Shadow of the ?: July 2012

On the first weekend of March 2012, a group of about twenty students and staff had a campout up near Joffre Lakes in British Columbia. The snow was wonderfully deep, but at 40 degrees F, it was a little warm. We set up camp on friday afternoon. It consisted of a large eating area dug down to ground level, which was maybe 7-8 feet below the snow, to provide a place out of the wind. We didn't sleep in a cabin or even tents-we all dub down into the snow and made snow cave like things. My shelter-mate and I made a "tree well" shelter that uses the natural hole around a tree as a tunnel down to the ground, then you dig holes into the snow bank at ground level just big enough for you body to slide lengthwise into. It's a pretty "cool" experience if you don't do it right. I'd say mine was half way effective.... On Sabbath we took a hike across Joffre Lake towards the glacier. Because of the early sunset and the rain, we didn't make it all the way. We did make it past the avalanche area though. When we headed back to camp, everyone was cold because we were wet, either from the rain or sweat. Overall, the voting census was to pack up that night and go home because it was too warm and our shelters would be melting. That night was a blast! We took the plastic from our shelter roofs and piled all our packs and snow shoes on it, then sat on the top to slide down the hill to the bus. Over and over again we slid down the hill in the dark, screaming and laughing :). Even though we had to leave early, it was well worth the cold, rain, wind, and awkward snow shoes.