GIVE YOURSELF FULLY

"Tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes. Therefore give yourself fully to your endeavours. Decide to construct your character through excellent actions and determine to pay the price of a  worthy goal. Remain steadfast....and one day you will build something that endures; something worthy of your potential."- Epictetus, Roman Teacher and Philosopher.

TRIBUTE TO A FALLEN TEAMMATE AND FRIEND

Yesterday, 9 years ago my friend and university basketball teammate, Dwayne Rivard passed away. I am fortunate enough to know his family well and I am very close with his sister Paula. I was blessed when Paula gave me a special rock that belonged to Dwayno. This rock I take with me on all my adventures. I kept it in my pocket all day yesterday and i had an amazing day. I felt incredible and inspired. My day ended with a ski tour up Blackcomb Mountain on a night with countless stars. This rock goes with me to the top's of mountains, along pristine rivers, in deep valleys and rainforests and on the boundless energy of the ocean. It also reminds me of how fortunate I am. Fortunate for the amazing life I have and for the amazing people in my life. Don't forget to tell someone how much you love them. 

"Every year that I live I am more convinced that the waste of life lies in the love we have not given, the powers we have not used, the selfish prudence which will risk nothing, and which, shirking pain, misses happiness as well." - Mary Cholmondeley

Eagle Viewing by Stand Up Paddleboard

We have had some amazing weather lately, sunny and clear blue skies. The skiing hasn't been great so I took my paddleboard out yesterday and paddle up the Squamish River to check out some bald eagles. Our eagle count was down again this year, lower than last. Last year was a very low year and they are attributing that to the diminishing runs of chum salmon. After the river paddle i headed out into the sound for another hour or so. It was great being out on such an amazing day. The outflow winds started to kick up so I headed back in. 

I also got some new touring gear from Mark up in Williams Lake. He owns the Red Shreds Ski Shop up there and sent down a pair of Mt. Baker Superlights with a pair of TLT vertical's on them. Incredible set up. I have been touring on pair of Black Diamond Havocs with Diamir Freeride binding. That set up has been pretty good too, the bindings are beefy and the Havocs rip but they do not compare to the lightness going uphill of the Baker's and TLT's. Wow. Feels like you have nothing on, ski's i mean, in comparison. I also got a pair of used Garmont Megarides. They are a 4 buckle boot and I can already notice the power. I am really looking forward to some big days on them.......they should work really well for the big volcano's this spring. Tonight I am heading up Blackcomb for a starlight training tour.

Stand Up Paddle Board Sesh over the new years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFzaSphipOg

THINK 20 YEARS AHEAD

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbour, catch the trade winds in your sails. 

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.

-Mark Twain

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you have set your goals and dreams for 2009. I had an amazing break with lots of adventures. I spent lots of time in the mountains and on the ocean. Many days were spent touring up in Garibaldi Park with the great snow we have been getting. One of the days I toured in waist deep powder then rushed down to the Squamish Spit in a snowstorm to do some stand up paddle boarding. 

The holidays also have been about family and friends. My family came out west this year for Christmas and we celebrated West Coast Style with lots of adventures including snowshoeing and nordic skiing in the Callaghan. New Years was spent in one of the best places on earth, Tofino. We had incredible weather and great surf. I spent a lot of time surfing the waves on my stand up which is one of my favorite things to do. I will try to post some video of one of my surfs. 

I am really looking forward to an epic new year with lots of great adventures and time spent with close friends, family and partners.