Can I ski with you?

[Rooster]

Nice! At least there is work there. I bet ya'll met KtMac last year.?

[carpathian]

How to ski Big League?


Or Little League?


These are Aaron Long's shots from when they skied them last week.



Several approach options keeping in mind that Alyeska has strict policy against skiers crossing their boundaries going in or out. The boundary goes from the Max's Face above town and around the ridge to Alyeska Peak:

1) Drive to the end of Timberline and find the Virgin Creek Drainage. Ski up drainage all the way back and loop onto north west face/couloir. It faces towards Little League at far left of first photo. Usually have to boot the last bit.

2) You can climb Orca from the highway about half mile south of 7/11 at the gate. Go up south west face and cruise the ridge all the way to the top of Big League.

3) Start at daylodge parking lot (or Higher terrace) and boot straight up the edge of tree line in the trees. It is steep, you can put skins on after half hour or so. Skin up to broad south west shoulder on Max's and then skin to top of Max's. You can traverse the ridge/ boundary towards Alyeska Peak. Drop off towards Big League at same spot where Aly boot pack summits ridge line. Same as Virgin Creek approach.

I skied the main spine line a long time ago:



Oh yeah, each route is approximately 3 hours. Unless in the spring you stash your skis in a specific glide crack near the top of the tram. You can then ride the tram as if you are a hiker and then go over, grab your skis and then it is only 25 min to top of Tea Cup and then another 30min across glacier and up same couloir.

Hans would actually pose as an employee and smuggle his skis in a pastry cart as he acted like he was going to work.

[carpathian]

Our day out in the Nest reminded us of a very special place on Hudson bay Mountain... THE TOEGNARS!

Pronounced TOE-GNAR after combing TOTALLY GNARLY! You wouldn't guess it from angle in comparison to the rest of the mountain.


Zooming in closer you can see some of the established runs as designated by the founders of the Baron Bombers. Ski thee runs and you are in the club...


Gotta go out of bounds


Bill getting warmed up




I am looking down steeps


Laying her deep, aim for safety of trees. The whole pitch is roughly 800 feet broken into 200 foot gnarly sections. Most every move you see here is over no fall zones.


Tree jib



Bill nice double





Another shred turn to STOP!




That was one run. On to round 2!

Me looking at sweet pow spine


Notice the reverse camera tilt





Better stop before next drop series



Bill crawling through trees over exposure. Sometimes the trees are your friend, sometimes not.







Bill with mine road gap


Time for warm fire and beer with resident lifty


Who ever says there is no good skiing in Smithers is loco. Or maybe you gotta be loco to enjoy it...?

[carpathian]

Hankin Mountain is sweet because it has a bit of the best of two worlds. Where Shames is pure coastal it gets tons of 'precipitation' but is always flirting with the freezing line. The question of the day is 'how warm will it get?'

In Smithers we get way less snow but it is always cooler. Just once this winter the warm level crept to the bottom of the chair, but I wasn't worried.

Hankin Mountain seems to get coastal snow with interior temperatures. Nick joined us for today's mission and he even offered to drive the ol Battle Axe to the trail head.


Nick is new to the whole split board thing so he decided to do a practice jump


With determination like that, he's UNSTOPPABLE!


Under two hours to tree line.



We gained the same ridge from our last trip and planned on getting up to the summit in order to drop into one of the maze of chutes and couloirs. There was fog at the bottom and fog at the top as we hiked in a fragile window of visibility. After booting up the steep pitch it is an easy skin on the low angle ridge.

Right as we were pushing up into the cloud line we encountered some major settling in the snow pack. One huge WHOOMP stopped us in our tracks. The light was so flat it was hard to tell the steepness of the slope above us. I was guessing 20 deg range. I continued and 50 feet later another huge settling. I was trying to push over to the even more low angle edge of face and another huge WHOOMP. Fucking unnerving, really.

It was interesting because the predominant winds come from the coast in the west. This ridge is generally wind scoured and now it is loaded. Last week we had several days where the wind was coming from the opposite direction, due east. The WHOOMPS felt deep, like 2-3 feet down. The light was flat as flat could be. We decided to pull the plug on the alpine ascent and retreat to the sanctuary of the trees.



So this is Bill earlier in the day at lunch. We decided to traverse the ridge to the mini peak behind him and ski the steep trees down the flank.


On route


Nice little ridge walk


Breaking cornice off other side. Did not propagate anything below recent snow. I figure as soon as it clears and cools about 5-10 deg the snow will be bomber.


As of right now though, the snow is deep and feels sketchy. Good thing there are these trees. The fog came in thick now.



