All American Brew-Ski

All American Brew-Ski Reading Break 2022 (February 22-25)

Americans: Joe Meyer, Melissa Bernstein (dual citizen though), AJ Dreher, Morgan Cooper

Day 1:

The all American Brew-ski began like few trips to Brew probably do… With a plan to ski at Sphinx! We piled into AJ’s living room at 5:45 in the morning, with all our heavy glacier gear for Sphinx, considered the hazards of crossing Garibaldi Lake in ridiculously high winds and bitter cold temps, and contemplated the joys of having a wood stove at Brew. The decision was made to ski Brew rather quickly, as the prospect of being perpetually chilly for three days was appealing to nobody.

Gear faff ensued, a stop was made at the Tim’s in Squamish, and in traditional VOCer fashion we began skinning two hours later than originally planned. Impressively, Morgan’s Subaru made it all the way up the FSR with only a few minor cosmetic bumps and bruises, the worst of which was the rearview mirror falling off unexpectedly. Impressively, Morgan was able to simultaneously focus on the road, DJ, and save her car from being forever known as Sarah Palin. This saved the crew a lengthy and somewhat boring skin along the slushy road.

The drivers of the cats that came up the road a few minutes after we parked seemed quite impressed that we’d made it so far. While skinning the water bars were a bit annoying on the way up but we eventually made it past the road and into the steep treed-in section where a few choice words were uttered as we all dug our edges in and clicked the heel risers to max. Those with ski crampons were grateful. Those who didn’t know how to use their heel risers were struggling. Thankfully though, spirits were high and the sun was shining, so we had a very enjoyable morning.

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AJ skinning up and getting very sweaty, PC Melissa

We paused for a quick lunch break next to a small grove of trees to avoid the wind before continuing up past the treeline into the beautiful rolling terrain around Brew hut. Everyone was satisfied by their lunches except Joe, who discovered the tortilla wraps he had made the night before were slimy and soggy.

Thankfully we made good time and were able to get to the hut early enough to catch the sunset. While Morgan coaxed up a fire in the woodstove, the rest of us got started on dinner, which was a vegetarian lentil bolognese pasta masterminded by Melissa. The pot ended up full to the brim, and as I scooped out servings into dishes, the volume of food in the pot did not seem to diminish at all. “We’ll never finish all of this tonight, surely we’ll have leftovers,” we predicted. This was an inaccurate prediction. Never underestimate the impressive amount of food that four VOCers can consume after skinning all day with heavy packs!

As the last pieces of pasta were being fished out of the pot, the door unexpectedly opened and a man and women walked in. They looked as surprised to see us as we were to see them. We made space for them around the woodstove, and they explained that they were a couple and had met each other at Brew, and had returned for their honeymoon. They must have been a bit disappointed to show up at their romantic mountain getaway only to find it already occupied by four university students, but they were very kind anyway. The man played a classical guitar piece while we ate our fancy dinner. The evening carried on with music, dancing and general good feelings around the woodstove as we all dried our wet and tired feet (ours not as wet or tired as our new house-mates who had parked at the bottom of the road).

Sunset, PC Morgan

Sunset, PC Morgan

Snowy Lentil Bolognese, PC Melissa

Snowy Lentil Bolognese, PC Melissa

Day 2:

Everyone woke up early on our first morning to watch the sunrise, which was a spectacular performance, 11/10 very well executed. Pretty soon we got down to the business of breakfast and preparing for a day of skiing.

The Americans at sunrise breakfast, on the couch PC: Morgan Cooper

The Americans at sunrise breakfast, on the couch PC: Morgan Cooper

Due to the recent high winds, most of the snow around the hut was very wind affected and slabby, and as we skinned along the ridge wrapping around towards Keg Peak, some clouds rolled across the sky, turning the light flat and ruining everyone’s depth perception. Nonetheless, we found some very nice snow for our first downhill turns of the trip on some NW facing slopes.

The day before, we had taken note of a set of ski tracks on a long, straight run on the slope of Keg Peak that we could see from the hut. It looked fun so we had set it as our objective for the day. However, as we began to climb Keg Peak, we noticed some recent avalanche activity, wind-affected snow, and large cornices along our route. We still had much terrain to cover, much of it of unknown condition, and on the way up we had heard a couple of scary Whumpfs. They tell you in your AST, you’ll KNOW when you hear a Whumpf and they’re right, you KNOW. On the shoulder of Keg Peak, we deliberated about what to do. It didn’t help that it was approaching lunch time and everyone was hungry, making negotiations a little more difficult (group communication and decision making is sometimes harder than uphill skiing). Finally, we elected to drop down from Keg Peak and return to the protected slopes where we had found good snow earlier, and eat lunch when we got there. The combination of calorie consumption and the clouds clearing up significantly lifted spirits.

Melissa skiing. PC Morgan

Melissa skiing. PC Morgan

We spent all afternoon skiing laps in the area. To spice things up we built a little jump, which was enjoyed by all. Eventually, as the sun sank lower in the sky, we decided it was time to call it a day and return to the hut. As we began skinning back, thick, dark clouds began covering the sky to the west, creating a beautiful and eerie play of light and shadow across the jagged peaks. It was spectacular, but we didn’t linger outside to watch, because everyone had realized how ravenous they were during the return journey and we were eager to cook dinner.

