North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1606 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2012 : 11:46 PM
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The photo uploaders are not working at the moment so I’ve put the photos for this trip report here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/114821011187092317860/SupermoonOnMountStrachan?authkey=Gv1sRgCNW8-JC21a_yvgE#
I went up to Mount Strachan tonight by myself on skis to catch the sunset and hopefully the supermoonrise.
Supermoon explanation:
http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/359460--keep-your-eyes-to-the-sky-tonight
I started on the trail to Bowen Lookout and then hooked up to the Howe Sound Crest Trail. I believe I then took Christmas Gully. The snow in the gully was soft (maybe too soft) and water was dripping from the trees. I got up safely and took a left at the col to Mount Strachan. From the col, there was a crust on the snow. I was surprised that there was still snow hanging to the trees.
Up top, I was able to get some pictures of the sun before it dropped below the clouds but it was obvious I wouldn’t get a moonrise. I took off the skins and headed down to the col. I was surprised at how hard the skiing was. The crust would collapse and turning was very difficult (it would often lead to falling.)
Back at the col, I felt an itching all over my body as hair spontaneously grew out over my body. I then noticed a pain in my mouth as I accidentally bit my tongue with my new fangs. Sure enough, I looked to the left and the supermoon had risen above the clouds.
I took a few pictures and then boot packed up to the ski area. The plan was do a quick ski run down the car. Unfortunately the conditions remained difficult. I’m not a very good skier and I just couldn’t make it work. I couldn’t even side slip. The crust would collapse which would stop downward progress so I’d have to keep angling the skis further and further down the hill until eventually the downhill edge caught and I fell downhill. I ended up bootpacking a lot of the way.
As I boot packed down I caught some eyes in the bush looking at me. Fortunately the moon was high in the sky now and I was still in Werewolf mode so it wasn’t a concern.
Towards the bottom of the hill I put my skis on and got in a little bit of skiing.
Coming down the road, the view point seemed very busy. I guess a lot of people were out to see the supermoon. |
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Supermoon from Mount Strachan
