This winter I had planned for some Man Skiing – I’ve mentioned this phrase before and it has nothing to do with men or women – it just means ‘serious skiing’ – women can do it too (yes I’m talking about you LD – although you are a girl at heart).
So far this winter I have been well behaved – to tell the truth I’ve been living a rather monastic existence. Lots of gentle skiing, no ‘completely wicked’ nights on the town and it did take me 15 days to finish the last carton of rum that I bought (I should be able to do that in 12 days easy – monastic life will do that to you I suppose).
I’m not sure this quiet living is quite for me so I’m on a road trip to Temple Basin – a place where ‘Man Skiing’ is expected.
Today I woke up at 6. I drove 2hrs (after driving 5 yesterday) to the Temple carpark. Then I had a ‘not so gentle’ 1000m climb to the lodge – it only took me an hour and a half (that is 1000m vertical).
My load was 45kgs – 3ltrs of rum, full ski gear (inc climbing harness),
clothes for a week and the temporary office for a week.
Day 2 – half a foot overnight. Pretty good crew and they pointed me in the right direction. Andrew in the orange – me in the black.
Day 3 – the crew were keen to open some new terrain. In order to do this we had to lug the injury sled thingy up to the top of the terrain we wanted to ski. Not an insignifiant undertaking – took 6 of us an hour.
While on that top ridge getting our breath, an avalanche ripped through this exact spot –
I don’t think it would have hurt us but would have knocked us over that is for sure!!!
I think the effort was worth it…..
Antonio and I on some newly opened drops…..
I like this place!!!
Those last 2 pics were taken in sequence – hahaha.