Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Touring – Week 5 (MTM 2)
Day 1 – 1St April – BOULDER HUT
The day began as usual with breakfast at Red Tree Lodge followed by a couple of April fools jokes ranging from ‘hut trip cancellation’ to ‘imminent helicopter departure’. After much fooling about we gathered for the bus at 11am.
On the bus we were joined by three split boarders and another skier, bringing our number to twelve.
A couple of hours bus trip later we were readied at the heli spot awaiting our ride. The lift was split into four lifts, balancing gear and people. The flight over the Boulder Pass was exciting with not so good visibility, but all landed safely alongside the fantastically located and wonderful Boulder Hut. To see a video of the flight click here
After introductions by the staff and guides, the groups were split and taken on avalanche beacon training and rescue exercises. Dinner followed, prepared by
Ally, the resident chef; a fantastic meal, and all were in a good mood for more merriment. After some bottles of whisky, cans of beer and games of poker, we retired looking forward to what tomorrow was to bring.
Day 2 – 2nd April – BOULDER PASS
Alarms sounded at 7 am, with everyone up for breakfast at 7.30am. Again, another excellent spread of food. At breakfast we discussed the previous night’s temperature and snoring.
All were ready with skins on for 9am. The day’s tour was preceded by ten minutes of dancing involving various well-known ski manoeuvres to warm up. At 9.30am we set off with guide Bryce breaking trail and Anne tail guiding.
The group ascended to Two Three Knob, located a kilometre south and about 1500 feet above the hut. This knob was out of the tree line, in the alpine and offered a good view of our surroundings. Skins were removed, skis donned and boards assembled for a warm up run in fresh powder to the tree line. Suitably warmed, we skied the trees in magnificent snow. Wow!
Out of the tree’s, we again readied for the ascent to the days high point below the northerly face of a peak left of Ptarmigan peak. Here we lunched and then skied another great run to the tree line. Wipeouts ensued over bluffs and cornices. At the bottom all were smiling and ready for more. From this point we ascended to the Boulder Pass, our days target destination. A blind ski followed in flat light back to the tree line.
Again we ascended, rising up and East of the Hut to Below Mt Moki to a solitary Larch. We planned a single descent to the hut but found the skiing so good that half the party opted to go back up again and ski another run. Legs were tired at this point and the resting party managed to film several stylish wipeouts of the ski parties re run. Hungry, we made for the hut and hot tub.
The hot tub was ready, and two intrepid adventurers did the naked heli pad run, rolled in snow and dived in again. Others were less enthusiastic about exposure.
Dinner was superb Atlantic salmon. After dinner the day’s effort told on most with early retirements, with only a few hardy souls remaining for whisky and poker.
Day 3 – 3rd April – MOKI COL
A similar morning routine saw the party ready for ascent at 9.30am, minus a couple of tired souls. We ascended directly East and upward to Mt Moki Col, where a basic introduction to mountaineering was had with a final boot pack. At the col the party was divided into those that wanted to ascend the peak and those for skiing. The guide decided. Skiing it was.
A flat light descent caught the guide and skiers out, with many’s a ‘whoa’ or minor wipe out occurring. Undaunted at the tree line we geared up for more. The party split to ski a Moraine ridge and Trench adjacent to it. Skiing was best in the trench. Those that wanted tight radius turns, big drop offs and navigation chose the tree-lined ridge. Both parties met in a sunny clearing where chests were bared and sun cream applied. A beautiful and easy ascent followed to the ridge high point.
From the ridge high point, a long meandering ski took us to a steep open bowl, where the group collected for descent. Sam the boarder managed a spectacular drop off to much cheering. The bowl was skied in good style by all. An ascent to the hut beckoned
The ascent to the hut took the party through an open area of fantastic rollover pillows named Huck Fest 2. At the hut, half the party, 2 skiers, 2 boarders and a guide decided Huck Fest 2 was not to be passed up. The party consisted of 1 Kiwi, 2 Aussie, and 1 Irish and 1 American. Unfortunately, we had tired all the English. Without the common sense approach normally adopted by the English, the party ripped Huck Fest 2, hitting pillows and kickers and launching big airs. Legs were not tired on the re-ascent, with consideration given to another run until it turned out that dinner was on the table.
Another fantastic meal followed, plus more booze and hot tub. It started to snow heavy. Most people retired early. Some remained with the whisky – quite late.
Day 4 – 4th April – CROSS CUT PEAK / LEVESQUE CIRQUE
Another quality breakfast; another ski guide dance routine; another long ascent; this time to the tree line below Cross Cut peak.
Fantastic powder skiing took us to an open area. Everyone loved it and gunned for more. On the ascent the guide asked if we had energy to rise to the col between Cross Cut Peak and Levesque – of course we did. Some harboured hopes of an ascent of Levesque, the highest peak in the range. Sadly, wind slab barred the way. A high point in the corrie was reached, wonderfully alpine, from where the party returned to tackle more powder skiing.
What ensued was a few hours of the most hilarious forward flips, 360’s, 180’s, ascent, descent, ascent, decent, jump, air etc, etc. It was soft, deep and fresh. We loved the powder.
The highlight of the day was the ascent to a bluff below cross cut peak in fantastic evening light. What followed was skiing par excellence, beautiful snow. Again we were given the choice to return to the hut, and again the same characters chose to tackle Huck Fest 1 – More Pillows more fun and more wipeouts. Tired we ascended to the hut.
The usual great meal was served followed by a good old drinking session. Climbing routines, balancing routines and gymnastic routines were all employed to pass the night. Whisky was served with icicles from the roof. The night sky was beautiful. It was a good way to end the trip.
Day 5 – April 5th – BACK TO FERNIE
The usual rise and breakfast saw all ready and packed by 9am. The hut was cleaned and we prepared for the flight out. It was a blue sky day. Warm, and small avalanches were occurring round the hut.
The flight in a door-less chopper was magical, rising high above the slopes we had skied. Our tracks were visible from previous days. Our hill signature was visible from several thousand feet. Amazing.
Most people slept on the bus back to Fernie. A few talked of skiing more. All agreed on how magical the trip had been.
Until next time.
TO READ WEEK 6 CLICK HERE
