A very sad week, on Monday night I went over to cuddle Rocky for the last time he was so week and just sat on my lap limp and hardly able to purr let alone move but I knew that he still wanted me there.
On Tuesday morning he passed away on Mum's lap.
He had been my companion for 17 years, sitting on my shoulders while I studied for my finals at University and never forgetting he was my cat when he went to live with my parents, through to his last night sat on my lap. Whenever I needed solace he was there to show me affection. I will really miss him.
Some people may not understand such an attachment with an animal - but Rocky was part of my family and he loved me so unconditionally even when I moved away for months and months as soon as I turned up at the door he was there to greet me.
Thankyou Rocky.
Saturday 24 March 2007
Saturday 3 March 2007
McNab Snowboarding 200702
This is the GPS tracks of the backcountry snowboard routes we completed during the McNab week
Friday 2 March 2007
McNab Snowboarding Course 17- 24 February; Chamonix Off Piste 25-28 Feb
Day 1- Sunday- Off Piste round Le Tour
After arriving to little if any welcome and squeezing into a tiny room in Hotel Le Vert (in Les Gaillands area) which I share with Emma, things brightened today. Emma is a good room mate to have espesh as we have no room to swing a cat let alone a snowboard, so things will be cosy. We left at 9 this am and drove to Le Tour. Took the 2 lifts up then had a shaky red crud run down, everyone was nervous, as we checked each othres styles out but were more focused on checking we still knew how to ride. We split groups and I was with ski guide Kathy Murphy, the partner of our guide Mark for rest of week. We took the poma drag up which took me 2 attempts to ride, then cat tracked round to swiss side and headed off piste under the Esserts chair down what is called the Scandi trap as it catches so many Scandinavians in Avalanches each year, indeed we crossed the path of one that had triggered as a slab avalanche probably a few days ago from a sizable cornice at the top. Snow was awesome that side and I gained much confidence on it even dropping into the gullies. Nearly took a skier out as I lost control of my turn and she was standing right in middle of the gully. I took a backflip and lots of snow down my back- boy I miss that powder skirt. A horrid heelside traverse/ hike through trees back to lift, then picnic lunch. Transceiver training in pm, then one more run from top of poma drag.The other group had tougher day and had to hike up and drop in over the cornice on day 1, moaning abou Sebastian who shot off without them so much- not looking forward to that tomorrow! I feel full of energy still though great.So I remember the names here we go - (Calum Paul Roberto Dan Darrell Dermot Simon Emma Ed Richard) (Richard Hamshire Dan (Oz) Ali Hester Paul Dan (Halifax))
Day 2 Monday - Vallee Blanche
Early start picked up snow shoes extendible poles and a harness and headed up Aguille de Midi lift to 3854m. Calum was maybe a bit merry still and was geeing me up he was so stoked we were so high and the mountain views were incredible. We stood in the ice tunnel getting excited while we roped up with me at the front and 5 guys attached to me for the walk down across the narrow arrete to the pillow white snow fields below. We gripped the ropes for dear life as we slipped down and Calum sang "To the left" all the way down.Once there we were amazed at the panorama around us as we boarded up and rode down some freshies away from beaten track. At one stage I was first after Sebastian, riding his tracks across a snow bridge over a crevasse and it was faster than I have ever boarded but I was too terrified to move from his tracks an inch so I got faster and faster!We took our boards off and adjusted our snowshoes and poles then roped up for a hike up for 1hr and 10 mins.I was just running out of oomph when we stopped for lunch and to view our next descent fantastic.I boarded up quickly and chased Calum down to get the feshest lines-awesome!Then we toe slid across some rocks then a steep and deep then long flattish traverse that burnt the thighs on heel edge for ages.Finally slalomed through glacial blue ice and rocks just sprinkled with snow down Mer de Glace to reach the Montenvers train.A long climb up steps to the telepherique back to the Montenvers train finished us off.A smile was stuck on my face all day and cheeks are rosy- a great day!
See the map from our lunch stop on Periades glacier to Montenvers base in Chamonix here
Day 3- Tuesday Courmayeur Off Piste
Headed over to Courmayeur today by car. Caught lifts up to very top of mountain where it only goes off piste and only groups with guides are allowed. Took the helmet cam today, no snowshoes though.First descent was pretty steep and cruddy and I did not manage any turns but then we hiked a bit and headed into beautiful powder and slightly less steep so I got my rhythm and started my quick turns.We headed thru the trees a little and filming from the back the rest breaks were so short I really got leg burn. I caught up with the groupand nearly dropped a big cliff to hard flat but avoided it in time. We found a couple of small kickers which I filmed then rode.Finally we traversed out on heel edge and sheer pain in my legs we hiked a while.
