I’m enjoying the spring skiing in PLPP. Perhaps I’ve lowered my expectations after such a difficult winter. Perhaps it’s my skis; as Jody mentioned, the right skis at the right time of day. Perhaps I’ve realized that going slow can be okay. Mellowing out with age I guess.
For anyone considering skiing from Pocaterra hut, I’ve included a picture in the photo gallery at the bottom of this post.
The start of Whiskey Jack is not very motivating
I skied 17K, and 15 of them were pleasant, maybe even fun. The 2K which were sketchy were the lower sections of Whiskey Jack and Packers. In fact, I think today was the last day that anyone should ski on Packers. It starts out okay at the top, but gets progressively worse as you descend. The final kilometre is fraught with challenging conditions including standing water, bare ground, and icy spots. Pretty sure I saw some buzzards circling.
Pocaterra at the Whiskey Jack junction
The temperature was +13°C when I started up Whiskey Jack at 1 pm. The first kilometre had a number of puddles but I was able to skirt all of them okay. They could get icy early tomorrow depending on what the temperature does tonight.
The trail to Kananaskis Fire Lookout
Thereafter, the conditions were great as long as you had waxless skis. The tracks were perfect, my zero skis gave excellent grip throughout the day, and I didn’t have to herringbone anywhere as I climbed up to the Kananaskis Fire Lookout. My biggest concerns were the risk of heat stroke and sunburn!
Looking south from the Kananaskis Fire Lookout
With the bright sunny sky it was simply spectacular at the Lookout with magnificent views in all directions. The tracks leading down the south side were enticing, but I retraced my route and descended the north side, and it was surprisingly easy. The snow was uniformly soft in the sun for most of the descent, but in one long stretch I was able to gather some speed as I hugged the shady side of the trail.
Tyrwhitt meadows
I skied to the Tyrwhitt meadows then turned around. Pocaterra, from WJ to Packers junction was excellent. The ice flow on Packers was huge, but I was able to remove my skis and walk around it. As I’ve already explained, the death knell has sounded for Packers.
A bare spot on Packers
I had no inkling that the article about the “Warming Hut at CNC” would elicit so many comments, and all of them raise good points. When we get the warming hut at Elk Pass I’m sure I’ll be too old to ski!
Grooming has ceased at the Canmore Nordic Centre. If you missed the announcement, here it is again:
Update Mar 27 from Canmore Nordic Centre: “Due to warm temperatures our ski season has now FINISHED as of today. Grooming has ceased. Please be aware that if you choose to ski, it is at your own risk and conditions are VERY marginal on all of our trails.” Canmore Nordic Centre
Magnificent final shot, Bob of the bird over Pocaterra. It is nice to see the photos of a beautiful spring day. I hope that you side-slipped that icy section on Packers! It looked wicked! I am waiting for my spring ski buddy to get back to me for another outing. Spring ski buddies are few and far between! We would be trying klister again, trying to get a handle on the craft!
Sorry, that photo was third from the end.
The picture of the bird is photoshopped. I was trying to illustrate, by using a vulture, that Pocaterra trail was dyeing and the vultures were circling, waiting to pick the remains.
All’s fair in love, war and photography, Bob!