Kiersten's last run on the Couloir Extreme this season
As the weather in the spring changes, people are starting to leave for the season or pack their skis in favour of their bikes, golf clubs and shorts. It’s a bit of a sad time – but many will be back – I’m sure of that.
Since the conditions aren’t the best because of the high temperatures, sunshine during the day and low temperatures at night causes some hard packed (read: icy) conditions, I decided to venture on the mountain with my SLR – which I’ve only done one or two times before this.
As I was taking photos of places I’ve been before but without my SLR, I met Kiersten. She asked me if I was going to go down the Couloir Extreme. I wasn’t planning on doing it as it was closed because of icy conditions. She mentioned that it was her last day on the mountain. I though for the season – but she said possibly forever because she said she was moving back to Holland after five years in Vancouver.
My heart sank a little; but I know that this place can’t keep anyone away for very long. I told her that I bet she’ll be back.
The last days on the mountain for several people plus some recent images on flickr. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
Five years ago yesterday, it was a Thursday afternoon. I was at the office and it was just past 4:00p; I was on the phone with my girlfriend [at that time] because we were arranging to go to York University to watch the Canadian Open tennis tournament in the evening. During the conversation, the lights, computer and other electrical appliances in the office went dead. I looked out the window and noticed that the subway train below had stopped in its tracks also – I knew something was not right.
Walking home through the streets of Toronto seemed to be a jovial experience. Everyone was talking; traffic was cooperating and nobody seemed to be complaining. I got a free popsicle from a store that was giving them away. I also got some free iced tea and water from a restaurant that had set up a table for all the people walking home.
I ended up having a party for some friends (that could get to my apartment) to eat my frozen food and drink my beer before it got warm. I didn’t care about the beer, but it was a good reason to have a party.
We celebrated the fifth anniversary last night in Toronto with several groups, including: PS Kensington, Critical Mass and Newmindspace that culminated at Spadina and Bloor streets in a street party.
The night started with a spectacular sunset, which set the mood for the party.
Here is my flickr set from the evening. Click on the larger image to advance to the next one.
The summer solstice, one point in time was at 11:58pm last night. However, the last three days were the longest days of the year. Sunrise was at 5:35am each day. Today, Stef and I watched it from the western beaches. We woke up just after 4am to do this – a bit mad but worth the lost sleep.
Here’s a time lapse video of the start of the morning.
Bike theft is a problem globally – and Toronto is no exception. For this reason, I do not ride my bike on short trips around town because of the hassle of locking and unlocking. However, recently, I got a lock that would be a deterrent to all but the most persistent thieves – one of the locks includes the Kryponite Fuggedaboudit lock.
As told by the bike shop where I purchased the lock; no lock will prevent a bike from theft. It only takes time and circumstance. I rarely ride my bike at night and always use my Fuggedaboudit and a cable lock when I do have to leave it unattended.
100 days, Banner Image, Bicycle, Culture, Environment, Photography, Recreation, Skiing, Travel, Uncategorized, Whistler | Garry April 28, 2009 | 
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