Morys Musing

Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

Here it is January 14 2015 and it is time for another adventure in Rogers Pass. I am feeling somewhat spent (I did ski too much at Lake Louise prior to coming out) and I did develop a blister on the right heel so I hope I am up for this. After a quick breakfast in Golden at a local bakery that Mark insists is the only place here that can make a decent espresso (he’s right), he asks me if I am capable of doing a similar or longer duration tour compared to yesterday. Without thinking I say yes. Thinking is overrated. He suggests Lookout Col and I agree having no idea what I am agreeing to. Where Mark leads I will follow- I trust him.

We leave trailhead and set a reasonable pace to get warmed up and enter the llecillewaet Valley as we approach the moraine of the Col. I appreciate that Mark often takes us off the up track for teaching moments. The weather is perfect, warmer than yesterday, and there is little wind. I have applied moleskin to the right heel. I feel it a bit but it is not too bad. As we clear the trees the valley opens up and we get a great view of Mount Sir Donald as it’s peak pokes through the clouds. Brilliant.

Mark Klassen as we enter the llecillewaet Valley, Rogers Pass

Panorama- llecillewaet Valley

llecillewaet Valley, Rogers Pass- photo courtesy of Mark Klassen

Mount Sir Donald peaks through the cloud llecillewaet Valley, Rogers Pass- photo courtesy of Mark Klassen

It is tougher going through the moraine and all I can wonder is how do we ski back down through this stuff? Then the climbing starts and I quickly learn that I am working way too hard and slipping too much. Mark notices my distress and gives me a quick lesson in skinning up steep icy slopes. It works and I get it. On site teaching! Mark chooses a great up track through complex avalanche terrain that I would never tackle on my own. Guide…. good! This area is much quieter than Balu pass and we seem to have the place to ourselves. Two other skiers pass us from Finland and we have a nice little chat with them before heading up again.

Skinning up towards Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

Near the top of the Col Mark digs a snow pit and does a compression test. I ask him what he has gleaned from this and he says “it’s confusing and surprising”. Okay… I keep skinning up. Three other skiers are coming up the same slope behind us so I take a few pictures for perspective.

Another beautiful view- Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

Skiers skinning up Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

Skiers skinning up towards Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

We reach the top of the Col and take a breather and have a bite as we transition. It has been a long climb but I feel great. I look at my watch and cannot believe it is already after 3 PM. Yikes, we will need to get down soon. Will we make it before we lose light? The views are spectacular! The sun breaks through and lights up the rim of a mountain on the opposite side of the Col. “Just breathe…..again”.

Lookout Col top, Rogers Pass as the sun comes out- photo courtesy of Mark Klassen

Our Transition Point- Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

The sun breaks through- Lookout Col, Rogers Pass

We are set to ski! What a feeling. We are able to find virgin lines on the way down but I am happy that Mark is leading because the way down has no correlation to the way up. At one point Mark says follow closely here and stay away from the right as there is a cliff drop off. It is good practice to stop and look where you are as the ski down is so much fun. I can see it would be quite easy to lose perspective and ski off a cliff. Mind you, you would be smiling initially as you met your demise! We are approaching the moraine and this is the part that I fear. Mark calmly says “oh we will just head off on skier’s left and join the summer hiking trail that completely bypasses the moraine” that I did not see at all as we were skinning up. Yes!

The remaining ski out is fun as we get thrown from corner to corner of the icy down track. It is like luge or bobsleigh sledding. Too much fun. We also pass a snow topped rock feature that you swear houses hobbits. We finish the tour and I am ecstatic. I feel strong and confident. What a great tour to accomplish. It’s all thanks to Mark as he points out we are back down in just less than a hour. We climbed over 1000 m and travelled 15.4 km.

Lookout Col, Elevation Graph

We drive back to Golden and I drop off Mark as he drives back to Banff (his home) in his own vehicle. What a fantastic guide! I know I will be back to tour with him again. He is so knowledgeable- he taught and I learned. My skill set improved dramatically in two days and I know what I need to work on for future tours. I was able to get into terrain that I otherwise would never have been able to do safely. This was exactly what I was looking for in hiring a guide.

