Yes, it’s that time of year again. A whole new crop of grade 10 guys from St. Georges to expose to the outdoors. These guys look ready.

Not exactly a smooth start to this year’s trip. What with the move to the Okanagan and Mitch pulling out at short notice, I was really scrambling to find guides this year. Mike Pro from Cypress was in again, and Danika Schroeter (former Canadian DH mega star and all around hot chick) signed up and Martin from Extreme Sports Camps check in at the last minute to save the day.

Unfortunately, the U-Haul we were issued as support failed the safety test in the driveway so we were delayed for an hour right off the start. The second truck blew a motor in Abottsford, so it was even later by the time the THIRD truck showed up.

You can see how amused Mike is by this.

My marmot didn’t care. We got to camp at 8 pm, and Mike and Danika’s group had to set up in the dark. Ahhhhh, the joys of the outdoors.

The last day. See ya man!

As always, the last day is a little sprint around Otter Lake. Now you guys can get back to school so you can do more algebra or whatever it is that youmiss so much there.

At least they have figured out how to ride as a group to make things easier.

Well… some of them did.

Why you don’t want to be last guy out there.

Almost done, Z.

The bridge too far…

After we sent the boys off, the guides all headedup the road the other way to suss out next year’s route. We want to change it up a bit to make it more interesting.

Here’s my only wildlife shot of the week. I saw lots of bears, eagles, ospreys, vultures, and lizards, but I’m just too slow on the draw these days. Age I guess…

It’s an amazing valley for scenery. There’s a ton of barns out here.

Wade Simmons Freeride Experience
July 9th to July 27th.
Click for details….

I guess I didn’t mentionthat the guys got super choked at me yesterday. I had to tack on a couple of extra clicks to the ride because of a construction project out on Thirsk Lake. It was only about 3 k, but man they were upset. Oh well.

To make today more intersting, we set up a little relay race on this mini track just outside of Coalmont. First place got a nice ice cold six pack. Of Coke.

Here’s David coming in for the transfer.

..and the winner is…

Here’s a LINK to a vid of the action. Like it really matters. This is all that’s important to you at 15 years old.

Oh, and of course it snowed and rained a bit today. Here we are at the Otter Lake camp where we met up with Mitch, Lindsey, and the other group.

Wade Simmons Freeride Experience
July 9th to July 27th.
Click for details….