Comp... I've Been Everywhere Man

Hi Everybody!

 So on a powdery but not so stable day earlier this month I was granted a ski day. Any year before this one and a ski day would be the norm. With a young child at home this just isn"t the case. The only problem was where to go. After spending the last 5 seasons touring Kootenay Pass going there has become like that Johnny Cash song......I've been everywhere. After some humming and hawing Vince and I decided to check out the 5 Mile Basin. I've always wanted to ride in a burnt out forest so we turned our eyes to a shoulder on the North side of Larch Peak.

Being that we seem to start really early for most of our days, it was nice to sleep in a bit and make a later go at our day. We got to Whitewater at the break of 8:30, just in time to skin up before the throngs rolled in. An easy climb above the resort took us to the top of White Queen for a deep, fun-ass run down the backside to valley bottom. After a cup of tea and snacks we began skinning up the west slope of Larch while working north (left). After passing under the mountain we crossed two run outs (one at a time). From that point it was pretty much a straight shot up to the shoulder of Larch Peak. As per usual it was too foggy to get much of a view, but a couple times the fog lifted showing us the impressive mountains in the 5 Mile basin. Beautiful! The run down sits in my mind as one of my favourites. Riding the deep soft pow through this burnt out forest was a surreal feeling. Unfortunately all good things come to an end.

Vince hits this

Then ollies to grab. He can ollie out of any pow!

Myself near the top of Larch shoulder.

Surreal.

Thought the forest would look good sepia.

Headed back up towards White Queen.

Last run of the day.

  After calming down a bit and a bite to eat we began to climb back up to the ridge of White Queen. We gained the ridge just in time as the light was fading fast. A quick change over and we were of for a third run in deep soft powder back to the car. For the second time this year The Whitewater area paid off big time. Told you we'd be back!