Moose Lake Spring - The Watering Hole

I heard there was a spring at Moose Lake on the border of BC/AB on the Yellowhead Highway west of Jasper. Googled, and found a trucker describing it as the watering hole. Easy to find at the rest stop across from the lake.

Appropriate that a trucker parked in front of my photo!

RED, at Moose Lake

Dogtooth Dash National Skimo Champs Tumbler

Finally, a Vertical only event (yay!) as well as the traditional race course at the Canadian Champs at Kicking Horse Resort in Golden.

Vertical Champs started 5 pm on Friday from the base with an 800m elevation climb. There were a few new faces on the start line geared up with race equipment.

photo Skintrack.com

At the start, cruised into a good pace on the green run before it climbed steeply. Racers funnelled into single file. Could hear a racer coming from behind wondering if it was one of the gals. A guy from Speed Theory passed by as I attempted to match his pace. Once the climb steepened, I got by him.

caught midstride loving the steeps, up! - photo Skintrack.com



Up ahead I saw Steve Sellars who is a good target to gauge pace. I was surprised when Steve started slipping and resorted to herringbone. This forewarned me to have a plan when I reached that steep section.

The guys duelling up the steep climb - photo Skintrack.com

With the wrap-around straps on my nordic poles, I stabilized off a pole planted further behind and elongated my forward stride. I was able to power up the tough steep sections directly.

Lizanne gaining on a strong climbing Michelle - photo Skintrack.com

After a turn on a groomer, I could see Michelle behind gaining on newcomer Lizanne Busierres, former Olympic marathon runner (2:31 PR!). They were the same distance behind me that I was behind Steve.

Midway, the course stayed on a gentle groomer. Had to be conscious to keep the pace high like in a 10k running race to not get lulled into a comfortable pace. Steve easily gapped me on this section. I'm guessing my skins covered more ski than Steve's. So, it was a trade-off of stability on the steeps vs glide on the gentle climbs.


Top of the Vertical Race in the Sunshine at 6 pm!
Pascal Egli (Swiss), Katarina Kuba, Marg Fedyna, Peter Knight

Once around the last bend, the sunshine peaked out at this later evening race with the finish midway hill at 2065m by the Heaven's Door Yurt.

Post-Vertical race, hanging in the Heavenly Door's Yurt -
Jean Ann Berkenpas, Karen McKirdy, Jen Parsons, Monica Burley

Happy to be Vertical National Champ! Wonder how I would have faired if our top Canadian woman Melanie Bernier was not in Europe racing.

Post Vertical Race, group ski to the base

Elite race, next morning...
... boarded the gondola to the start of the Elite race at 2330m. Started with a Lemans run around the Eagle Eye Restaurant.

Pre Lemans Start, top of Kicking Horse Resort - photo Skintrack.com

With little hands, it is hard for me to hold both skis and poles, and run at the same time. I took a chance and put my skis on my pack. It was much easier to run and I kept close to the back of the lead group.

photo Skintrack.com

Bumbled removing my skis from my pack, and had a tough time clipping into one binding… else it was a good move. Seemed like I was one of the last racers out of transition. Short fun easy groomer to first uphill transition.

photo Skintrack.com

Liked the changes to the course with a long climb next. Included a bootpack up the Stairway to Heaven! Tough to clip in one binding again. Double black descent started ok with taking turns simultaneously with mountain biker Jean Ann Berkenpas. I attempted to go one turn ahead and it was a yard sale.

Ski came off, the one I had trouble with. Scrambled back up to get it. Took time to put it back on while at a steep powdery incline.

Stano checking out one of the double black descents
 - photo Skintrack.com

Took another couple turns, and endo-ed with a few tumbles. Then stumbled again. Doh, could not get grounded. Next fall, I looked up at my ski stuck forward into the snow at the oddest angle with my boot still attached. My thought was… wow, what a contorted position… and weird it does not hurt! Had to pull my ski out in reverse else it was painful. Continued on cautiously.

Finally made it to transition safely! Next skin up was a long climb. Caught up to Jean Ann and Lizanne. Kylee was far in the distance. Passed a few rec racers. Made good time. Must say, I nailed each of the kick-turns focusing on stable steps. I did not fall back once!

Bootpacked by a cowbell ringing Martha Burley who is healing from ACL surgery. All went well the rest of the race. Lizanne kept pretty close in distance to me. Kylee was within eye's reach ahead.

