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The 2011 Highwood Pass Advisory Society Comeback Attempt Reunion Tour
Fri, 2011-10-28 03:21
The 2011 Highwood Pass Advisory Society Comeback Attempt Reunion Tour One of the most ignoble and self-respected institutions in Over the last two seasons, various nefarious external forces and a series of extenuating circumstances resulted in the conspicuous absence of their reports (an inconvenience of deceptive proportions for local skiers and a great relief for the sheep in the area). In the weeks and months following the decline and fall of the society a thorough review was conducted with the ultimate recommendation being the detoxification and lobotomization of the entire staff. Initially, the skiing public will notice an obvious lack of Alberta Genuine Draft (AGD) in the day to day operations of the society. As part of the detox process AGD has been replace with the placebo ODA (O'Doul's Amber (½%) - available at Safeway). Furthermore, it remains to be seen whether the lobotomies will have a positive or negative effect on the quality of reports from the field. As in the past, real or imaginary skiers from the general public are welcome to submit conditions reports, secret stash locations or money to any of our offices -- regardless of your state of awareness or inebriation.
************************** Bulletin for Our man in the field encountered 3 to 6 inches of new snow overlying a stiff melt/freeze crust on a shallow base of earlier deposits. On south-facing aspects the crust made sidehill skinning rather unpleasant. In all other areas it aided travel and provided a good base for turns here and there. He indicated that, as far as he could remember, the conditions were better than normal for Hallowe'en at Highwood. Therefore, in this first bulletin of the new era here at the Highwood Pass Advisory Society, it brings us great joy to issue a Highwood Pass Go/No Go rating of : go.
Some photos from the day. Our analyst near Little Highwood Pass:
Enough coverage for turns in places:
The placebo effect:
Looking down a decent east-facing slope:
Our analsyst gathers data. Seen here grilling an unco-operative small tree for no apperent reason:
Fri, 2011-10-28 10:40
#1
We hearby call for an
We hearby call for an official Biglines Highwood pass day. My Life Is Better Than Your Vaction and La Nina stickers will be in high supply. When can we make it happen?
Fri, 2011-10-28 14:34
#2
Good to have you back A.T.!!
Good to have you back A.T.!!
Fri, 2011-10-28 15:31
#3
Highwood Pass Rating: GO - taking the advice
Well I am going to take your GO advice and get in there this weekend. Hopefully I can add to the reasons to go.
Fri, 2011-10-28 16:52
#4
Second
I second the motion for an official Biglines Highwood pass day.
Fri, 2011-10-28 16:53
#5
I will also go this weekend
I will also go this weekend based on your observations. Glad your back! I'm all up for a biglines day!
Sun, 2011-10-30 16:58
#6
Highwood was good today. Went
Highwood was good today. Went up the Ptarmigan Cirque area. A little wind blown, but I did not hit any rocks! worth the drive today
Sun, 2011-10-30 20:38
#7
Highwood's first turns Saturday morning before the crowd arrived
NE of parking lot. 4 skiiers arrived shortly after and then a couple snowboarders...a few hikers too.
Sun, 2011-10-30 21:40
#8
Speaking of worth the drive.
Speaking of worth the drive. On the way back last Thurs, somewhere between ------------------------------------------------------------ Yes, with any luck the Highwood Pass Advisory Society will be able to provide up-to-the-minute forecasting for a Biglines HP day. Of course, towards the end of Nov. would hold the most promise. I'll ask Dick Long and Ben Dover (our head prognosticators) to get on top of this. Last day before the gate comes down is Nov 30 (a Wednesday). Last two weekends are 19/20 and 26/27.
Thu, 2011-11-03 22:29
#9
Bulletin for November 3
Shortly after filing the previous bulletin, our snow specialist was admitted to This leaves us with no option for the current bulletin other than relying on data from Ewe143, our only remaining operational SheepCam. Unfortunately Ewe143 has drifted off course and now appears to be somewhere in the vicinity of the
Bulletin for November 3: SheepCam transmissions over the past few days show a disappointing lack of precipitation with only a faint glimmer of hope as seen in this imagery from late Thurs:
At this time we are downgrading our rating to: maybe, maybe not [confidence level 3b] However, should anyone happen to venture up there we are asking for the public's help in relocating Ewe143. Use caution, she is high-spirited and feisty so it's best to approach her from the rear.
Fri, 2011-11-04 09:49
#10
emergency update
Quote:
Heavy snowfall expected today and tonight.
Friday Nov. 4 - 5:26am Emergency Faint Hope Update uhmmm...ok go.
Fri, 2011-11-04 17:21
#11
uhmmmm it was a hard decision
uhmmmm it was a hard decision but Okie Dokie
Fri, 2011-11-04 20:30
#12
Today was most definately a
Today was most definately a bonified certified "go". A few of us from the Rockies roll call thread over at TGR, and Jillygoat and ER went to see what kind of turns could be had. The crew discussing how to systematically shralp the area
E getting the goods Backscratcher
Sentinel
Jillygoat
E We did our best to get at it before the day laters show up to get the leftovers.
