Bob J and I wanted to get our July ski turns in so we decided to make a trip up to the mountain we had built a hut on last fall.
We knew it was going to be a hard fought walk up as there are no trails. "Heinous" is a word not often used but it describes the conditions quite perfectly. Imagine walking through a hedge that is on a steep angle, with skis on your back that grab trees constantly and getting swarmed by bloodsucking mosquitoes for 2 hours. The bright spot in all of this is that it was only for 2 hours.
I found the hut and it survived its first winter without damage or leaks. We have hidden the hut pretty well and will strive to keep its location private for the time being. However there was evidence that others had been there. Now we didn't lock the door and don't really mind other responsible people using it but when you steal our hammer and emergency supplies, you will find the door will be locked the next time.
After a great wine soaked nights sleep we were up early and soon started some more bushwacking to get up to the alpine. Finally free from the bloodthirsty bugs and adler we made good time up to the summit in another 2 hours.
Weather and snow conditions were mostly perfect and we got some great turns in. Proving that skill means more the good equipment, Bob used a set of Trucker skis circa 1979 and skied awesomely. Our legs are out of ski shape though. The thighs were burning!
Back to the hut and more bushwacking down.
It doesn't have to be fun, to be fun.
Went up to Paul Ridge/ Round Mountain for my first day this year with Mike, Bob and Nick. 7 km in. Conditions for November were very good, hopefully we can just build on this and not get a rain crust. Any conditioning that I had from mountain biking this summer has been lost from injury , then inactivity so I was really sucking wind today. We found some good powder and the run out to the parking lot from the hut (5km) we did in 12 minutes so the snow was fast as well.
Weatherstripped the door, modded the hinges, installed cedar shakes, flashing and screwed the roof down this weekend. Good thing we took advantage of the weather as it is puking snow down up there now. Ya ski season is on soon enough bros.
Winter is fast approaching so we went up to our hut and stocked it provisions and fuel. Also did a little construction work on the outer walls, covering the tar paper with sheathing.
Only 2 more months until fresh skiable snow hits these parts. Until then we hike farther to get to it.
Nick , Chris and I did the 19th hole, Peanuts Wild Ride and Home Brew.
