Backcountry Skiing on Horstman and Blackcomb Glacier in British Columbia
After a few depressing weeks of muggy pineapple express conditions, a cold low front finally moves in to coastal British Columbia. Off we are to ski the backcountry again. Our day starts off with a wait at the gong show at the gondola - the Whistler/Blackcomb gondola that is.
As you can see it is one of those rare clear January days.
The group's a little late so off we are to the Showcase T-bar at the top of the Horstman Glacier for some early morning knee-deeps.
Sharon and Darren framed on the ridge-line.
Sharon carving some turns as the t-bar goes "ooh ahhh"
Scenic view at the top of the Horstman Glacier. I believe that's the Pemberton IceCap in the background; a beautiful touring area overrun by sleds.
Close up view of the weather station at the top of Horstman Glacier with Sharon starting her run.
Ok - I have to admit that is not a bad picture but I sometimes wish I had a fill-flash. Sharon cuts turns in knee-deep cut up powder. Its now 11am and even though the group still hasn't shown up yet we're not unhappy with the turn of events. Snowboarders hike up to this pitch in the background.
Darren is one of the snowboarders on a spanky Prior splitboard
Darren throwing up the rooster tail of snow
An artsy fartsy shot showing the ants hiking their way up to Blackcomb Glacier entrance. The slope to skiers left of the T-bar was groomed. Why someone would groom perfectly good pow is beyond me.
Now a shot I am proud of. Darren when the sun breaks through the fog.
and more Darren.
Some of the group arrives and skis on what powder is left. 11am and there's still some fresh stuff for Hugh
Hugh again
Eventually we tear ourself away from the lifts and off we are to Blackcomb Glacier. Remember that sun? Well that's the last we see of it as the fog rolls in just as we start the skin track up to the Spearhead. That's pretty much it for the pictures too as white on white can get fairly boring.
Here is Hugh with the approach to the Spearhead in the south east behind him. You'll have to trust me on that
The rest of the day we spend finishing up a couple of runs on the Glacier. Unfortunately we can't see d%ck which is too bad as the snow is nice and deep. Its not the lightest but it certainly was fun.
Hugh in the steep and deep