Yellow = boot pack up Terminator Ridge - photo Skintrack.com

Enjoyed the bootpack up the ridge to Terminator descent. Course was superbly marked. Double black descents were great. Resort skiers were awesome to cheer and stop to watch. Thanks to two racers, Stano Faban and Eric Carter, for putting on a couple super races.

Must be the power of the skinsuit!
Canadian Champ Michelle Katchur Roberts,
Kylee Ohler, Katarina Kuba - photo Pascal Egli

Congrats to new Canadian champ Michelle Katchur Roberts who was getting stronger all season. Katarina Kuba, an amazing 19 year old athlete from Coquitlam in 2nd. Kylee Ohler, who took time off for family, has skimo in her blood and came in a solid 3rd. Lizanne, myself and Jean Ann were pretty close together. It was a great field of women.

Everyone happy to be done!!
Elite Women - Kylee Ohler, Marg Fedyna, Lizanne Bussieres,
Katarina Kuba, Michelle Katchur Roberts, Karen McKirdy
(missed getting Jean Ann Berkenpas in there)

Course did drag on due to my lack of fitness training the last month+. Descending is not 2nd nature and I definitely needed to be on the slopes in the interim. Had a few life excuses for not getting out.

I was happy to be on the final climb to the finish. All I could think about was getting back on the road bike!!

Ski Resort signs!

ROAM Skimo - skins skins skins!

My second Coldsmoke Powderfest weekend! Tried out a clinic Friday. Expected at least as great as it was last year though had a guy that did not instruct, nor knew the ski hill. Took it as time to dial in the skis.

Cold at the start before the sun came out.
Marg on right with yellow backpack - photo Phil Best

Saturday, race day. 5250' elevation gain and 8.5 km, most of the course in the backcountry of the resort.

Right off the start weirdly enough the front end of my skin flew off! Maybe got flicked off with the stampede of racers off the start.

Ha, I am nowhere to be seen as I am back out of the pic!
 - photo Phil Best

Once I got my skin back on and sprinted off to pass the recreational skiers, I was able to catch back up close to Katarina and Michelle. Took extra energy though. It was interesting to see how the lead group slowed up so much after a quick start.

The route followed a groomed track for half of the first ascent. Once off track, the pitch was steep in fresh snow. Attempted a hard effort to transition.

Scraped my way down the sketched out powder run of Ymir Bowl, then made my way down Sluice Box. Next skin section was in the trees next to Motherlode run.

Bootpack 100m up White Lightning Chute- photo Phil Best

Following the pace of Gavin, he turned when I saw Katarina straight ahead. A couple other guys also had missed the turn and were now backtracking. I hollered at Katarina. I was then surprised to see Michelle who had also missed the turn.

As I headed up the bootpack, I caught a glance of the red & yellow of Michelle's awesome Canada skinsuit. I told her to let me know if she needed to pass.

The bits of fresh snow eventually created havoc for the skins adhering to the skis well as I skinned along the ridge.

Steep descent funneled into groomed run Morning Glory. It was super hard to follow the little red flags sparsely placed intermittently on the left. All of a sudden the flags were on the far right. A little confusing where to go down the mogully Copper Corner run back to the left.

Glad the marshalls waved me over as I was about to head lower. Began a really tough skinning section. After the short bootpack on-route, my skins were flailing.

One skin of my two sets was lost as I could not find it tucked under my jacket. I wondered if I dropped it. At this time I most needed it, I found it was buried under my undershirt layer! Nice and warm and ready to stick firmly onto the ski.

It was beautiful on the ridge, with blue skies, warm sun, no wind, and snow covered trees. Yet, I wanted to be done!

I hate using the phrase "death march" though the last skin section felt so. There were no racers in sight as I followed the yellow taping on the trees alone.

Finally, I reached the last transition. Just as I left Katarina showed up. I thought somehow she got ahead, and Kat thought I was behind her!

It was much more fun with company to descend as Kat roared by on the groomed run. It was dicey with resort skiers and snowboarders coming from all directions.

At the base, there was a last loop to skateski into the finish with a slight incline. Kat scrubbed speed around the corner. With speed, it helped me skateski by for 3rd. I'd consider that a tie finish!

Michelle finished a strong 2nd with her fair share of extra efforts in the race. Melanie Bernier was way out of league coming off a great World Cup series of races in Europe.

