I was going to write yesterday, about how I've had the most amazing day in my short snowboarding career on Wednesday. It snowed 17cms, the like of which I've never seen before.
But then this morning, I woke bleary eyed and checked the red resort web site and it said 25 cms had fallen overnight. So, today was officially the best day I've ever had on snow.
I was only 30 people back from the first lift (Grandad Shred was first of course). First run was amazing. The powder was shoe deep on the pistes, and for most of the time through Powderfields, I could feel the snow pushing past my thighs as I rode. I'm trying to think of a way of describing it for people who don't board / ski. It's really hard. Imagine riding Marty McFly's hover board through Endor in the winter..
There, perfect. Now I've described it so that only film geeks understand me.
I spent the morning riding one of my favourite runs called Stu's Run. There's a great jump halfway down onto steep terrain that allows you to get really high and far, yet not hurt yourself (especially with thigh deep powder). I was the first person to jump off it today, and for the first time I landed it properly, riding of without even looking back.
At lunch I met up with Rob, and we spent the afternoon laughing like hyenas. Rob pulled off a particularly excellent jump, which he landed on his backside. Luckily for him he landed in waist deep powder. It must have been like launching himself off the sofa to land in a huge bean bag.
The only negative of the day was our third muskateer, Dan couldn't ride. He lost an argument with a tree yesterday and wanted to rest for our Cat skiing tomorrow. Did I mention that we're Cat skiing tomorrow? They 'phoned and told us to bring snorkels....
Again, no photos this time. Rule #4 No cameras on a powder day.
Tricks landed: Indy air, wheelie
Tricks failed: 180 backside air
Soundtrack: Foo Fighters - Skin and Bone, Buena Vista Social Club, Doves - The Last Broadcast
Friday, 2 March 2007
Tuesday, 27 February 2007
Rule 3
Okay, I found out today that there's another rule to powder days.
Before I start this, let me just confirm that I haven't broken anything, lost any teeth or hit a funny bone in my head causing partial paralysis, like Amans once did.
I have learnt the 3rd rule: "Always check your landings before flying off jumps"
Another 10-15 cms fell last night, so it was another amazing day at Red. Our first run was down powderfields, a very nice warm up that lived up to it's name:
Our second run down Short Squaw, was also magical. Steep bowls of deep snow opened out before us after a short tree run, then it levelled out through some more trees. In the second set, I decided to try and carry a little more speed through the trees, as I'd been stopping too often.
Everything was going swimmingly, and a nice approach to a lip opened out before me. After the jump would be more powder to land in, and no trees nearby (or so I thought at the time).
So, below is my approach. Looks good doesn't it?
As I left the ground, at some speed now, I just had time for a short expletive as I looked down and saw this:
Luckily for me, I happened to be absolutely lined up the the trunk. Six inches either side and I would have been in trouble. I hit the trunk in an unintentional 50-50 (where the board and the trunk are lined up), and proceeded to crash in the show.
To give you some perspective, I can stand up straight underneath the end of that log.
I thought is was so funny, that I rode back round and did the same run again. This time I did it a little slower, and took the camera.
Today's soundtrack was (chosen by the iPod) was:
Led Zeppelin, Flexistentialism, Depeche Mode.
Before I start this, let me just confirm that I haven't broken anything, lost any teeth or hit a funny bone in my head causing partial paralysis, like Amans once did.
I have learnt the 3rd rule: "Always check your landings before flying off jumps"
Another 10-15 cms fell last night, so it was another amazing day at Red. Our first run was down powderfields, a very nice warm up that lived up to it's name:
Our second run down Short Squaw, was also magical. Steep bowls of deep snow opened out before us after a short tree run, then it levelled out through some more trees. In the second set, I decided to try and carry a little more speed through the trees, as I'd been stopping too often.
Everything was going swimmingly, and a nice approach to a lip opened out before me. After the jump would be more powder to land in, and no trees nearby (or so I thought at the time).
So, below is my approach. Looks good doesn't it?
As I left the ground, at some speed now, I just had time for a short expletive as I looked down and saw this:
Luckily for me, I happened to be absolutely lined up the the trunk. Six inches either side and I would have been in trouble. I hit the trunk in an unintentional 50-50 (where the board and the trunk are lined up), and proceeded to crash in the show.
To give you some perspective, I can stand up straight underneath the end of that log.
I thought is was so funny, that I rode back round and did the same run again. This time I did it a little slower, and took the camera.
Today's soundtrack was (chosen by the iPod) was:
Led Zeppelin, Flexistentialism, Depeche Mode.
Sunday, 25 February 2007
Powder Day
"The first rule of a powder day, is that you HAVE NO FRIENDS"
"The second rule of a powder day, is that you HAVE NO FRIENDS"
"No wait, the second rule is lean back."
Friday was a hard day, with more hiking so I was looking forward to taking a day off on Saturday as a treat.
But, as we went to the pub for dinner, it started 'puking' with snow. Almost 20cms in a few hours.
So, an early night and an early morning!
This was the first proper powder day I've experienced. Enormous lift queue in the morning, excited looks on everyone's faces...
The riding was incredible, boot to knee deep powder and I finally got the hang of riding trees. I'm trying to think of a way to describe it, but failing miserably.
New pictures will go up soon. I didn't take any on the powder day, but did a few on our hike.
Nathan
"The second rule of a powder day, is that you HAVE NO FRIENDS"
"No wait, the second rule is lean back."
Friday was a hard day, with more hiking so I was looking forward to taking a day off on Saturday as a treat.
But, as we went to the pub for dinner, it started 'puking' with snow. Almost 20cms in a few hours.
So, an early night and an early morning!
This was the first proper powder day I've experienced. Enormous lift queue in the morning, excited looks on everyone's faces...
