Tamsin writes:-

Ten of us set off early on a chilly Sunday morning, with the full moon reflecting off Howe Sound and the sun just beginning to tinge the snow-capped mountains as we headed up the Sea to Sky highway.  Despite the early morning we were by no means alone as we stopped on the trail road to fit chains to our tires, and the trail head carpark was pretty full by 9.15am.  Although not ploughed, the powdery snow was easily pushed out of the way as the cars created their own spaces and we just hoped we wouldn’t have to dig them out later!

After a few mishaps (forgotten poles, broken snow-shoe straps and first aid administrations) we were all safely hiking up the trail in spikes or snow-shoes.  We were a little spread out, and interspersed with other snow-shoers or skiers ‘skinning’ their way up to the slopes, but the trail was already clearly trodden and unmistakable.  The snow was fresh and the forest filled with beautiful ‘ghost’ trees curled into eerie statues from the previous day’s heavy snow.  Re-grouping at Red Heather warming hut, 4 of the party decided to stay there for lunch whilst the remaining 6 continued up through the ‘Meadows’ along Paul Ridge towards Round Mountain.  We found a sunny spot, out of the way of likely ski routes, and slithered our way through deep powdery snow  to create a suitable seating area for ‘lunch with a view’.  A whiskeyjack flitted back and forth between our poles and the trees, avidly eyeing up our sandwiches and waiting for stray crumbs – or a lack of attention. <<stitch photo (above) and the ones of Alex ‘slithering’ and eyeing the bird 9below) were taken here!>>

Making our way back down through the Meadows and the ski-trails we admired the endless blue sky, the ‘snow-tree people’ and the amazing mountain vistas. Surprisingly people were still heading up the trail in the early afternoon but we also had to dodge the many skiers now heading down as they swooped up silently behind us.

This was the first snow-shoe of the season for many of us – and what a way to start!  Great snow, great weather, great trail, great company – thank you to Martina for organising, and to all the drivers.