First Lamp

I rolled out early this morning.
The streets were empty while hiking along to the Village.
Neon beer signs were glowing in empty bar windows.
It was cold.
The wind blew fresh falling snow onto my face.
Finally, it was snowing.
There was a half moon and the stars peeked out between wandering clouds.
The groomer's had already done their work late into the night.
New snow now covered their work.
I took the skis off of the pack and pressed on the skins.
It was dark.
Two hours prior to sunrise.
Toni-Matt
Chair 1
"Hey, That's what the lifts are for!"
The kids (boarders) had yelled down Saturday late in the day during a lap.
I could still hear them as I skinned along this morning under the moon.
I notice no new skin tracks in the fresh 6 or so.
However, looking up I saw a lamp coming down the mountain.
Headphones on with mellow tunes,
I though this may be a snowmobile coming down from a distance.
Then, the lamp made fluid S turns and dropped out of sight over to Bench Run.
"Did that really just happen?
Was it my imagination?"
Good Medicine.
Ponds.
I continued up in the darkness.
Winds were stronger now and the snow blowing a bit more.
Upper Chair 5
Exploring Sunday, I had finally found a line without a traverse.
Quad laps of Chair 5, Big Face, Powder Trap, then Russ's briefly back to 1.
Connie's side had the traverse of the century with number 8 still closed (no base).
North Bowl or Cal's dumps too quickly into the flats.
I peeled the skins and pulled down the goggles.
The goggles were full of snow.
A moonlight descent.
Fresh smooth surface powder.
Then, a repeat.
Dawn.
Two snowmobiles driven by patrollers heading up to work sped by on lap two at the Ponds.
Chair 1 was now running employees to the upper House.
Eight shoes dangling without skis from the quad.
On the descent, three skiers were now skinning up Toni.
Back in time to catch the first run.
A good morning.
Thanks Big Mountain!

Another Tool in the Shed

I was able to schedule the time to attend the LV II course last week. This was put on by an instructor from Victor (ID) in conjunction with the folks here in town with MslaAvy. The course covered rescue, documentation and stability (day one), snowpack (day two) terrain (day three) and weather and decision making on the final day. Time was balanced between the field and classroom. The instructors were knowledgeable and good communicators. I enjoyed the course. Missoula is fortunate to have these resources.

Jazzy Jam

Tart this year 50 Eggs! Excellent! Thanks and Happy New Year!

Lolo

Just got this one. Not the best, but it still makes me want to get out there!