| | Addicted To Powder News | | Oct 30, 2006 - Posted by Sirius Geek | Fall has arrived in all its glory. With every swing of the rake I remind myself that winter will be here soon. Every year at this time Warren Miller releases his latest production. “Off the Grid” will be showing in Victoria at the McPherson theatre on both November eleventh and twelfth. There will be showings at seven and nine o’clock both nights. For twenty three dollars you will be able to check out footage from Kicking Horse Resort, Kashmir, and Alaska. Rumor has it that a monoboarder takes a two hundred and fifty foot air. Your admission will also get you a two for one pass at Mount Washington and Whistler/Blackcomb. Can you loose? The Victoria ski show will take place at Pearkes Arena on November fourth between ten am and three pm. Whistler/Blackcomb is hyped to open a new high speed quad called the “Symphony Express” accessing one thousand new acres of bowl and glade skiing beyond the Burnt Stew Trail. Word on the street is the area will really appeal to intermediate riders looking to cut their teeth on harder terrain. There are still some great deals to be found out there in retail land as the new stock arrives. Think snow.
| | Oct 14, 2006 - Posted by Sirius Geek | We are well into the fall fishing season. There have been some incredible days on the local rivers. We recently took some new friends with us on our annual trip to the Nitnat triangle. The salmon were plentiful. We had some close encounters with the local bear population. It is of concern to me that some of these bears may be beginning to see fishermen as a source of food. We watched as a large black bear crept stealthily up to where a large Chinook had been beached. When the fisherman noticed the thief eyeing his catch he yelled and threw a rock in its general direction. The bear took one last scope of the situation and snatched the salmon. It then made a hasty retreat into the woods. I learned later that this scenario has become more and more common on the river banks. A young black bear came within ten feet of us despite our best efforts to scare it off fortunately it displayed no aggression. These may be examples of habituation which does not bode well for these bears. We observed some interesting steelhead behavior when we came across a pair of salmon with several steelhead intermingled in a small pool. The steelies would race up and bump the salmon in the belly; we assumed they were trying to release eggs. I through an egg pattern into the pool and immediately hooked a ten plus pound fish which I then lost. In the world of skiing there was snow in Whistler recently, 15 cm. Fall ski sales/swaps are underway. I got a screaming deal on a set of Fritschi bindings. Victoria’s ski swap will be at Pearkes Arena on November 4th. Thanks to an A2P guest for the 411. It’s cool to think that someone actually reads this stuff. Please join in on our forums and get involved.
| | Aug 26, 2006 - Posted by Sirius Geek | Summer is on its way out. With its passing comes the fall fishing season. Soon we will be fighting the big springs. We’ve had some great adventures in the past few months. A bunch of us got out rock climbing and even started working on a few new routes in a yet to be disclosed location. For some our thoughts are drifting towards the upcoming ski season. Keep an eye out for the latest temperature and precipitation forecasts. Mt Washington has early bird specials on until October 9, 2006. I have learned from dubious sources that the Victoria Ski Swap will be on November 4 at the Cedar Hill Rec. Center. Whistler Blackcomb will be having their annual ski swap on October 6, 7, 8, and 9. Go to the URL below for details. MEC has released the fall and winter catalog. You can view this years offering online now. Time to think about grabbing that gear you’ve been wanting. I recently purchased a second avy beacon from my local gear head emporium. Let’s get out there and hone our skills.
Winter is coming.
| | July 23, 2006 - Posted by Sirius Geek | Last week Dave, Davin, Helen, and Travis traveled to Squamish BC. We did some great climbing and sweltered in the 35 degree plus heat. Thursday we climbed the three pitches of “The Bottom Line”, 5.9, a great alternative to slogging the approach trail to many of the classic Apron routes. We then ascended to Broadway Ledge via “One Scoup with Delicious Dimples” 5.10c. This is an excellently crafted six pitch friction slab route which will no doubt see a lot of traffic. At the top most of the team took the opportunity to climb “Pig Dogs on Parade” 5.8 and “Dances with Pigs” 5.10a. After a quick lunch at the Cliff Sides pub Dave, Davin and Helen climbed the classic trad lead (fall protection must be placed as opposed to bolted protection) “Diedre” 5.8, seven pitches, for an impressive total of eighteen pitches on the first day. We stayed in the shade the next day at Shannon Falls Wall. Davin lead his first trad lead in great style as he on sighted “Klahanie Crack” 5.7. The crew took turns on “Local Boys Do Good” as Davin and Helen lead the first pitch. Dave led “Cardhu Crack” 5.8 until the sun forced us to hide in the shade back at camp. Later that day we hit the Upper Malamute and top roped “Larry” 5.9 on Stooges Wall. Dave opted to take a quick spin up “High Mountain Woody” 5.9, a full pitch finger crack which he on sighted. On our last day we headed for Murrin Park and worked the awesomely crafted sport route “Totally Clips” 5.10b. We will definitely be making a return trip to this crag which has some very nice climbing. A great time was had by all despite the intense heat.
| | July 15, 2006 - Posted by Sirius Geek | I was able to check out the new rock climbing gym in Campbell River this week. On The Rocks has a vibrant and friendly climbing scene. This facility can claim an impressive thirty two feet of vertical rise. The gym is set up in a U shaped configuration with featured off vertical walls. In the center of the gym a pillar towers to the roof providing even more climbable surface. Above the espresso bar is a very cool bouldering area. A large overhanging cave, complete with crash pads offers tons of problems. During hot summer evenings you can climb in air conditioned comfort. I enjoyed the atmosphere and the selection of routes available ranging up to five twelve, well out of my league. I dug hanging around grooving to the funky sounds of Donavon Frankenreiter. I encourage all the alpine enthusiasts on the North Island to frequent this gym, now watch this dyno. Climbers passing through on their way to Crest Creek should take a second to stop by for a latte. Should your trip up island wash out, drop in, you won’t be disappointed. If enough people make use of this really nice facility it should be around for a long time.
|
| | |
| | Random Picture | | Davin Carving |  | | click on image for larger view |
|
