Winter Roundup

A dark batch of Homebrew to wash away the winter blues

We haven't put any pictures up for a while, here's a bit of what we've been up to over the last few months...

Winter arrived and we did some skiing, here's some pics from a trip Luc and I did to a backcountry hut, some whistler pics and one from Silverstar Resort.

Brew Hut

Mt Brew

Luc, Brew Meadows camping

Rhys at Whistler

Rach, Rhys and Jacs at Whistler

Silverstar Resort

Then the Olympics came to town. It was pretty good fun mingling with the crowds and cheering for Canada...

Your mate

Jacs hard at work during traffic patrol duties

I know someone who works at the Olympics and has two thumbs

The weather has now started to get warmer, that means the paddling season is kicking off again

East Fork of the Lewis River, Washington USA

Norrish Creek, BC

I had to go down to Reno recently to present a paper at a conference for work. I figured while I was down there I might as well fill in some time and check out the local area. I ended up catching up with a friend from high school and skiing around lake tahoe for 3 days. Not bad...

Quality Vancouver Sunrise from Cypress Mountain

USA & Mexico

I'll admit it's been a while since I got back from this part of the world but have recently moved into a really cool new flat up on the hills with fellow Xtremer Em and associates Titty and Debs and it's time for the update!

After spending three months kayak instructing in North Carolina I headed down to Miami, the Florida Keys and Mexico before flying home via San Diego.

Unfortunately technology failed me and I lost a fair few photos from Mexico and San Diego but managed to have some great times, particularly in Mexico diving with whale sharks, snorkelling in cenotes (underground rivers), drinking Sol and Corona on the beach and checking out the infamous Cancun nightlife.

After a decade you'd need a holiday too...

Shaun back from the Island, Jacqui back from her frolickings, we were finally reunited and we realised it was our 10 year anniversary so a holiday was in order. We wanted warm, we wanted dry, tickets to Vegas were on special so Vegas it was! Watch out Vegas here we come again...

Vegas by night - The Strip

Splashing out on a new climbing rack, we were ready to break it in. We spent 3 nights in Las Vegas, by day we dominated the climbing scene at Red Rocks. Night time events included catching up with Hadley (a friend from uni), going to a Cirque du Soleil show and winning a total $50 on the pokies! No we did not hit up the chapels – maybe next time!

Next stop Joshua Tree National Park, Mojave desert, California. Jumping in our Mazda 3 hire car we hit the road south into the desert. After a 4 hour drive we arrived in the park and set up camp. Days were warm evenings cold and the climbing was excellent (just as we had heard). We spent 4 days exploring the parks monzogranite boulders and fields of Joshua trees (which isn't actually a tree but a family of the yucca plant).

Shaun

Mazda 3 - Mojave Desert

Joshua Tree National Park

Jac's - J Tree

Jac's dominating the roof

Shaun - J Tree

Lots of boulders

Blue skies all round

What a star

After flying back from Vegas we headed down South to catch up with Chris. He'd organised a sweet long weekend away for thanksgiving in a backcountry hut with a whole bunch of good people. We hauled in 2 kegs of beer, 3 turkeys, a turkey deep fryer, lots of vege's, a couple of pumpkin pies, 32 party shirts and good smiles all round. We were ready for action.

The walk in usually takes 2-3 hours, towing our 'sleds', it took us 6 brutal hours

Once at the hut, the first job was to ensure everyone had a party shirt

Next on the agenda, 3 turkeys to cook

Team Xtreme, supervising the turkey cooking process

The hut we stayed in, seriously cool.

By day, the skiing was also fantastic. We were super lucky with the weather, snow by night - sun by day.

Shaun climbing up through the forest

The entertainment was superb as well. A mandolin and harmonica duet was entirely appropriate.

The entire weekend was super good fun. 28 great people hanging out in the hills with great food beer & wine. We're back at work now, Jac's up at the ski hill and Shaun at the office. We're waiting for a big dump of snow now!