Ski Patrol to the rescue

-Ski Patrollers Dave and Jessica on Whiskey Jack-

Every time I climb Whiskey Jack I feel like I need rescuing. Fortunately today, the encounter with the Ski Patrollers was a casual, social event
and while I was breathing hard, no rescue was necessary.

Rhett and Katerina had been up to Kananaskis Fire Lookout when I met them at the top of Whiskey Jack

Rhett and Katerina had been up to Kananaskis Fire Lookout when I met them at the top of Whiskey Jack

The Canadian Ski Patrol is always looking for volunteers/patrollers and I heard there are some nice perks that go along with the job. Check it out Who can join Canadian Ski Patrol?

Climbing Whiskey Jack

Climbing Whiskey Jack

MaSid has reported accurately on the conditions at the south end of PLPP. I was excited when I saw that Tyrwhitt had been trackset last night, but with some wind-blown snow(“gritty”) in the tracks(mostly in the meadows), the going was slower than I would have liked(I know, first-world problems).

Tyrwhitt

Tyrwhitt

I think I spotted the trail that leads to MaSid’s couch, but I didn’t explore. It would have been too late in the day to catch any rays anyway, and it sounds like MaSid was already back at the trailhead by this time.

Elk Pass

Elk Pass

MaSid will be at the “Trip Reporters Appreciation Party” next Sunday if you’d like to meet him. Along with Chuck, Helen, Ray, Mary, Alf and many of the other names you see regularly on the Trip Reports page. If you’ve submitted a Trip Report within the past year, you are invited!

Eric and Alison at the Elk Pass - Blueberry Hill junction

Eric and Alison at the Elk Pass – Blueberry Hill junction

I waited until it “warmed up” and arrived at Boulton Creek around 1 pm when my car registered -12°C. All the trails on the “SkierBob Special” have been recently trackset and are in excellent shape, but as already mentioned, a little slower than we’d like because of occasional wind-blown snow, but realistically, anytime I can do the entire loop in less than two hours I have nothin’ to complain about!

Georgina's fridge is in the formative stages high in the spruce tree on Elk Pass

Georgina’s fridge is in the formative stages high in the spruce tree on Elk Pass

I should note that in addition to the furniture on Elk Pass, we also have appliances. I see that Georgina’s fridge is starting to take shape high up in a spruce tree that we all ski under.

I still had some daylight when passing by Wedge Pond, so I stopped and took a photo of the ski trail. Officially, it’s the Bill Milne trail at this spot, but I usually refer to it as the Wedge Connector. Anyways, it looked great with the recent grooming and a reasonable skier set track. I’ve included the photo in the gallery below.

It’s been a long time since we’ve had such glowing reports on Sandy McNabb. I skied there a few times in good conditions when I lived in Calgary and loved it.

3 Comments:

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  1. Does it count if I supplied goodies for your snack on the trail? Can I come to your do on January 15?

    You bet! (…and bring some more goodies) -Bob

  2. I don’t think you were that far off from me timing wise bob. Left the couch at 230 and also saw the same couple at the blueberry junction on the way back. It should still be sunny at the couch till 330 or 4 given the big wide meadows and a low western horizon. Sun stays there longer than the blueberry junction table and many other places, hence the couch location. Was nice to meet and chat with dave and Jessica at pocsterra hut. have to look at the ski patroller volunteer thing. You never know when someone might need some emergency furniture.

  3. Wonderful seeing you on the trail again today Bob! Made it up to Lookout and found the track from the North to be in excellent shape – well worth the afternoon effort. Back at Pocaterra Jessica and I even got some location tips from the mythical couch builder himself – we’ll be back next weekend to do some looking, over the pass !!!

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