I questioned why I was so tired after this race. All the extra effort to jab the poles into the soft snow to stop from sliding back eventually took its toll. Definitely needed wall-to-wall skins with tails today! Good real backcountry kind of course!

Expo at Coldsmoke - photo Phil Best

Sunday, I ripped it up with the Keen Rippin' Chix clinic at the Coldsmoke Powderfest. Bonus was getting to demo the DPS Nina 99 skis (168cm). Had to rent downhill boots. I was a little skittish on the skis at first moving them like I would my 150cm AT skis. After a couple runs, I let them do their thing and it was like being on a huge DH bike! Total fun! The instructor from the KRC had us flying off jumps, and got us moving backwards. Total fun group of gals to ski with!

Lonely Herringbone Loppet

Similar temps and conditions to the last couple times I've done this event. A little sun, a little wind, -10C start temp. Despite the warm temp, I learned to wear mitts for this event and to dress warmer with the balaclava on.

Marg (in navy) and Joy (in red tiger suit) heading down to the riverside start - photo Vermilion paper

The course is mostly shaded and along the riverbank so stays cool. I could feel the windchill and was happy wearing the gear.

Waxing was easy. The tracks were a little abrasive though snowy not icy. I had on a super thin klister base binder covered with many layers of VR45 to VR55. Anything works here as it is mostly double pole or HERRINGBONE - lots of it!


Joy Mekechuk, Wieske Eikelenboom, Marg

This year, the hillclimb was included at the finish of each 10 km loop. The trail at the top then reconnected to the course with a nice descending merge. After the first loop,  the skiers I was with peeled off at the finish line as they were only racing 1 loop 10 km.

Loop 2 was super lonely with me wondering where everyone was.

Loop 3, I started passing slower skiers. With 2 km to go to the finish, a young guy from the Vikings came roaring by with a strong double pole.

fun photo with Miles sneaking in

After I finished the last climb, Wietske and Joy came in soon after. I could not even tell anyone was behind me. Time 1:58:41 a smidgeon quicker than last year, though 6 min off the Helge/Jeff year!

Fun trails and moments of tucking and enjoying. Only two scary step turn corners. The herringbone climbs got tougher each loop!

Fernie Spring Water

The directions for Fernie Spring on FindaSpring.com were a little sketchy.


Found this image on the 'net for Fernie Spring Water
and knew I wanted to find the location!

On my drive from Elko, BC towards Fernie, I kept my eyes peeled on the left hand side of the road. Just after the short tunnel through the mountain, there it was at the Rest Stop with a Parks-type animal-proof trash bin.

Love the similarities between the two photos almost 6 years later

Water is outstanding, crisp and cold! 

My guestimate the location was at least 10 km past Elko, for sure past the tunnel through the mountain.

I clocked the mileage towards the Fernie Ski Resort turnoff, it was 11.8 km. A sign to look for travelling from Fernie would be for "Trit Trot Farms" or Morrissey Road. The spring and Rest Stop is about 3 km after on the right hand side of the road (west).

Best water EVER!!

Whitefish Whiteout Bootpack Special

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Castle Mountain Skimo - 2nd view

Visited Edmonton friends Dave & Deb Whitten who now live in Crowsnest Pass. Spent Thursday at Castle Mountain Resort following Dave's tracks. Back in 2000, Dave and I were on a 4-person adventure race team at the Full Moon in June in Nordegg.

I was thrilled that double-black diamond Lone Star was ski-able and not the scary-fest I had one year ago. Winds were high at the top. Dave & I checked out the rocky bootpack North ridge from last year and noted it was wind-blown and had no snowpack on it.

Note the predicted 90 kph winds for Sat morning!

Pre-race night, it was convenient to stay at the hostel on the hill with only 50m to walk to the start. Race day morning, the winds were already strong at the base with fresh wet snow falling. Temp was warm at -2C.

After a couple race course revisions already removing the upper bootpack section, then switching to the black diamond run North Bowl as the Chutes were not open... the ski hill safety had the race start one hour later with allowing a loop course on the upper cat track.

Two loops - total 5450' elevation gain, 12.5 km

Did not sound like a terribly exciting course... though with all the snow and strong winds, the racers were happy to get a course to race on and it was sufficient for the conditions at the time.