The riding was incredible, boot to knee deep powder and I finally got the hang of riding trees. I'm trying to think of a way to describe it, but failing miserably.
New pictures will go up soon. I didn't take any on the powder day, but did a few on our hike.
Nathan
Friday, 23 February 2007
The Ramblers
Today was amazing. There's been some snow overnight, and since we now have the right equipment to go "off road" we decided to hike to Mount Roberts.
From the top of the motherlode chair, it's a quick ride down to the boundary where you start walking. Start elevation was 1620mtrs, the peak of Roberts is 1920, it's probably only 3-4 kilometres, Computer says 2.5 km as the crow flies.
For all you Google Earth fans 49 05' 12.72" N 117 51' 30.07" W is the peak of Roberts.
It's a fairly hard 45min hike along a trail of boot-packed snow. By the time you get the top you're sweating like a fat lass in a cake shop, and it feels like you've done 200 burpees. It made the half marathon I did seem easy.
After lunch on the summit, we ran down towards one of the chair lifts, getting some amazing powder and tree riding. Half way down there's a brilliant jump, onto a soft steep landing. I hit it and got the most air I've ever experienced. It felt like I was airborn for 3/4 seconds and was 4 metres off the ground! On the first run (we hiked to Roberts twice!) I landed fairly gracefully. The second time around I rag-dolled down the hill until a tree stopped me. Independent witness from Rob on the second jump confirmed about 6 feet altitude and 8-12 feet distance. Awesome.
Unfortunately, I forgot to replace the card in the camera so no action shots. Check Dan's Flickr account, he had his camera with him.
Oh, by the way the Merv Hughes has gone. It was fun while it lasted.
From the top of the motherlode chair, it's a quick ride down to the boundary where you start walking. Start elevation was 1620mtrs, the peak of Roberts is 1920, it's probably only 3-4 kilometres, Computer says 2.5 km as the crow flies.
For all you Google Earth fans 49 05' 12.72" N 117 51' 30.07" W is the peak of Roberts.
It's a fairly hard 45min hike along a trail of boot-packed snow. By the time you get the top you're sweating like a fat lass in a cake shop, and it feels like you've done 200 burpees. It made the half marathon I did seem easy.
After lunch on the summit, we ran down towards one of the chair lifts, getting some amazing powder and tree riding. Half way down there's a brilliant jump, onto a soft steep landing. I hit it and got the most air I've ever experienced. It felt like I was airborn for 3/4 seconds and was 4 metres off the ground! On the first run (we hiked to Roberts twice!) I landed fairly gracefully. The second time around I rag-dolled down the hill until a tree stopped me. Independent witness from Rob on the second jump confirmed about 6 feet altitude and 8-12 feet distance. Awesome.
Unfortunately, I forgot to replace the card in the camera so no action shots. Check Dan's Flickr account, he had his camera with him.
Oh, by the way the Merv Hughes has gone. It was fun while it lasted.
Wednesday, 21 February 2007
Beard - the results
The polls have closed, the chads have ceased to hang. This evening was crunch time for my beard. It was getting annoying, and I never really liked the colour..
So, I decided to do the full range that I could.
Start:
Then:
Then:
Then:
Which made me do this:
Basically, I've decided on the Wolverine but for comedy's sake I'm leaving the Merv Hughes on all day tomorrow....
So, I decided to do the full range that I could.
Start:
Then:
Then:
Then:
Which made me do this:
Basically, I've decided on the Wolverine but for comedy's sake I'm leaving the Merv Hughes on all day tomorrow....
Where does he get those wonderful toys?
Hello everybody!
I've mostly been playing with new toys recently:
1 - Our avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes arrived on Monday. Now we can play hide and seek.
2 - I crumbled, and bought a new board. After borrowing a 163 Ride Prophet I convinced myself that I've been suffering with a short board that's not suited to the sort of riding I prefer. Now I have a nice new Ride havoc 162 for not much (in sterling)
3 - Proper snow eventually arrived. Tuesday was the first proper (almost) powder day. We rode all day from first lifts, even getting trapped in the Paradise area. Just after we got off the Motherlode chair it stopped, trapping us and a few hundred other people in the Paradise area, where no-one else could get to us! We had the whole hill to ourselves for the first hour and a half.
p.s. I've so far only been able to do one blog without using some sort of film reference! There's a guy working here from Tasmania, only 19 and has never seen Ferris Bueller, Jaws, Alien, Top Gun etc etc. I sometimes think that he doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about.
I've mostly been playing with new toys recently:
1 - Our avalanche transceivers, shovels and probes arrived on Monday. Now we can play hide and seek.
2 - I crumbled, and bought a new board. After borrowing a 163 Ride Prophet I convinced myself that I've been suffering with a short board that's not suited to the sort of riding I prefer. Now I have a nice new Ride havoc 162 for not much (in sterling)
3 - Proper snow eventually arrived. Tuesday was the first proper (almost) powder day. We rode all day from first lifts, even getting trapped in the Paradise area. Just after we got off the Motherlode chair it stopped, trapping us and a few hundred other people in the Paradise area, where no-one else could get to us! We had the whole hill to ourselves for the first hour and a half.
p.s. I've so far only been able to do one blog without using some sort of film reference! There's a guy working here from Tasmania, only 19 and has never seen Ferris Bueller, Jaws, Alien, Top Gun etc etc. I sometimes think that he doesn't have a clue what I'm talking about.
Saturday, 17 February 2007
Beard progress 8
Votes so far:
D'Artagnan = 2
Wolvering = 2
Merv Hughes = 3
Philosophers beard = 1
Exciting this eh?
D'Artagnan = 2
Wolvering = 2
Merv Hughes = 3
Philosophers beard = 1
Exciting this eh?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)