AlpenShralpen....

The tradition of pow anticipation is my favourite November past time. Each morning I go through the steps of checking weather reports and forecast outlooks. Then browse the weather stations and web cams of the coast mountains looking for the white stuff. This process can be taxing and frustrating when things aren't shaping up. Then there's a morning when all signs are go and it's time to move into action. This Sunday was that morning and my plan was only 20 minutes from our front door in Squamish.

There's always a balance of early season access to "skiable" snow but on this day we managed to get the truck to 1260 meters!      

I've decided that Juneau likes face shots more than any skier / boarder I've ever met. The moment we opened the truck door she escaped into the deep.        

The coolest thing about this zone is we can see it from our house!

It was a better than expected legitimate first day of deep pow!  

                                   
Here we go winter!

Garibaldi Snow Ride....

With winter taking it's time arriving this fall it opens up the possibility of some high alpine rides where we're usually making our first pow turns. Drey and Paulo joined us the day after our annual slide-show evening to head up the only legal Garibaldi Park mountain bike sanctioned trail. Our heads were a little fuzzy from the night before so the cold weather was welcome.

The trail up to Paul Ridge was snow-covered and icy....    

After an hour or so the views opened up.  

The jays were enjoying some of the last good rays of the season.  

Killer views of the Mamquam....

And Alpha / Tantalus....  

I was riding a fatter than usual bike....  

We warmed up in the Elfin Lakes shelter....

It was pretty cool to see people ice skating on the lakes up there....

We caught the days last sunshine and paid the price of a very dark exit.  

Classic Mt Garibaldi alpenglow to the north....

Classic Sky Pilot Sunset to the South....  

       
Pray for snow!

Indian Arm Wrestling....

Juneau joined Danielle and myself for a long cold bike ride to the Indian Arm Nov 11. Such a unique perspective on a seldom visited valley.

Watersprite Lake....

There are some peaks I can see from my front door and nessled below them is a lake. I heard a rumour that some great individuals took the time to upgrade the trail and help make the access better. We finally made the short journey up to this beautiful treasure and it was well worth it.

           

Not so Deep Steep Creek....

On a cool and crisp Nov 1 morning we decided to check on winter's progress up the Duffey. As expected it was thin but as always a great day out.