AT Skimo Training Camp in Rogers Pass

Canadian Skimo Training camp - Michelle Katchur Roberts, Marg Fedyna, Melanie Bernier, Steve Sellars, Brad Schalles, Peter Knight - photo Igor Bernas



Leaving the Illicillewaet parking lot for the long climb up with packs. My setup... Manaslu 161cm with Dynafit Radical ST bindings

the Asulkan hut ahead

Steve getting closer

Asulkan Hut - sleeps 12 max

Michelle, Peter & Steve off for a few runs

Michelle heading up to the bunks

Mostly Dynafit TLT6's drying by the fire

View from the Hut down to the trailhead

What am I doing?! - photo Michelle Katchur Roberts



Michelle digging a path to the outhouse...
outhouse abit far away from the hut I thought

getting clipped in - photo Michelle Katchur Roberts

terrain we covered

Yes, it looks abit lumpy and boney in the early season!

The whole crew putting skins on.
Check out the lumpy terrain at the bottom!



Steve making his way up. Good powder runs from the top!

Marg on the last skin up to the hut to get packs for the final descent - photo Steve Sellars

Steve and I put on dry clothes and ate well before we began the final descent. Going into a steep powder section, my right ski dove into the snow and unclipped. I flew forward with myself and the heavy pack. I attempted to keep my eye on where my ski dove into the snow. It was nowhere to be seen.

Steve skinned up to help me shovel as I used my probe to search the nearby area. The time ticked away. It was a horrible feeling to think of the possibility of not finding the ski.

Peter and Michelle were just coming up from their ski day. Peter stopped to search lower down and found my ski within minutes. Phew!

My guess is the ski went 20' forward under the snow from where it entered. I tumbled just abit further. The ski also went further to the opposite direction even though I thought it went in straight.

Thanks to Steve for spending a lot of energy digging with the shovel!


Spectacular views from the hut - photo Michelle Katchur Roberts

Peter skinning up - photo Michelle Katchur Roberts

Awesome shot - photo Michelle Katchur Roberts

Poor Steve had to wait a lot for me on the steep descent section to the trailhead. I tumbled a couple times with the uneven pack weight. I majorly need work on my descending!

Once we hit the lower section of x-c like trails, I was good! Double-pole most of the way back.

Awesome experience to be with this strong crowd at a challenging area. Ha, it was my first backcountry trip!!

Mike Nosco Memorial Ride - California

A pretty impressive event put on by Jack Nosco, brother to Mike who died in a bicycle accident. All donations go directly to designated recipients in healthcare need. Otherwise, the event is free!

Over 500 cyclists on a neutral start descent down Potrero Road to the coast. Cyclists stopped at the site of the accident for a moment of silence before the official ride began. Marg in white arm warmers 3rd rider left of the car.

Neutral start with full support from local police and fire department. Jack Nosco, the organizer, is a fire fighter.

Start of the first climb leaving the coast up Deer Creek. Note the helicopter following the ride! Mike Nosco had served as helicopter combat support in the Navy.

 

With encouragement from Mr Bill Ralph and Team Serious Cycling, I went for the KOM up Mulholland and won the "hammer" award. At the finish, any partakers handed over their GPS to download to Strava. Strava name is Little Hobo.

For years, I rode behind Sue Sutton on training rides in San Diego. Sue raced for Team 7-11 way back, with me now being the proud owner of her jersey! In the neutral section of the Nosco ride, I recognized "the legs" first and realized it was Sue! She had come up from San Diego with Steve Tilford for the Nosco ride. This ride brought out the cream of the crop of cyclists for support.

To round out an awesome day, I heard LP was a hit at the Edmonton Folk Fest. She happened to be playing in Northridge that night. I scored buying a ticket at the door for 1/3 of the price and got a 3rd row centre seat. LP was amazing!