Nov 20, 2006, Shames Mtn BC
11/20/06
Canada BC
3130
7
:) :D 8)
Aahhhh... It was a typical mid-Jan day up in the Shames Mtn Backcountry yesterday. Four of us made the jaunt 30 minutes from town (Terrace). We'd been up on the 18th (skied "Cats and "No Dogs") and conditions were great although vis was hit and miss. Today we knew the vis would hold, the snowpack had a little more time to settle - so a bigger, bolder day was planned. From the parking lot a 30 min skin got us to our first downhill pitch, a 1000ft shot to the bottom of the valley. The snow quality was amazing, low density fluff. Stability appeared bomber. From the bottom of the valley a 2500' climb via "No Dogs Allowed" found us perched at the top of the ridge and giggling at a superb NE aspect run aptly called "Cherry Bowl". The constant pitch and knee deep hero snow continued close to valley bottom, an exhilerating 2000+ run filled with hoots and joyous hollers. Mid way down (about 5000') HS = 1.7m. From the bottom we skinned back up the Cherry, and to the top of the S aspect - Geronimo Bowl. This gem is a big open bowl that is often unskiable due to visibility or avy hazard, (or both) but today it was ours. I've skied the line 3 or 4 times in the past, but always there was sun, wind, or rain effect somewhere. This day there was nothing but champagne top to bottom, over 2000' of bliss. A quick 1000 ft skin got us back to the top of the ski area, where we danced down the powder in the fading light. OK where are the photos, you may ask?
Sadly I forgot my camera, fear not though... two of the team members were packing, and I will post. In the meantime just picture the most beautiful scenery imaginable, with the most stable snow, in the middle of nowhere, you and 3 friends......
Cheers everyone, we are a blessed lot :)
Aahhhh... It was a typical mid-Jan day up in the Shames Mtn Backcountry yesterday. Four of us made the jaunt 30 minutes from town (Terrace). We'd been up on the 18th (skied "Cats and "No Dogs") and conditions were great although vis was hit and miss. Today we knew the vis would hold, the snowpack had a little more time to settle - so a bigger, bolder day was planned. From the parking lot a 30 min skin got us to our first downhill pitch, a 1000ft shot to the bottom of the valley. The snow quality was amazing, low density fluff. Stability appeared bomber. From the bottom of the valley a 2500' climb via "No Dogs Allowed" found us perched at the top of the ridge and giggling at a superb NE aspect run aptly called "Cherry Bowl". The constant pitch and knee deep hero snow continued close to valley bottom, an exhilerating 2000+ run filled with hoots and joyous hollers. Mid way down (about 5000') HS = 1.7m. From the bottom we skinned back up the Cherry, and to the top of the S aspect - Geronimo Bowl. This gem is a big open bowl that is often unskiable due to visibility or avy hazard, (or both) but today it was ours. I've skied the line 3 or 4 times in the past, but always there was sun, wind, or rain effect somewhere. This day there was nothing but champagne top to bottom, over 2000' of bliss. A quick 1000 ft skin got us back to the top of the ski area, where we danced down the powder in the fading light. OK where are the photos, you may ask?
Sadly I forgot my camera, fear not though... two of the team members were packing, and I will post. In the meantime just picture the most beautiful scenery imaginable, with the most stable snow, in the middle of nowhere, you and 3 friends......
Cheers everyone, we are a blessed lot :)
Rock ON! Yeahhh man!
Shames photos
1) the dome is middle R top, North Bowl are lines beneath
12) bottom of cherry bowl heading up
40) view the other way
45) view another way (Mt. Kenney - yup, skiable)
55) nearing the top of geronimo bowl
58) deliverance trees (R), N. Bowl (centre), fish & chips (far L)
12) bottom of cherry bowl heading up
40) view the other way
45) view another way (Mt. Kenney - yup, skiable)
55) nearing the top of geronimo bowl
58) deliverance trees (R), N. Bowl (centre), fish & chips (far L)
NWBC'er,
You've got enough snow , send some down to us! ;)
Great pictures, the terrain looks absolutely amazing. How cold is it up there right now and what can I expect in Mid-Jan when I am up there?
You've got enough snow , send some down to us! ;)
Great pictures, the terrain looks absolutely amazing. How cold is it up there right now and what can I expect in Mid-Jan when I am up there?
hehe... yeah, guess we live right up here ;) I'll send some your way since it's snowing again here (have to ski trees tomorrow), shucks. On the 21st it was -7 to -3 (C) est (varying with change in altitude) on the 18th there was a slight inversion going on so temps were a little warmer higher. Likely getting down to -10 at night in the alpine when it's clear. A little warmer in town now (about -2 and snowing today).
In Jan you can expect a 4m - 5m HS in the alpine above 5000' range. Temps average about -5, although we get some sierra cement (you know the stuff) very occasionally, and the odd arctic outflow that drops temps to -15 (with a 40km/hr wind it's a wee bit nippy - nothing like Ben Nevis though 8).
Basically we've a coastal snowpack, but a little drier than whistler (a little further north, a little further inland). Look forward to cranking a few turns with you scotsman!
In Jan you can expect a 4m - 5m HS in the alpine above 5000' range. Temps average about -5, although we get some sierra cement (you know the stuff) very occasionally, and the odd arctic outflow that drops temps to -15 (with a 40km/hr wind it's a wee bit nippy - nothing like Ben Nevis though 8).
Basically we've a coastal snowpack, but a little drier than whistler (a little further north, a little further inland). Look forward to cranking a few turns with you scotsman!
Nice pix and report. I used to live in Ketchikan, AK, and knew people who flew to the nearest airport to ski your local pistes. (Shames Mtn.?)However, your nice touring terrain looks very enjoyable! Keep up the good work...
hey Greg, thanks! It's all about the touring here. The resort itself only has 1600 vert, a double chair and a T bar. No on-hill accom, sparse I'll tell you - but oh the snow...
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