Sarah Bourne Photography » Scenic

Winter camping on Mt Trorey, BC

Sarah Bourne — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:39:19 +0000

For the first time in months, it seemed, the clouds cleared in Whistler and the sun came out. It was forecast to stay out for a few days, so Rob and I took the rare opportunity to go back country touring and camping.

We headed out from the back side of Blackcomb Mountain on what is the first leg of the “Spearhead Traverse” – a three day, two night ski tour from Blackcomb Mt to Whistler Mt. We were not intending to do the whole traverse, just a quick tour out to Mt Trorey.

Within 30 minutes or so we had left the mayhem and crowds of the in-bounds Whistler Blackcomb ski area and were in the back country. It never ceases to amaze me just how large the mountain area is, compared to the area that we ski – you reach the top of the ridge, look out and see layer upon layer of little-touched mountains. I say ‘little-touched’ as this is a well traveled ski tour route and there were probably 50 – 80 people out there. Still, that leaves a lot of space and untouched snow for us.

After traversing a little, we headed up the already well trodden ski tour track to the top of Mt Trorey (2,600m). It took us about an hour. The sun was out and warm, although there certainly was a chill in the air. Rob built his now famous snow fort that would act as our kitchen and living room for the night while I dug out a level area for our tent. From experience, this time I took the time to level out the snow pad by jumping up and down on it with my skis.

As the sun went down, the temperature dropped and the wind came up. The sunset was pretty and the stars too. We knew it would be an almost full moon but by 10pm it had still not materialized and I was too cold to wait any longer. The wind was getting stronger and stronger and at times during the night we thought that the tent was trying to take off. Not a great night’s sleep was had! In the morning, after most of our stuff was out of the tent it actually did take off! Thankfully I had tethered it fairly well so we didn’t have to chase it all over the mountains.

A beautiful, tiring experience and I wouldn’t have missed a moment of it. Enjoy the photos!

Camping at Wedgemont Lake, Whistler

Sarah Bourne — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 03:58:48 +0000

This weekend Rob and I took advantage of some late summer sun and our amazing proximity to some of the prettiest hikes around: We decided to hike to and camp at Wedgemont Lake. Just a fifteen minute drive from home then a grueling 3 1/2 hour hike up a very steep pitch (a vertical gain of 1.2kms over 7kms). It was well worth it with a clear blue sky, aqua-marine lake and glaciers and mountain peaks all around.

I couldn’t resist the water even though it was fed with glacier run off and only marginally above freezing. Rob didn’t get more than his toes wet, but he did manage to chill our wine for us so that was nice. After a stunning sunset we watched as the moon peeped over Mt Wedge and then rose full in the sky, bright enough to see by all night.

Our legs felt fresh in the morning so we went for a hike up to the toe of the glacier before heading back down to the valley. Two days later and our legs are still burning from the descent, however! Well worth it though.

UK West Midlands in the Springtime

Sarah Bourne — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:38:02 +0000

While spending the winter in Switzerland I took advantage of cheap air travel to visit my family in the West Midlands area of the UK, where I grew up. Luckily spring made an early appearance so Rob and I took advantage of the lovely weather to see a little of the local countryside.

I hadn’t realized how close the canals were to my sister’s house, or that the canals ran right through the center of Birmingham – even right through some buildings! We were impressed with the renovation of the waterways in Birmingham and would certainly recommend anyone visiting the UK to take a day to go there. Canal boats can also be hired for anything from a long weekend to a week or longer……maybe next time for us.

Alloway Beach, Scotland

Sarah Bourne — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:56:03 +0000

A couple of weeks ago a friend flew me to Scotland to shoot his wedding. On the morning of the wedding I took a stroll down the beach as the sun rose. It was very pretty.

More Verbier & Nendaz scenery

Sarah Bourne — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:07:53 +0000

More exploring now that the sun has come out again, but it’s still -15C. A little too cold for my liking. Can’t understate how huge this whole area is. For the moment I’m sticking to the main ski runs until a) I know where I’m going! b) there is more snow covering the rocks c) until Rob arrives.

The panoramic in this gallery is basically our ski out from the Verbier ski area back to Siviez. It’s not a groomed run and at the end of the day is quite tiring! Still, downloading is cheating!

First couple of days skiing

Sarah Bourne — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 15:32:22 +0000

The weather is cold and clear and it’s great that the days are so much longer than in Whistler – the lifts are open ’til around 4pm and it’s not dark until 5pm. Further South.

It’s early season so the skiing’s a bit limited. From Nendaz there is one gondola then just a couple of reasonably long runs with poma drag lifts open. Can’t get to Verbier or anywhere else right now, so on Saturday I just did a few laps on what was open then skied out.

On Sunday I took the bus to Siviez where you can head higher up to the Verbier area, or further West to the Thyon area. I chose the latter. Amazing that even though it hasn’t snowed for days there was still tons of untouched powder all around. I had my groomer skis (I wished I’d had them yesterday), but wished I’d had my powder skis. Having said that, my heavy luggage and days of travel caught up with me and my back seized up totally during lunch. Not fun, so I took Monday off.

Here are a few photos.

Travel to Switzerland

Sarah Bourne — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 16:58:41 +0000

Two planes, three trains, one hostel and a bus over 48 hours finally got me to my new apartment in Haute-Nendaz – part of Les 4 Vallees which includes Verbier. A huge ski area. My flight time arrival required that I stay a night in Geneva, and I’m happy to have done so. I had the best pizza ever and they have a winter lights festival on so the shores of the lake were all lit up.

Finally in Nendaz on Friday I wandered around to get my bearings. It’s a small town in a small valley with an outdoor ice rink in the valley as you can see from the last photo. The mountains here are colossal!

Bald Eagles in Squamish

Sarah Bourne — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:36:53 +0000

It’s a little early in the year, but already the bald eagles are heading to Squamish (Brackendale, actually) to eat salmon as they head up river. Amazing to watch, although it was almost too cold to take the camera out!

Cheakamus Ridge Hike

Sarah Bourne — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 00:34:04 +0000

Rob and I went for a leisurely hike on part of the Sea to Sky Trail running from Squamish. A little rocky underfoot, but the fall colours were pretty, and the sun was warm. We stopped for a picnic and a beer then headed back.

365 Project – Day 360

Sarah Bourne — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:33:47 +0000

Rob and I took a chance on the weather today to hike into Cheakamus Lake. It was beautifully green and damp, and at one point we were in the mist. Once at the lake, however, the heavens opened with a hail and heavy rain downpour.

Mist in the forest on the way to Cheakamus Lake