We hop skipped our way through the new terrain. Super awesome. Steep and deep and well spaced natural glades.



We named the run 'Simulshred' as we shredded pow all the way to the truck.
















Oh wait the day was not over.

We had a big show at the Alpenhorn later in the evening. I have been playing trumpet with the 'Ski Bums' and loving it! The event was to celebrate the Olympic Torch coming through Smithers today.

From left to right, Bill is lead singer, Teeps on drums, Stump on bass and Chris George on lead guitar.


There is me on trumpet back there. Chris builds and shreds on his own guitars, sure is pretty!


Even Rhianna and Ray Ray came out!

[addict]

Small world: same bat time, same bat place ^

[carpathian]

Aussie dude? Good to meet you!

We've been shredding Nick's back yard lines after work. It is sweet getting back on the No Board. The snow is just barely ridable and the runs need some more work but we got after it anyway.

"Come hither goat, for we shall ride!"


My dog Po hates the goats more then anything. He is a herding type and even though the goats can kick his butt, he still chases them in circles.


Nick pointing at what some day could be a lift shack with run in behind.


Enjoying our 'mountain sized' Kokanee's at the top of the first run EVER!


Nick and Po scoping their line


For some reason I thought this shot was cool


Pretty thin and tight


I had to walk the upper bit on the No Board. Got some more pics from the run but on another camera...

We got the sled out and ripped over to Hydro Hill to do a lap or two


You just gotta get the No Board in the powder and she is good to go! Nicks first run ever.


Oh yeah!


No Boarding is fun.


Your back arm is really useful as a ballast and/or rudder.




It looks like my bungee needs to be shortened...?


Over the log! Watch out for spikes!



STOMP!


Nick schralping root wad in dark

[carpathian]

Wow! What an action packed weekend. We played at the Hilltop on Friday night and rocked the joint.



On saturday we competed in the local Lord of the Boards competition. It was fun in the fog. Vesna rides a snowboard about once a year


She made it down clean though


Nick was in there too


And I was on the telemark part of the team


This girl won the individual category and vesna got 3rd.


This guy wit the scullet and the sweet t shirt won the men's individual event.


Rosie had fun too!



On Sunday Bill and I finally got back out to Transformer Ridge with nice weather.


Here is my view looking into the first human descent of Manana's.
If you recall the namesake dog ran this line a couple of months ago now. The snow is firm and carvable and stable


Dropping in!


The diagonal slash all falls away into a large drop on lookers right.


I basically side slipped the crux. Got good and puckered actually.



It sure felt goof once I was here


I billy goated down the end of the little ridge and hit sweet 10 footer out the bottom


Yessss!


Now it is Bill's turn for a 1st; Thunder Cat!


Dropping in!



Safe spot. You can see my tracks coming down on the right of photo


Nice straight line out the bottom


Yessss!



For the next lap Bill was trying to hack a way through the cornice to get 1st ski on Skeletor. I went way around left to look back at him and saw huge exposure that scared me so i suggested that he not do the line right now.


There he is. It is definitely doable but we should really use a harness and rope to cut cornice properly


I was like "Come this way, Megatron is way easier to get into!"


Awkward take off position


Bill made his way down and I hiked back over to ride Decepticon. It was low light and I was tired. Like i said before, once you are on the face it pure pleasure to link turns through the rock gardens. I pushed over skiers right under Skeletor. We are thinking that a boot pack straight up the thing might be best option...?


We got to the bar just as Nick is running around all happy because he just won two tickets to see the women's Olympic DH in Whistler! So the pitchers were on him.

[Mathematics]

Several approach options keeping in mind that Alyeska has strict policy against skiers crossing their boundaries going in or out. The boundary goes from the Max's Face above town and around the ridge to Alyeska Peak:

1) Drive to the end of Timberline and find the Virgin Creek Drainage. Ski up drainage all the way back and loop onto north west face/couloir. It faces towards Little League at far left of first photo. Usually have to boot the last bit.

2) You can climb Orca from the highway about half mile south of 7/11 at the gate. Go up south west face and cruise the ridge all the way to the top of Big League.

3) Start at daylodge parking lot (or Higher terrace) and boot straight up the edge of tree line in the trees. It is steep, you can put skins on after half hour or so. Skin up to broad south west shoulder on Max's and then skin to top of Max's. You can traverse the ridge/ boundary towards Alyeska Peak. Drop off towards Big League at same spot where Aly boot pack summits ridge line. Same as Virgin Creek approach.

