A Day Off (March 19)

No Nordic events today, therefore, half of the forerunners decided to make a ski up to the Callaghan back country lodge.  The weather forecast is perfect with a high of 4 or 5 Celcius and clear skis.  With temperatures well below freezing overnight we try to time our ski to avoid hard icy snow, and yet beat the soft mushy snow as the temperature rises and the sun hits the trails.  Given the variability of conditions we decide to skate.

 The lodge was built for back country skiers that put on skins or whatever necessary and set out up the mountain from the lodge in order that they can climb the mountain and ski back down.  The lodge is at about 1550 metres, and the Callaghan Mountain rises up to 2200 metres.  We will limit our trip to the groomed trails from the Olympic Park up to the lodge.  Three or four kilometres from the Olympic Park we start a climb up into the valley that does not end for 7 kilometres; there is a downhill to Callaghan Lake and then another 4.5 km to the lodge which is a steady climb over rolling hills.  The total climb is approximately 750 metres but well worth the effort with the reward being magnificent views and perfect temperatures.  This is not a climb that I have ever experienced before and the week and a half of skiing everyday except one has definitely helped with this journey.  This is heaven.

The two hour trip up is rewarded by a one hour downhill journey.  This was some of the most interesting skiing as shaded parts of the trail are very fast, and parts of the trail in the sun are soft snow that sucks at the bottom of the ski.  This of course makes for interesting fast down hill tucks into soft snow that causes your forward momentum to want to plant your face into the trail in front.

 Two more days to go, and despite all the fun this has been, I will be happy to head home soon.