Lots of sunshine, snow and laughs.

Access to David Henry Lodge is via the Yellowhead Helicopter Pad in Valemont. The Lodge itself is run by Liz, Brian and their daughter Karen.

Top Map around David Henry Lodge

. The hut was full of sunlight and very well built. During the day, it was so warm that we were able to sit outside.


John, Shirley, Jim, Ed, Bob, Peter, Christine, Stan, Yoko at D.H Lodge

.

Our first trip was up to Pig Bowl where we got a terrific introduction to the area and laid out plans for the next few days.

View from Pig Bowl

.The next day we skied to Park Bowl


ready to down at Park Bowl

followed by Sun Bowl.


Jim rescued Ed's lost ski at Sun Bowl

.

These bowls were wide and long so we were able to get in three climbs and many turns. The highlight of the trip was the traverse from the hut up to the East Pass. This was a four hour climb. At the top we had lunch before skiing down.

toward to East Pass from Pig bowl

. . We were unable to ski up Josephine (Peter was disappointed) because the trail was icy and difficult to ski so we headed back towards the hut.


Josephine

.

Everyone contributed to the general mayhem in the evenings. Thanks to Ed for leading "Ed s Team" and finding great skiing aspects. Thanks to Bob for the consistently excellent coffee made by 6:30 am in time for our 9 am departures. Thanks to Yoko for her wonderful laughter, energy and photos (and helping me find my keys). Thanks to Jim for sharing his life changing experience with Fluffy (will we ever forget?). Thanks to Shirley for giving the group counselling session following Fluffy. Thanks to Peter for his fabulous rendition of Woody Guthrie's Car Song "Broom Broom Broom Boys and Girls in the back seat I am going to let you blow the horn Broom Broom Broom". Thanks to John for being the radio guy and checking in every evening at 6 pm with Headwaters Outfitting. Thanks to Stan for suggesting the route up the East Pass and teaching us an Afrikana song.

Wow-what a talented bunch. We spent six hours skiing, two hours eating and the rest of the time laughing.

Group comments: Thanks to Christine for the incredible organization and her ability to herd cats. Ed.

It's great another trip in Backcountry. No fresh snow but we managed to find excellent snow. I enjoyed the backcountry ski. Yoko.

Great trip- Shirley
Good people and good snow-John
Bright blue skies and recent snow made for a special week. Good company, good food and drink. Toeleo.

I feel blessed to be a Rambler. Great company. Great Trip. Peter
Not a trip if losing weight was your plan-food was sumptuous, wine and beer were plentiful. Stan.

We had wonderful sumshine for our trip which felt marvelous at lunch time and for our endless ascents to have one more run. It was a great trip. Jim.

David Henry Over and Out
p.s. More photos here.