December 8-9, 2012

Well, let’s try an all new format for this blog post!

Hover over the pictures to read the captions OR…better yet…

Click on any photo and start a carousel to view the photos full-screen with full captions!

Press the left and right arrows to change pictures (or click on the pictures themselves to go to the next one).  You can click on the “X” in the upper left corner (or anywhere in the white space) to return to the blog post.

Ready to head up the trail to the Red Heather Winter Campsite (camping by the Red Heather Shelter is only permitted in the winter) .

The journey up to Red Heather is a gentle 5 km. ascent along a really beautiful trail.

The only viewpoint on the trail. Looking south over Squamish and the Stawamus Chief (the location of our annual Investiture Ceremonies).

Group photo compliments of a passing group of snowshoers.

Onward and upward.

Making good progress.

The Garibaldi Massif to the north shows itself briefly through the clouds.

The Red Heather Shelter was busy Saturday night with us and 11 others (backcountry skiers) camped in tents outside.

Doing it right! Starting them young! This ski touring couple camped with their 10 month old baby girl near to us Saturday night.

Heading back to our tent after a nice dinner and some socializing with other campers at the Red Heather Shelter.

The sun is down and the temperature is dropping….time for bed.

Up before the boys….time for a nice hot cup of coffee. My Sunday morning moment of bliss.

The blanket of falling snow muffles all the sounds on this quiet Sunday morning.

The boys don’t want to get up. That’s okay….there’s no rush this morning.

Baby and parents had a good night’s sleep. Everyone’s starting to gear up for some more backcountry skiing. Important reading: the current avalanche hazard report (conditions acceptable) brought up to us by a ski touring Park Ranger.

Time to head home. The next time we’re here the Shelter will probably be buried even more. By the new year only the front door and chimney will be visible.

Heading home.

Back in the parking lot. Happy campers all!

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