Christmas is Cancelled!

End of December, 2012

I have spent every Christmas of my 33 years at my mom's home in Sacramento, California. When I moved to San Francisco after high school, the short drive was easy. Then I moved to New York City, and the trip became much more difficult: crazy weather at home, long lines at the airport, delayed flights, stressed out people everywhere... you know how it goes.

When I moved to Bend, Oregon it should have become easier, but in some ways it just isn't. The lack of direct flights from Bend to Sacramento means we choose to drive rather than fly. The weather is always the wild card: if it is nice out, we get to stop at Bunny Flat on Mt. Shasta for some fun backcountry skiing to stretch our legs. If the weather is bad, however, our drive becomes hours longer, we start tallying vehicles off the side of the road (we counted 14 on one trip), and we are miserable by the time we reach our festive destination.

This year the weather was unusually stormy. It had been snowing non-stop for about two weeks before Christmas, and the roads were covered in ice and packed snow with tire chain ruts. We read about multiple fatal accidents on the roads in central Oregon. We began researching alternate routes, all of which would have taken hours longer, and also had snow on the road and in the forecast. I-5 had been closed on and off in the days leading up to Christmas Eve, and the traffic looked horrendous.

Erik and I had to make a tough call, but we decided: it was going to be too snowy and crazy to drive down to Sacramento for Christmas this year. We were stuck, snowbound, in Bend.

How did we fill our free time over the Christmas holiday? In the snow, of course!

We rode our snowmobiles through deep pow in search of soft landings and face shots...

And found them!

We broke trail through thick blankets of snow:

We explored the forest looking for new places to ski:

We got cold in the sub-freezing temperatures...

And warmed ourselves by a wood stove in a warming shelter:

And did plenty of skiing!

I guess Christmas wasn't cancelled after all... we ended up receiving many gifts from Ullr this year.

I Can Ski Again!

Thanksgiving Weekend, 2012

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!

A Picky Girl's Guide to Eating on the Trail Part One: Day Trips

Not a bad lunch spot! High up on a ridge on Broken Top

During some downtime caused by my almost year-long recovery from an injury, I took a good, hard look at my diet and overall health. Based on the recommendation of my acupuncturist, as well as encouragement from my own improving health during this journey, I cut lots of junk out of my diet including wheat, dairy, soy, and sugar. Caffeine and alcohol were cut back to rare occasions.

Then I started the anti-candida diet and even more junk came out: anything with mold or fungus (mushrooms, fruits like melon, decaf coffee, kombucha); all vinegar except organic apple cider vinegar; starchy vegetables including potatoes, carrots, and beets; processed meats; beans; commercial sauces and condiments... my grocery list became limited to certain veggies, greens, berries, eggs, meat, oils, and nuts.  

The greens in my garden going off in June!

A typical day's meals were eggs and greens or a smoothie for breakfast, a giant salad for lunch, and a salad with something else (roasted chicken, grilled peppers and squash, soup, etc) for dinner. Similar to the Paleo diet (from what I've been told), but with less bacon! After about six months of this new way of eating, I had multiple health issues (like eczema) spontaneously resolve, lost weight, gained endurance, and felt much healthier in general.

But how do you eat like this on the trail? My traditional standby trail food was all of the sudden off limits: chunks of salami and cheese, pita bread, Clif bars, and chocolate!

My first full day trip after all these changes was a climb and ski of South Sister. I packed a salad, a bag of raw almonds and cashews, a bag of strawberries, and some Oskri bars.

Kind of excited to chow down on some South Sister Salad!

South Sister Salad

Fill a gallon zippered bag with the following:

• Mixed greens like lettuce, mesclun, kale, chard, collards
• Tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Red bell peppers
• Avocado
• Roasted chicken
• Strawberries
• Pine nuts

Dress it with some olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon and lime, salt, and some dried herbs.

It was a big-ass, stick-to-your-ribs kind of salad. It filled me up without weighing me down, didn't take up a lot of room in my pack, was easy to digest, and allowed me to be on my way quickly!

I also packed a bag of strawberries and two Oskri bars. The strawberries satisfied my sweet tooth, but they get a little funky in your pack so make sure you eat them during your trip (they won't survive!)

As for the Oskri bars... well, the Oskri bars are simply outrageous. They have two ingredients: coconut and rice syrup. Eating an Oskri bar is sort of like strapping on a jet pack: all that fat and sugar gives you an incredible burst of energy, without feeling all gross or heavy in your belly.

Yes, I like these bars... just a little bit!

My food experiment was a success; I felt well-fueled all day.

Some other ideas for day trip trail food:

• Carrot and celery sticks
• Justin's Almond butter packs
• Spiced, mixed nuts and seeds (try curry powder or pumpkin pie spices -- just add the spices to the bag)
• Beef jerky (look out for the MSG!)
• GoRaw cookies or bars

What do you eat on the trail if you have allergies or other health concerns that keep you from eating typical trail food? Please add your ideas to the comments below!

