Dispatches from the Road

Note: as a TR of a long trip this may or may not have SR material.

DAY 1

So, I never imagined that it would be that hard to leave Valdez. Three days of absolute enjoyment with the girlfriend had convinced me that this was a great place to live. Then 9 inches of new snow with more steady snowfall tried to keep me here. However, the allure of my european adventure was too much and I painfully parted ways. My thoughts were on ms oops as I ventured out into the near complete whiteout of the pass.

The road never materialized as things got worse, and I finally reached the top of the pass. Thoughts of turning around crept in, but I plugged forward and finally made it to glenallen.

I stopped at the Hub in Glenallen only to hear the attendant tell me that the road to Tok was "Hell"

Bah said I.

I was wrong

2 and a half hours of driving in near white out conditions and a blizzard later I crept into Tok. Spent and ready to retire I prepared the casa de Odin/the car for its first trial run. I slipped into my -20 sleeping bag, called the significant other and fell asleep.

A description of my sleeping arrangements

In order to save money on a normally expensive trip I decided to live out of the back of my Subaru LAV or Forrester (as it is comonly called).

I folded down the back seats and then packed my car, leaving a lane for a double folded piece of eggshell comfort foam stuff. Ontop of that I put my down comforter and then my sleeping bag. I fitted the back out with all my necessary necessities (contact solution, pictures, books, water, food).

I then also purchased a cook stove for use on the road. If you haven`t cooked your malt-o-meal at 10 degrees in tok at 7:00 in the morning you havent lived.

So anyway, I began my journey going to sleep thinking of loved ones and the journey ahead.

Day 2

4:30 am Time for that normally easy thing. I had to piss.
However at 5 degrees and blowing wind/snow things can be difficult. Doing this one thing makes me realize the adventure I have begun.

7:00 am wake up call. ready to go.......... or not

Hit the button for sleep and wait longer

7:30 am now ready to go.

I almost start a fire in my car as I attempt to cook for the first time. I have adequate ventilation of course but first attempts are always interesting.

Start on the drive now. A dizzying collection of roads and cd`s pass before my eyes and ears.

pistol grip pump on my lap at all times......

Past the canada border and into the bleak yukon. There is great BC terrain here but not enough snow.

Finally I pull over after 4 hrs in the seat. Stop at the gas station in Destruction Bay. Amazing scenery. Just amazing. Use the phone and stretch my legs, taking in the Bay.


**special Shout Out to Destruction Bay Road Maintenance Team. Great job you guys did with that plow. I think a donkey on lsd coulda cleared the road better**

The road along winds its way hugging the shore and some amazing terrain for BC springs right alongside the road

**Insert pictures taken here later**

Finally I end up in Whitehorse, and contact the world. So far already 700 miles + on my car and only 1600 miles more or so to go.

Another night in the car around Watson Lake or so. I`ll be enjoying my -20 comfee sleeping bag tonight as the temp has dipped further into the interior.

Kewl pics to come

Maggot Base Camp

More Destruction Bay

More more destruction bay

And now for a random AKPM Buffalo Shot.

The buffalo are definitly not having population dwindling problems in the yukon.

DAY 4

Getting closer now, almost can feel it. The kilometers just melt away, but I am getting stir crazy now, I need to ski.

I wake up shivering again. Even in my bag. It was -14 last night and just a tad cold.

Red bull, Malt-o-Meal and a look for skiing again. I pass into the lower north portion of BC and turn off to Powder King Ski Area, outside of Prince George.

It is a balmy 4 degrees at the bottom and feels like -8 with the windchill. Got some pow turns on an old school slope. The BC terrain there is sweet off the poma lift as a simple skin or hike gives you access to a nice bowl/ridge combo.

The only problem is the bitter cold which negates any wax you have on your skis. It made the snow slower than dog poo.

Off from there to whistler/blackcomb. I'm ahead of schedule and going to ski there tomorrow.

Crossposted

DAY5

Travelling through the great white yonder of BC, I heard a rumor that Seattle and Vancouver were inundated with snow.

Since I was ahead of schedule I decided to check out the scene and get back to the US a day late.

I jumped on the 99 with aboot a half a tank left of gas. I was thinking that I could fill up at Lilleoot however that was not to be. I decided to drive the rest of the 100 k to pemberton on a quarter tank of gas.

I was whiteknuckling the entire way and coasting down the hills in neutral. I was 30 k out when the fuel light came on, but I had crested the main hill. I then coasted for another 20 k or so and came to spend the night behind a gas station in pemberton.

Got to Whistler only to find out that Arctic upflow kept the mountain free of the heavy snows. Disappointed, I clicked into blackcomb mountain and started the lift up. I was disappointed to hear from a guy on the lift ride that spankys was closed and that they hadn't seen a whole lot of snow in awhile.

