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| A beautiful white vista near Mt. Bachelor |
I had been anticipating this weekend for months. After a horribly painful and limpy few weeks after my last attempt to ski in June, I told myself that I wouldn’t put my skis back on until there was fresh snow on the ground and a groomed surface to ski. As it started snowing again in Oregon, I saw photos and heard stories of friends taking full advantage of our early-season snow! It was so difficult to control my instinct of skipping work, grabbing my skis, and heading for the hills! I really felt like waiting was the wise thing to do, however, so I practiced self control and waited for a few more weeks.
Opening day at Mt. Bachelor had 3 feet of fresh snow on the ground under a sunny sky. My decision to try a groomer first lasted about 4 or 5 turns before I launched off the trail, landed in a fluffy pillow of snow, and linked pow turns all the way to the bottom of the mountain.
It was on!
A few hours later, I met Erik for my first ski tour of the season. I have never been more prepared in my life! I had:
- Freshly cleaned and waxed skis
- Newly punched and molded boots
- Fresh batteries in my beacon and headlamp
- A super nice lunch I packed the night before
- All clean clothes, including my jacket, pants, and all baselayers
- Brand new socks!
This level of preparedness had never happened before! I guess I really was full of anticipation.
Fortunately, our snowy terrain was as beautiful as I left it, and Erik and I enjoyed a nice afternoon out on our skis.
After a rest day, Erik and I skinned up Tumalo to see how I’d do on a slightly longer, more involved ski tour. I had a few painful moments, but it all came together for me as soon as I dropped in. Does this look like a limpy, gimpy girl to you?
Cheers to the beginning of the 2012/2013 ski season, and many more to come!
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