Solo South Sister Summit Mission!

June 15th, 2012

Skiers: Just me...

South Sister with Broken Top in the background... and Mt. Bachelor in the way back!

Every recovery from a major injury has its ups and downs, and the last six months have been one hell of a roller coaster ride. I suffered a pretty bad ankle injury on New Year's Day that just kept lingering. From February through April I was on and off crutches, completely incapable of any real physical activity. Throughout the month of May, I kept dabbling in mellow activities, trying to step it up a little bit at a time. Somehow I kept screwing up: I even managed to injure myself on a stationary bike!

In mid-June, I decided it was time to try commuting to work on my bike. I was a little nervous, but gave it a go... and it went really well! So I did it again the next day, and it went really well again! In my excitement, my (totally rational) brain jumped to the next logical step: I'd climb and ski South Sister later that week.

South Sister is the tallest mountain in central Oregon, and skiing the South route in late spring / early summer (after the road is plowed) is a definite annual pastime among backcountry skiers in our area. Once I got the idea in my head, I couldn't get it out!

From the left: South, Middle, and North Sisters; Broken Top; Ball Butte

Since I couldn't find anyone to join me for the mid-week weather window, I figured I'd just go by myself. My rationale: I'd done it before. I had no idea if I could make it. I had no idea how long it would take me in my condition. I didn't want to ruin anyone's day. I really like doing things by myself sometimes! So it was decided: I'd attempt to climb and ski South Sister with no real expectations other than enjoying myself.

I left Devil's Lake around 7 AM and made it through the trees and onto the plateau with no problem. Crossing the plateau was SO NICE!!! It felt so great to be back in the mountains -- in the wilderness -- all by myself! So peaceful, so beautiful.

Enjoying the view from the plateau

My ascent was up the standard climber's route, which is usually super crowded on a beautiful June day, but on this day it was completely desolate. What a gift! I would come to realize that the day was full of little gifts from the mountain, almost like she was going out of her way to welcome me back.

As I was working my way up one of the steeper slopes, I heard some giggling in the distance. Soon thereafter, a group of five female climbers descended past me! What a perfect group of people to encounter on the mountain!

Of course I had to take a photo of these adorable ladies...

...then they took a photo of me...

...then they glissaded away!

With my girly mojo fully replenished, I continued to march up the mountain, ignoring my argumentative legs and lungs. The views were superb!

 Mt. Bachelor and a giant lava flow

Lewis Glacier and its tarn

Think there should be footprints here? Hmmm...

Crossing over a scree patch on my way onto the last push up the "racing slope", I stopped one last time to catch my breath, enjoy the view, and love on the mountain a little bit. Over the last few months, I kept telling myself I'd hug South Sister when I was back there again. I was standing right next to a giant rock, so I wrapped my arms around it and gave her a giant hug! I could feel the energy of the mountain. She is an active volcano, after all... and it was amazing.

Sitting above Broken Top now...

She sent a very dramatic sluff waterfall over a giant cliff in response...

Unbelievable.


At this point, it was just a total sufferfest. My lower extremities were in pain and I was beyond exhausted. I was slightly concerned about my ability to ski down, but pushed those thoughts to the back of my mind. In a classic case of mind over body, I hauled my ass up to the summit! I was SO EXCITED when I finally arrived!

The last few feet to the summit...

Give you incredible views!

Middle and North Sisters

Broken Top

My descent worked out reasonably well. It had taken me hours longer to climb than I'd planned, so the snow was quite a bit softer than I would have liked. The good news is that the racing slope off the top is steep enough to ski in pretty much any crappy conditions. So I laid down some trenches with some serious hoots!

On my descent!

The shadow bowl was pretty exciting to navigate: quite steep off the top, with lots of lava directly below. Pretty much no-fall terrain, unless you want to get cheese gratered! I pretty much willed my legs down it. It hurt, but what other choice did I have?

Dropping into shadow bowl

After some fancy footwork getting through the choke at the bottom of shadow bowl, I skied up and over some treed ridges to get lined up with my ascent route again. My brain was so busy strategizing that I didn't even realize where I'd stopped...

BOOM!

Right in front of the most amazing tree ever! I mean, really. This day was totally full of the most overwhelming sights!

Crossing the plateau, I stopped to take a photo of where I'd come from...

...then I gingerly skied back down through the trees to the trailhead.

Back at the truck after a really long day!

My knees were aching, my ankles were totally non-functional, my feet were soaked with sweat, my entire physical being was exhausted, but my spirit was off the charts! I had just climbed and skied South Sister for the second time!

Last time I was with my best ski buddy and at the peak of my physical ability. This time I was all alone, and in the worst physical condition that I'd been in in years. But once I got that goal in my head, I couldn't get it out. This single day erased the months of yearning for the mountains. I felt so welcomed back! What a feeling!

