Heli-slinging training

We had a helicopter rescue slinging exercise the other day. It was to get everyone certified to be able to perform this rescue if someone needs extricating from a tricky spot. The temp's were -22 degrees Celsius, and it was very cold flying!



Part of the exercise was packaging a patient to be flown out. Luckily, we had a warden with a broken toe who was "happy" to volunteer for the role of patient.



In total, 11 people slung into the top of the landslide area. We packaged up a patient, flew him out with an attendant, then skied the slope and were picked up at the bottom. It was still bloody cold flying out...

Ice Climbing course

Four days of ice climbing! After 7 years of letting the tools rust in the corner, I dragged them out, sharpened them up, and froze my butt off ice climbing. Well, it never really got too cold, which made it that much more of a sweet return to the Rockies!



My first route ever in the Ghost River area. I never had a large enough vehicle to get in there. This climb is "Weathering Heights", a three star, 100m WI4 route that was great fun.



Mike Eder finishing the first pitch on Weathering Heights.



Grant Statham on Carlsberg Column (WI5), an excellent route in Field.



Carlsberg Column from below.



Percy Woods on Louise Falls, avoiding the death daggers and climbing quickly.

Little Sifton morning tour

On the summit of Little Sifton. A great tour first thing in the morning when you don't have time for a full day.



The view southeast towards Sir Donald.



The view south towards Asulkan Pass.



Looking towards Grizzly Peak from the summit of Little Sifton.



Starting the descent off of Little Sifton. There is an initial roll of roughly 30-33 degrees, but then it kicks back to mellow terrain, 20-25 degrees, down to the top of Grizzly Shoulder.



The Pass...road access is pretty good.

Returning south, coming home!

After spending the last 6 months in Nunavut, it was time to fly back south. On November 8, I was heading home.



'Lo and behold, it was a sign! I had returned to Rogers Pass! I love the colder air of the interior vs the coast, and the ice crystals that hang in the sky on a clear day!



Went skiing with Henke up in the basin behind Avalanche Crest. Managed to remote trigger a size 3 slide from 400m away! We were creeping back down the hill after that one. The following day, people were skiing similar aspects up the Connaught drainage and not seeing the spookiness that we had. Spatial variability...keep your eyes open!



Vern heading up McGill through the caked trees.



Verena and Marty nearing the top of McGill Shoulder



"Every trip must have a bag of chips!" Vern exclaims!



Marty, loving the interior fluff.



The interior fluff, stuck on Marty's face, after a run of sweetness.



Finished for another day, the gang will return at a later date.

Boat patrol

Our outfitter, taking us out to patrol the north coast of the park. This was the end of October, and the temp's were dropping to -15 degrees Celsius. It doesn't sound too bad, but when you're on the open ocean, it is bloody cold!



The high, noon-hour sun above Qikiqtarjuaq.



What a polar bear looks like when skinned and chopped up into a bunch of pieces.



Bergs, floating south from Baffin Bay.



The purpose of this patrol was to place boundary signs along the coast, as well as observe any activities of the sport-hunters in the nearby vicinity.



Seals taking advantage of the recently formed sea ice.



A successful hunter with his polar bear. He was outside of the park.



I will not pass judgement...