Thunderbolt Powder Wagon = Powder Access



Any time you can steal away and head into the mountains it is great day regardless of the result. It is even better when you break up your work week with some powder therapy. A relentless storm that has been hammering the BC coast let up so it was time to take the day off and squeeze in some turns.  I made the quick drive to Squamish after work to meet up with Pat and his new toy. We were off to Switzerland for the night and a great day of good old fashioned rednecking and powder gangstering.

Pat working the new XM 
Two hours of sledding brought us to the Switzerland zone near Pemberton. The storm has created a snowpack that is typical of late January with almost a 2 meter base at 1500m. The storm fell light and fluffy and trail breaking in the unconsolidated snow was brutal. The sun kept us motivated to get some turns in.

Pat working the up track

After 3 hours of hiking and only gaining 500m of elevation the short December day was closing in on us and it was time to high-tail it for the machine. The slow skin up allowed for some great line scouting for the way down. It is always great to have Pat along while touring we are able to trade off and get some great photo's of each other.

YEEEEEEEEHAAAAWWWW
The turns were deep and the stability in the trees was great. No settlements and no indications of instability which bodes well for the possibility of some great skiing for the upcoming weekend.

Yep that is deep.

Tired and satisfied we made it back to the truck with only a glimmer of day light. This is what early season days are all about. Hitting it wire to wire and taking advantage of as many pow days as possible because you never know when the next day may come.

Doing the sled dance

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