Why I Run I listen closely to the soft consistent sound of my shoe rubber stride across a packed gravel trail, “crunch, tap, crunch, tap”. My rhythm carefully adjusting and molding to suit the unique trail characteristics. Larger rocks here, a swerve there, minute changes in elevation, uniformity, and cushion are constantly calculated as I…
Category: Canada
Mt Tupper – Upper Headwall of the South Rib (5.11-)
Mt Tupper – Upper Headwall of South Rib (5.11-) Personal Rating: ** Rock Quality: 6/10 Length: 7 pitches of 5.6 – 5.11- climbing Timeline: 12 hours (car-to-car) Gear: # Double Rack 0.3 – 3 I looked up at the relatively blank wall, seeing a few minor down sloping holds and poor feet with no obvious…
The Progression of a Ski Traverse
The Progression of a Ski Traverse Based on a 6-day Traverse of the Gold Range Step 1: The Anticipation. This is it, you’ve made idle plans over one to many beers – and now there’s a budding sense of commitment. Your buddy reaches out to ask about more specific details and you realize you should…
A June Morning on Mt Tupper’s West Ridge
A 7’ wide runnel had formed down the center line of the slide-path and was a black hole vortex that sucked in every rock, dirt, and debris into it’s beckoning arms.
Bonnington Traverse Packing List
Maybe useful as a guide to someone? Bonnington Traverse Packing List General Info / Logistics The Bonnington Traverse is a 3+ Hut (Huckleberry Hut Optional) Traverse between Castlegar & Nelson. Based on the hut bookings our rough schedule will be: Traverse Day -> Ski Tour around hut day -> Traverse Day -> Ski Tour around…
Mount Macdonald NW Integral D+ 5.8
Personal Rating: ***** Rock Quality: 8/10 Length: 14-18 pitches Timeline (Bivy -> Bivy): 12 hours Gear: Full double rack (0.3-3) + ½ nuts Climbed: July 6, 2020 I yelled down to Tristan, “ROCK!”, and saw the focused look in his eye as he registered what I was saying before I had finished saying it. We…
A Rescue in Rogers Pass
The day has started off grey, with the beautiful promise of a coming snowfall on the tip of the mountains tongue. But in this moment, that promise seemed daunting. Further we watched the ceiling fall and close in. We saw less and less of the surrounding mountain tops and the gentle falling of snow was like the first signs of fear, the first heightening of senses, the cautionary feeling entering your movements.
Labour & Love – An Ascent of Mt. Sir Donald – NW Route (5.4)
I awoke, or more, opened my eyes. The sounds of burners hissing, water boiling, and climbing gear gently clinking together overwhelmed all my senses. Pressing the lowest button on my watch revealed an ultra-bright 4:00am. I took one long, full breath. Soaking in the stillness and trying to enjoy the last remnants of comfort, or…
Powder Rush
Powder Rush Awake. It’s 6:30am, I immediately look out the window and see what I’ve been hoping for since I began following the low pressure weather forecast a few days ago – a calm sea of white doused on top of everything. Every detail, from the entirety of my old Ford Escape to the centimeter-thick…
To The Man I Picked Up Outside Regina
To The man I Picked up Outside Regina: There you were, arm outstretched, thumb pointing straight up the blue skies that canopied the long flat wheat plains of Saskatchewan. I’d been on the road for the last 3 days, trying to keep my mind occupied with extended phone calls to family and friends, podcasts, some…
of Backpacks and Beards 