I skied the main spine line a long time ago:



Oh yeah, each route is approximately 3 hours. Unless in the spring you stash your skis in a specific glide crack near the top of the tram. You can then ride the tram as if you are a hiker and then go over, grab your skis and then it is only 25 min to top of Tea Cup and then another 30min across glacier and up same couloir.

Hans would actually pose as an employee and smuggle his skis in a pastry cart as he acted like he was going to work.

cool, never thought to try to ski back there. will have to give it a go sometime this season. thanks again for all the stoke in this thread.

[carpathian]

I bought myself a 'new to me' sled yesterday. Bill and I went out to Tobaggan Creek for a test ride.



Tobaggen Creek is on the other (north) side of Hudson Bay Mountain from the ski hill and Transformer Ridge. The terrain is enormous but accessible. Trailhead is five minutes from my house. This is our first trip out on sleds and more recon then anything.


Bill negotiating steep side hill.


This is where we left the sleds


We parked at 'A', made a half hearted attempt at 'B', climbed to 'C', skied to 'D'. Saw 'E' on the way out.


Hiking with sleds in back ground


Aiming for this nice coolie.


Planned on going to high point on right then traversing across broad plateau. Got stopped by strong winds right near top.


Looking into next drainage.


Satin smooth powder


It was nice and warm down at the lake.



We decided to pull the plug for the day. Best git while the gitting is good. Spyed the sweet line on the way out (E). We were right near the top but did not realize it. Next time, next time...


Silvern Peak looked sweet


Also saw a couple of doozies X,Y, and Z


Y and Z are in there, I promise. We just have to come in blind from the other side...


This zone makes Transformer Ridge look like child's play. I see why they call Smithers "Little Switzerland". So again my mind is blown by the potential out my back door.

[carpathian]

The weather continued to drop down the mountain through out the day. It was too inclement for the high alpine so we opted to drop into Little Simpson Gulch for the day. We traversed blindly through fog trying to find the entrance to the elusive 9-0. We totally missed it and ended up skiing fall line into the gnar.


I think we are over cliffs?


Oh, thooose cliffs


Hey! That could be a first descent! Lets go ski it! The only way to really ski this line is to hike up it.


Bill sniffing snowpack


Getting closer. This thing is steep...


Ditch the skins, boot pack is the way to go. There's Greg too.


Into the meat of it




Can't hike any farther... Dropping!


Bill at top


Shredding


Out the bottom to safety


Greg made it! I should mention that he has been only skiing for a month.


We named the run the 'Wolverine Den' because there was big hole on our way up that looked like it could be the den of wolverine.


For the next lap we hiked up the other side of the drainage onto the Treed Ridge. Nice view of our run


It is 2:45pm and the lift to get us to the bar back at the top if the hill closes at 3:30pm. We gotta go!


Bill was skiing so fast that he decided to put on his sunglasses.




We made it to the bar just in time for Thrilling Thursday free apps! Awesome!

[snowful]

You guys ROCK! I want to ski with you.

[carpathian]

My last Ranger Day for a while. I am going to work in Alberta in a few days and will not be doing too much skiing over the next 6 weeks. It is a bummer because we were on a pretty good roll for a while with the daily 1st descents and all. But other 1st's are out there and not going anywhere and I need to make some cash if I want to ski through all of April and beyond.


The powder was so good today.


Greg and Taylor on top of Prairie Peak 1


Shredding with an audience


Hiking to Prairie Peak 2


The weather came in hard about an hour after this shot.


Top of Peak 2 to the Nest


On your mark!


Launch!


Cruising now



Peak 2 recedes in the distance


They say these parts are haunted by Treeee Ghooostss!



Snow Walker


Snowboarding is fun



Getting steeper


Steep pow


At the creek


Don't worry Oh Faithful Reader! I will do what I can to carry on with the work stoke (... say what?) from Canmore while Bill, Greg and company carry on the ski stoke from Smithers.

[carpathian]

Time to go to work. I just got into Canmore, home for the next 6 weeks. Nice temp, around -4C, lightly snowing.


I know Advres does not like sunsets but an XP at sunset at Chevron = beautiful


Stayed in McBride for the night, Robson next day


Welcome to the Kananaskis

[carpathian]

Uhhh... Day 1, late start, 48 trees @ $40/tree divide by two people. Nice warm up I reckon.

[carpathian]

Yesterday was on the verge of difficult. We slogged straight up for an hour with saws and full split cans. Spent more time in the day walking then cutting trees. Walked back out at 3 then drove to next site and got 15 trees in an hour to cap the day with 39.





