| Ref: Chic Scott's Summits and Icefields |
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Almost ready to leave the trailhead. |
| Ski mountaineering:
A
high-pressure ridge has brought to the region clear but intensely cold
weather. Val, Fab and I decided to ski up the Wapta. We stayed at the
Bow Hut. The following day our objective was
to ski to the summit of Gordon. The scenery in this crisp air is
magnificent and the visibility is endless. We did reach the top with
our
skis, the ascent is gentle and straightforward. The temperature was so
cold that we took some pictures and briskly made our way down. I can
recall how bad the skiing conditions were: very stiff sastrugi etched
in the snow. Fab was wearing double boots; it was so funny to watch him
come down with legs awkwardly stretched out in a snowplow, trying to
stay
in control. Good times... After the comedy, lower down on the icefield
the wind diminished and allowed us to take a nice lenghthy break.
On the way back to the car, fatigue started to set in and the cold was
a motive to get back quick. At the parking lot Fab's Reliant (K-car)
wouldn't start. In the meantime our buddy Val was in the back seat
freezing and moaning to get the f*# car going. Fab poured white gas
down the carburator to get it going. I was expecting an explosion; is
that
his technique to warm us up? After a few tries the car started and the
heater was on fully. Whoa, what a trip, no lack of excitement! |
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Climbing on the glacier. |
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Nearing Saint Nicholas, very crisp air. |
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The summit. |
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Looking west. |
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Easterly view. |
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Self-timed picture at the frigid top. |
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Mount Balfour and Diableret Glacier. |
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Heading back down. Some skiers arriving at Bow Hut. |
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