A Kick-Ass Kickoff

This past weekend, I sneaked away from my senior design group to lead on the UAOC's Jasper Kickoff.  Driving down with my sister and an exchange student, I passed the time by blaring some some classic tunes I hadn't listened to for a while.... Jaya the Cat.  Don't think they enjoyed it too much, but I couldn't hear them over the sound of El Camino so it's all good.

Rolled into the Marmot Meadows group camp and helped get the fire started.  Finally met Mr. Barry, also known as the Nightime President and head of the Geriatric Crew.  Dude has been coming on trips for over ten years... an inspiration haha.  The party got going, and I announced my trip for the next day, Mt. Wilcox.  Too soon though, it was only the exec up and everyone else had gone to bed.  What the heck?  Anyway, we partied a little more and then went to bed ourselves.

Got the troops rallied the next morning and drove down to the Icefields.  I coordinated with a hiking group, so we had a group of 21 people with Robert Z, Claire and myself leading.  Hit the pass and had lunch, then Claire and I split a scrambling group off and headed for the peak.  We slogged up the scree, then hit the more difficult section of the ridge.  Here, a guy from Singapore was climbing pretty darn sketchily so we decided to turn him back.  I volunteered to hang back (even though I didn't want to), but Claire was a champ and stuck back instead.  I still owe her beer.  Anyway, I took the rest up to the peak in great spirits and an awesome break in the weather.

Chilin at Wilcox Pass

Cornelius hanging out above the Parkway

We attacked Wilcox using siege tactics

Sidewalk in the Sky

Wilcox is pretty special to me, mostly because of how exposed and alpine it feels, even though it's real easy.

"It's just like the Alps", easy but exciting terrain

Melanie's first summit!

The crew on top

Nigel Peak, could be fun on skis

There's a ski line

Wooley and Diadem

On top, Barry finally got the better of me.  He kept gushing about this "easy descent route" which involved heading north along the ridge and then dropping off the scree to the pass.  He ended up convincing a few of the participants.  He said he'd done it before.  Long story short, he was horribly wrong, and after taking a few people on some very serious terrain, was forced to come back the way I went down, two hours late.  I was pretty pissed that he pulled that stunt, but at least everyone came back safe and sound.  Another lesson learned, it'll be a cold day in hell before I trust someone with my group again.

Walking back to the cars

Anyway, we got back to camp, made dinner, and then the party really got going.  I was on fire and definitely wrote a chapter in "The Legend of Craig Hartmetz" as Pete would say.  Woke up early the next morning, recovered a bit, then headed to the Miette Hotsprings for a dip before driving back home.  A good weekend, and a party that will likely last at least a few years as my rowdiest performance.

Our campsite at Marmot Meadows