This one didn't have enough shralp on it so we put 6 more tracks to lookers left after the pic was taken.
Me
Between the 5 of us we laid out 30 sets of tracks. Twas worth it, no ground was touched NOM NOM NOM Viva la Fridays!
Sat, 2011-11-05 17:53
#13
Due to recent events from
Due to recent events from today, I would recommend that the Highwood Pass advisory be updated to a status of don't bother for the vicinity of Little Highwood Pass. On top of the 30 tracks we laid in yesterday, plus the ones we did today, and add to that people to the count of 25 that were on the way in today, I would think that the resulting slope carnage would make a day out there tommorrow less than pleasurable for a back country skiing experience. 2 cars at Rae today, plus 7 cars there today. Tracks on the Ptarmigan Cirque side which is looking very not filled in. The standard spots need a hit of the reset button. Today round 2. We started early to finish off some more spots before anyone else showed up. Jillygoat and Sentinel sussing it out....just after they got to the bottom Mex and Fatmike from the TGR forums rolled up who we joined for a lap. Sentinel
Jillygoat Mex
not so Fatmike
Had a quick chat with a crew of 4 from the Biglines. com forums who recognized us from yesterdays pics. Lucky for me they were not hostile for posting people atracting powder shots of goodness. Hope you guys got some good turns in away from the hoards.
Sat, 2011-11-05 20:57
#14
nice. looked pretty good.
nice. looked pretty good.
Mon, 2011-11-07 06:14
#15
Sunday was a great day in
Sunday was a great day in Highwood. Went to a different spot then the normal hits that are all tracked out. Had some really good rock and track free turns.
Mon, 2011-11-07 11:44
#16
First turns
A little late I guess. These are from Saturday. Lots of cars in the parking lots so we went a little further down the road. The skin in.
The destination.
Stairmaster.
Obligatory half-way-up self-portrait
Shane topping out.
How does this go again?
Not a bad first run of the year!
Great success!
Mon, 2011-11-07 15:54
#17
goodness
Thank you for those most excellent photo submission time2climb & Matt. Interesting cast of characters there (including the resident
split wrote:
Went to a different spot then the normal hits that are all tracked out.
This might be the perfect time to announce the Highwood Pass Advisory Society Highwood Pass Secret Stash Contest! Hurry! There are two easy ways to enter! 1. Create a digital package including OR 2. Draw a map on some paper.
Drop your entry at our headquarters in a plain package or envelope labeled: Judicial Summons Attn: A. Toque
Don’t worry, all information will be held in the strictest confidence. Winner and runners up will be announced on
Tue, 2011-11-08 12:17
#18
Sunday's goodies
Sunday on the Ptarmigan Cirque side. There were about 10 people in 4 different groups while I was in there. Cheers,
Tue, 2011-11-08 18:11
#19
There's at least 1 newly
There's at least 1 newly minted Biglines.com beenie for the winner for said contest.
Thu, 2011-11-10 19:08
#20
Bulletin for November 10,
Bulletin for November 10, 2011 There is no bulletin for
However minutes ago our field guy did check in. He's in
Sun, 2011-11-13 19:01
#21
Always an extertaining read
Always an extertaining read from the HPAS field reporters.
Mon, 2011-11-14 05:53
#22
November 13, 2011
Plenty of
Plenty of civilian snow scientist in the environs of Highwood Pass proper today so we sent our Superintendent of Contests and Giveaways to begin evaluating entries in the Highwood Pass Advisory Society/O'Douls's Amber Highwood Pass Secret Stash Contest -- in other words bushwacking.
(Just a friendly reminder to contestant blowme123 that a vague account of a few random decades-old blazes on trees put there by some long dead trapper does not constitute what we would call a concise route description.)
Remember everybody, only a couple weeks left in the
Mon, 2011-11-14 06:07
#23
Sunday it snowed... alot.
Sunday it snowed... alot. Well either that or the 500km/hr wind brought it from Nakiska snow canons. I think the wind also helped to deposit some of that snow onto Coleman. Ptarmigan Cirque had some great turns to the north of the uptrack. The gully to the south was a little bony.
Wed, 2011-11-16 10:22
#24
Okay, who can make Sunday the
Okay, who can make this Saturday the 19th of Nov? Is it worth the drive? Is there any snow?
