20/5/08

Another Gallery added featuring more backcountry Skiing in Canada.

Specifically from an overnight trip that Kirsten, Jo and I did to Mt. Fissile. We overnighted in the Himmelsbach Hut that is located at the Mount's base.

In the morning we skied "Banana Chute" before skiing out via the Singing Pass trail.

The gallery can be found here.

14/5/08

Made it back home. Time to start uploading all the images I didn't get a chance to while in Canada. I've just created a new gallery of shots taken while backcountry skiing on Rainbow Mountain on the 4th of April. The gallery can be found here.

We accessed Rainbow via a helidrop. May, Jo, Andrew, Sue and myself filled the chopper for a beautiful day of skiing.

26/4/08

Mountain Biking in Sqaumish.

4/4/08

Have hooked up with a group of Backcountry skiers so have now got more photos and videos on the way.

On the 31st of March Kirsten, Jo, May and I skied Dead on Arrival (D.O.A). Pictures of our adventures can be found here.

20/3/08

Been a while since I've uploaded any pictures. Been too busy skiing... Here is one of me climbing Mt. Fissile. I'm the one in front.

I've uploaded some helmet camera videos that can be found here.

2/2/08

Wooohoooo.

Found a place to call home for the next 3 months!

Note: I have reverse ordered the journal to save you having to navigate to the last page.

23/01/08

Been skiing the last five days here in Whistler. Has been great receiving instruction again. Just started my two days of rest. No new pictures as I've been skiing too much... Sleeping about eleven hours every night and loving it. Still looking for long term accommodation... Hopefully something will pop up over the next couple of days. Otherwise it's more hostel hopping for me...

16/01/08

Took a rest day as planned to get my life a little organised here in Whistler. Took some shots that can be viewed in a new gallery here.

15/01/08

I've just returned from my first days skiing at Whistler\Blackcomb. I feel wrecked... Both from the jet lag, the cold, and the exercise. Think I'll call a rest day tomorrow as there is no fresh snow predicted and I may as well use the opportunity to search for more permanent accommodation. I'll probably also cruise around the village and check out what's changed since my last visit. Will probably start lining up some demo skis also.

Last night was an adventure, and not necessarily a good one... In my tired state after having not slept I jumped on an opportunity to bum a lift with some American snowboarders who were cruising into town for a quick shop. As we jumped in their vehicle they commented that it was a two wheel drive. This made me think for a moment or two. I decided that as these guys came from an area in the US that sees regularly snow that they'd be competent snow condition drivers...

That day there had been fresh wet snow falls and in the afternoon\evening the clouds had cleared and it was cool. Perfect conditions for making ice.

So as we got under way everything seemed to be OK until we rounded a sharp bend at about 40k's an hour. At the bottom of the bend the road crossed a railway line. As we hit the apex of the bend we stopped turning and started heading straight for the snow bank. After the initial thud the car mounted the bank and proceeded for a short way. The engine was still running, we were all OK, but the car was stuck.

On exiting the vehicle we noted that the car was firmly sitting on top of the snow bank just passed the railway crossing. From this point we tried numerous methods to get the car free. Eventually one of those serious looking 4WD's utes with a snowmobile in the back pulled us free. So, back in the car we continued (much more slowly) to the supermarket, bought our supplies, and I returned back to the lodge and went straight to bed. That night I dreamt that the only adventures I have over the coming months occur while I have my skis on.

14/01/08

Have arrived in Whistler. Had zero sleep in the last 24 so now I'm just going to try and ride it out till it gets dark.

On arrival in Whistler it is snowing. Not that dry fluffy stuff that we had in Niseko but wet stuff. Apparently the alpine was closed today. So, even though I have a cold, am jet lagged, and crazy, I'll be scouring the steeps for freshies tomorrow morning. Knowing my past performances I'll probably be up at the sparrows fart (due to the jet lag).

Collected my season's pass as soon as I got off the bus... Had to make sure I didn't miss a ski day tomorrow!

Off to have a shower as I'm feeling funky...

13/01/08

Yesterday Boydo and I cruised into Tokyo city to check out the various skiing and snowboarding department stores. They are absolutely massive. Seven stories high with everything you would ever need.

The pic to the left details my expert tour guide Boydo just working out if we really are lost or not.

We took the train home at about 10:00pm and it was still crowded. A sleepy passenger sitting next to me decided that I was more comfortable than the wall next to him and proceeded to sleep on me for the one hour train trip home...

Tomorrow I'm off to Vancouver then Whistler. It is going to be a long day, approximately twenty four hours on the road starting at midday. Going to be even harder as I've developed a bit of a head cold from pushing my body and liver too hard in Niseko. Will be a rough couple of days...

11/01/08

Arrived in Tokyo and am now staying with Boydo and Tomoko in their flat in Katase Enoshima. During my first day here we cruised around on bikes checking out Boydo's local surf breaks. As you can see in this picture the locals are mad keen! The temperature here would probably be as warm\cold as the water, a chilly 13 degrees Celsius.

This image details a report produced by my heart rate monitor during an afternoon of skiing at Rusutsu. It displays, my heart rate, the altitude, and the temperature on my wrist.