Been a bit lazy again with the blog, but the pictures are still going up - it's the writing that takes more time. I don't think I've updated for a couple of months. We've been out doing stuff, (12 ski days so far this season), but I've knackered my knee in a ski crash, so am resting it for 2 weeks in the hope that I can ski again by Christmas. Maybe I need a sit ski? Here's a picture from the opening weekend of CADS, when the volunteers all got to try out the various disciplines - that's me in the mono-ski, which was great fun to drive, with its low centre of gravity. You turn it pretty much just by looking in the firection that you wish to go in, and that's enough to flip your balance between the edges of the ski. I'm sticking with the visiually impaired group for another season, but this would have my activity of choice otherwise - Lou has joined mono-ski. We also have four friends who've joined the program: Tristan, Jane, Nina and Hallam, plus most of the guys from last year are back again - it'll be a good season.
The fall was most notable for the paddling that we got done; we started trying out our boat on whitewater, after a much-needed practice session getting ferries and eddies sorted, on Glenmore Reservoir. We then had some great trips on the Kananaskis River, the Bow between Banff and Canmore, and from Castle Junction almost to Banff. In mid October we had a canoe camp for Lou's 30th birthday party, on Barrier Lake. It was snowy underfoot, and around -8C at bed time. A good fire and plenty of sausages (and alcohol) kept the chill at bay, although the boats were pretty frosty by morning. Hallam and I rounded off the paddling season with a trip through northern Calgary, where Hallam rescued a bike, and we found some small waves to play on.
We also did some hiking. The most memorable day was Cascade Mountain, which is a great, straightforward, ascent of a notable (i.e. near the highway) peak in Banff National Park. We also made an aborted attempt on Mt. Romulus (we missed the drainage required for ascent), and did part of Wasootch Ridge in November.
After the summer activities died off, the skis came out. In addition to CADS, we've been out on the Nordic skis, with a mostly-frozen Fish Creek offering some local fun, and West Bragg Creek also in good condition. We tried slow-shoeing, too, with a trek to Chester Lake. It was OK, but there are better ways to climb and descend a hill, for sure.
So that's me up to date. The linked albums show what we've been up to. More here after the forthcoming trip to Golden - just hope the knee holds up.....
