Skiing at Wildhorse Catskiing

The winter was a little late in coming and our first day of catskiing was New Years Day 2009. We had some awesome early season turns and then a short avalanche cycle where we closed down for two days. There were 6" glide cracks in the trees where avalanches had tried to initiate but lacked the momentum to continue. Every year is a little different. We are nearing the end of dry spell now and we finished skiing the steeper lines on Mustang Bowl, Mustang Face and Wildhorse Peak.

Cassis, France

On our return to the airport in Nice we spent two nights in Cassis. Sara took about 1000 pictures. We strolled around and walked out of town along the rocky bluffs and inlets. It was a great way to finish another awesome visit to France.

Avignon

When in France we always stay at the Chateau Rainford. This picture is not it, although Avignon is under an hour away from the tiny little village of St. Romain en Viennois where Sara's parents have a small and rustic place. We explore the little village markets, historical places, vineyards and the mountain roads like Mt Ventoux which is one of the classic climbs of the Tour de France.

Zermatt - Scott and Alex

Sara has some good friends who operate a small hotel in Ausserberg, Switzerland just around the corner from Zermatt. It is a beautiful place with great hiking in the mountains above the village. We took a quick visit to Zermatt although a little while after this photo was tekan it started pouring rain. We left the next day and over the next couple of days it snowed heavily for the start of an epic winter season in the European Alps.

Grindelwald - Eiger

When in Switzerland visit Grindelwald. I remember reading The White Spider and a host of the other early mountaineering books about climbing the North Face of the Eiger. It was pretty amazing to finally see this mountain. We strolled around pleasantly in beautiful Fall conditions chasing chamoix and taking photographs.

Cinqua Terra

Sara and I spent a day hiking the Cinqua Terra coastline of Italy. Needless to say it was incredible. We were quite surprised by the number of people hiking. What a contrast from hiking in the backcountry of British Columbia. The train stops in every

town along the coast so you just keep hiking and easting and drinking and sleeping and photographing.

Swiss Alps

In the Fall my parents met Sara and I in Italy for a car tour of Southern Europe. We spent two weeks travelling through Italy, Switzerland and Provence, France. We were travelling through thick fog in the valley and started up this valley ( I think it's near Andermatt ) and popped out of the clouds into a glorious day.

Sara's Photos at the Whyte Museum

On October 17th Sara and I went to Banff for the opening of the Whyte Museum's Out There: Adventure Photography Exhibition. Four of Sara's photos were chosen to be exhibited. The photos included mixed climbing, skiing over a cliff at Wildhorse, kayaking and rock climbing. There was a beautiful mixed assortment of photos from an earlier era as well this generation.

The exhibition will be on until the end of January 2009.

Last flight for the year

We had a great September with some beautiful days. I finally managed to make the most of it with a short flight from Idaho Peak in very quiet conditions. Landed in the school yard right across the street from Glacier View Cabins. Two days later the peak was dusted with snow and it looks like it will remain for the winter.

Rossland Seven Summits Running Race

Red Mountain sponsered the 2nd Annual Seven Summits Running Race. There was about 80 runners climbing up 2 or 3,000 ft and the 26 km trail. I took my bike up and took photos from the high spots of the runners as they passed by Old Glory Mountain at the mid point in the race. Grabbed my bike and raced back to the bottom to catch them at the finish line. Runners fastest time 1hr 49 minutes. A record number of photographs for me that day at 500+. The best are online

New Denver Mountain Biking

Last summer my goal was to ride up Idaho Peak from New Denver. That was fun last year and a couple of times this year. This year I wanted to ride from Retallack on Highway 31A over the Stinson/Reco Ridge and down in Sandon and then up the Idaho Peak road and down to New Denver for an awesome epic day. It was. Lots of good climbing ( 3000m ) and lots of good descents. I think I'm fine for next year. Andrew ( in the photograph ) is the willing participant.

Back in New Denver

Flying back to Canada I landed in Kelowna and met up with my brother, Ian and his entourage. Ian was on his way to visit Sara and I in New Denver so I caught a ride. We had the gang for the next three days and enjoyed the fine summer weather at the beach.

Check out this handsome bloke

Oliver is 3. This was the first visit that I have had with Oliver. A very friendly and lively young lad he is as well. It was a pleasure to spend some time reading and playing with Oliver. Well mannered and fun loving as they all are. I look forward to seeing them all again soon.

Tegan

Tegan is Cynthia and Peter's first child. The last time I met Tegan I think she was 3 years old - a little older now at 8. Very helpfull to her Mum and Dad and her younger siblings. Currently learning piano with my Aunt Rosemary. Tegan is also very busy with school, chinese dance and parties with friends.

Peter and Toby

My sister, Cynthia had the good fortune to marry Peter and have three awesome kids together. In addition to being a great father Peter is a teacher in Bendigo, a heck of a good golfer, kicks ass at "Call of Duty" video game, and gives his wife a run for the money at who's the boss in the kitchen. Toby is the handsome bloke helping out his Dad at the barbie.

Australia

For the last two weeks I took an airplane with my Aunt Rosemary to see an Eye Specialist in Australia and to visit my family. It's been awhile. I met Catherine, my brother's wife who both live in Melbourne. We walked all over town enjoying the winter weather, good chinese food and the various architecture and street art of Melbourne. Things have changed in the last 20 years.

Idaho Peak Bike Ride

The Idaho Peak bike ascent from New Denver was my goal for last summer. I ended up doing it a couple of times and look forward to doing all of the trails again this summer. It's 6,500 ft of vertical from New Denver. 30 minutes or so on highway 3A up to Three Forks. Another 30 to Sandon on dirt road. I think that's about 12 or 14km. Then the grind really begins. The next 12km ( almost 2 hrs ) are up the forestry road to Wild Goose Basin and on up to the parking area right on the ridgetop. The trail then follows the ridge to the summit or alternatively drops right off the south side on the Wakefield for about an hour single track descent, followed by narrow wagon road, followed by the main logging road up Silverton Creek for a total of 1.5 hrs descent. Ride back to New Denver - 10am.

We got married in Cuba too.

Went down to the beach and said our vows. Beautiful sunset and Full Moon. Beautiful bride and handsome groom.

Trinidad

We rented a car - no, not this one - and visited Trinidad on the southern side of Cuba. Lots of adventure driving on the local roads. The classic car is a 58 Chev. I think it's the newest of the old american cars to get down here since the American - Cuba standoff. The revolution is still popularized with postcards and t-shirts of Che Guevera and Fidel Castro at every tourist station.

Historical Havana

Lots of History in Havana. Old buildings which look unchanged and still a busy port. This photo is taken of an artist's rendition of the port of Havana in the 1600 or 1700's. It was pretty neat to be in The City of the Caribean.