Backcountry Skiing, a new adventure...



Embrace winter.. that is what everyone says, otherwise it will feel like an eternity. 

Ever since I moved to Canada, I have been fascinating by the seasonal changes. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.. They all have something to offer, whether is camping in summer time or enjoying the lake or skiing in the mountains in the white and beautiful snow.

For me there is no bad weather, just poor clothe selection :-) I try to keep all my activities year round, I run every day of the year (even when is minus 40c !!), I bike year round too (not only commuting but mountain biking ! or should I call it fat biking?).

I ski and ice skate (mostly with my kids), but this year I am getting into Backcountry skiing! I found a pretty good setup that my friend Pam was willing to sell and didn't hesitate to buy  for my new adventure. It is an opportunity to explore new terrain and keep the fitness through the winter.

Been in the mountains is one of the most pleasant experiences I have ever had, ever since I was a kid growing in Caracas Venezuela I use to go to the mountain at least ever week ! running up or down, camping, hiking or even just walking to the base to grab an ice cream and enjoy the sound of the singing birds.

At the parking lot with Amit and Andy 
Last two Saturdays after securing a good set of boots, skis, poles, skins, shovel, prove, backpack and a borrowed beacon I hooked up with my friends Andy, Amit, Pete and Darcy and headed out to the Highwood Pass. From there at approx. 2,100mts you traverse approx. 1.7kms till you get to an open bay. You can do some skiing from that area up and down or can keep going further ahead and climb more to get to Pocaterra Cirque (which is what we did).









1.7 kms from the parking lot at Highwood Pass.

Going through the trees is quite nice, it feels like hiking and it doesn't require that much effort (unless you fall !!).

After 1.7 kms of hike you get to this open area, beautiful open where you can appreciate the rocky mountains at its best ! From there, with climb to do you are able to get the Pocaterra Ridge where the fun begins !! descending is not as easy for the first time, lots of powder and steep terrain. The first time I took a few tumbles, but last saturday I felt way better an with more control/ 




Right here at Pocaterra we did the first down to the left, then skined up to the far left corner and ski down.. we did it three time until we started our way back traversing until we got to the car.       


Pocaterra
















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