Friday, February 25, 2011

-34C Crisp, Calm, Bluebird Day in the Bow Valley

It was an absolutely beautiful day in the Bow Valley today with bluebird skies and crisp, windless air! My camera was nudging me to take it down off the shelf for a little adventure to a few famous 'photo' spots. I'm glad I did :)  Almost all of these photos were taken from the truck, or 30 steps or less from a roadway.

'3 second peak' as seen from the TansCanada Highway heading east.
The peak is actually the south peak of Mount Edith but has been coined
'3 second peak' for the amount of time you get to see it while driving by. 
(I hiked up to the fence for this one)
Eagle Mountain, Mount Howard Douglas, and Fatigue Mountain
reflecting in the sulphur pond on Vermillion Lakes

The 7th and 8th buttresses on Mount Rundle
with a howling wind up high

'3 second peak' right from the truck window


Another nice view of Fatigue Mountain

Clark's Nutcracker

Three Mallards eating bullrush seeds, snails, invertebrae, and the odd tadpole

Clark's Nutcracker


 
Another shot of the Mallard's

Rundle view

Rundle view

Neat contrast of Mount Rundle

Mount Louis with Norquay ski hill below and Mount Fifi to the right

Windy day up on the West End of Rundle

The famous 'Tunnel Mountain' in Banff Townsite
A smiling Rocky Mountain Sheep

Side profile of a Rocky Mountain Sheep

A baby Rocky Mountain Sheep

A Rocky Mountain Sheep grazing

Portrait of a Rocky Mountain Sheep

Love the huge Canadian flag waving in the wind!

More Rocky Mountain Sheep (the rest of the herd)

Snow contrails off of the 3 Sisters

 




Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Ski Touring at Mulvehill with Matt, Tara, and Licorice

Fresh snow in the lower cut block


Looking up above the cut blocks to the ridge we skied onto, and numerous skis lines coming down


More freshies on the way up


Matt, Licorice, and Tara nearing the top of the upper cut block


Looking across the valley to the east and RMR (Revelstoke Mountain Resort)


The snow keeps getting better!


Kimmer looking dwarfed by this massive cedar


Could barely hug this bohemith!


Upper ridge with ski lines dropping in to the left


Looking onto the Monashee range to the west


Peak I'm not sure the name of


Matt enjoying a well deserved luch in the sun!


Nice, skiable slope for next time :)


Glacier capped peaks in the Monashee Mountains


My over exposed photo eye


More camera fun!


Interesting angle on this deceased tree


Tara and Matt soaking up the sun on our ridge top sun deck


Licorice wondering where her grub is


Smiles for the decsent that lies below us


Tara getting re-energized


Matt portrait


Kimmer portrait


Licorice waiting for a treat from mom


Matt getting down in it


Nice, Monashee powder! 


Matt laying it out


Licorice getting face shots


Kimmer getting ready to log some AirMiles


Kimmer about to penetrate the pow


Absorbing the landing


Setting up the next turn


More fun


Can't get enough!


Tara and Licorice the abominable snowdog


Tara laying it out


Licorice feeling the vertical


Matt dodging death cookies


Tara avoiding the cookie carnage as well


Tara and the giant snow mushrooms


Matt in mushroom land


Tara in mushroom land


Tara and Licorice with mushroom land above


Really fun day with beautiful weather ski touring at the Mulvehill cut blocks with Matt, Tara, and Licorice. Licorice did exceptionally well for an 11 year dog! Fantastic skiing with good friends :)