Ascension

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Olympic Break: Deep Cove Canoe Day-Trip

Although Vancouver is stunning during the Olympics, one can only handle the city shenanigans for so long. Time to escape to one of Vancouver's many easy yet gorgeous day trips. Launched the canoe in Deep Cove followed the shoreline up the Indian Arm.

Stopped at a dock with under a nice cliff...

Nark and Theresa

It was so warm and the sun was too bright. Great day for canoeing but not healthy for the scarce snow in the midst of the winter Olympics.

Jug Island

Deep Cove, with a rowing team practicing in the bay

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Callaghan Valley Skiing

Kongsberg Touring 300
This was my first trip to the Callaghan Country ski trails, and it was pretty much a day long waxing experiment....

....and my conclusion: LEARN HOW TO WAX SKIS or moreover BC is not MN! A good couple inches of very sticky snow on the bottom of those skis made for a very exciting day.

Callaghan Lake

I chose my setup to be the opposite of high-tec: wooden skis with triple prong binders and old leather duck foot boots, bamboo poles, flannel lined jeans and a wool sweater.

On my way back down the Mainline trail with a breathtaking view of the not so black Black Tusk.
Day one from parking lot to Callaghan Lake and back, total distance: 19km

The second time went up to the Callaghan was the last weekend before they closed to the public for the Olympics. The snow was much warmer and turned out to be less sticky, whoda thunk.

Solitude Glacier and some wild pillows on the left.

Creek on coming out from the glacier

Heading down Wild Spirit and Real Life trails

Fog in the woods

Very nice fella named Brad who owns the joint stopped to make sure I wasn't having any problems. There was a very nice stand of old growth yellow cedars I passed through, here a big Hemlock on the left.
Day two from the parking up Mainline lot to Solitude Glacier and down Wild Spirit, total distance: 31km

Trail map:
http://www.callaghancountry.com/trailhead/documents/20092010trailmap.pdf

Monday, December 7, 2009

Logger Sports at the Chan Center!

December 2nd 2009:
The President's Annual Blue & Gold Review
Showcasing inventions, interviews, videos and music from UBC's most outstanding students, faculty and staff. From a robot build for the moon to medical students opening a clinic in Vancouver's downtown eastside and last but not least....

...UBC Forestry Logger Sports Team!
Waiting for our que to begin the show.

First off the underhand chop with Owen and me. For those U0MN logger sports people this is what a 'real' competition log (14 inch) looks like.

Neck n neck...

Look at all them fine looking suits, and me finishing up my log (lost by a few).

Double buck against a cold start chainsaw.

Jack n Jill versus hot start chainsaw.

Action shot and look at that fiber fly!

Master carver Kit Burke's creation. A masterpiece if i may add.
And many thanks to Radu for taking the logger sports pictures.

Now some eye candy for those inspired by all things wood...

The massive 2010 Olympic Speed Skating Oval in Richmond.

The center of the rink can be used for just about anything, here a basketball court. The wood is harvested from BC, along with the manufactured glulam beams, and impressive prefabricated ceiling structure.