We managed to coordinate the pick up of Ramblers from Cochrane and Canmore and meet at the far end of the Sunshine parking lot only a few minutes apart.Thanks to Brian and the cel phone technology, three cars met at the same place at the same time.The traffic jam on the sunshine road was stop and go the whole way. This meant that the start was delayed by half an hour. We headed out in warm, but very windy conditions and proceeded to the campground on the Healy pass trail.

Roy + Brian on the Healy pass trail

Gale force winds in the alpine, or ugly hard work trail breaking up Bourgeau creek - these were our decisions. Hey, we are ramblers, so we decided on the hard work. Special thanks to all those who worked so hard breaking trail.

Terry on the Bourgeau creek uptrack

Carol all smiles

Shirley and Clifton on the uptrack

We were met in the alpine by gale force winds, deskinned in record time, and enjoyed the really good snow. Midcalf to knee ski penetration on a moderately supportive midpack.

Lunch Shirley, Ed, Gordon, Brian

Lunch Clifton, Carl, Shirley

Time was running out so we headed back up our uptrack into the gale.

Into the gale

Brian and Clifton

We all donned goggles, and neck tubes, and anything that would keep cold mother nature's sand- blaster at bay.

Ramblers taking shelter from the storm

Again into the fierce December windstorm

It snowed all day. After good and safe route selection by the rambler team, we found the excellent run- out creek and made great turns in wonderful powder 'til we hit the luge track known as the Healy pass trail

Out from the storm the abominable snowman appears

.Out at the cars by 5 pm; no headlamps needed. The excellent photos are courtesy of our fine photojournalist Carol.

Participants: Terry,Carl,Shirley,Brian,Clifton,Ed,Gordon,Roy,Carol