Verve yo-jimbo's

The famous Yo-Jimbo's.

A friend sold them to me in 1996 after a realization that climbing was not for him, back in 96' this is what people wore climbing, wore to the bar after climbing, to the cafe, whatever - It was "de'rigour". Rolled up jeans, etc were not 'cool' as they are now. Nowadays it is stylish to give the impression that you have not 'dressed for climbing'...couldn't do that with the Yo-Jimbo. You dressed to GO climbing!

I coveted these things. They have seen hundreds of days, I competed, bouldered, plugged gear and pitched off many sport routes while donning these fire engine red capris. In about 2002 I cut the legs off to make a few 'sweet' headbands for my long flowing locks and used the new shorts with their 'update' for many more years.  One summer I spent nearly 3 weeks straight in them while climbing in Squamish. We ate potatoes every day for dinner, walked into town from the campsite with supplies as we had no car, borrowed quarters to call home and generally lived the life of dreams.

I haven't used them in quite a while. In about 2008 I pulled them out for a day at cougar creek. The blended fabric moved and stretched with me while I climbed, they felt amazing. Looker by's excercised caution as they approached, I could tell they had not seen a grown man wearing bright red 'stretchy pants' before. I was a happy though, in my bubble...

Thanks Verve Yo-Jimbo. It has been a great ride. I will not throw you out though,  as it would be too painful.

last day of the season

Had a great last day of the season skiing among giants on the icefields de Columbia, more accurately; the easy and on this day, sunny slopes of Mt. Andromeda. Was lucky to join friends Ty, Chris and Zach. So many good days this year on the planks and no doubt a lot of this has to do with people of excellent quality.

 Does this seem at all odd?

After a brief sprint for about 200 m under the worst of the serac band, a respite is warranted before the last haul up the ramp and onto the 'neve' proper. From here jaw hits ground and vista's fantastical abound at every glance.

Tasty couloir, likely never skied...got to love the Rockies.

Unmamed 10000+ foot peak and our up track.

Summit ridge..

Good times. This was Chris' first big peak and it went supa smooth.


A great year of skiing,  52 days touring and approx 250k '' of vertical..


Cheers!

a few of my favourite things, lately.

 Coffee with this girl.

 Weddings of best friends.

 Charcuterie platter picnic.

 Rides with Chris.

 In and out Burgers with Rob..

 Working with patagonia..

 Fires, beer and laughs...

Working with good folks.

Chief, recovering well from ACL repair on his leg. Ever massaged, iced and done physio on a dog? Its not easy, kind of like herding cats...or dogs.

neve day

 Had a blast with J dilly (Julian Stoddart) yesterday in the Garibaldi zone. Our vision was a summit day via Mt. Atwell followed by a tasty ski of its S face/gully. Upon reaching said face and seeing an avalanche cycle in the works , an 'on the ground' decision was made to finish via the Garibaldi Neve traverse - A classic in its own right. Here, dear reader, is an account of such things...:

 Squamish from the aproach. My Rockies friends may fret at this image, rest assured there IS snow up high and in fact are walking on the stuff at this very second. Down low people are drinking pina colada's, surfing and rock climbing..oh, da cooast.

 Approaching Atwell, Julian busted a rugged yet consistent pace as seen in this picture.

 Some tasty shots - Super Couloir and Camel Toe (seriously)

 Atwell. Not on for today.

On the Neve. Our whippets, ice axes and foot crampons were only used to improve 'core image' while walking on the mostly flat traverse and for lunch time foto ops.

Garibaldi Lake, Neve.

A classic end to a great spring time tour. As this tour needs a pick up car and ours was safely parked 60 KM away, we rested completely on the kindness of strangers. Thanks to Laura and another kind group who in a team effort, got us to the car and made it all work!