Craig's Report - December 02, 2004Storm WatchThe scheduled opening day is a week from tomorrow and my lawn is still a glum green. :-( True, if you climb a couple of thousand feet, things are much, much more encouraging, but like some alpine manic depressive you know you are bound to come down, down into the depths of a dirt depression. The answer to this sorry state of affairs would be a nice classic Fernie storm which could change things overnight and at least one forecast is making encouraging noises about this weekend. There is of course no consensus amongst the weather pranksters, but the signs seemed good today despite a worrisome rise in temperature. There were dark clouds hovering over the mountain and blustery winds occasionally accompanied by a few teasing flakes. Indeed the gusty wind almost made me reconsider my planned route up Siberia Bowl as I imagined fighting gales and blizzards pouring through Lost Boys pass. In fact, for most of the way up, the wind just provided some much needed cooling and as a bonus it turned out Falling Star had been groomed. Only as I neared the top of the Timber Chair did the wind attack with a passion. To my surprise the assaults continued through Timber Bowl and to a lesser extent in Currie and Lizard as well. It definitely felt like winter up there. Heartland, 100 Percent, Highline, Silver Lining as well as at least the bottom of Currie Powder had all been groomed. I walked down part of Highline and it seemed to be in very good, full on winter, shape. Currie from Trespass Trail up looked pretty nice, although in places the wind will undoubtedly be having its way with the snow. Below Trespass Trail, things are still pretty twiggy and while passable for small groups, not really ready for prime time. I counted seven snow guns on Dipsy/Lizard with another one at the base of Elk Chair. This is more than I even thought they had. They were obviously trying to make a reasonable access path down from the Bear's den and they have made some decent progress. Unfortunately the warmer weather meant the guns were all silent and help from Mother Nature is still much needed. At 18:40 it is 1 C and judging by the near, but not complete, absence of stars, probably mainly cloudy.
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