I then got on the excelerator lift with some young lads and noticed a biglines.com sticker on their skis. I asked them if they knew biglines and if they knew powslut. They responded that their other friend knew him but that they knew biglines well.

Conversation was started and they asked me if I wanted to see a hut and ski some.

I affirmed yes.

It was then that I noticed that the OTHER people from whistler are either A: Blind B: Spoiled or C: Dumbasses.

POW ABOUNDED

I took off following as best I could the mad antics of people who knew the mountain well.

NEVER EVER turn down a canadians invitation to see a mountain. They knew it well.

We skied pow. I attempted to keep along, as rippers all they showed me line after line.

Finally as my legs turned into jello due to inactivity these last 2 weeks I saw the last of them in spankies at some pow field somewhere.

Thanks guys, it kicked arse.

even though it seems you are speaking to yourself, you are not. I'm enjoying this diary, Odin. Keep it coming, stay warm, and be safe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yogachik

even though it seems you are speaking to yourself, you are not. I'm enjoying this diary, Odin. Keep it coming, stay warm, and be safe.

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me too... I didn't want to break up your posts with jibba jabba, but since yogachik has started in... ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yogachik

I'm enjoying this diary, Odin. Keep it coming, stay warm, and be safe.

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:cool:
Awesome adventure, keep the TRs coming, and be safe!

When we left our intrepid hero he was .....

Well, he was .....

c'mon fer chrissake, write something or I'll have to go back to work. :frown:

YEAH! Git Sum baby!

Where's Odin?

Waiting for the next installment.

Odin has produced some quality shit here..

Day 6

Crossposted from Crystal Report

Day 7 and 8

The apprehension felt at leaving your comforatble surroundings can often be felt in the lower body and can lead to possible interesting mental states.

However, I happen to like seeing how far my shitty language skills could take me so I boarded the plane to France. The US slipped away into the inky blackness with all of its problems and I was to journey to a new location filled with the dreams of my youth.

You see I was a Dickens fan, and his wild imagination conjured up a paris for me that still sticks in my mind.

As I wandered around the cobbled streets and visited some of the lesser known churches in Mont-Marte I could feel the lifeblood of 400 years of history come rushing into my body. I felt that I should write, go to a jazz club, get drunk and rush boldy into my adventures. I felt love and passion in one corner and I felt the cold despair of the city in another. This truly is a magical place for someone to experience. Those who haven't or can't need to open up their mind to something of this magnitude.

Around every corner I felt as though I could be part of the Revolution almost 200 years ago. I felt the rush of the frenzied mob crashing up the cobbled streets breaking in the doors to a french courtyard to find the Aristocrats.

I could see in the dedication and love the creation of the city by its architechts. I could see the dedication and love that the builders and preists laid into every brick at the mont-marte chapel.

Having never been into a catholic church and no longer being very religious I was intrigued into it's effect upon me. It was full of a grandiose awe at the love and care that a place like that could confer. The high dome shone with an ethereal glow as the massive mural prominently looked down upon the masses of praying, fervent people.

Tomorrow I go to trace Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. I go to drink wine, eat bread and perhaps even smoke in a cafe outside just to complete those things that almost feel natural here.

Ah Paris

Perhaps I should say more upon the common interpretation of the french.

They have been nothing but helpfull and kind to me. I have not had one incident of english speaking ill will. However I try until I begin to sputter and bleed to speak french and you can see that they appreciate the effort.

Wanting to following the adventures of Odin, I have subscribed to this thread.

Day 8

In front of the Notre Dame cathedral there happens to be man who might be crazy. Then again he has found his source of comfort. He prays every day to a visage of Madonna taped to the gates of Notre Dame. What might be wierd about that? Well his madonna is the singer, already disassociated from catholicism by the catholic church. This man waves to and fro, performes a dance step, gouloise in hand, and exhales his smoke into the air. He cares not for the approval of the throngs surrounding him, for he has already been validated by his own messiah. He drops into his stupor; the wild hair now ruffled by the wind as though to add more to his life. He draws his chin into the black cinched coat and inhales once more upon his burning stick. Throwing his head back and exhaling he skips back a step to begin his prayer once again.


I walk around in the beauty and glamour, disatisfied. We turn the corner to a more subdued alley. Off le rue de Seine there is a church. Beside this church lives a man in a cardboard box. As I arrive he is preparing to go out for the day. His domicile may note be there when he gets back. The man steps out and draws a sharp breath. A simple smile forms underneath his bearded face. A stretch appears to sort out his wrinkled clothes and attempts to keep them that way. What to think of while exiting a cardboard box?

Happy to be alive? Desperation?

Currently it looks as though he is happy for good warm weather and no rain. Perhaps we should all be that happy.

Have you sucked in enough city yet?

The winds in the hills call you, Odin.

Cham...Cham...Cham

Think of the life breath that awaits you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Odin

And now for a random AKPM Buffalo Shot.

The buffalo are definitly not having population dwindling problems in the yukon.

