-Sarah on Elk Pass-
Here are some photos to go along with Frank Howard’s trip report from Elk Pass.
Diana Piggott and husband Bart on Elk Pass
I didn’t go as far as Tyrwhitt, but went about half-way up Blueberry Hill. I met Ron and Glen on Blueberry, and they gave me the low-down on the steep hills. They said it was very difficult descending with the shade/sun scenario. Ron crashed once. Typical spring skiing.
Fox Creek
Starting around 12 noon, I used waxable skis with Swix Violet(zero). I had excellent grip in the shady parts of the trail, but had to use a bit of armstrong grip in the sunny spots.
Fox creek had the most snow that I’ve seen on it this winter. Unfortunately, the melting snow was dripping from the trees onto the trail(and on my head), and there will be a lot of icy spots tomorrow.
Elk Pass at 1.2K. It looks fantastic, but the snow was wet and soft in the sunny areas.
I was thrilled to meet trip reporter Diana Piggott and husband Bart on Elk Pass. I could tell it was her from a mile away because of the trademark hat. This was the second time I’ve met Diana on the trail; the first time was way back in 2010 on the Ribbon Creek trails when she was one of the few people who were familiar with this blog in its early days.
Happy birthday and happy spring Bob! Despite the short and challenging ski season this year, your blog helped us all get through it.
Happy birthday Bob on the first day day of spring and thanks again for your
wonderful blog!
Thanks to the Peter Lougheed groomer for the perfect trails. We enjoyed an early morning ski on our way home to Regina on Wednesday March 18th. We were the first ones up the freshly groomed Elk Pass looped around Patterson and Hydroline truly amazing. We finished up just as the snow was starting to soften.
PS: Happy Birthday to Skier Bob.
Super to see such a good photo of Diana Piggott and her hubby Bart on Elk Pass. Hope you will keep remembering to bring your sunhat so that one day I can identify/meet you on the trails. Also a great photo you took of Skier Bob who incidentally has a birthday tomorrow!!! Bob, your website has been even better this year with the added weather tabs, and “live grooming” sites, and having direct and exclusive input from the groomers page.
It is almost like a case of withdrawal, trying to wean myself away each Spring from this site and sport we all love, but it helps when you gently transition us into early season hikes, reminding us that the first grooming on MLR is often ready in 8 short months. Your excellent pictures of the trails speaks volumes to the conditions and you always have a knack to be right on the best trail at the time. Perhaps next year, Alf will offer us a West Bragg Day, leading us on all the trails we in the Bow Valley rarely have ever skied. I still think the idea of marketing SkierBob buffs would be a terrific idea and I would be first in line to purchase one. Happy Birthday Bob. You have done so much to advance the sport of X-C skiing in AB. p.s Chuck and Jeannette had already had first hand experience with early season TICKS, so if they can get them, anyone can!!! Now, who can find the first crocus?
Helen, thanks for letting the cat out of the bag.
Let me wish Bob a very Happy Birthday as well !
Helen, I have a tiny yellow crocus in my garden, does that count?? It is a *real* crocus 😉
I would love to meet you on the trail someday too – you are one of my heroes!
The highlight of our day, definitely, was meeting Skier Bob on the trail for the first time in so many years!
After hearing negative comments about Blueberry Hill, we decided to see if we could find West Elk Pass. It must be extremely easy as we had no problem, and enjoyed getting sunburned and snow-blinded in the meadow there.
We also took Fox Creek back, mostly nice (soft, wet) snow, with a variety of tree droppings adding occasional colour and texture 🙂
That’s a very nice photo of Skier Bob.
I also ran into Sarah ( coming up Tyrwitt) as well as Diana and her hubby (at the picnic table below Blueberry). I think that we were a couple of cars apart, Bob in the parking lot. I think that you were testing some skis.
That was me. I was checking some boots to see if they still fit me(they didn’t). -Bob