Cayoosh Mariott Loop

December 5th
Daily Vert: 1200m
Total Vert so far: 6400m

Yesterday Vince and I skinned up the road to Cayoosh, past the hut and to the bottom of the North Glacier, then up a ridge and over a shoulder in order to come down into Mariott Basin.

The forest/creek section between the cabin and the bottom of the glaciers needs WAY more snow, it took hours and was a total pain in the ass.  The snow on the SE aspects looks and felt quite good, but we did see a pretty substantial natural slide from a few days ago.

The skiing down into Mariott basin was pretty rancid and totally wind hammered, and the ski out was boney, technical and sketchy.  Even in good conditions that must be the lamest ski out in the Duffy.  Unless maybe you are on snow shoes.  Anyway, I'm not going back to the Duffy until we get at least a meter more snow!

Low road to Cayoosh. A bit bushy but otherwise ok.

Sketchy, slow and annoying creek bed skinning.

Fairly large natural on SE aspect

Bottom of Swivel Rocker really needs some work

Cayoosh North Glacier

Un named (I think) sub peak of Cayoosh

Slalok and Stonecrop Glacier

Vince at the top.  Temps were between -25 and -20 all day.

Sunset over Cayoosh

Looking into Mariott Basin.  The skiing was shit.

Metal Dome

December 3rd
Daily Vert: 1200m
Total Vert so far: 5200m

A fun day skiing on Metal Dome with Rico.  We drove up the access road to the brandywine cabin, as far as the steep corner, about half way up.  Took about 20 mins to skin to the cabin from there, and then just over 2 hours to the top of the line, including breaks.

Wind was absolutely howling so it was pretty cold, and due to the arctic outflow the wind had changed direction so lots of things were reverse loaded.

Took 2 short laps on the North Face, which was mostly wind hammered by found a few sheltered sections, then skied back down the south ridge, which was ok but quite variable due to the reverse loading.

Was able to ski all the way back to the car pretty easily, coverage in the woods was mostly pretty good, although did put some bad rock rash on my skis near the end as the snow on the road was pretty thin plus had been churned up by the sleds.

Metal Dome Bowls (round 4) from Dan Cudlip on Vimeo.

November Touring Summary

Wow the skiing sure has sucked so far this year!  So far I've been on 7 trips, and by my count I've had somewhere in the region of zero half decent turns.  Here is the summary of my season so far.  God I hope it snows soon!

Nov 4th Brandywine Meadows
Daily Vert: 600m
Total Vert so far: 600m

This trip is written up in full below.  A nice sunny day but crappy wind blown pow and pitiful coverage.

Nov 7th Red Heather
Daily Vert: 800m

Total Vert so far: 1400m

Skinned for an hour and a half in the pissing rain to ski some flat rained on slop.  Great trip.

Nov 21st Elfin Lakes
Daily Vert: 1400m

Total Vert so far: 2800m

This was a half decent day, some great views in a cool area, but we skinned past the better snow and better terrain on the front of Paul Ridge to go all the way to Columnar Peak.  This was way further and the skiing was way less good.  Should have stayed closer to home!  Got some nice shots thou.

 DPS representin'

Skinning near the cabin

Mt Atwell

Mt Mamquam

Skiing home. Time for a Howe Sound Brewery Burger

Nov 22nd and 23rd Flute Laps

Daily Vert: 500m + 700m

Total Vert so far: 4000m

Did a few laps in bounds and out to Flute with Lee and Sharon.  Probably the best turns I've had so far this season.  Lee got this nice shot of me on his phone.

Photo by Lee Lau