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Yummy!!!..

Day 9

The train from paris into lyon reawakened the spirit for adventure. As splat suggsted it was time for me to get out of the city.

pulled into lyon and got off at the wrong station. No one told me that part dieux came first. Taxi ride later and we pull into perrache. I pick up my pimp sea green pugeot and jam on out of town. Driving in Lyon sucks

Off away towards the alps. The sky was completely blue and clear as I pulled into the serre area. The alps are amazing. I had of course earlier stopped and looked at la grave.

Time to sleep tomorrow I ski. Chez Moi is the pugeot for the next 2 weeks

Day 10

The day started off poorly, but it could only get better .... right?

I got my pass at serre and took the chairlift up. The terrain even here is great. With enticing couloirs and amazing vistas everywhere. I ski some good snow and wait for the sun to soften up the slopes. It is very much like spring skiing

I hike and ski a line off the tete du bahlm (sorry for my misspelling) fantastic. I finally have skied a chute in the alps. photos are availble but i left my cord at rusty so you will just have to wait.

I leave that evening for andermatt.

Italian drivers are insane. I finally get why they build fast race cars. You are never quite going fast enough for them. I blow through turin before having to turn off due to sleep necesity. After a 2 hr nap I get up and drive to Cham.

Pull into cham around midnight and promptly go down a no car access street, throwing a quick u and feeling less intelligent for the effort.

This place is like english lite, with some places posting their adverts in full attraction of the english. Interesting.

I pull over to sleep at a parking lot in a town outside cham and wait for the next day.

Day 11

Suisse! This is my kind of country. I drive perhaps the most beautifull drive I have been on up to fukar and catch the car train to andermatt. Now in andermatt and I am going to ski a half day.

the No Ka Ois are feelin the affect with multiple core shots and relativly large delam on the tail. The bros are about to get mounted though and everzthig wil be allright in the world.

to be continued.....

(more amazing pics to be seen later)

edit - note I am broke. I guess it is time to skin

fack :-(

Day 11 par dieux

So after checking the bank depression set in, but I did not realize that it would be ok. Not broke just temp without cash. So i slunk my way to Engleberg and crashed out. The most difficult thiing about being overseas is keepig in touch withyour loved ones.

Time to crash out here and get ready to ski tomorrow

Day 12

I am getting this town scoped and wired. I already figured out where to park for free but also how to park close to the ski hill and avoid paying. Then there was the discovery of free internet and it was good. Engleberg is amazing with the suisse/german touch and plenty of good terrain.

longer posts to cöme later with better keyboard

more to come later

Day 12 continued

So I went up for a half day at Engleberg. First let me describe a few things.


Engleberg is an old Monastary town with the walls of the monastary the most striking thing in town. The bells ring with a performance before 6 most nights and the monks are hardly if ever seen. The town has built up with the usual ski town flair, a pentient for shops and activities for the wealthy and the local/dirty ski bum areas. The architechtrue is largely german and refined french style with little ski chalets and houses everywhere.

So, I climbed aboard the Titls and took it to the top. Englebergs main runs are suprisingly steep for groomer runs/only access. At first the terrain was looking a bit sketchy but further poking around revealed a bevy of soft snow.

I took a few warm up laps and then headed to the top of Titlus. The glacier spread out before me revealing some very questionable lines directly into the depression of a noticable cravasse. Im not a local or anything but they looked sketchy/stupid to me. So another run down to the glacier lift then onto the glacier itself. The top portion was tracked up but I shadow guided myself into a nice steep little run that was quite fun. This led out into another area with some nice softer snow. Overall quite good. This of course led all the waz down the glacier to the bottom of engleberg. Let me say that skiing from 3000 meters to 2000 meters will test your lungs.

I took a break and had some lunch, then went back up the jochbus lift. Things were very fun over there as the sun was setting and I got in some sunset runs. I then decided to hit up the obvious pow line skiers left of the jochbus. I ended up the day with an untouched pow line down to the runout, then I traversed over and caught another untouched pow line. It was verz nice. Of course then I ended up down AT Jochbus much to the surprise of the people sledding there. I skied down the road to a town and caught a ride to mirenger, then I took the train back to engleberg. Overall it was quite an adventure and answers the question, what would you do for pow turns. Had it been earlier in the day I woulda just skinned the ridge back to engleberg and had a few more freshies. Forecast is calling for snow so I will probably hang around here to see if I can shralp some pow.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Odin

Day 12 continued
Let me say that skiing from 3000 meters to 2000 meters will test your lungs.

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Pussy. ;) Next week it's 3200 (hopefully 3600) to 1450. Be ready. :D

TR to continue once Odin is out of jail.

oh, crap.
Details, alioops, details!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alioops

TR to continue once Odin is out of jail.

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If it's in CH he prolly just parked his car a few degrees out of line with the other cars in the lot. Doesn't necessarily have to be that bad.