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January 14 Washington Friday Jan 11thJames Wignall and I went up on Friday and hooked up with Bob Evans and Mark Leffler who arrived a little later. The weather was spectacular (unfortunately no pics) with great views down the Straight(s). Snow was beginning to get mashed but untracked could still be found in the trees. December 09 First blog of the seasonWe are off for another season. James Wignall went up to Washington on Friday with Dorothy and captured what looked like a great weather-day with some pics. I hope the weather is going to be this good all season. If you go up, take your camera and send me some pictures to post. March 28 March 28th at an overcast Mt. WashingtonWell today turned out to be somewhat disappointing weatherwise. Monday and Tuesday were great, but the clouds rolled in today. It even snowed in the afternoon. Bob Evans and I had a very lazy day on the groomers because it didn't warm up enough to mush the snow a touch. Nonetheless we had a good time. At the end of the day we took some video of each other to send to the Viagara/Geritol-Old-Fogies-Ski-and-Snowboard team in case they were recruiting. I think there is still another few weeks of decent riding to be had. Don't start gardening/hiking/sailing/golfing just yet! February 28 A fantastic day on the hillToday was a perfect day. Chilly, bright blue sky and recently fresh snow (oh and great company!). Bob, Ed, Dennis (first time) and I were the downhill contingent and I hope the cross-country and snowshoe specialists also had a great day. As usual there were no lines to hold us up anywhere on the hill. Ed and I went over to the Boomerang chair-serviced backside and took a look. It was great. Lot's of snow and trees that were spaced well enough not to scare the dickens out of you. Bob tried some deep stuff for the first time for a while and he looked great except for one sub-surface adventure. Altogether a terrific day and we wish more of you could have enjoyed it with us. Come on out next week! February 24 Roger and Sally snowshoeing Friday 23rdHere's a note from Roger Griffith and Sally Topley. They found some great new snow and blue (morning) sky last Friday.
"We were at Mt Washington yesterday as we had company earlier in the week. The day was blue sky to start out with then broken cloud later.We snowshoed down at the lower area outside the ski resort and there was about 15cm of new snow. Very nice although the snow got a little heavy in the afternoon sun." February 21 Where was everyone!We didn’t have many people out today which was too bad because it turned out to be a great snow day! Now it was a little foggy, and the wind was a touch strong at the top, and the snow was relentless, but it didn’t matter because the snow on the ground was great! Ed Hollington and I went up and spent the afternoon just cruising tons of snow in the glades. The conditions in the morning were a little difficult because there was a fair amount of ice patches under the snow. But with the amount of snow falling the afternoon was a lot of fun.It wasn't busy so it was easy to find new tracks if you got off the beaten path-especially in the glades. They are easy to ride because of the wide spacing of the trees and lots of untracked snow to slow you down. February 17 Bob Evans' Feb 16th tripHere's a note from Bob on his trip on Friday:
We skied today along with Ron Strothers who we bumped into on the hill. The day started off sunny but by lunch had deteriorated to fog and gray sky. There hasn’t been much, if any, new snow up there for a while but due to grooming (?) and working over of the snow available by boards and skis, conditions were quite good for the top 4/5 of the runs off the quad chair. Bottom 1/5 was scrapey but had a bit of powdered corn type snow on the surface so you could stlll get an edge. The problem was people .. It is a PD day for teachers on the island so the place was packed solid with people of all sizes. So many that we quit early. The whole weekend should be like that..We didn’t go to any other runs but was told that ”Fantastic” off the sunshine chair was good and I heard that the six pack chair had some good skiing due to grooming. Bob and kendra E
February 15 Feb 14th trip...not!!Well the weather was just too sloppy to venture up to the hill, so we called it off and I don't think anyone went. Let me know if you did. February 07 Feb 7th trip of the diehards!
Here's a note from Sandy. Six intrepid members made the trip despite the ominous weather.
"We went up there. Unfortunately conditions weren't good and the attendant
wasn't encouraging about the forecast. There were a few people on the hill but some of the lifts weren't even running. Quite foggy and rainy. We decided it would be better to go down to the Nordic Lodge and have brunch." February 06 January 31st tripThe weather looked rather uncompromising so I don't think anyone made it up to Washington. Sandy was at the parking lot but no other souls turned up. January 24 January 24th tripWhat a great day today. We had tons of people out downhilling and a smaller group cross countrying and snowshoeing. The weather turned out to be just fine. A little socked in at the top at the beginning of the day, but it just got better and better as the day went on. Snow was a little heavy because it had rained on the hill yesterday, but it made the bumps nice and soft.
Would like to see any XC or SS pictures Roger if you have any. January 22 Snowshoe routeHere are some comments from Roger Griffiths about snowshoeing:
Last Wednesday my wife, Sally & I went back down the road for about 4km to where the road is plowed out wider on both sides.
From here we did a circular snowshoe route that is quite pleasant. From one section of the route you can look down on Courtney and the ocean. The area appears to be quite popular with both nordic & snowshoeers as there is no fee to pay for using the area. The snowshoe trail fee with no rental is $7.50 for Mt.Washington. Snowshoeing on January 10thI just posted some pics of Roger Griffiths and Sally Topley snowshoeing 2 weeks ago. January 21 Our next trip this Wednesday Jan 24thIt looks as though the weather forecast is good for this Wednesday, with a sunny day promised. Don't forget your 2 for 1 tickets which can be used until the end of the month. I will have to check to see if they will be valid on the 31st when the promotion ends.
Since the day lodge never seems to be crowded during the week, the downhillers can meet at 8.00am at the Ravensong parking lot or for lunch at 12.00 noon in the cafeteria on the second floor (i.e. we will not meet at 11.00am)
The 10.00am meeting time for the XCers seems to be ok. I believe the food choices in their day lodge are limited and some of them have come up to the Alpine lodge and joined the downhillers for lunch.
If you have any questions about arrangements, give me a call (250 951 9682).
Does anyone whether there is a Snowshoe day rate if you don't need to rent equipment? (let me know with a comment). January 17 Our trip today to Mt. WashingtonHi:
I think everyone had a good time today. We had about a dozen in the group split between DownHillers and XCountryers. The weather was pretty good in the morning but visibility closed down in the afternoon when it began to snow. It was the first chance for us to meet face to face with fellow members.
If you missed today try to join us next week.
Any suggestions or questions, just post a comment on this blog. January 14 Our trip this Wednesday Jan 17thHello:
We plan to go up to Mount Washington again this Wednesday January 17th. Once again we can meet at the large Ravensong Swimming Facility parking lot at 8.00am to car pool, or meet up at Mount Washington. Roger Griffiths has suggested that the Cross Country group meet at the lodge at 10.00am versus 11.00am for the DHers. It is easier for the latter group to take a couple of warm-up runs and then meet, compared to the XCers where this is not as practical.
I shall be in the Cafeteria on the top floor of the Day Lodge with my name tag on my jacket looking for members at 11.00am. I will check to see if Roger Griffith and/or Don McIntosh will be in the XC Lodge. Be sure to check the Mt. Washington web cams and snow report to see what the local conditions are versus here in Qualicum/Parksville (it was totally different last week!). If you take your digital camera please send me your photographs as I am working on a way of archiving the Group’s activities. If you are planning to also go on another day, message the group to see if anyone else might like to join you. As usual, any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated. |
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