Making the most of the mountains

Most of the time you can find our short track skaters at the Olympic Oval, skating laps around the rink. We spend most of our time on-ice and the majority of the remainder either on the running track, stationary bikes, in the weight room or in the lab.

However, we do take advantage of the best the west has to offer. We've used the mountains for altitude training before. Mostly, with great luck, to a successful end. Our most recent excursion into the Rockies was no disappointment. In fact, it was one of our best!

We explored 3 different trails: Chester Lake, Burstall Pass and Headwall Lakes. All of these trails are found just off of the Smith Dorrien Trail, about halfway between Canmore and Highway 40.

To summarize our trip:

• 3 days of amazing spring-type weather (considering it's November we were truly blessed)
• 40 km of trails
• 1500m of altitude gained (between 1900m and 2450m on average)
• Infinite awe inspiring views (you may even call them "epic")

Here is an album from our adventure...

Canmore Altitude Camp 2010

JC