Comfortably Numb, Whistler BC
Pictures from two different rides! July 2004 ( Lee Lau, Sharon Bader, Chris Barker), when it was hot and the traction gods were smiling, again in May 2006 ( with Lee Lau, Sharon Bader, Pat Mulrooney, Peter Weiland) when the traction gods had not yet made it this far North...
Comfortably Numb, a 23km trail that we normally add an extra 12km to since we do it as a loop from the Day Skier parking lot.
Check out previous rides on either side of this epic - July 2002 and Oct 2002
Here is the elevation profile over time from the Day Skier parking lot.
Hello?
The start of the trail climbs through mossy single track punctuated by rocky ups and downs!
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?
Structures allow easy passage over dead fall! (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
Lee is riding a Norco Fluid! A great All Mountain Bike for this terrain! Check out his review here!
Come on, now.
I hear you're feeling down.
This is the first major creek crossing. All our epic winter snow is going BYE BYE! (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
This is THE spot on hot summer days to cool off your head.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.
Finally we start the descent to the Al Grey Memorial Bridge crossing of Wedge Creek. (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
Relax.
You can see some great trail building techniques by Chris Markle who built this trail as well as other Whistler Classics - Kill Me Thrill Me and the technical trails in the Lost Lake trail network. (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts,
Rounding the corner to the bridge.
Can you show me where it hurts?
A memorial plaque for Al Grey, a former WORCA president who died (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon.
The Wedge Creek crossing, a joint project between WORCA and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. Kudo's to RMOW for being such GREAT supporters of Mountain Biking! (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're sayin'.
'Typical" single track along Comfortably Numb. (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
When I was a child I had a fever.
My hands felt just like two balloons.
(photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
Now I got that feeling once again.
I can't explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.
The Mid Point of the trail. There is now an emergency shelter at this location. In the back you can see the ridge of Phalanx Mountain and the slopes of Poop Chutes!
Ok.
Just a little pinprick.
There'll be no more ...Aaaaaahhhhh!
The High point of the ride! 1050 meters. Now, theoretically... we start the descent...
But you may feel a little sick.
The descent has some fun steep rock faces that are made more interesting with xc tires... (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
Can you stand up?
I do believe it's working. Good.
Looking back up the rock face descent.
That'll keep you going for the show.
Come on it's time to go.
In dry days these are all very climbable. When its that certain anti-friction wetness though these are just frustrating!
There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ship's smoke on the horizon.
A nice view point with a bench! Looking North.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can't hear what you're sayin'.
Looking south you can see West Bowl still covered in snow in July of this hot year!
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
We missed the view
this day... (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
Out of the corner of my eye.
Another fun rock descent! (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
I turned to look but it was gone.
Now on the final descent of the old Secret Trail. A two hour push the other way before you start to go 'down'... (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
I cannot put my finger on it now.
more rock! (photo by Pat Mulrooney May 28 2006)
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.
Classic trail for classic rides!