Deutsche Canoe – Pemby

We were sort of hoping to get a heli drop today on Mt Barbour, which would have gotten us some alpine freeride action and then a descent down Wolverine Creek from Tenquille Lake.  Which would have been rad, considering it’s been over 20 years since the first time I did that one, but the weather didn’t co-operate.  A low ceiling and VFR ratings made that a no go today.

Bummer.

Well, Pemby is still fun, and considering how dry it is I’m not really that disappointed.  This zone is tough when conditions are perfect.  With the historical dry season we’re having, I’d have to call this the most challenging conditions I’ve ever seen here.

Sticking to open rock was our best bet, so that’s what we did.

Jorg wasn’t at all upset.  He seems to have a good time everywhere we go.

 

Maybe it’s that odd setup he has with a 29” rear and a 24” front (not really, it’s just fun with the wide angle).

Danilo is the first German/Filipino I’ve met.  Probably explains his colourful fashion sense.  He rips, though, so it’s OK to make a bit of fun. 

Peter was considering getting a new bike.  That old Nicolai of his wasn’t doing him any favours, and this trailside relic was looking like a real performance upgrade.  Maybe we’ll find him something better for tomorrow.

Nice bush.

Even with the loose and sketchy conditions, it was still a great (if somewhat challenging) day.  Stimulus was still a gas, and we finished way earlier than last year, getting us some great views in daylight of Mt. Currie. 

Good thing we packed it in early, because we should rest up tonight in preparation for a big day on the Sunshine Coast tomorrow!

Deutsche Canoe – Squampton

If it’s the last week of summer, then it must be time for Holger Meyer and one of his Die Rasenmaeher Freeride Safaris.

As usual, we’ve come up with a moderately offensive title for the trip, this time courtesy of one Cory LeClerc, who has broken his foot and has therefore been promoted to the status of “Shuttle Schlampe” for our day in Squamish.

It’s terribly dry this year.  Today being the actual last day of summer, and it’s rained something like 6mm in the past two months.  We found some fun jumps and berms to hit, but overall it was pretty sketchy out there.  No pics from Full Nelson and Half Nelson, but here’s a little jump session we had on PNuts.

Another tradition, the group pee shot.

What trip with ze Germans would be complete without a lap on Galactic Schiesse?

According to our crew, this part of the trail was scheisse, alright.

Oops, camera battery died.  Ah well, Pemby tomorrow. 

Funny thing today, the equinox occurred at 4:29 pm and at 4:30 it suddenly got cool and misty.  Is summer really over?  Time will tell, but I have a feeling we’re not done with warm and sunny yet.

Cat Sass 2012 – Bonus Round

It ain’t over ‘till it’s over, so I’m riding Rossland with Crystal and Gen today.  To make it even MORE special, looks like I’ve become a MuddBunny.

Gen lives in Rossland, so she’s got the beta on what the fun lines are these days.  Although I’ve ridden here since 1994, it’s been quite a while since I did a full day of gravity in this zone.

We started of with SMC (or Super-Mega-Death), which is not actually gnarly but much more Okanagan like in it’s flow.  It even has a section with a view.

We then went for a quick run on the Dewdney.  Oddly enough, this is the first time I’ve done this section of trail. I know, I know…but I get busy and it’s hard to get to it all.

It was actually sort of blown out, as BC is exceptionally dry right now.  So no pics.  Meh…it’s more fun to ride than look at.

Lap 3 was the venerable Whiskey trail, which has changed a lot over the years.  Still, it has plenty of classic rock faces to keep me and the girls amused.  This particular one has been a monkey on Gen’s back all year.

Monkey ejected, on to bigger, better, and more backlit.

Damn that pink just glows, doesn’t it?

Shot of the day…

…and proof that she rode it out.

Final shot is another notch in Gen’s riding belt.  I think the Cat Sass clinic was good for this girl.  That’s some real hangtime right there.