30 racers off the start - photo Castle Mtn Resort

After the first groomer climb to the top of the Huckleberry chair, Rec racers went down Sidewinder to the start for a 2nd loop, Open racers continued up the cat track then similar descent to a 2nd loop.

The conditions were now harsh with being pelted with snow at 90 kph. I could barely look forward to see the green flags and at one time was at a standstill. Very reminiscent of last weeks race! Despite the warm temps, the windchill was cooling. I had laden my nose with Vaseline as it was susceptible to frostbite from last weekends race. I tucked behind my balaclava and kept my head to the side at times.

Finally reaching the top, there was little shelter from the wind for transition to descent. I took my goggles out of my pack and could still barely see through the blowing snow.

Skiing back down the cat track, it was scary to maneuver around racers ascending. I finally got into a downhill groove once clear of the ascending skiers. Out of the blasting winds, all was soon forgotten as it was much calmer below. The snow on Sidewinder was a little challenging in its deep sogginess.

Damp gloves from the first ascent were cooled on the descent. I thought I could get away with them warming up on the next climb.

Once into the next climb, I stopped to grab some food... then took the time to change my gloves as I would rather be comfortable.

Used the same skins though could have switched as they iced up a little.


Women stuck close together -
Carla McKirdy, Katarina Kuba, Kylee Ohler, Marg Fedyna
 - photo Donna Murray-Clark

Fun to duke it out with young racer Carl Kohnstamm! And cool to see so many new faces trying out their first skimo event.

Thanks to organizers Brent Harris and Dave Dornian for perseverance in keeping this event going.

 



On my way home, night time venture for spring water near Longview

 

Post x-c ski from Pocaterra on Sunday for Di's birthday





Skimo in Jackson Hole WY - Epic!

Ventured to the 3-stage 2 day Wyoming Rando Round Up skimo race based in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with Canadian skimo buddies Michelle Katchur Roberts and Steve Sellers. The stage race format was intriguing!

We made the long drive down arriving 8 pm on Thursday Jan 2. Roads were smooth sailing, though I was disappointed Customs took my organic Mandarin oranges away!

Main square in Jackson Hole has one of these arches in each corner. The arch is made of elk antlers from the National Elk Refuge; Snow King hill in background

Stayed at Couchsurfer Kristie's right in town. Super convenient and nice to be in a family home environment. There was an awesome green juice place blocks away.

Stage 1 - Sat Jan 4 - Grand Targhee Ski Mountaineering Classic - Elevation Warm-Up!
On-route, we passed the turnoff to Targhee from the small tourist town Driggs. Race start was delayed 1/2 hour for avalanche control, and started at 9:30 a.m. Temp was reasonable at -7C.

Exciting to be amongst a crowd of racers all decked out in racing gear. Still a relatively small field but fast crowd. Starting pace was a sprint.

At this base elevation of 7400', I started gradually to let my 2200' elevation lungs acclimatize. Once the climbing got crazy steep, I eased into a good pace. A few of the lead guys began switching-back though most of us could grip the steep skin track.

3 ascents, 1 bootpack, 3 descents

First transition went smoothly. My first descent of the season went ok considering I was in the mix of a bunch of women. Next ascent gentler, then a gnarly descent which was not so steep with lumpy snow. Lizzie from Bozeman cheered as she gracefully zoomed by.

3rd ascent was ok until half way up where the headwinds were strong. The climb took forever. At the top, the snow was sparse for the descent, then went through the coolest narrow rocky chute. The rest was a fast easy groomed run. Since the flags were spaced far apart, I shunned my speed until I realized I was already at the finish.

Longer race than expected for the 1st of 3 stages, 2 1/2 hours with 5500' elevation gain... much a fitness race.

Ran straight inside to warm up. After awards, we got back to town by 2 pm-ish leaving minimal time to dry gear and get ready for the evening race at 5 pm.


Stage 2 - Sat Jan 4 - Snow King Sprint Race - Gong Show!
Fortunately, it was a 5 min drive to the hill from our accom.

site of the Sprint Race

We parked right at the base. A few racers were checking out the 3-Loop Course with a skin direct up 400' elevation, a short bootpack of carrying the skis, with descent through slalom gates.


Start went fast with a mass of racers. With no desire to sprint, I hung back. I figure I was the racer living at the lowest elevation.

Racers with mandatory headlamps on

The start was chaotic with bumper to bumper skiers. The bootpack section bottle-necked. Race finally spread out on the first descent.

chaos!

