Thanks. That’s my main message this second day of the new year. Thanks all you loyal readers for visiting, commenting, and even getting a guest blog fired off frequently enough to make WildSnow.com a place of many voices.
The camera never lies (ha). Louie in the facet farm, yesterday. Western Elk Mountains, Colorado. In this situation, having a pair of literately gigantic skis helps, in this case K2 Darkside 188 cm, 156/128/144. Ridiculous? I thought so, until I saw the guy skiing three feet of facets like he was on perfect powder.
As we always do this time of year, we’ll shift from rabid gear reports to some travel. On snow, on airplane. Who knows, with our thin snowpack here in central Colorado, perhaps I’ll even go hiking. Truth, we saw a guy mountain biking up our favorite (and usually not very hard packed) snowmobile access trail yesterday. Let me tell you: that caused a deep burning torch of pain that extended from my toenails to my pate.
Oh, why can’t every winter be perfect?
Actually, I know the answer to that. If every snow season had vast quantities of fluff, we’d suffer the same fate as the super-rich for whom the ins and outs of life achieve an unhappy monotony. Whether we like it or not, it’s the ups and downs of the snowpack that make us so excited when it’s good. Yeah, basic philosophy I know. Perhaps even sophomoric. But, when it’s bluebird day after day after day, some of us need perspective. Or, would we rather just be super rich?
Back to travel: In a few days I’m headed over the pond for our annual Dynafit soiree. Will be reporting from the motherland of skiing, and checking out what candy Dynafit has in store for us next season. I’ve seen some teaser, wow.
Again, thanks everyone and here’s to a terrific 2012 for you and WildSnow!
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.