Ball-less Red Chairs at Shadow Lake
Trip date: Sunday Apr 03, 2022
Submitted by Normand
Particpants:
Me
Discussion:
With some sun in the forecast and inspired by Chuck's report a few days ago, I wanted to see Mount Ball (again) from those red chairs. Purple klister was a good call to ski over the sun crust covered by a trace of snow, all the way to within one kilometre from the Shadow Lake Lodge. Once in the open meadows, the blow-in snow led to 5 cm high heels on my skis; switched to short skins then. Unfortunately, the majestic giant Mt Ball was mostly hiding behind a nasty mix of clouds, fog and high winds, by the time I reached the barely visible red chairs. Waited a good 20 minutes, but the mountain was not letting its entire 1200+ m high cliff face seen to anyone. The return on the fire road was rather rough for the last 5 km, with a perfect feast of ice, crust and wet snow, greatly appreciated by the metal edges. Met three skiers arriving at the lodge on my way back and one rider on a fat bike, with a dog, passing me on the way up. The photos may have nothing to inspire anyone to get up there, unless blue sky and sun are part of the outing. But always good to spend time in that area, anytime of the year.