Silky smooth conditions as I finally reached 1000K

To celebrate my modest achievement(it would be a stretch to consider 1000K a “Heroic deed”), we enjoyed a delicious meal at Buffalo Mountain Lodge up on Tunnel Mountain. I seldom drink beer(I had consumed my lifetime quota before I was 35), but lived it up with a 10 oz glass of Barracks Brown Ale.

Sonia was the first skier I met on Goat Creek

It keeps getting better on Goat Creek/Spray River so I’m making hay while the sun shines. Not only do I enjoy all the variety on this trail, but it starts a mere 8K from my doorstep. I was tempted to go to PLPP and enjoy the Tyrwhitt loop on near-perfect conditions but the short drive is simply too attractive when conditions on Goat Creek are so wonderful.

Dad Mike, daughter Asha, mom Lisa, and being pulled with a rope, daughter Gemma.

The air temperature at Goat Creek trailhead at 2:30 pm was -11°C, and the snow was -7. Vr40(-4/12) worked well, but I had to add wax about 4K from Banff.

At the 4K mark on Goat Creek I reached 1000K for this winter. Last year it occurred on Jan 31.

Anne and Anne were on their way back to Goat Creek trailhead after spending the weekend in Banff

It was a cool day and everyone’s cheeks were rosy, but my camera turned everyone’s faces a little too red. I was using a different camera today and may have had it on the wrong setting, so I am sorry about the red faces.  I should also mention that if you see your name spelled incorrectly, send me an email.

4k on Goat Creek is where I reached 1000K for this winter.

Just as predicted, the new snow rejuvenated the trail and I could go full blast down the hills in the creamy soft snow. The amount of new snow varied quite a bit. There was about 2-3 cm at the trailhead, 4-5 cm at the midpoint, and only about 1-2 cm near Banff.

Raphael, Catherine, and Ymene

At 3K I was happy to meet Anne and Anne who were returning to the Goat Creek trailhead. You might remember, I posted their photo on Friday as they were setting out for Banff. It normally doesn’t take this long to do the return trip. 🙂

Spray River west, about 4.5K from Banff

The new snow was well-packed by previous skiers by the time I set out and the tracks were surprisingly fast, and oh so smooth. The downhill to the Goat Creek bridge was easy, but as you’ll see in the photo, the new snow gets pushed to the side pretty quickly.

As previously mentioned, there wasn’t as much new snow at the Banff end of Spray River West but what little there was really helped.

Spray river loop connector. Click for larger image.

Raphael, Catherine, and Ymene read yesterday’s update and decided to ski Goat Creek to Banff. They were also wondering where all the male cross-country skiers were.

Doug’s timely comment has reminded me to let everyone know about the Spray River connector. If you’re skiing the Spray loop, there is a connector that will take you from one side to the other and you might even be able to ski some of it depending on snow cover and the carnage created by multi-users. Click on the link and scroll down to read my instructions.

[Show slideshow]