We finished back at Dollone in Courmayeur village where we picniced in a field.Then we jumped on the magic carpet of the nursery slopes and thru the punch bags of the kiddie slopes to get some gradient for a roller coaster ride to the bubble.Back up the top we got some really awesome powder and this time on the steeps I was popping my turns with rhythm and no leg burn, sweet!It finished in death valley a complete terrain trap and you could see avalanche debris around us.We hiked and rode along a river bed, I had to jump over the river when I got trapped and a few times had last minute ollies over holes in the snow over the stream. Emma sank 1 leg up to her hip and had to drag it out with much effort.It took ages to get out from there and we were exhausted digging ourselves out. Also our boards were wrecked by the rocks and stones.Back on piste we headed back over to the other side of lifts and then off piste down a crud singletrack that was fast and punishing on thelegs. Even across a back yard right to the car park! That is commitment to ski in/ski out! Phew exhausted!Popped into town to get my extendable poles and beer at "the pub", got chatting to Dan from Oz who is on the off piste course this week.Big day tomorrow so trying for early night. 11!
Day 4 - Wednesday Tour Noir Glacier
Today we drove to Grand Montets and took 2 chairs up- down a piste and booked onto the telecabine to the very top at 3000m, gave us a chance for a chocolat chaud and some route planning on map before our turn on the lift. There we headed off to skiers right out of bounds to the Argentiere glacier some cool powder descent to the glacier then snowshoes on we trekked up to the Tour Noir glacier, a fair climb with lunch stop half way. Tried the shewee for the first time which worked well but took a bit of getting used to. Fascinated the guys though, and I think I got away lightly with some of the comments.I led the trek up from lunch and was told to slow down by guide Sebastian! I counted 50 paces then a breather and repeat as it got harder. He called us to stop and board up so my kit was off in no time then half the group carried on which was frustrating as I would have gone too. They made a big deal of it of course but I am sure they did not get that many more turns in than us considering the extra 30 mins it took them.From there it was awesome smooth turns, fresh lines and fun fun fun!
Back on the Argentiere glacier we had to use our poles to scootch along which was a new technique for me and I was glad of my new poles as everyone struggled to extend theirs.Some awesome glacial sites as we weaved close to the crevasses and seracs which made a stunning backdrop and made you realise how dangerous and adventurous this all was. Luckily Darrell was snapping away so we have some great shots to remember it. As usual a calf burning traverse and a few blue ice glacial pieces to slide over before we popped out on a black run and descended to the lifts and car park.My board is shot since the rock fest of death valley yesterday a huge ding in my heelside rail that makes piste riding tough. So time for some shopping!
See the map here
Day 5
Today we took the telecabine up from Flegere and then the index lift and Floria drag where we put our crampons on, poles out and climbed up and over the Floria peak. On the top we boarded up and traversed over a couple of km then crampons on again and a steep climb up the Col de Crochues. Pretty tired and sweating loads in the hot sun when we reached the cornice I thought shit where do we ride from here but alas we had arocky scramble still to climb. We had to hold Paul back from dropping off the cornice its so deceiving and looks a good place to rest!So we roped up and climbed toghether Sebastaian first then Emma then Me then Ed. It was rocky and icy and very exposed, suddenly Sebastian called my name and I looked up for a photo of me on this snowy arrete with a sheer drop either side. Wow! Exhilarating!While we downclimbed a snowy incline to have our lunch with awesome views and loads more sun, Darrell was climbing up and losing crampons on that scramble- ow! We dug some snowpits then boarded up and had some awesome fresh powder tracks through huge bowls and across Lac Blanc, which we had to pole over like gondoliers on our boards. Then we hit some slushy crud stuff which punished the legs adjusting to the juddering with fast twitch muscles to absorb the minor bumps, I got some cool windlip turns and twisted thru trees. Back on piste and Ed arrived having sideslipped and nosedived his way down with one bent nose tip to his board. As my board is splitting badly too and I did not want that too happen on our biggest day tomorrow I went shopping with the suport of the boys and Emma and bought a Burton Feel Good ES 155cm. Hope I love it! Bit grumpy tonight very tired and fed up of spending 3hrs at dinner each night talking to people, gets a bit much when you are so used to being alone all the time!
