google earth. It turned it to be quite nice - planar without a gully, cliffs or Xmas trees. Finished by climbing all the way to the top of the ridge and skiing the last norn. Some great turns to finish the trip...

Overall some of the best sustained snow conditions we've ever had on a hut trip. Good times:)

Today was the most blustery weather day with the most snow forecast so stayed close to the lodge. We didn't get as much snow as forecast but the winds at treeline were very strong. Lots of wind pressed snow in open areas up high. Started with a skiers left espresso line feeding nicely into the chute to the right of the sauna chute. Then three laps in the mead pot. Good runs including the usual honey stick, left glades, and into the battelfield but felt a little like we were just putting in time with the multiple laps. Perhaps some end of the week physical and mental fatigue too... Last run of the day helped redeem the day as we had great turns down the lodge ridge bowl and then a run down the sauna chute. We fit four people down it and still enough fresh snow for me coming down last. Heaviest snow conditions of the trip today but still very high quality.

The next system moved in but unfortunately this one brought warmer temperatures (FL 1200m). The new snow was a little denser and was creating some upside down conditions. It wasn't too bad initially as the upper layer was thin but things got noticeably heavier during the day. We had some reactivity of the new snow on the first runs but it seemed like it was bonding better as the day went on. Given that the upper slab was pretty thin we were below the cusp of it being a big problem. Certainly trail breaking got a lot harder... the last few days had been easy trail breaking despite the blower pow.

Given the changing conditions thought it would be a good day to ski the Norns before any hazard made them a more committing option. Started with a run on Espresso (forgot how narrow the gully part way down is) then Wishbone and Naughty Norn. CO and James joined me for a climb back up yesterday's uptrack (it was better than I thought and certainly much easier not breaking trail) while the rest of the group did another run from gateway Col. Had a great run down into Valkalla - despite the heavier snow was still getting face shots and if anything the wetter snow made them seem more forceful. Breaking trail back to the ridge was certainly hard work. Once on the ridge skied Flight of the Valkyries. Legs were feeling tired on that run and the heavier snow exacerbated things. Despite the warmer snow still amazing skiing.