At last, a blue sky day. Inevitably this meant it was a bit cooler. We started skiing at minus 14°C and it warmed up to around minus 10°C. My electric gloves warmed my hands for thirty minutes or so, after which no further power was needed. It’ll be interesting to see whether they perform in colder weather.
Trail 36 was a delight – freshly groomed with hardly any other people on it. We took the track down to Meech Lake and skied around a small island in McDonald Bay.
It was Sue, Susan and me on today’s outing as Ken was at work and Helen was downhill skiing at Mont Cascades with Frank.
The fire at Herridge Cabin had only just been lit, so we went to nearby Healey Cabin, where a couple of mountain bikers were in residence. There was also a large party of snowshoers, whose speedier members had got a roaring fire going.
The snowshoers had all brought food and were enjoying a lavish banquet by the time we left. I think some local Canadians were introducing a group of Indians to the Park. Everyone was very jolly.
We returned by the same route. Whilst we were unable to find the ‘No Nude Bathing’ sign that used to ornament this trail, we did see a sign that told us we were on the Trans Canada Trail, which I guess is quite an undertaking.
For the record: P11 (O’Brien) > #36 > Meech Lake > #36 > #50 > Herridge Cabin > Healey Cabin (lunch) > #50 > #36 > P11 = 21.7 km, 388 metres ascent, taking 3 hours 59 mins (3.02 moving time)
Fabulous conditions for a lovely day out in the sunshine.
2 comments:
I have been following with interest. I have never skied in any way at all, and it is far too late in life now with dodgy knees, especially for downhill, but...
...I have always thought that cross-country skiing in the right conditions must be the most desirable way of getting around. What I am not sure of is how much energy is required. How would you compare a day of walking say sixteen miles with a day of similar duration cross-country skiing in terms of energy required and resulting tiredness at the end of the day?
See next but one posting, Conrad. Serious cross-country skiing injuries are probably fewer than walking injuries. Our outings are pretty gentle, other than the Loppets. They are longish (50km+) races taking 5 to 7 hours for old timers like me, so you are entitled to be tired at the end!
Post a Comment