Lee Mounsey - CSIA IV

If you missed my spring post, Lee Mounsey attained Level IV CSIA Certification last spring. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. Training, training, training and challenging exams. Lee is pictured below at the Level IV Course Conductors Training. Black is the colour of the Level IV uniforms.

Lee had her Level III and Level II Coach when she first came to Baldy, and we were fortunate to have her here. When things went sideways with the previous ownership in the middle of the last decade, she went to teach at Whistler, where she had worked before moving to Oliver.

Her Mom's home is at Whistler, and she had ski school lift privileges, but some of the morning lift line photos she posted were quite something.

Photo lifted from Lee's FB page.

Also on this course is Mark Impey of  skiquest.ca . The last time I saw Mark, was when he brought his D.N.V.R. tour to Baldy. (Definitely Not Vail Resorts.)

On that tour, they skied Phoenix the day before Baldy, then Apex and Manning. I love the concept.

Last day of November..........

Happy to end this month, and embrace the various forecasts for upcoming snow! 

Revy waiting too............

 

Baldy Bluejays Adaptive Program

 

Hey Neighbours - let's meet the staff and let the trainees practice on us with Food and Beverage

 

South Okanagan General Hospital emergency room closing all day Wednesday - Oliver/Osoyoos News

South Okanagan General Hospital emergency room closing all day Wednesday - Oliver/Osoyoos News: Interior Health announced that the South Okanagan General Hospital's emergency room will once again be closed on a temporary basis due to ongoing staffing problems.

Firesmart BC is regularly updating content.

Shortage of snow delays opening day at SilverStar Mountain Resort - Vernon News

Shortage of snow delays opening day at SilverStar Mountain Resort - Vernon News: SilverStar Mountain Resort has delayed the opening of its downhill season.

Foggy all day, then a glimpse of the moon at night............

 

South Okanagan General Hospital emergency room closing Tuesday - Oliver/Osoyoos News

South Okanagan General Hospital emergency room closing Tuesday - Oliver/Osoyoos News: South Okanagan General Hospital's emergency room will once again be closed on a temporary basis due to ongoing staffing problems.

Thanks Cheryl - I guess we have to hike to see the light today....

 

Remember Gavin?

If you are a Baldy regular, you likely were loaded on to a lift in the winter of 2022 by a friendly energetic young man named Gavin. Gavin and his step-dad were injured in a car accident on November 20th. 

Gavin sustained significant head and internal injuries, and was airlifted to Children's Hospital at the coast. His Dad's injuries are less severe, but will keep him off work for some time.

Friends and family have contributed more than $60,000.00 to a go fund me to help the family through this difficult time. Gavin is one of 9 offspring in a blended family.

Gavin has a long way to go, but his mother reports some positive signs, and says he is responding to her touch and talk, even though he is sedated. She has been asking for prayers and positive thoughts, and today shared an e-mail service where friends and family can send encouragement to Gavin at the hospital, for his Mom to read to him. 

If you worked with Gavin or know him and feel so inclined, here is the info to send a message of encouragement.

"Ok everyone, let’s surround Gavin with love and healing vibes through your own personal messages!! All you have to do is email bcchbestwishes@cw.bc.ca

Include his name and location which is:

Gavin Heise PICU room #307"

We all have our issues with the healthcare system, but in a crisis like this, the resources were there. A team flew up from the coast to Penticton to assess Gavin and fly with him to the coast. Here's hoping for the best for Gavin.

Big White Ski Resort delays opening day again - Kelowna News

Big White Ski Resort delays opening day again - Kelowna News: Big White Ski Resort has pushed back its opening date for a second time this winter.

Staff Orientation Today

 

Welcome to the 2023-24 Season - Gathering on December 23rd

For those of you arriving for the holidays on the 23rd, unload your stuff, and you won't need to cook supper. Gather with your friends, neighbours, and BMR team in the Baldy Bar 6:00pm - food available including pizza by the slice, and the bar menu. DJ Scott will be providing some dance music, and the magic carpet will be open - until 7:00pm for tubing and skiing, start time to be confirmed.

