Bear Spirit – Mixed crag day

Great day at Bear Spirit crag with Kyle, January 13.  We walked up and set up a top rope above a fun M6+ route, Woody, and did a lot of laps on this fun moderate route.  Both Kyle and I considered leading, or pink pointing, this route, but after several laps, we were smart and didn’t push our luck. 

Kyle on No Love (M7)

The crag was busy on this cold January day, with up to 12 people sharing routes and top ropes.  We had a great day and did a few top roped laps on a M7 route (No Love), lead by Scott from Canmore (very impressive lead) and a few laps on an ice pillar.  Good pump and fun to think and feel the mixed moves.

Mt. Haffner - Ski ascent

January 5, 2013.  Short day casual day that started with a lot of people. Kevin P., Vern D., Eric C. and I headed out to ski up Mt. Haffner (2514m). We were meet by Steven S. and Grant at the parking lot, but didn’t see much of them since we went for Haffner and they headed up Vermillion first (Steven and Grant went on to bag Mt. Haffner as well).

Cool low valley cloud gave way to warm air and bright sun above treeline. Quick pace to pass between Vermillion and Haffner.

  

Vern, Eric and I really enjoyed the sun, snow, ski and boot pack up Haffner; Kevin P. gave up early, still below tree line, due to a lack of energy.  Eric and I were keen to bag both summits (Vern skied up Vermillion a few years ago), but I was a good dad and headed home to make bath time. Fabulous day in the sun with great views, great snow and great friends. Great day ;-).  About 4 hours to summit and about 2.5 hours from top to car. First summit of 2013!