It's the 11/12 Alberta thread.

Mahk · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:25 am Post subject:

Just checked in at work at my Route 128 Dilbert job after dealing with road rage , checked the weather report from the Mt Washington summit, checked the news and then this page and now I don't feel so bad due to the latest update to this thread. Now I realize my paycheck can be used to get toys so I can go out and explore these places.

Once more, thanks for the stoke neighbors!
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CSG · Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject:

Oh you just wait. Page 11 will bring great things. Maybe we'll even get pictures from the godfather of the thread, Mr. Tuque. Big Steve and Kevlar will deliver, as always, and I.... well, we'll see. I have some ideas....

CSG · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:03 pm Post subject:

Well, despite some pretty unrestrained smack talking during the week, by the time Saturday rolled around, we decided on a fairly mellow tour. Albeit a K-Country classic, which, for some reason, neither R. nor I had gotten around to doing: the French-Haig-Robertson circuit.

We rolled out of the parkinglot at a leisurely 8am, feeling good about the solid freeze.

Saw some weird stuff on the way up.

Rolled on to the Haig...

Admired some pretty inspiring possibilities:

Got a few gratuitous turns in.

And admired the usual not-horrible surrounds.

Hit the Robertson col before noon, snacked, and contemplated the run down to the Burstall valley.

Which wasn't horrible at all, though we could have safely napped for an hour to let it soften up just a touch more.

And were drinking beers in the parking lot at a very responsible half past one.

Well, that's it for Alberta reports from me. Packing now for a long BC tour, which will take me away for a couple of weeks. In the meantime, someone should really hit Smuts:

Compare that to the picture Mr. Tuque took sometime back on page 2 or 3. April really is the finest month. Except for maybe March. Or May...

skiitsbetter · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 36 Location: AB, Canada

CSG · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 12:46 am Post subject:

Well played, sir.

I took photos of the first fellow -- you folks really won me over with the line through the natural arch.

CSG · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 12:52 am Post subject:

skidaddle · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 1:40 am Post subject:

snotsicle · Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject:

Inspired by CSG's report, I skied up French Glacier yesterday. There was dry windpressed snow near the col which skied very well. Dry snow in May! Down in the valley were pussywillows and mosquitoes.

Interesting spire

Looking across Haig Glacier to Mount Maude.

Kananaskis: limestone tipped on end

Dry snow on the upper French Glacier

French Glacier. Objects are further than they appear.

Po-tweet?

crumb · Joined: 04 May 2010 Posts: 494 Location: oregon

The Alberta thread is awe inspiring. Truly among the most aesthetically pleasing ski terrain I have laid eyes on. I have only seen it through these pics. Perhaps some day in person. Wow!

millipede · Joined: 06 Jan 2005 Posts: 155 Location: brown mountains

wfinley · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 2016 Location: Anchorage

snotsicle · Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 2:59 pm Post subject:

I recognize that place!

aqua_toque · Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 3:28 pm Post subject:

Wow, the thread has seen some great Alberta big mountain, big scenery ski trip reports all winter and this spring! And maybe there are more to come.

But what's doubly exciting is that just around the corner is the very, very late season ski trip report season. This, combined with the very, very early season ski trip report season and the totally out-of-season ski trip report season are the times when (humbly) I set myself apart from your run-of-the-mill Alberta backcountry ski trip reporters -- your bigsteves, your Kevlars, your CSGs, your skiitsbetters, your snotsicles, and various others here and on the internet's less sophisticated Cdn Rockies threads.

Make no mistake, they are all outstanding ski trip reporters in their own right and, though I hardly know them or don't even know them, I love them like brothers.

But… how can I put this? They tend to lack a certain je ne sais quaahh….they ain't quite got that doe-rae-me… so to speak, if you know what I mean.

Now… hold on a minute. This is probably a good time to point out that, as the record shows, I have been providing obscure, curious and entertaining internet ski trips reports since not more than three or four years after the dawn of digital photography.

Again, at the risk of sounding aloof, we will soon be entering the time of year when ski trip reportage becomes fraught with danger and discomfort. The thrill of snow becomes interspersed with long periods of the boredom of water, rocks and dirt. The less dedicated among us reach for their mountain bikes, kayaks, hang gliders, rock shoes and what have you.

However, this season's record snowpack may be enough to lure some of the typical/normal/average trip reporters into testing the waters of the very, very late season ski trip report. Shoot, this season's very, very late season could very well merge with next season's very, very early season.

With this in mind I present a brief PSA relating to a zone which can and has been condusive to the aforementioned style of reporting.

oh yeah, I forgot... Wink

---------------------------------------------------

Two of Southern Alberta's unholy trinity of winter road closures are set to be lifted on May 15. One of which is Hwy 66, the Elbow Falls Trail. Recently, I biked the closed section to visually inspect the potential.

At the gate, the fine spring day had brought out a fascinating cross-section of society and their dogs:

Further in it was just me, more roadies than you could shake a weenie at, and the shining peaks.
Glasgow and surrounding environs have some slopes and gullies with favourable aspects:

A closer look with the summit of Cornwall peeking up on the left. Deceptive from this angle, but as we all know, a tad higher than Glasgow and home to a freaky snowfeild which promises to remain nice and fat for sometime:

Nihahi Ridge. Hmmmm? Is it new?

A modest sampling of views from the road. However, be forewarned, approach to such endeavours will exact a heavy toll on every fibre of your being.

The rewards?

No comment.

skiitsbetter · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 36 Location: AB, Canada

While I don't think it is time to retire to the front ranges quite yet, this reminds me of a couple of attempts last year.

Grizzly tracks in June

Cornwall in July

My brother broke down and cried near the bottom of the snowfield on Cornwall, while I continued to the summit. Fortunately there was a snow filled gully we could ski down to South Glasgow creek. My camera died so I didn't get shots of actually skiing.

I think next time I might try approaching the Glasgow-Cornwall col from the other side.

I've got a friend who is into that demented activity called scrambling (why would you want to walk downhill?), and he sounds intrigued by places with names like Lyauttey or Birdwood. After a 12.5hr day on Joffre Monday, I kindof want to do it again Shocked

If I ever get bored of mountain biking...
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aqua_toque · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 12:27 am Post subject:

Hey man, sorry I lumped you in with those run-of-the-mill guys. My mistake.

How's your bro doin'? There's meds for that -- but not covered by Alberta Health. Evil or Very Mad