The event starts at 6:00pm, and the bar will be open until 10:00pm

Wear an ugly Christmas sweater or a goofy Christmas hat and join us for some merriment to celebrate the arrival of the new season at Baldy Mountain Resort!

Thank-you Brandan from BMR, and Scott and Hilary from the community for organizing this season kick-off event.

 

Coming up December 2nd

The Rock Creek Fall Fair will host the 39th Annual Christmas Craft Fair at the fairgrounds pavilion on Saturday, Dec 2 from 10-3 pm. 49 vendors with everything from baking to leatherwork and sewing to special pet Christmas clothing! Admission is a food bank donation. Lots of door prizes and lunch/ coffee by the Rock Creek Trading Post.

Friday Night ER Closure

 

Rock Creek Market

 

Friday Night Light-up in Oliver, and Saturday Drive-Thru Breakfast at the Oliver Fire Hall

If you are coming to the mountain from the North tonight, take the back way, unless you want to partake in the festivities. 

                        

Choppers - I checked

I've heard helicopters fly over twice tonight. Topflight in Penticton trains helicopter pilots, and are doing night vision training this week. The crew from Talon who flew from North Van for the rescue last winter were trained in night vision by Topflight.

Various organizations including military and RCMP have sent pilots to Penticton for specialized training,

Fuel Mitigation Project Underway, below KM 7 Baldy Road

Tree spacing/fuel mitigation project. I've seen the trucks and tracks, but haven't been down the Baldy Road for a bit. Great to see this project underway.

Wednesday

Fleet ready for snow. New to Baldy Prinoth, serviced pre-delivery, PBs serviced in house - let it snow!

 

Prinoth Fleet Upgrade

I was in a hurry this morning, so didn't stop to talk to the guys. Prinoth cat unloaded and getting tracks on, Prinoth service truck on site. When I posted the departure of the Bombi, there was an anonymous comment, that I did not post. I narrowed down who might have sent it, but if you want it posted, or some more info on the topic, contact me unbaldy@gmail.com 

Rod or Randal can correct me on this..........

Baldy's Cats have been a Tucker and Nodwell,

Hulton Family Photo - L-R Linda Smith, Terry Smith - Deb Hulton (2 Smiths not related to each other or to me.

Nodwell, Fairweather Photo Deb Hulton, Jan Fairweather

At least 4 Bombardiers - 2 yellow, 2 blue - at least one of which was owned by Fred and Ethel in the Kootenays at one time.

Thiokol from Shames Mtn.

Current Fleet, PB Edge, PB Park and the Prinoth.

Snowing

At 4:00 pm it is zeroC, and snowing. There have been freezing droplet warnings for the mountain passes, but I've put a tarp on my windshield - we will only get snow here.

Welcome Back to your mountain home, T & B

I asked the other day if Tyler the amazing park builder was coming back. He's already here - worked on the Edge, and took it out for some track packing already.

Community - Thank-you Paul W.

My firewood this year is almost all pine, and not the best for splitting kindling. I have been watching Facebook Marketplace for some time now, looking for kindling, or some mill ends or something to split for kindling.

This morning I had a surprise visitor with this box of kindling and a couple of rounds to split more. Thank you so much Paul, much appreciated.

We have some special Pauls in this community. Paul W. Paul C and Paul R have all been kind and generous in my world.

Alpine Club Swap Next Weekend

 

Baldy Staff - Where are they now?

The Ladies Day ski group was popular when Wayne Skuhala was the instructor. I knew he was doing construction, but I bumped into him at a job site in Oliver today. He hasn't skied for two years, and he misses it. He now has his own company, which makes it more difficult to get away to ski. He's working in a neighbourhood that I frequent, so I hope to persuade him to come for a ski this winter.

 

BMR Retail

I picked up my pass this afternoon, and had a look at the retail merchandise - I didn't look at the prices - I am a senior citizen on a fixed income. Season Pass holders get 10% off.

Good news on the RFID front. The POS system provider that had poor customer service has been punted, and a new POS system is in place, and the gates at the bottom of the lifts are working just fine. 

Be Prepared to be startled..............

 

Last Day to purchase non-consecutive flex passes

Check the BMR newsletter - last day to purchase non-consecutive day flex passes. New online store - once you have purchased your first day ticket, and have an RFID card, you can purchase your next day ticket on line, without having to go to a ticket office.

