January 27, 2014
Today was my second day riding and first day splitboarding of the 2013-2014 season. This season has been off to a painfully long and delayed start from a summer leg injury. In June I managed to exert "extreme talent" in movement while skimboarding (my favorite off season board sport) and suffered a non surgical tear to my rectus femoris. In English, I tore one of four of my precious quad muscles. It's been a long road and my leg is still not 100% but I'm so grateful to be back.
The amount of training required to perform your best in the backcountry is certainly overlooked by many. Quite often you hear people relating the first part of their season to “getting in shape.” Backcountry riding not only requires you to ascend and navigate your descent but should the worst happen – dig your friend, loved one or backcountry rider out of an avalanche. If you find your schedule is too busy to hit the gym, incorporate exercises throughout your day. You’d be surprised where you can find 20min when you have a specific goal. I made a collage that hangs between the living room and kitchen and followed a friendly motto amongst my friends, ABS = Always Be Squatting. My favorite are kitchen squats.
Our original plan was an overnight trip into Ripple Ridge Cabin, Kootenay Pass. I was content with a minimum goal of touring in/out. Unfortunately it’s booked through my entire 5 weeks off work. Our group opted for Red Mountain slackcountry. If my leg didn’t like the skin up I could easily opt for plan B of groomers in the resort.
Our first run was the sun kissed slopes of Whitewolf Ridge Cat Skiing, tree line and low angle. We found some softer snow in the trees. We discussed future problems for the next snow cycle, solar radiation and a surface hoar layer which glistened in the light.
Our second ascent was Mt. Kirkup. We enjoyed some tempting views of the Monashees above the kootenay sea fog and some softer turns once sheltered from the sun. We squeezed in two fast laps in the resort to polish off the day. Let it snow!