There are few things as sublime as backcountry burritos. Fillings included an impressive spread of instant beans, instant rice, cilantro, cheese, and fajita peppers. After a notable holdup by Melissa on the serving line (it’s all fun and games until 4 people are trying to make burritos after an all-day calorie deficit), all 3 Americans sat down to chow down. There was not much talking during the first round of burritos, as everybody was occupied with stuffing food in their mouths as fast as possible. I was still chewing the last bite of my first burrito as I assembled a second.

Day 3:

Our third day was originally going to be our last day at the hut. However, none of us had any obligations the day after, and we’d all brought enough food to have a smorgasbord of noodle dishes for dinner, so we decided to stay an extra night.

We started off with a slower morning, taking our time to enjoy breakfast and caffeinated drinks, appreciate the rays of morning sunlight streaming in through the windows, and read some funny trip reports from past VOC journals. We stepped out of the hut to find that the cloud cover of the night before had produced, and there was a few centimeters of non wind affected snow on most aspects.

Sunlight streams in at the hut, Melissa eats her breakfast Ramen PC: Morgan Cooper

Sunlight streams in at the hut, Melissa eats her breakfast Ramen PC: Morgan Cooper

AJ reads a “Escape from British Columbia” PC: Morgan Cooper

AJ reads  “Escape from British Columbia” by Jeff Mottershead. PC: Morgan Cooper

Morning turns. PC Melissa

Morning turns. PC Melissa

 

The decision was made to forgo the objective of the previous day of Keg Peak, and shred some fun looking lines to the east of the hut. Thankfully, we had no real issues with slabby snow due to wind, and found some nice untouched powder from storms in the past week. The snow was very good and some great lines were skied, topless photos were taken, and the couch (z-lite) was eventually rolled out by Morgan and Melissa for lunch, while AJ and Joe went for a second lap on a sweet line from that morning.

We skied more, and slowly made our way back to the hut over the course of the afternoon. Morgan opted to relax in her camp chair (yes she carried it up there) and enjoy watching everyone ski. After the final downhill of the day, Melissa made the first known ski boot free solo attempt of some protruding rocks. There was also some descending downhill via methods other than skis, including on ones butt, frolicking, and headfirst like a penguin.

Melissa with first known ascent, PC Joe Meyer

Melissa with first known ascent. This is what mixed climbing is, right? PC Joe Meyer

Morgan hard chilling, PC Morgan Cooper

Morgan hard chilling. Mt Fee, Branywine, Metal Dome in the background (Alcohol Traverse ridge). PC Morgan Cooper

Day 4:

Bright (actually still dark out) and early, Morgan and AJ opted for a sunrise tour to the east-facing slope of Mount Brew. They enjoyed tea and soaked up the last bits of the heaven that is sunrise in the mountains. To their absolute delight upon their return, Joe and Melissa had gotten breakfast sorted and everyone packed their things as we woefully accepted we must eventually return to civilization. The group made good time and was out of the hut by 9am, following the same sunny, warm ski track we had taken up. This time there was a bit of good skiing and everyone’s packs were (a least a bit) lighter.

With minor gear faff, we were back at the car in 2 hours and very very happy to find it safe and sound without a dead battery (the Subaru is great but she has her moments…). Unfortunately, we would not be so kind to her on the way down the FSR. Initially, we safely cruised down the slushy yet stable road, jamming out to lots of music Joe did not know (and maybe did not care to listen to). At one point, the passengers had to dig out a path for the car as it had gotten stuck on an especially large bump but that was minor in comparison to what was to come. We had made it all the way down the road save the last incline. We neared the edge of the hill, crawling along at a maximum 3km/hr. As we approached the double-black-diamond-in-November nature of the road made itself known. The entire slope shone with nicely scraped ice. There was no other option and we started down, praying the studded tires and lack of speed would mitigate whatever was to come. In fairness, it probably did but it sure didn’t solve the problem. As the Subaru crept down, the brakes Morgan had been so carefully tapping locked out and the back end of the car fishtailed. We were not positioned perpendicular on a 2 lane FSR with a cliff-face on either side. Shit. The passengers were instructed to exit the car while Joe and Morgan formulated a plan to get at least 2 wheels on anything but ice. To everyone’s (except Morgan’s) delight, there was a thin strip of gravel along the outside edge of the road, directly adjacent to the steep drop-off. Very VERY slowly we reversed the car nearer and nearer to the edge until both left wheels made contact with gravel. The right 2 wheels were very much still on ice but 4 wheel drive right? (Yes this was as horrendous as you’re imagining). With some security, Morgan and AJ guided the car backwards down the slope until the road flattened out and there was enough non-ice to make a 3ish point turn. Everyone piled back into the car and decided we needed a drink.

On the way back to Vancouver, we went to Backcountry Brewing in Squamish and devoured pizza and craft beer, finishing it off with some churros. At some point somebody got a news notification that war had broken out in Ukraine while we were at the hut, which prompted half-joking discussions about buying more food and toilet paper and heading straight back up to Brew. If not for the icy road section, I think we would have done it.

After lots of camera self-timer faff, we finally got a decent photo of the whole gang… (PC: Morgan Cooper)

After lots of camera self-timer faff, we finally got a decent photo of the whole gang… PC: Morgan Cooper

Another sunrise photo, facing Howe Sound. PC Morgan

Another sunrise photo, facing Howe Sound. PC Morgan

 

Stay tuned for a video at some point ;)

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