Boy's only day again today and a slightly later start than normal.
We decided to ski Blackcomb today and go to some runs we haven't skied yet and hopefully get a chance to ski the jewel in the crown, Blackcomb Glacier, weather depending.
After a few warmup runs we headed further up the mountain thru cloud. Breaking through the cloud near the top we skied a few runs down Horstman Glacier before deciding it's now or never time to ski the big one.
A T-Bar trip to the top took us over to the sign which announces Blackcomb Glacier, complete with appropriate warnings....
Click off the skis, throw them over your shoulder and start the 30-40 metre walk to the first landing....
Stop for a chance to catch your breath before the scary part. A dozen steps up to a ledge just a few feet wide, barely enough room to put your boots side by side and a shuffle of about 20 metres to the other side with a severe dropoff to your left....
If you fell you wouldn't die, but you'd slide a hell of a long way and still have the problem of making your way out of this 'run'. People actually ski it, it's a double black diamond called 'The Blowhole', a half pipe type run formed by the snow against the rocks on one side and the edge of the glacier on the other side....
After safely negotiating the cliff walk, we walked another 30 metres where we clicked into our skis for the 10.5km journey down to the next lift. At this point, it is too late to change your mind!! The first part involves long traverses back and across the glacier which at the top is at least 400/500 metres wide. The experts and a few instructors which were up the top just launch straight down at this point, but 95% of people were going the traversing route like us until it becomes slightly less intimidating and you can then start the long descent....
The first few kms were slow, tough going, but frequent stops to rest the legs (under the guise of photo opportunities) saw us progress at a steady rate. We were just getting comfortable when we noted that the cloud was starting roll in further down the mountain....
This made for interesting times ahead. Stuck 3km down an unfamiliar 10.5km run, described in a guidebook as 'undoubtedly the hardest blue run in the world' in thick cloud where visibility was down to a few metres. We held our breath and continued on. We weren't alone, the run was fairly busy and most of the people were just feeling their way down like us, following the run markers which were the only indication of where you needed to be and where the run went.
The Glacier run finally converged into a wide track until you came to a rest area and a few signs which told you you were just past 1/2 way....
A steady stream of people were appearing out of the mist arriving at the rest point, named 'Swamp Thing' and resting with lively tales of their journey thru the clouds....
The last '4.8kms' is on a cattrack which winds thru trees and is quite a pretty setting, although it is a long slide just standing on your skis. We finally arrived back at the Excellerator Chair and decided it was time for lunch.
Lunch was at The Crystal Hut where we had freshly made waffles with strawberries, blueberries, whipped cream, maple syrup and choc chips......Mmmmmmmm, thx for the recommendation Kiters.
The rest of the afternoon was spent doing laps of the Excellerator and Crystal Chairs on runs like Ridge Runner, Rock'n'roll and Trapline, some great cruising blue runs which had great snow cover and little traffic, good for some high speed carving runs. These pics were taken towards the end of the day down Trapline....
The final run down Cruiser, a double blue diamond, was in sloppy spring like snow. It had obviously been a warm day in the village and the snow had turned to slush and it made for the worst run of the day, but we made it back to the unit in one piece and retired fulfilled. A couple of pics from our final run on Blackcomb Mountain....
Here's a shock, the girls had spent the afternoon out shopping!!! They only just beat us home. A nice rack of lamb was prepared by the girls, a few drinks consumed and we were all ready for an early night. Clive and I did the washing up....
....and it was an early lights out at Woodrun 403.
Last day tomorrow, before we head to LA on Sunday for our final leg. I'm ready to come home....
2 comments:
CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!!!!
When I was in Whistler we didn't ski the Glacier. Tony Delaney didn't take us up there. But we did ski from the rest area you're talking about.
Sounds like you are ready to give up. But in your defence, it has been a very long holiday, with alot of skiing.
Looking forward to hearing all about your holiday..... Oh hang on a minute, we already know all about it!!!! heheheh.
Make the most of the last few days of your trip. Enjoy LA.
Love
Brenda, Darren, Riley & Kody
Oh, i was wondering when your home sickness was going to kick in Dad. Only three days left of your holiday and my time with the Franks, make the most of it.
You make the runs sound so scary over there, but i still hope to do them one day.
Can't wait to see you all.
Take care.
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