Big Sky

Last March, I cruised down to Big Sky Montana for the 2013 USSA Masters National Championships with Mike.  The scenery along the Rockies south of Calgary was truly spectacular!

Blue bird conditions with lots of snowy mountains as we drove from Canada to the USA.

Big Sky is BIG - about 11,166 ft at the top and 7,500 ft at the village resort where we stayed.

Before the racing started, I had a couple of days to explore the mountain and check out the pow and try to acclimatize to the elevation!!!  (Living in the east does have some drawbacks when you venture into the mountains).

Before long, it was time to get down to business and enjoy the amazing snow, cool courses and excellent racing conditions at the US Nationals:

The temps were cold for March, but the sun was out and my start number was absolutely incredible (#3 in slalom, #1 in GS).  I was ready to rock!

Two nearly perfect days of ski racing!  The courses were long compared to what we get on the slopes in southern Ontario and I was definitely huffing big time in the finish, but WOW, this was "type 1 super fun"!!!

Here's a short vid of skiing and racing in Big Sky, Montana:

http://vimeo.com/63219257

Enjoy!

Ten Dee Lightful

So I’ve been cruising around in the gym for the past couple of weeks, warming up on stuff, working a project or two when I notice a whole bunch of 5.10d’s (and not many 5.11a’s).
They’re like everywhere!

Last night I counted seven (that’s right, seven!) routes graded 5.10d at Rock Oasis in TO. And you know what, they’re not so bad after all (see previous snob post about 10d’s and 11a’s). In fact, I kinda like a few of them and they’re as different in style and difficulty as “chalk” and “cheese”.

Some felt “doable” and some were absolutely “brutal” - more like 11b than 10d (if anyone at the gym is asking).

Why I almost feel converted - those 10d’s were delightful!

Now, where are those 5.11a’s at?



Here’s Abby Watkins styling her way up Wicked Gravity … a “real” 5.11a … at the Back of the Lake, Lake Louise. Classic!!!



Where else but in the Rockies do climbers bring their umbrellas when they go climbing???