Lead guys stormed past me as I was into my 2nd climb. All my transitions were a gong show with some technical aspect forgotten as the timing was so quick. All in all, the event was super fun! Only 1/2 hour effort and another 1200' elevation gain.


Stage 3 - Sunday Jan 5 - Jackson Hole Randonee Rallee - EPIC!

I was surprised to have a good night sleep following 6700' of racing and sleeping so high. Making our way to Jackson Hole Resort that morning was eye-widening to see the massive ski hill. It is understandable why it is one of the top ski resorts... so many epic steep descents of chutes and couloirs.

Fast start - photo Jeffrey Kaphan Photography

Start was early at 8 a.m. Racers shot off fast as I trotted off back of the Open field and in front of the Rec field. Once the climbs rose steeply on the groomers, I started to make ground. Mid-way was a few km of cross-country ski flats before heading into a climb of steep snowy terrain. It was a long ways up.

Made it through the first descent. Snow stuck to my gloves which were sweaty from the first climb. I thought my effort on the 2nd climb would warm up my cooling gloves.

The 2nd descent was amazing Tower 3 Chute - steep, snowy and fun! At the next transition, there were 6 women and 1 guy. Awesome to have so many women around!

I started the 3rd ascent with cold finger tips... the thought of a possible DNF due to cold fingers crossed my mind.

On a gentler slope, I shuffled along and attempted to warm my fingers under my armpits. I finally conceded to stop to put on my spare gloves.

My goal in this stage race was to get through each event comfortably and finish. Time was not a factor. It was all in training and at an elevation I was not prepared for.

I decided to overwork the saying... if your fingers are cold, put on a jacket. At the base of the 1st bootpack section, I dug into my pack and put on my windbreaker jacket, an extra toque over the balaclava I was already wearing, and even put my overmitt shells over my gloves. This was my emergency backup for fingers! Tossed the already heated small handwarmers into each glove as well.

Bootpack was straight-forward and 3rd short descent, though after that it was not clear when to put skins back on. Ahead, I saw what looked like skate-ski tracks so I did the same up the more than gentle rise. Finally, realized skins were to be on again.

Barely moving into the wind with head down - photo Mark Gocke

The wind was blustery and it was really difficult to put the skins on while hoping my poles would not blow away. While I was skinning next to another guy, we were both lifted off in the wind - super scary! Most of the time, I had to put my head to the side to shelter from the pelting snow.

Super excited to make it to the base of the 2nd bootpack section. A few hearty women volunteers made sure I was warm before heading on. The scenery was epic though the weather conditions were harsh.

super steep! - photo Mark Gocke

I went as fast as I could up the barely visible kicked in toe steps in the almost vertical climb. Fortunately, the wind was blowing me into the mountain as it was scary to maintain a steady effort up. The bootpack took awhile. Closer to the top, a rope with knots was visible though I felt more stable with my kicked-in toe steps.

The actual ladder climb was a haven as it gave a rigid secure support to hug. Made it to the top to full on wind. I was told I had a little white frostbite showing on my nose. Since I had my balaclava on, I just pulled it up and wished to continue on as next was a descent.

Shortly into the 4th descent, the wind was lessened. Made my way down following another woman racer. It was a long descent from top to bottom (guess close to 4000'!). The last section was horrid through cut alder and sparse choppy snow conditions.

The 5th and last ascent was sheltered from the wind and at a warm temperature. It was challenging with energy depletion as well as the steep pitch and loose snow. I finally started cutting my own skin track at a lessor angle.

One last sketchy descent starting with a bony mogully section with exposed rock, then finally an easy groomer to the end. Took awhile to debrief after this one!

Another 8200' elevation gain to total 15,000' for the weekend!

Most everyone had their own venture with the cold with 75% of the racers having frostbite. At the top, the temp was -8F with a 40mph wind. Hard to not get frostbite with blowing snow and sweaty faces!

Sad to see Michelle head off to first aid at the finish. Her fingers got cold to the point of not feeling them, hence continuing on. They were a tad blue at the end. She was as eager as everyone else to finish this event.

I've had my fair share of the mind persevering over the body in past events and coming out with the prize of a chronic injury. This one from 24 Hour Worlds Solo mtnbike is memorable...

All in all, the event was EPIC and I would gladly come back!