Glacier Ski Camp, Wahoo Tower Area - Last Day and Reflections

LOC: Ferry, en route from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay

Sky Clear, Wind Strong from the North, BARO 1028, No Precip

I got a good sleep last night, either from exhaustion or relief in the knowledge we would be going home in the morning.

The morning was beautiful and we packed up surrounded by the magnificent peaks we had challenged ourselves with. There was a large avalanche on Mt. Sirenia and we wondered when it had come down.

We tried calling Dale a couple of times but the Satellite phone couldn't get a signal. Sam made oatmeal and I took down the tent. Finally, we got through to Dale but only the answering machine. I guessed that meant he was already on his way. And no doubt, we soon heard the plane and then the recognizable shape on the horizon.

We hurriedly finished packing and boarded the plane. Dale looked so clean and happy. I snagged the passenger seat and really enjoyed the view on the way. It seemed magnificent to be able to move so easily above the rugged terrain.

We flew to the South of Overseer Mountain and Dale pointed out where the camp had been on Martina's earlier trip. When we came out of the drainage and Pemberton came into view below, it looked incredibly green and beautiful. I looked around and found Mt. Currie and felt oriented, I could return to life off the glacier.

Glacier Ski Camp, Wahoo Tower Area - Day 11 & 12

LOC: Camp Dolphin

Sky Clear, No Precip, BARO 788 Steady, Wind Calm, -7.0°C

We arose yesterday to another sunny, calm morning. Because of the weather, we made our objective Mt. Obelia just North of camp, which had been on display to us since we arrived.

We set off at 10:30am and skied down through some crust to attain the slope we would skin up. Through the morning, the wind was cold and persistent, not what we wanted because then the snow wouldn't soften for the ski descent. Going up was fairly straight forward, with just a couloir with a cornice to get over. It was icy at the roll over, but we managed with some guide-ly help from Martina.

We attained the ridge crest and went no further. It was a sharp ridge with precarious overhanging cornices all along. The view was spectacular and though I had felt very tied on the way up, I was saddened that we would be leaving soon.

We skied down through some interesting terrain, including a nice couloir. However, the snow was mash potatoes and no fun to ski.

Back at camp we celebrated what we though was our last day, toasting with cups of melted dark chocolate.

When we got up in the morning however, the weather was not what we expected. We were hoping to ski a nice line above camp on the face of Mt. Oluk and then get picked up by the plane in the early afternoon. Instead it was socked in with bad visibility which got steadily worse, with sleet coming down making us all wet.

Hope faded as the deterioration continued. We went for a ski to pass the time and it turned into another slog in a white out. When we got back, I retreated to the cave, ate some emergency ration oatmeal with Sam and read my book.

I emerged from the 'rabbit-hole' as Kat likes to call it, at a little after 4:00pm. The weather was quite improved, and it kept getting better. We couldn't quite pull the trigger though and call Dale to come get us because if a patch of fog rolled in at the wrong moment, it would prove a costly gamble (about $900.)

So we stayed and the evening was glorious. As a group, we went for a walk to the rocks north of camp and reflected on the experience. It was agreed that this was an incredibly scenic area.

I feel glaciers teach man a truth about existence which he likes to forget: Everything we do here is impermanent. Down on the land you can build a house and it will still be there after you have gone. So it seems like your actions have a permanent impact, a fantasy we indulge in to give our lives meaning. Up here, the snow is a wonderful building material and allows you to alter your environment which makes it easier to live. But it is constantly being overridden by the forces of nature; being buried or melting. It forces you to experience the concept of existing in the 'now' in a non-compromising way.

Hopefully we get out of here tomorrow. This has been a wonderful experience and we are being tested. If it ends soon then we all pass.