Today was day three. We were up at 4:55am and I admit that I was feeling kind of rough. I dropped Pete off at one spot and I drove back to where we were the day before. See, we make a fire on one day and then you have to go back the next day t make sure that it all burned away to nothing. There is nothing worse then coming around the corner and seeing a blackened husk of a fire that stopped burning right after you left the day before. You spend a lot of time ripping dry branches off trees as kindling and cut spaghetti strips to bring the fire back to life.



I was hiking by 6:15am in the dark with headlamp. There were some huge fresh cougar tracks on my trail and I was convinced I was being stalked up the hill. I kept thinking I heard it in the shadows...

But then you get a jackpot and make $100 in 20 min and the fear of cougars fades away.





We finished kick ins by noon and drove to a new area. Slayed 33 trees in four hours. 47 total.

[carpathian]

Day starts with charred wood remains from previous blaze.


A splash of gas


Big fire or small trees?


12 trees one fire



We work 6 days on 1 off. Totaled 279 trees for the week. Yesterday we were getting up into sunny facing slopes and there is no snow to stop the fire from running rampant. As the day warmed the fires kept crawling through the grass and candling up random trees. Had to the pull the plug on the area and move back down into snow in valley.

[Pimpin Panda]

I am from Colorado and like to ski fast. Your video looked fun. I'd like to travel north, prove my manhood, and return as a hero among men (but more importantly, ladies).

I have more guns than Jer.

Please spancer me.

You want to be spanckered??!!?? You know he is a guy, right??
(not that there is anything wrong with that )

[Pimpin Panda]

That is my point exactly. I think he should just showcase himself in his films. They are more relevant and more in synch with the progression of ak big mountain riding. Why dick around with our kiddie porn, when Carp can just do it better from a film making and riding standpoint.

Umm, because he doesnt have the money too? Maybe you can be his partner and put up the money for some of the back end and front end and all that other crap (and back end isn't anal, not that their is anything wrong with guys sticking it in each others butts)

[carpathian]

Thanks for pointing out the obvious there Panda. Why else would I be out here busting balls for $$$? I have given these nancy ski companies ample opportunity to profit from my general athleticism and obsessive training tendencies. I agree that my arrogant posturing may have scared away the sponsors but that can be expected from an image driven market that defines itself on being "rebellious" while at the same time is afraid to think out side the box? Quite honestly, where would skiing be with out snowboarding?

Anyway, there is more money in MMA these days. And the toughest dude in the ring is not gonna throw me off a 1000 foot cliff.



Well, I stand up next to a mountain
And I chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I stand up next to a mountain
Chop it down with the edge of my hand
Well, I pick up all the pieces and make an island
Might even raise just a little sand
'Cause I'm a voodoo child
Lord knows I'm a voodoo child

[carpathian]

72 trees yesterday. The old record set last year was 68. This job reminds me of commercial fishing in Alaska in the 70's but with less fish, coke and ocean.

[XXX-er]

72 trees yesterday. The old record set last year was 68. This job reminds me of commercial fishing in Alaska in the 70's but with less fish, coke and ocean.

Jake you should have your own reality tv show just like the "deadliest catch"

OR ski bum jobs interspersed with your own brand of drugstore philosophy and you could easily be the next "dirtiest jobs" Mike Rowe

BUT being in canmore isnt very core, not like hinton was last year or cutting survey lines way north ... unless you are having trouble finding a good Latte ?

[LeeLau]

J - awesome article on the new purpose built backcountry area near Smithers in Mountain Life. I scanned a copy of the article in and sent it to Brian Hall. You want a copy? Carpathianskis email address?

also I'm coming up North to do an article on bike-related tourism near Terrace - Smithers. You around in July to play tour guide - maybe wear a POV cam or something like that

edit -thx for the pics of the Hankin area and especially the toegnars. We missed that last time around ggrrr

[XXX-er]

hey lee you might want to hook up with these guys

http://www.cobbikeshop.ca/

and these guys

http://www.smithersmountainbike.ca/

all good folks

[carpathian]

Lee, I will be around in July, probably building more trails for you to try out. POV? Sure thing! You like jumps?

XXX, how'r the Olympics? Canmore is plush, had a latte on wednesday. Might ship north to High Level, AB sometime soon. Cut one tree that was reminiscent of Grande Prairie and I did not like it. We got it pretty good here, modern day gold rush.

[XXX-er]

had an awesume 3 weeks in a luxury condo just 100 yds from the finsih line partying down on lucky team 13 , Tom Havards crew

drunk again and loading out right now ,we are booking for the north in the earl y morning ,had just enough of whistler ... can't wait to get back to small town smithers



ps:Tom said yer skis went pretty good