The fireworks mode on my camera is hard to control - the white area to the left on some photos is the moon.
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Fireworks 8:00pm
Hey there we are having a New York New Years 8 pm firework
show. We have approx $1000 in donations bucks for the fireworks show so it should be amazing ! Fireworks
please join us at Scott's Wapiti cabin for 745 . Bring your drink of choice! 
Cheers Brett
Plus/Minus my Vintage
On the hill today all grew up in Osoyoos: MacLeod, Smith, Hulton, Clark, Williamson, Petersen, Bucek. Now living at Baldy,in Oliver, Penticton, Kelowna, North Van, Sunshine Coast.
And probably more that I did not happen to see.
New Years Eve
Great day on the hill. Fast synchro down Wizard with Paul. Fast and smooth PK crossover to Powder Keg with Paul, Annika and Warren. Fun first run up Eagle with a young family from the coast. Skiing with a friend I've known since grade one - second time we have seen each other since school days. Chair rides - too many friends, not enough time.
I'm still cautious off the groomed - we had a lot of wind prior to the most recent snowfalls. Dividend and Powderkeg are in great shape.
Thank you instructor Molly Koenig for doing a great job with my friend's family.
Friday, December 30, 2022
Several vehicles have slid off Big White Road Friday evening - Kelowna News
Several vehicles have slid off Big White Road Friday evening - Kelowna News: The road to Big White is slick Friday evening, as holiday travellers make their way to the resort.
Report from McKinney above the Demelo Ranch
Road reported to be plowed but not sanded, two motor vehicle incidents.
Well equipped competent driver noted slippery sections in the same area earlier.
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Summerland museum shares a look back at the Okanagan's first ski hill - Penticton News
Summerland museum shares a look back at the Okanagan's first ski hill - Penticton News: A snapshot of sports history from the Summerland Museum & Archives Society has a look back at the Okanagan's first ski hill.
I think this is the hill that Wally Day told me about - where he skied as a youth.
Today
First run on Eagle with Mike, the visibility was fine. A few runs on the Lump, then iced up on the way in from Eagle.
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Wednesday
I confess - today was only my third day skiing. I was impressed by the coverage from the storms that have deposited the white stuff since I was last up top on the 17th
Well they were fun while they lasted..........
Beau has keeled over and soon will join Tree-sa under the snow.
Welcome Home
I turned up the heat, plugged in the fridge and the Christmas Lights. If all goes according to plan, we'll have friends to wave at in the A Frame up top as we ski in today.
From BMR
Eagle is back in operation. All lifts and tubing in operation today. Eagle has 5 nights and 4 days of accumulation roughly 25 to 35cm in certain areas.
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Resilience of Fibre Optic Cable
One line from Highway 3 to Baldy provides the Telus phones in the village and BMR. the internet for BMR and others with a Telus smart hub, and the tower on McKinney for the Telus Cell service up here.
Boggles my mind that there has been no program to brush, limb, and remove trees that could hit the line. At least when a tree does fall on the line, it usually gets cut down within a few months.
I don't phone them in anymore - someone at a call centre told me to call 911.
Monday, December 26, 2022
Rumble Strips and Westbridge Dinner
Great dinner north of Westbridge tonight with geology club friends, but wow - it has been awhile since I drove the Baldy Road to the Canyon Bridge. It needs a grader. I did see a YRB grader widening the road from Highway 33 up to the Rock Creek YRB site, and I have filed a complaint on line just now.
The wet precip changes to white at about 4km up from the bridge tonight, and it is snowing heavily now at 9:30pm , and minus2C. Still plus1C in Rock Creek. Pooling water this side of Johnstone creek, westbound.
I was surprised at the amount of snow in Rock Creek - I won't be on the lift early tomorrow - will be going back down to shovel off my travel trailer.
Ice Up Top
Check the webcams at other ski hills - everyone is challenged today. There were times we had to walk the lift line down knocking ice and snow off the T-bars - they were weighted down to the ground. There were times when the Eagle was run all night to keep some of the ice from forming - but how do you get staff to do that at Christmas? At 1:15, it looks like the sun will come through.
Freezing rain warning issued for highways across BC Interior - BC News
Freezing rain warning issued for highways across BC Interior - BC News: UPDATE: 9:20 a.m. Those planning on driving in B.C.'s Southern Interior this Boxing Day may want to reconsider.
Update:
My cousin has been calling businesses along Hwy 3 this morning. Word from Highways guy at East Gate - freezing rain - don't travel.
Sunday, December 25, 2022
Baldy Babes back starting January 9th
Hello Baldy Babes and welcome to our 2022-2023 season. We will be starting our snow shoes on January 9. The format will be the same, meet at the lodge at 9 am for a coffee/tea and a muffin, go out for a two hour or so snow shoe at 10 am and then back for a nice lunch and a glass of wine. The prices this season will be as follows: $35.00 for all, morning coffee, snow and lunch with wine includes tip , $30.00 for all except the morning coffee and muffin. BMR will be starting a Baldy Babes Snow shoe group and once we have this set up we will send you the address so you can join. BMR will post menus and other events on that and you can let them know if you are going to attend. This will help with the numbers and the planning!
Cheryl, Hilary and Marian look forward to showing you our trails and having a lovely time.
Friday, December 23, 2022
Carolling Tonight - Thanks Scott and Robyn for hosting the bonfire
Not sure of the start time, but carollers usually start at the top of the village around 7:00-7:30, and work their way down collecting others along the way.