See the map here
Day 6- Friday Col du Passon
See the map here
Day 7- Saturday Hangover Rest Day
It is snowing for first time since I got here having had blue skies and bright sun all week. Had to check out at 11am so went for a long lunch in Cham with Dan and Richard. Had a great chat- wandered round shops with them then met Is and headed to Mark's place. It was fun to see him as he is enjoying it so much. Had chicken wings for dinner in the bar by Spar then slept like a baby I was so tired.
Day 8- Sunday Le Tour White Out Off Piste
Joined Is as it was her first day out and on new skis, only a few lifts were open so I off pisted near the red run which was deep snow but such a white out hard to tell how fast you were going and what was up and down. Eventually I got dug in in deep snow and had to hike out up to my thighs so got very tired and called it a day.
Day 9- Monday Rest day
Felt exhausted and ill all night think my body is run down so I took a rest day and went shopping and then just sitting around reading and doing the Everest impossible jigsaw at Mark's! Couple of drinks in evening with Is, Mark, Andy and Madeline.
Day 10- Tuesday Le Tour Tete de Balme/Vallorcine Off Piste
Back on form today and as its been snowing for 3 days now and around 90cm on the ground plus the sun came out I went to Le Tour and joined the huge queues up the lifts. I headed straight over to Tete de Balme Esserts lift and rode the piste too worried about going off alone, but piste was choppy already and too many people to avoid. Once on the chair I picked out the off piste lines within view of the chair and saw where others were going so I headed out skiers right under the chair at 1st pylon and over the ridge (not into Scandi trap) and chose some sweet untracked powder near the chair line down (Esserts chair). On my 3rd run I dropped a little towards Scandi trap and deboarded and hiked up where I bumped into Mark and Al. So rest of the day I rode with them. 2 more times down that run then went skiers right from lift over unpisted blue run the off piste on completely fresh deep snow all way down to Vallorcine for some frites and a chocolat chaud.
Back up and it was cold and weather closing in so we headed back across pistes the off piste route and from the top of Charamillon we traversed skiers left twice then I had to hike and scoot along the ridge with Al's help before we dropped again thru untracked lines to the car park at Le Tour. Rode from 10:30 -5pm- wow- exhausted but what a way to finish off the holiday!
See the map here
Got home soaked and packed my bags then out for Italian at Casa restaurant with Is, Mark and Al- then home to bed I was shattered and could not wait to sleep! Tomorrow I get my transfer home- tired, refreshed and renewed- this week I came alive again!
Day 1- Sunday- Off Piste round Le Tour
After arriving to little if any welcome and squeezing into a tiny room in Hotel Le Vert (in Les Gaillands area) which I share with Emma, things brightened today. Emma is a good room mate to have espesh as we have no room to swing a cat let alone a snowboard, so things will be cosy. We left at 9 this am and drove to Le Tour. Took the 2 lifts up then had a shaky red crud run down, everyone was nervous, as we checked each othres styles out but were more focused on checking we still knew how to ride. We split groups and I was with ski guide Kathy Murphy, the partner of our guide Mark for rest of week. We took the poma drag up which took me 2 attempts to ride, then cat tracked round to swiss side and headed off piste under the Esserts chair down what is called the Scandi trap as it catches so many Scandinavians in Avalanches each year, indeed we crossed the path of one that had triggered as a slab avalanche probably a few days ago from a sizable cornice at the top. Snow was awesome that side and I gained much confidence on it even dropping into the gullies. Nearly took a skier out as I lost control of my turn and she was standing right in middle of the gully. I took a backflip and lots of snow down my back- boy I miss that powder skirt. A horrid heelside traverse/ hike through trees back to lift, then picnic lunch. Transceiver training in pm, then one more run from top of poma drag.The other group had tougher day and had to hike up and drop in over the cornice on day 1, moaning abou Sebastian who shot off without them so much- not looking forward to that tomorrow! I feel full of energy still though great.So I remember the names here we go - (Calum Paul Roberto Dan Darrell Dermot Simon Emma Ed Richard) (Richard Hamshire Dan (Oz) Ali Hester Paul Dan (Halifax))
Day 2 Monday - Vallee Blanche
Early start picked up snow shoes extendible poles and a harness and headed up Aguille de Midi lift to 3854m. Calum was maybe a bit merry still and was geeing me up he was so stoked we were so high and the mountain views were incredible. We stood in the ice tunnel getting excited while we roped up with me at the front and 5 guys attached to me for the walk down across the narrow arrete to the pillow white snow fields below. We gripped the ropes for dear life as we slipped down and Calum sang "To the left" all the way down.Once there we were amazed at the panorama around us as we boarded up and rode down some freshies away from beaten track. At one stage I was first after Sebastian, riding his tracks across a snow bridge over a crevasse and it was faster than I have ever boarded but I was too terrified to move from his tracks an inch so I got faster and faster!We took our boards off and adjusted our snowshoes and poles then roped up for a hike up for 1hr and 10 mins.I was just running out of oomph when we stopped for lunch and to view our next descent fantastic.I boarded up quickly and chased Calum down to get the feshest lines-awesome!Then we toe slid across some rocks then a steep and deep then long flattish traverse that burnt the thighs on heel edge for ages.Finally slalomed through glacial blue ice and rocks just sprinkled with snow down Mer de Glace to reach the Montenvers train.A long climb up steps to the telepherique back to the Montenvers train finished us off.A smile was stuck on my face all day and cheeks are rosy- a great day!
