First pow turns of 2005/06 - Highwood Pass TR 9/11/05
Well, first pow in North America, anyways. ;)
Headed out today to take advantage of an early season storm that had been pounding the Canadian Rockies since Friday. Tried to get up to Fortress ski hill, but couldn't make it up the road with front-wheel drive and chains. So drove another half hour on the nicely plowed road to Highwood Pass, elevation 7,200.
It looked promising even at the parking lot.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_2.jpg
Ran into a group of seven snowboarders and joined up with them to play safe. No skiers out today, just the single plankers.
Post holing up. About three feet of heavy pow, so not too tough hiking.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_1.jpg
Amazing coverage. Not a rock was hit all day. Better than mid-season at the resorts last winter.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_8.jpg
Sweet turns every which way you pointed it.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_3.jpg
Some rather fine tree lines for September.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_5.jpg
So what do young snowboarders do when surrounded by fields of untracked pow? Build a booter!
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_6.jpg
I have no idea what this move is called for I am a hucking jong. But I do like the looks of that slope in the distance.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_7.jpg
Back to the pow.
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_4.jpg
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...highwood_9.jpg
By 2:30 pm I was knackered and headed down to the highway. By then the snow lower down was turning to smoo from the sun.
In the parking lot some tourists had kindly erected a statue to mark the first awesome day of the new season. :D
http://www3.telus.net/public/geraldv...ighwood_10.jpg