Sun, storms and freezing water! (Haig Update part 2)

So Haig yoyo number two was just as great as the first one, with even more skiing than last time!

 After doing a bit of roller ski intensity while being down in Canmore I was excited to head back up to the snow capped mountains to get some more on snow time. Roller skiing just doesn’t compare.

The run up this time was way better than the first week. I felt really good and had lots of energy. Upon arriving at camp we had the place to ourselves, just me, Brittany, Suzanne, Katherine, Chris, Darren and Joel. Peace and quiet all around. So we decided to go make some noise. We ventured down to the partly open pond (which in reality was 90% ice and slush and only 10% water as you can see in the pics below.) Anyway we crossed the glacial creek and then stood on the rocks for a few minutes to build up the courage to hop onto the ice flows and go for a nice chilly dip, coldest ice bath I have had in a while. It was lots of fun but not something I will do on a regular basis. 

So now back to the ski training, the reason for me writing in the first place. The next morning we hiked up to the glacier in beautiful sunshine, just us 4 girls with the glacier all to ourselves. It was really quite amazing to look up at one point when I was skiing near the top of the loop and not be able to see anyone. It was like I was alone on the glacier, just me the snow and the sky.  Just as we got down from the glacier a freak storm erupted over the mountains. What can I say we had impeccable timing, we were able to enjoy the storm from inside with a warm bowl of soup in hand.

The Haig brought a great training block to an end, skiing 7.5 hours in 3 days, I wish I could have skied more but I was a busy 4 day yoyo as is, with almost 15 hours of training.  Then it was back down to Canmore to rejoin the rest of my team. It is great to have such a big group of girls to do intensity and train with, so many people to help push me.

This week is my first real rest week since arriving in Canmore and I am filling my time with lots of Olympic viewing. Enjoying all the sports. I am especially excited to watch fellow Yukoner Zach Bell compete in track cycling over the next few days!

Next week training is back in full swing as we prepare for our dryland camp in Whitefish, Montana August 16-26^th. Then it will be back home to Whitehorse for a week to visit family and friends. 

Hope everyone is enjoying the Olympics as much as I am, Thanks for reading!!!

Dahria