Getting out of the house...

The hard work of skiing during a mild coastal storm starts when your alarm goes off at 6am.  Pouring rain and warmer than ideal temperatures can tempt you into a Snooze cycle which eventually leads to more sleep and then coffee over a lazy breakfast.

But you tell yourself you could use the exercise and so get up, out of the house, and drive to the mountains.   It's just about raining at the trailhead and while there are others milling around, they're all waiting for someone else to start breaking trail through 35cm's of fresh shmoo.

Your group starts out and it's hard work, but at least you know there's no one in front of you.  5km's to the hut, and then up to the ridge and beyond.  The snow is deeper here but it's a bit lighter too.  Regardless, the exertion and freedom of making a path through the mountains is rewarding enough.

Finally you rip your skins and drop into the fog, aiming for the first stand of trees where you know you'll get some visibility.  The fall-line steepens and mid-way through your turn you find yourself chest deep in fluffy snow.  The skiing, it seems, is pretty good too :)

A farewell to the shoulder season

I typically find the fall shoulder season to be tough.  Particularly on the coast where one day you're at the peak of your climbing season, squeezing the most out of the remaining dryness and ideal temperatures, and the next you're vainly trying to bundle away the dampness as it rains and rains.

Fall also marks the beginning of the busiest work season for me with winter product delivering, stores to clinic and climbing gyms returning to full-speed.  This fall, I spent a total of 6.5 weeks on the road which had me travelling through some of the most geographically beautiful territory any North American rep could have.  Along the way I got to visit a ton of great stores, meet awesome staff and talk about cool product.  I have a good job.

But it can still be hard work and part of what keeps the driving, late nights, poor eating, hotels and couches manageable is knowing that when it's all done there'll be snow and skiing back home, so long as mother natures holds up her end of the bargain.

This Sunday I finally reached that Light at the end of the proverbial Tunnel and had a great day in the backcountry with friends Martin, Ross, Corey and Dave.  Hopefully there's a few more to come.

Thanks guys, for a very memorable November ski day!