See the map from our lunch stop on Periades glacier to Montenvers base in Chamonix here
Day 3- Tuesday Courmayeur Off Piste
Headed over to Courmayeur today by car. Caught lifts up to very top of mountain where it only goes off piste and only groups with guides are allowed. Took the helmet cam today, no snowshoes though.First descent was pretty steep and cruddy and I did not manage any turns but then we hiked a bit and headed into beautiful powder and slightly less steep so I got my rhythm and started my quick turns.We headed thru the trees a little and filming from the back the rest breaks were so short I really got leg burn. I caught up with the groupand nearly dropped a big cliff to hard flat but avoided it in time. We found a couple of small kickers which I filmed then rode.Finally we traversed out on heel edge and sheer pain in my legs we hiked a while.
We finished back at Dollone in Courmayeur village where we picniced in a field.Then we jumped on the magic carpet of the nursery slopes and thru the punch bags of the kiddie slopes to get some gradient for a roller coaster ride to the bubble.Back up the top we got some really awesome powder and this time on the steeps I was popping my turns with rhythm and no leg burn, sweet!It finished in death valley a complete terrain trap and you could see avalanche debris around us.We hiked and rode along a river bed, I had to jump over the river when I got trapped and a few times had last minute ollies over holes in the snow over the stream. Emma sank 1 leg up to her hip and had to drag it out with much effort.It took ages to get out from there and we were exhausted digging ourselves out. Also our boards were wrecked by the rocks and stones.Back on piste we headed back over to the other side of lifts and then off piste down a crud singletrack that was fast and punishing on thelegs. Even across a back yard right to the car park! That is commitment to ski in/ski out! Phew exhausted!Popped into town to get my extendable poles and beer at "the pub", got chatting to Dan from Oz who is on the off piste course this week.Big day tomorrow so trying for early night. 11!
Day 4 - Wednesday Tour Noir Glacier
Today we drove to Grand Montets and took 2 chairs up- down a piste and booked onto the telecabine to the very top at 3000m, gave us a chance for a chocolat chaud and some route planning on map before our turn on the lift. There we headed off to skiers right out of bounds to the Argentiere glacier some cool powder descent to the glacier then snowshoes on we trekked up to the Tour Noir glacier, a fair climb with lunch stop half way. Tried the shewee for the first time which worked well but took a bit of getting used to. Fascinated the guys though, and I think I got away lightly with some of the comments.I led the trek up from lunch and was told to slow down by guide Sebastian! I counted 50 paces then a breather and repeat as it got harder. He called us to stop and board up so my kit was off in no time then half the group carried on which was frustrating as I would have gone too. They made a big deal of it of course but I am sure they did not get that many more turns in than us considering the extra 30 mins it took them.From there it was awesome smooth turns, fresh lines and fun fun fun!
Back on the Argentiere glacier we had to use our poles to scootch along which was a new technique for me and I was glad of my new poles as everyone struggled to extend theirs.Some awesome glacial sites as we weaved close to the crevasses and seracs which made a stunning backdrop and made you realise how dangerous and adventurous this all was. Luckily Darrell was snapping away so we have some great shots to remember it. As usual a calf burning traverse and a few blue ice glacial pieces to slide over before we popped out on a black run and descended to the lifts and car park.My board is shot since the rock fest of death valley yesterday a huge ding in my heelside rail that makes piste riding tough. So time for some shopping!