You are all invited to drop by The Wapiti Creek Lodge for our 9th annual Christmas Eve hot cocoa gathering around the fire. 
We usually have it after the carollers are at the end of their journey in the lower village - not sure if people are carolling? We’ll have the fire pit blazing, cocoa hot, and s’mores ready between about 7:30-9:00pm 
We usually have it after the carollers are at the end of their journey in the lower village - not sure if people are carolling? We’ll have the fire pit blazing, cocoa hot, and s’mores ready between about 7:30-9:00pm 
Merry Christmas and sending love and peace to you all 
Trip from the coast........
Excerpts from a friend's post on the trip from the coast to Penticton.
"7 hours later but we made it to the Okanagan!
Just snuck out of the city before the freezing rain got too bad and stayed ahead of the snow storms.
Passed 29 cars in the ditch before Chilliwack and then it was smooth sailing. Slow and steady got the job done"
South Okanagan General Hospital emergency room to close Christmas Eve - Penticton News
South Okanagan General Hospital emergency room to close Christmas Eve - Penticton News: South Okanagan General Hospital will close its emergency room on Christmas Eve due to staffing shortages.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
FESBC Thinning
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022FOR0079-001789
This has been in discussion for awhile - project will add to our wildfire protection.
As it warms up - trouble for coastal regions........
Check drivebc.ca and follow https://www.facebook.com/TranBC . I was in Toronto for an ice storm one year - it is not fun. We did not lose power, but friends did - for days. Going for a walk was not advisable with slippery streets and sidewalks, and tree branches would randomly snap off around you.
Bar water line........
Brings back memories of decades ago, early nineties. Melanie came to my door in the middle of the night. She had a dream that there was water everywhere in the lodge. She went over there and could see it through the door. It was a bar water pipe (old location). We rounded up people and shopvacs - poked a hole in the ceiling tile on the entrance side of the cafeteria, and water poured down. We were dry enough for opening, and fortunately had a wood furnace in the basement at that time.
Used Warm Stuff
I sold my new suitcase in hours, so here goes another attempt at inventory reduction. I keep several sizes of ski pants on hand for flexibility by season.
2 pair as is Women's XL black ski pants.
- Convert have light insulation (fit smaller)
- LL Bean well insulated ( fit larger)
Will take any reasonable offer.
Also have one pair new LLBEAN large ski pants $100 firm. black
To give away - one pair Sorel felt pack fit ladies 8 - 8.5 - need a piece of duct tape behind the heel on one boot - good for cabin spare - if not taken, will donate next trip to town.
unbaldy@gmail.com
Merry Christmas, Wally and Mar
March 2007, the last day I skied with Wally. He only recently put away the gear - that seems to happen with our ski buddies when they hit age 90. Wally reads the blog daily. Wally and Mar came to Baldy from Apex in 1969 to run the ski school.
Wednesday, December 21, 2022
North Shore Rescue heads out to Big White to help COSAR with injured snowmobile rider - Kelowna News
North Shore Rescue heads out to Big White to help COSAR with injured snowmobile rider - Kelowna News: North Shore Rescue and Talon Helicopter have been tasked to help rescue an injured snowmobile rider stuck in the Big White Ski Resort area on Wednesday night.
From North Shore SAR
Cold
Reports from the valley sound worse than up here. Cold and gusty winds down there.
Here is a little info provided by Canada West Ski Areas Association
Extreme cold stops many lifts at Thompson-Okanagan ski resorts - Kelowna News
Extreme cold stops many lifts at Thompson-Okanagan ski resorts - Kelowna News: Extremely cold temperatures in the Thompson-Okanagan have forced area ski resorts to scale back operations Wednesday.
Venturing to town...........
All the roads in Oliver were white yesterday, and with the gusty winds, it felt colder than up here, although by the time I was ready to head back up, it was minus13C. With the cold temperatures, traction was good, and there weren't cars sliding around.
I had planned to do my last grocery shop for awhile, but found sections of the grocery store had limited stock - I guess the coastal snow has slowed the supply again.
My mail box was empty as well.
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Rest in Peace, Laird Carmichael
Laird's daughter Jessie Steinhoff called this morning and asked me to let you all know that Laird passed in his sleep at his home in Keremeos. Laird's career in the ski industry included lift maintenance and management at several ski areas including Whistler, Shames, Apex and Baldy. He was a true gentleman, and always willing to lend a hand fixing things.
Baldy was where Laird wanted to be, and thanks to this community, he was able to spend several of his retirement years on the mountain. Special thanks to Nathan Ondrus and Kevin Rand.
Laird is survived by his son Corby, Daughter Jessie(Brandyn), and two grandchildren. ( I haven't seen Corby for awhile, so I don't know if he has a family)
Below are some photos from my collection - if I find the others I am thinking of, I will add them later.
 |
| Don't show this one to Jim 😉 |
 |
| Matt, Laird, Russell, and Will |
 |
| Matt, Tech Guy Dale Andersen and Laird |
 |
| Laird liked quality workwear, and was usually the best dressed on the team. |
If only.........
Spectacular photo ops today - shaded on the way down and sunny on the way back - the larch that did not shed their needles are particularly beautiful. Unfortunately it wasn't the kind of day for finding a spot to park off the road, and a little chilly to wander around.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)