McGillvray Pass Lodge March 16 to 23, 2013

Let the adventure begin...

Starting the day by a helicopter ride is probably one of the best mornings I've had so far. Because I was a helicopter virgin the gang let me ride shotgun. The view was amazing, the ride was super smooth, we flew a little extra loop and got to the lodge way too fast. 

The lodge is cozy with room to sleep 6 people, there are 2 yurts, one for 2 and one for 4 people and there is the sauna house that also sleeps up to 6 people, but is only occupied by 4. We have the attic of the sauna house as our sleeping quarters. There is one shower in the sauna house and 2 composting toilets in the generator building. Heated. =)

We are here with 11 guests, a cook, 2 guides and the caretaker. A great group of people.

Day one (Saturday) started with avalanche training, we went over the steps of what to do if somebody is buried in an avalanche and did a group practice search and digging which left us confident that we will live.  Then we went for our first climb and most importantly our first ski down through fresh powder. It was all worth the climb. We continued climbing up and skiing down for the rest of the day. Dinner was well deserved and delicious. 

The next days we explored all sides of the valley, climb up, ski down through awesome snow. One day was a bit iffy weather, it was a bit too warm and snowing, so we stayed low in the trees. Most of the time we had pretty perfect conditions, spectacular views and great snow. 

The routine of every day was a delicious breakfast every day a different one at 7:30 am. Ready to rock at 8:30, packed lunch in day pack. Climb up, snack, ski down, snack, climb up, snack, ski down, lunch, climb up, snack and so on until it was time to get back to the lodge and get sauna'd and showered and ready for dinner. Dinner was gourmet every day with desert and all. After dinner we would play cards and wait for the kitchen crew (2 volunteer helpers for the dishes) to finish up. And then we move on to movie night in the living room. One of the guys had a go pro camera and shot movies throughout the day that we would watch at night. We got some great footage that will be shared somewhere sometime. 

Bottom line: awesome trip with great people. 

What have I learned: I like skiing down much more than climbing up. My body is not made for this kind of continuous torture. I have reached my limit after 6 days. I'm toast and I feel like a weakling. Maybe if I ever get to live in the mountains again, I will go on day trips with my touring skis and practice. It sucks to be the weakest person in the group and trail behind all the time. The only time I did not mind being last was at the end of the day when we walked back to the lodge at the valley bottom, no much up and down, no rush and lots of time to play, make snow angels and take in the views. 

Would I do it again: Sure. But maybe in a less secluded area, where I can bail after half a day and still do something outside, like go for a snowshoe or walk. Here the only option is to wander between the buildings and up to the helipad. There are no accessible trails around and the guests are not really allowed to venture off on their own. Which is understandable. We are in the backcountry after all and there is always a risk of an avalanche coming down somewhere.  

Tomorrow we fly out again, back to Pemberton and then drive back to Vancouver to fly back Waterloo. Then it'll be home sweet home and hopefully spring soon.
 

Madelaine
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