Thu, 2011-11-17 08:45
#25
sheep outtage
************SERVICE DISRUPTION************ ****************HIGHWOOD PASS ADVISORY SO CIETY*****************THROUGH NOV 20****** ***************PLEASE REFER TO CONVENTIONAL SOURCES FOR WEATHER AND SNOW DATA DURING THIS PERIOD*******************************
Tue, 2011-11-22 06:33
#26
With the lead forecaster of
With the lead forecaster of HPAS "on the lam", so to speak, nothing to do Sunday but check things out ourselves. At the pass parking lot, a large crowd of eager HPAS volunteers were obviously out prepping the Little Highwood environs for the fast approaching Closing Day at Highwood Festivities, by skier compacting the slopes, slashing willows and coating the rocks with slippery P-Tex. Our services were clearly not required there, so onwards a bit to a little not quite secret stash that has been providing decent skiing in recent weeks.
Not a lot of love in the alpine due to recent winds, but a ribbon of wind-sift between crust and rocks allowed for some enjoyable data aquisition-
Below that, in gentle treeline meadow-skipping terrain, our team of snow researchers found soft powder atop a supportive base, bringing a smile to the face of this grizzled vet-
HPAS Go-No Go rating for Sunday, November 20. Effective until further notice, or the chinook blows into town. Alpine- No Strong wind effect leaving little skiable snow, two small whoomphs were noted, so suspect facets under hard slabs. Treeline- Go With careful terrain selection and cautious skiing, good turns can be found in a snowpack of 40-60 cm. Below Treeline- Maybe Enough cover for easy approaches, pretty thin yet in the forest.
Tue, 2011-11-22 10:13
#27
Thanks for that report
Thanks for that report bigsteve. btw, The Highwood Pass Advisory Society Ski Museum is currently looking for a Technical Director (specializing in the pre-63mm underfoot era) if you're interested.
Thu, 2011-11-24 11:43
#28
uh, we can't leave the
uh, we can't leave the Selkirks this weekend. sorry. I'll have to wait another year before going to Highwood pass.
Thu, 2011-11-24 14:08
#29
hmmm...never heard of it...
The Selkirks? Is that new? Do they have a pass? Do they have sheep?
Fri, 2011-11-25 05:58
#30
I am pretty sure the Selkirks
I am pretty sure the Selkirks don't have sheep, And they definately don't have sheep cams. I am going to be out there this weekend, I may even bring a BBQ.
Sat, 2011-11-26 08:07
#31
*
Sat, 2011-11-26 08:33
#32
Highwood, Friday, November
Highwood, Friday, November 25- Very good skiing in sheltered treeline meadows-
Strong winds, 50 cm new, lots of whoomphing, cracking and natural activity-
HPAS rating- Don't go, unless you can throttle things back, and find some low angle meadow skipping that is safe to access. There are not many reasonable options out there right now! No sheep were harmed in the above activities.
Sun, 2011-11-27 17:42
#33
Sheltered treeline meadows
Sheltered treeline meadows were the name of the day. Managed to get in 3 good untouched laps before the hangover, and snowshoe crowd apeared. I think there was 6 cars. Travel up was as reasonable as it gets folowing and old posthole track. Lots of natural rumbles around, Started to get pretty nasty out there around noon 30. That was the end of my Highwood year. Thanks 2011 Highwood Pass Advisory Society Comeback Attempt Reunion Tour!
Mon, 2011-11-28 14:52
#34
calmer than Calgary
Hey split, you're welcome.
High hazard, gale force winds, blowing snow and zero visibility made for the perfect opportunity to send our representative on the Mount Lipsett Road All O'Douls Big Scenery Blowout!
ahhh…nothing beats a cold O'Douls and a Highwood glade.
This week we'd also like to feature one of the many skier amenity improvements found at
If you've made it this far in the post, here's a bonus We are of the opinion that snow coverage at lower elevations south (up to 15 km) of
Wed, 2011-11-30 01:44
#35
i'll be out there crack o
i'll be out there crack o nooon with dog most likely if anyone is interested. see ya then . i'l heck in am if anyone else plans on being there!
Thu, 2011-12-01 15:02
#36
ROAD CLOSED
Nov. 30 -- O'Douls Amber Highwood Pass Advisory Society Secret Stash Contest winner announced!
The winning entry is this year's O'Douls Amber Highwood Pass Advisory Society Secret Stash Contest comes to us from Dick Waverman, a farm lubricants sales rep from
Dick was also kind enough to allow one of our photographers to accompany him into his secret stash as this was his last season at Highwood so he doesn't give a hoot who finds it now. A career change sees him heading to Pincher Creek where he has taken on work as a high-angle wind farm rotor bearing specialist. Thank you Dick, you are an inspiration to snow-starved bushwhacking desperados everywhere!
Next bulletin
Fri, 2011-12-02 07:12
#37
And so the curtain falls on
And so the curtain falls on the HPAS 2011 reunion tour. Bravo! To quote one reviewer- "The funnest thread in internet skiing today". P.S.-Mr. A Toque, those unused secret stashes can be returned for a full refund. |
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