SMCC Bow Hut Training Camp

So, big news: I have managed to squeak onto Canada's National Development team for Ski Mountaineering racing.  I found out when I got invited to their first training camp of the year, held at the Bow Hut on the Wapta Icefields.  More info on the team and the sport in Canada can be found here:  ACC Skimo National Team

This was awesome news for me, and the camp was a great way to kick start a big training block heading into the season.



It was a packed long weekend.  I went in to the hut on Thursday with two others, and on Friday we were able to get in a few laps under Crowfoot mountain (we attempted the summit but were turned back by icy conditions)  Navigation was surprisingly tricky with extremely flat light and a shallow snowpack, but the runs that did exist were really good.  The second time down was even better, with a few tracks to give some depth to the terrain.





Saturday the whole group roped up and bagged Mt Gordon, straightlined it back down and then spent the remainder of the day putting in meters above the hut.  Again, not the prettiest conditions but really fun skiing.









Sunday we left our packs at the hut and skiied down to run a few more laps under Crowfoot before returning to the hut for our gear and making our exit.





Overall I put in about 5,500 meters in 3-1/2 days and had untouched powder for almost all of those meters on the way down.  Not a bad way to spend a few days.  Thanks to the ACC and the national team for the opportunity - I'm very excited.

Now I need to get back to training.