“Cold Smoke” in the Chilcotins

Back-Country Report by Pat Mulrooney

     Danielle in the goods! Photo: Pat Mulrooney

Some might ask, "Why leave the coast when the Whistler area just got pounded with heaps of fresh powder?" I can't help my self when it comes to Roger's Pass! If it's good here it's almost always better there. Danielle and I were even headed for the Duffy early that morning when we just decided to do a 180 for the Selkirks. There's something so pure about that place and it never let's you down if you know where to get the goods. The routine starts with a 7:00am visit to the Roger's Pass Center to check the Weather, Avy conditions, apply for a permit to ski the best slopes and ask Chris Fuoco's advice on where he would ski? This trip did not let us down in the least bit. The temps were at -16 deg C, the snow base at treeline was over 300cms and 70cms of fresh were on the slopes. Over the past 10 years I've found a few spots that we always have to ourselves. 1100m pillow lines right down to the highway! The price is knee deep trail breaking but well worth it! Watching Danielle rip through the chest deep blower you would never know she had knee surgery this year! Pics:

Rider: Danielle Balik                             Photo: Pat Mulrooney  

Dale from Tyax Air called me to offer a flight on his last day of the year. It was the perfect opportunity to get one last ride in before the snow hit. The plan was to ride out from Warner lake but with the super cold temps Dale couldnt get the ice off the wings until the air temperature rose to at least -1 deg C. We ended up flying out at 10:00am so we got put down on Spruce lake. The entire day the was super cold and didnt rise above -5 deg C. The ride took us up and over Windy Pass and through Eldorado Basin with a decent down "The Extra Pleasure Zone".  

Rider: Pat Mulrooney Photo: Danielle Balik

The clear skies and warm temps melted the snow and allowed for one more high mountain ride for the season. I hadn't ridden Brohm Ridge in over 10 years and forgot how much climbing there was to the Warren Glacier. It is by far one of the quickest ways into the high alpine of Garibaldi Park. Unreal views of Squamish and all the peaks surrounding Garibadi Lake. Once your at the roads end there are perfect singletracks through-out the meadows. I'll be back with the winter equipment in a few months. Check out the pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/patmulrooney/sets/72157594296973756/