Via Stairway to Heaven lift top at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
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Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
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Hike/snowshoe:
RT 7.5; 3.5 up. The forecast for our region and the Bow Valley wasn't promising,
100% rain and snow at higher elevation. The ski hill was closed, I
figured it was a great opportunity to go for a visit; it had been
almost 2 years since my ACL injury in Bowl Over on a ski touring trip
to Terminator Peak. I
packed my Heli Hansen rain gear and my snowshoes just in case. The
parking lot was desolate, I hiked on bare slopes to Pioneer lift top.
From there, snow was unavoidable and got firm offering good travel; it
wasn't raining yet but I entered cloud layers and visibility was
greatly reduced. Once in Crystal Bowl, I was able to plod anywhere
without the snowshoes. I quickly reached the back of the draw and used
the groomed road to gain Stairway to Heaven lift top, by now it was
drizzling. I went up the staircase and topped out on the summit of
Whitetooth. I continued past the telemetry on the connecting ridge to
the second summit better know as the top of Ozone. I couldn't see much
in front of me. The snow was inconsistent so I put on the snowshoes
before proceeding to the saddle and other peak. Once at the top, I sat
in uniform greyness for a tranquil summit stay. Drizzle turned to snow
and I stayed awhile despite having no view. On my way down, I stopped
by Boo's grizzly refuge. I was lucky to notice him in his large pen; he
seemed sleepy, unfortunately too far for some good pictures. What a
great way to finish a fine day in the mountains, in the company of a
grizzly that can't come out and eat me whole!!
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Just past Pioneer lift top.
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The ski hill just closed and the road is not plowed yet.
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Crystal Bowl.
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Stairway to Heaven lift top and access to the "slack country".
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Whitetooth is a skip and a hop from the top of the lift.
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Connecting ridge to Blue Heaven Peak aka top of Ozone.
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Summit cairn protrudes out of the snow.
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Sitting on my pack for a fine viewless stay.
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Heading back.
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Love the cloud layers.
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Lower down in Crystal Bowl.
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On the ski out.
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Beautiful rainbow in the valley below.
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Pioneer lift top.
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Good day out on my local ski hill!!
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