Kaslo

Just a couple of clients through for 2 days. A couple of geologist/engineer execs on a BC singletrack odyssey, and man did they hit the jackpot.

Retallack Aug 27 2013 - Kessel & Monster

After some epic rain from the past 36 hours, the trails were tacky and still a bit dusty under the thicker canopy. Up high, it was all hero…

Cory and Trevor (resident trail builders) took some time off grubbing in the loam to bang a few laps.

The mountains are so steep, and the trees so tall here, your field of view gets really crowded. Here’s a shot that gives a sense of how big things are in this part of BC. Although that particular rider is a bit small in real life…

Some more time on the train near the top of the Kessel Run.

After a couple of Kessel’s, it was time to head up to the Monster. That trail will scare the p**s outta ya.

Nice views on top of the Monster…

Alright, you’re the Kings of the World!

Another cool group shot, with Loki lurking in the background

Time for the postcard shots…

Here’s a great illustration of the difference between a good rider and a pro. I banged these shots off without really looking, holding my camera AND my phone at the same time. Good shots of the boys, but Kinrade nails it. The camera just loves certain people.

Another super solid day with a nice finish on the beach in Kaslo.

Day two saw us looking into some of the other options the lodge has to offer. For instance, Joel tries out the complimentary lobotomy service

Kris plays with some of the full size Tonka toys….

I kid…I kid. We took the morning to try out the Monster today. It looks like it will probably be too dry to really have a good run, but what the hey. We have a TV camera and blubird skies.

Kev, get off the freakin’ phone. We’re on top of a mountain in the Kootenays, what is so important? Actually, Eamonn was the worst offender at this. Kev just got the better shot.

Strangely enough, Eamonn was riding some made for TV lines instead of gabbin’ on the phone.

A stereotyped rock star shot of the Adidas lenses.

Mason practices his throat punches.

More poser scenery with Landry.

How about we ride? Last time I did this trail was 2001. It’s actually gotten a bit easier.

At least, that’s what I told Joel.

Easy, right?

With the dry weather, traction was NOT ideal. Here’s a rare shot of Eamonn 3 pointing the gnarly exposure of the “Doobie Time” steeps.

I tried the “Stoopid Steeps” down lower and rode a good 30 feet with both wheels locked before I laid it down. Last time I had no real trouble with that line, but it was much wetter then. The rest of the trail is still in surprisingly good shape. Worth the trip.

Also worth the trip….5 dollar hamburgers in Kaslo.

After lunch we went back to the lodge and sessioned the new trail Riley has been working on. It doesn’t have a name yet, but it’s what we in the trade like to call, a “gooder.”