I am driving back to Calgary tired but enthralled with the experience I have just had. It is so important to push yourself in new directions even though it would be easier not to and to give in to your anxieties and perceived limitations. We live in an amazing part of the world and I continue to be enriched by venturing into the mountains that I love.

Until next time.

Balu Pass Adventure, Rogers Pass

Here it is Day 2, January 13 2015 of my alpine touring adventure. I was feeling a little stiff this morning- mainly the quadriceps- after my rather enthusiastic day of resort skiing at Lake Louise yesterday. I certainly don’t remember feeling this stiff as well as all of this aching in my younger years! Ah….the ravages of time.

Our destination today was Balu Pass. It is a popular area and a great introduction to the Rogers Pass backcountry skiing experience. It involves mostly skinning but there are several nice descents on the way down. Mark chose the perfect place to get me acquainted with my new equipment as well as to assess my capabilities. It was an awe-inspiring journey cradled between Mount Cheops on the left and Ursus Major and Ursus Minor on the right. Mark also pointed out the exact spot where the Strathcona school tragedy happened. Very sad and sobering! Our avalanche risk today was quite low. The temperature was nice and there was little wind. It was a great climb. I thought I had forgotten my camera as I could not find it at trailhead when we departed. I had to rely on Mark to take a few cell phone shots to document our day. I had a cell phone as well but when I took it out it was out of charge. The gods of photography were against me today.

Me skinning up Balu Pass, Rogers Pass- photo courtesy of Mark Klassen

As we approached the top of the pass, the sun shone strongly and lit up snow covered trees and surface hoar on pristine snow which twinkled like diamonds. Mark was ahead leading and I just had to stop and watch as he broke trail through this magical snowfield approaching the crest of the ridge as the sun shone as a brilliant orb in front of us. I had to “just breathe”- as the Alberta Tourism ad says- and soak it all in. Breathtaking!

Beautiful Balu Pass as the sun shines- photo courtesy of Mark Klassen

After a quick bite and transition (like triathlon, just with ski bindings/boots), it was time to head down. Mark chose a nice line and went first. He waited at the bottom of the first pitch for me. I am not sure why backcountry skiing is different to me psychologically compared to resort skiing but it is. The mind can play tricks on you. To my surprise I did fine. What a feeling floating through snow surrounded by all of this beauty. More….”just breathing”. Mark had great pointers to improve my ski technique but there was no drama on the way down.

The descent itself is a very long ski out on the slick up track that transforms into a Hot Wheels track on the down track. Taking it slow and cautious is the key. We got out earlier than expected. Our total elevation gain was 802 m and total distance travelled was 11.1 km. Not bad! I had aching quadriceps and cramping thigh adductors as well as a hot spot on my right heel. All in all only minor issues! Mark was a fantastic guide. I learned a lot in terms of what to do in an avalanche, practicing beacon search skills, equipment tips/tricks and especially skiing technique. A great guy and so knowledgeable. His experience comes through in aptly demonstrated confidence and reasoned counsel. This was exactly what I was looking for in hiring a guide.

Balu Pass, Rogers Pass elevation graph January 13 2015

We drove back to Golden and upon our return I promptly found my camera on the “other” bottom of my pack (ohhhh! as Homer would say). We had a great dinner at a local restaurant. Then it was back to the motel for a soak in the hot tub. Simply put, I am finding the hot tub a necessity, not just a passing fancy….I may have to get one for that new backyard of mine! Stuff always leads to more stuff.

Tomorrow’s adventure is a surprise as Mark has not yet decided where we will be going in Rogers Pass. Like Christmas Day, I will have to wait for my present in anxious anticipation. You will have to stay tuned. I know, it’s like one of those cliffhanger episodes on TV. Okay, now I am being a little dramatic. Time to sign off. Until next time.