Monday

 

Thanks to Cheryl for the Sunday Photos

 

Grader!

On the way to town this morning, I was thinking about posting to encourage the community to send a message to YRB. (Yes Road Bumpy)

Surprise this afternoon - grader working in the canyon.

Adventure Smart

https://www.adventuresmart.ca/bc-adventuresmart-winter-series-2023/ 

Check out Adventure Smart - informative online programs for safer adventures.

Tuesday

 

Highway 3 reopens west of Keremeos after weekend rockslide - Penticton News

Highway 3 reopens west of Keremeos after weekend rockslide - Penticton News: UPDATE: 6:20 p.m. Highway 3 has been reopened on Tuesday evening after being closed for almost two days due to a rockslide.

Slick underneath

Stairways, walkways, driveways and roads all have patches of ice under the snow. Be careful out there. 

Rest in Peace Craig Fletcher

Our thoughts are with Joe, Marie, Kim, Justin, Paris, Jay & family. They are the third Baldy family to lose a son in recent months. Suddenly, unexpectedly, and way too young. The Fletchers owned the cabin across the street from me until recently. Craig enjoyed the family time up here, and snow shoeing with the dogs. Marie is a dear friend.

Craig Anthony Fletcher passed away unexpectedly on October 13, 2023, in Williams Lake, BC, at the age of 49.

Born and raised in Penticton, Craig was well known in the community for his hockey accomplishments (playing in both the BCJHL and WHL), as well as running the family auto wrecking business. It was here that fate brought him together with his soulmate Kim when he was 21 years old. They married in 1997 and together raised two beautiful children, Justin (23) and Paris (20). A tight-knit family, the “Fletcher 4” were often out dirt biking, snowshoeing, camping or just relaxing at home together. Six years ago a new career opportunity with Peters Bros took Craig to the Cariboo region. It was here he reconnected with his favourite pastime, fishing, and fully embraced all the advantages of small-town living.

Always the big strong tough guy, but to everyone that knew him, a teddy bear with a huge heart. Craig was outgoing and kind. His sense of humour and work ethic were admired by his friends and colleagues alike. Craig loved life and lived it to the fullest, whether he was tinkering in his garage or cruising around town in his orange truck blasting 80s tunes. Above all else, Craig was wholeheartedly devoted to his family—his proudest accomplishment was being called “dad.” 

In addition to his wife and children, Craig is survived by his parents Joe and DonnaMarie, brother Jay (Tara-Lynn), in-laws Norm and Adrienne Hunchuk, brother-in-law Brian (Tracy), his four-legged best friend Penny and numerous extended family members and friends.

The hearts in our family now beat for Craig, as he continues to live through us every day. 

A private celebration to honour Craig will be held in 2024.

https://www.kettlevalleymemorial.ca/obituary/craig-fletcher/

I can't imagine what life is like now for Ebys, Crowsons, and Fletchers. Life is precious, and it can change in an instant.

Highway 3 west of Keremeos closed in both directions after large rockslide - Penticton News

Highway 3 west of Keremeos closed in both directions after large rockslide - Penticton News: UPDATE: 9:20 p.m. DriveBC confirms Highway 3 is closed in both directions due to a rockslide.

* check drivebc.ca no immediate reopening - next update Tuesday mid-day?

Navi-guessing Friday

I left the sunny mountain around 3:30 on Friday, and came back close to 10:00pm. On the way down, I went through several layers of fog, and on the way back, the visibility was not good in many places. I actually came to a complete stop coming up this side of the canyon, to determine where the edges of the road were.

Ski resorts in the Canadian Rocky Mountains start to open for the winter season - Canada News

Ski resorts in the Canadian Rocky Mountains start to open for the winter season - Canada News: Ski season has started in Alberta as two resorts in the Canadian Rockies, west of Calgary, opened for skiers and snowboarders.

Drought Levels

November 2nd readings have us still in a level "4", however the nearest station is near Westbridge, and Okanagan is rated at a "2" 

I am aware of a number of moisture events up here this fall that did not deliver moisture to the Okanagan.

https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=838d533d8062411c820eef50b08f7ebc