Fade to Winter

(dan) — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:04:21 GMT

The transitional period between seasons are what I enjoy most- the slow turn as the beautiful colors drop off the trees and the first signs of snow and ice begin to appear. This is the time of year when you don’t quite know what to expect from the weather, one day you might be cranking on rock with your shirt off and the next you’re out hiking for those first turns.

I certaintly push the boundary of the winter season as skiing seems to be on my mind most of the year whether it is appropriate or not. Snow brings me into a place which is purely fun, certaintly there are dangers involved with backcountry travel, however these hazards present a puzzle to solve which I find enjoyable as well.

A couple days ago Rene, RC and I headed up towards Crow Pass in the Chugach Range to try and ski. As we left the cars it was warm with a light rain so we had low expectations for the day. There was a snow line high above us and we figured we might as well take the skiis for a ride and maybe they would return the favor later in the year.

After an hour of hiking we arrived at Crow Pass and found that there was still very little snow and no visibility. Conditions had certaintly not improved but in the spirit of adventure we decided to look for an isolated pocket of snow to make a few turns since we had our gear. Another twenty minutes up the trail we found what we were looking for- a small couloir with just enough snow to ski. After two runs down our hundred foot long couloir we decided that skiing might have to wait for a little more snow. Or maybe a lot more.

On the drive back to Anchorage we continued with our early season spirit by looking for newly formed ice. We failed to find any- however we did find some PBR at home so the day proved to be a success anyway.

I don’t know about anyone else but the days spent hunting for those elusive winter conditions are the ones which I enjoy the most. For now I think I might go rock climbing because that will certaintly give winter a reason to show it’s face.

Exploring

(dan) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:33:13 GMT

Ever since I was a child I have always enjoyed getting out and "wandering" in the woods. Whether my objective was to hunt, fish, or hike I always ended up just exploring until I found a place to build a fort. At that point I would begin construction and work until I had completed my fort. However as soon as I had finished I would return only a few times to use the site; then one day I would go in search of a new place to build. This continued throughout my childhood and if you went to any number of spots in Georgia, Virginia, or Maryland and looked in the right places (only I knew, or thought I did) you could find the remains of many fun hours or play.

This was a great way to spend my childhood. Looking back on those days of tromping the southern woods brings a smile to my face.

Unfortunately you can’t remain a kid forever, no matter how hard you try, everyone grows up at least a little. This harsh reality hasn’t changed what I love to do at all. Except that now I go out into the mountains with an objective in mind (ski, climb, etc.), complete it, and return home.

In my life today the activity depends much on the season- though I always find the need to be in the mountains. Whether they are 3,000 or 20,000 feet tall, I do not discriminate, as it is an empowering landscape to travel through. Going out solo brings this even more to life, it helps a person to realize how diminutive we are; as an individual or a species. That and it is just plain fun to be out there.

Lately I have been exploring the Chugach range behind the house I am living in in Girdwood, Alaska- this is a great place as there are only a few million acres of rugged snow covered peaks to play in. Plus if I get bored in the Chugach it is bordered by even larger, higher, and more remote ranges on three sides (the ocean is the fourth, oh well).

For the last week I have been up in these mountains skiing every day and have yet to encounter another soul. The daily routine has been to leave my house, ski up the drainage of my choice, pick a couloir, climb it or a nearby ridge, ski the couloir and head home for a hot drink. After a day out traveling in the hills there is nothing more enjoyable than sitting down with your boots off and favorite tea. Either that or bivying in a storm and getting pounded by the weather with your boots on and trying to light the stove to make tea.

While I have rather enjoyed the time out alone there are times when it is much more fun to have a person to share the experience with. So this is the call out to whomever wants to ski or climb, get up here and let’s go play. Just don’t expect me to show all of my favorite places. I don’t think you would have enough time.

MountainCorn.com

Fade to Winter

Exploring