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Introduction
The 2010 Canadian Ski Quest season is fast approaching. Stacey and I are getting into the winter groove as the talk around Rossland shifts from Mountain Biking to Skiing. We have already had our first snowfall in Rossland, just a dusting to let us know that winter is close and enough to send Rosslanders into a tire changing frenzy. Snow covers the surrounding ridges contrasting the vibrant yellow and red autumn colors.
My main focus since the end of the 2009 season has been to get myself physically ready for the 2010 season after my patella tendon injury. Although I do not think I could ski above an intermediate level at the moment, I do feel I am on track to be on snow for December (perhaps as a participant in the advanced CSQ group)!
On the New Zealand program this year it was determined that I was by far the worst skier on the tour (I did try one run). Thankfully long time Canadian Ski Quest Pro Mike Manara came along to take up the slack. Mike provided the skiing inspiration while I provided the baggage handling and tire chain installation services. Apparently Mike was overheard commenting that “Mark’s knee injury is the best dam thing that has ever happened to me!" He did enjoy himself! The group skied six days out of a possible six which was quite an accomplishment given the wind conditions; the group also scored quite a few first track runs. See the blog for details.
Photos: Lake Ohau Ski Field, Andrei Kostka laying it over at Porters, group farewell shot Kevin Larkin, Mike Manara, Mick Fordham, Grant Richards, Andrei Kostka, Wendy and Brad Tatnell.
Onto Season 2010
We have improved the Red Mountain program this season to incorporate more of an adventure element, this year on the Friday (Day 5) of the camp we will be offering participant three different options:
Response to these changes has been very positive and we are looking forward to the experience.
All programs are now 30-50% full, please get in touch with Stacey or myself if you might be able to make it over this year.
Head Skis
Canadian Ski Quests partnership with Head Skis continues. Guests of Canadian Ski Quest have the opportunity to purchase Head products at significantly discounted rates or to hire Head skis while you are here. If you are receiving this email, you are eligible. Contact me to take advantage of this opportunity.
Cougar Attack
No, this is not news of a new type of Canadian Ski Quest ski camp! But a story of an actual Cougar attack, part of Mark and Dawn’s eventful summer. Everything is alright now, but we have been through quite a traumatic experience. The story was actually featured throughout the Canadian media and we were interviewed by “Good Morning America” and “Nightline”. ABC News actually flew the family to New York City for the interviews; it has been a crazy time for us. Most of you have probably already heard of the incident, but here are the details. We went for a family hike up Mt. Abercrombie; Mark, Dawn, Isabelle and Simon in late August. Mt. Abercrombie is the peak you can see from Rossland to the South. Quite an imposing peak but it is relatively easy to hike, easy enough for 5 year old Simon. We were near the top of the peak when Simon was attacked by a Cougar, (also known as a Mountain Lion). Isabelle and I were about 50 meters in front of Dawn and Simon. I heard Dawn scream, and assumed she had been stung by a bee or that she or Simon had stepped in a wasps nest. I turned around to see Dawn hitting something repeatedly with her water bottle screaming continuously. Both Isabelle and I ran back down the trail as fast as we could, screaming as well. The cougar had Simon by the head (Simon’s head was in his mouth, it gives you an idea of the size of these cats) and had dragged him off the trail, with Dawn beating the beast continuously. I was about 20 meters away when he dropped Simon, considered another attack and then disappeared into the bush. Simon’s head was covered in blood from deep gashes to his head and forehead. We wrapped his head in a shirt and I carried him to the trailhead, we were carrying sticks and rocks and yelling the whole way down. It took us an hour to get back to the car and then another hour to get to the Trail hospital. Simon received 50 stitches to his head and forehead and had 28 puncture wounds, all over his body. Through the whole incident Simon did not cry or complain once. Isabelle was also incredibly brave and was able to keep up to our very fast pace off the mountain. Dawn is the real hero of the ordeal, half human/cougar interactions like the one she entered result in fatality, usually of the parent. We consider ourselves very lucky to have survived the experience. This is quite a rare occurrence, since 1924, nine cougar attacks have been reported in Washington State, half of them fatal.
Simon is now doing well, he had to have his head shaved and he has some gruesome scars which make him the center of attention whenever he decides to take his hat off in public. He is quite willing to tell everyone who's attention he has captured about the incident. It is a humorous scene to see Simon reciting his tale with exuberance to obviously horrified strangers who minutes before were innocently enjoying their day. Simon’s hair is growing back and we are told the scars will become minimal with time. In the end it is a positive result to a horrific experience.
Blog
I have been updating the Canadian Ski Quest blog, check it out for pre-season happenings around Rossland and Red Mountain, http://www.canadianskiquest.blogspot.com/.Thanks for reading,
Mark