See the map here
Day 5
Today we took the telecabine up from Flegere and then the index lift and Floria drag where we put our crampons on, poles out and climbed up and over the Floria peak. On the top we boarded up and traversed over a couple of km then crampons on again and a steep climb up the Col de Crochues. Pretty tired and sweating loads in the hot sun when we reached the cornice I thought shit where do we ride from here but alas we had arocky scramble still to climb. We had to hold Paul back from dropping off the cornice its so deceiving and looks a good place to rest!So we roped up and climbed toghether Sebastaian first then Emma then Me then Ed. It was rocky and icy and very exposed, suddenly Sebastian called my name and I looked up for a photo of me on this snowy arrete with a sheer drop either side. Wow! Exhilarating!While we downclimbed a snowy incline to have our lunch with awesome views and loads more sun, Darrell was climbing up and losing crampons on that scramble- ow! We dug some snowpits then boarded up and had some awesome fresh powder tracks through huge bowls and across Lac Blanc, which we had to pole over like gondoliers on our boards. Then we hit some slushy crud stuff which punished the legs adjusting to the juddering with fast twitch muscles to absorb the minor bumps, I got some cool windlip turns and twisted thru trees. Back on piste and Ed arrived having sideslipped and nosedived his way down with one bent nose tip to his board. As my board is splitting badly too and I did not want that too happen on our biggest day tomorrow I went shopping with the suport of the boys and Emma and bought a Burton Feel Good ES 155cm. Hope I love it! Bit grumpy tonight very tired and fed up of spending 3hrs at dinner each night talking to people, gets a bit much when you are so used to being alone all the time!
See the map here
Day 6- Friday Col du Passon
See the map here
Day 7- Saturday Hangover Rest Day
It is snowing for first time since I got here having had blue skies and bright sun all week. Had to check out at 11am so went for a long lunch in Cham with Dan and Richard. Had a great chat- wandered round shops with them then met Is and headed to Mark's place. It was fun to see him as he is enjoying it so much. Had chicken wings for dinner in the bar by Spar then slept like a baby I was so tired.
Day 8- Sunday Le Tour White Out Off Piste
Joined Is as it was her first day out and on new skis, only a few lifts were open so I off pisted near the red run which was deep snow but such a white out hard to tell how fast you were going and what was up and down. Eventually I got dug in in deep snow and had to hike out up to my thighs so got very tired and called it a day.
Day 9- Monday Rest day
Felt exhausted and ill all night think my body is run down so I took a rest day and went shopping and then just sitting around reading and doing the Everest impossible jigsaw at Mark's! Couple of drinks in evening with Is, Mark, Andy and Madeline.
Day 10- Tuesday Le Tour Tete de Balme/Vallorcine Off Piste
Back on form today and as its been snowing for 3 days now and around 90cm on the ground plus the sun came out I went to Le Tour and joined the huge queues up the lifts. I headed straight over to Tete de Balme Esserts lift and rode the piste too worried about going off alone, but piste was choppy already and too many people to avoid. Once on the chair I picked out the off piste lines within view of the chair and saw where others were going so I headed out skiers right under the chair at 1st pylon and over the ridge (not into Scandi trap) and chose some sweet untracked powder near the chair line down (Esserts chair). On my 3rd run I dropped a little towards Scandi trap and deboarded and hiked up where I bumped into Mark and Al. So rest of the day I rode with them. 2 more times down that run then went skiers right from lift over unpisted blue run the off piste on completely fresh deep snow all way down to Vallorcine for some frites and a chocolat chaud.
Back up and it was cold and weather closing in so we headed back across pistes the off piste route and from the top of Charamillon we traversed skiers left twice then I had to hike and scoot along the ridge with Al's help before we dropped again thru untracked lines to the car park at Le Tour. Rode from 10:30 -5pm- wow- exhausted but what a way to finish off the holiday!
See the map here
Got home soaked and packed my bags then out for Italian at Casa restaurant with Is, Mark and Al- then home to bed I was shattered and could not wait to sleep! Tomorrow I get my transfer home- tired, refreshed and renewed- this week I came alive again!
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