 

"Without risk there is no adventure." - Bill Briggs

Backcountry Adaptive Skiing on Ball Butte

June 3rd, 2012

Skiers: Erik Schmidt and Lindsey Clark

Erik three-tracking out of the wilderness

Due to a sick and twisted turn of events, both Erik and I had our ski seasons come to a screeching halt due to ankle injuries this year... the SAME ANKLE.

Me: Fell mid-switchback on an icy ridge on New Year's Day. Suffered significant damage to ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and the talus bone.

Erik: Fell while ripping out of a couloir and onto an apron (perhaps an encounter with the bergschrund?) in April. Broke his medial malleolus and fibula.

I dealt with the fact that I wasn't going to ski for a while, picked up some fun illustration projects to fill my free time, and made a couple pilgrimages out to the desert on crutches.

Erik, however, was NOT OK with ending his 2.5-ish year streak of skiing every month. So he connected with Oregon Adaptive Sports and got himself a set of outrigger ski poles.

After taking some short runs on Mt. Bachelor to get the hang of them, Erik talked me into going with him into the backcountry for some real fun.

Hey! All my weight is on my bad ankle!

We skinned up Ball Butte fairly slowly: Erik making a single track in the snow next to my two. Skinning with outrigger poles actually works pretty well! And my ankle wasn't giving me much trouble. 

Single track / Double track

Things were going pretty well, so we decided to stop at a flat spot on the ridge we were climbing and make some turns back down to the snowmobiles. I went first:

Hands out in front... Shoulders facing downhill...

...and my fears of excruciating pain were unfounded! My turns were fun, easy, and felt great.

Erik followed me down the mountain making fast, confident turns. Very nice!!!

I think he's done this before...

Once back at the sleds, we did some requisite high-fives... we had both just skied in the backcountry with legitimate injuries! Take that, stupid ankles!

Classic look of satisfaction

It was a great, confidence-building day out in the mountains, and got us both psyched for more adventures in the mountains throughout our respective recoveries.

Goodbye for now, Ball Butte!

Sh*t Skier Girls Say...

This video by the uber-fabulous Lynsey Dyer is absolutely hilarious, and so true. While I've never taken a "beacon to the tit", I do occasionally complain about my cramps in the skin track! And who knew that all ladies make the same high-pitched squeaky sounds when slaying the pow?!? Bonus points for the Dynafit bindings making an appearance toward the end.

Living Well on Crutches

On New Year's Day I slipped and fell mid-switchback on an icy ridge. When I stood back up, I realized immediately that I couldn't bear weight on my left leg. The following 6 weeks were full of ups and downs: doctor visits, x-rays, a work/ski trip to Utah, a canceled ski trip to Jackson, crutches, dance parties, ice packs, a hangout session with Glen Plake, and a general sense of frustration not knowing what the hell was going on with my ankle.

It was finally suggested that I get an MRI, and my instinct was right on: in addition to the torn ligaments (sprain), I did some damage to both my talus bone and its cartilage. Surgery may or may not happen, depending on my pain level when the sprain and bone bruise are more or less resolved. Back on the crutches again!

Not thinking about the new snow... not thinking about the new snow...

I've been on crutches before, but it takes a few days of struggling (and maybe a little whining) before you learn some tricks to living well with these damned things:

1. Get a small backpack, messenger bag, or fanny pack (Jammy Pack?!?) and keep it with you all the time. Mine has a phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, meds, water bottle, and room for random things I need to carry from one place to another.
2. Get a disabled parking permit as soon as possible. 
3. If anyone offers you help with anything, take it. Those 10 steps you save on the crutches could be used for something you have to do on your own later.
4. Do your grocery shopping at a mega-store with electric scooters. They are awesome!
5. If you have a dog, you won't be going on any leashed walks anytime soon. Thank you dog parks! Just make sure you don't crutch through dog poo... eew.
6. Keep your body moving. This is as important for your mental health as it is for maintaining your physical health. Swimming is a great way to get exercise with a broken body.
7. Drive-thrus! Drive-thrus! We have quite a few here in Bend: Prescriptions, thai food, ATM's.... these are a lifesaver if you are exhausted from crutching around everywhere.
8. And finally, love your caretaker, if you are lucky enough to have one!

Kaya the Ski Dog

There are certain qualities I look for in a ski buddy: stoke, availability, and pockets full of awesome snacks. Kaya delivers on all three, and more!

Headed up a local ski area during an early season dump!

Kaya's ample fluff was our first indication that she would make a great ski dog. We've had lots of speculation about her heritage -- Chow/Samoyed/Golden? Miniature Great Pyrenees? Giant Pomeranian? -- but whatever is in there, her love of burly winter weather obviously runs deep.

Is she a Chinese Crusty?

Kaya is pretty short, and as a result we have to be thoughtful about when and where she skis. She loves the deep stuff, but has a hard time keeping up unless the slope angle tops 45 degrees (she's skied over 50... and loved it!). Otherwise, she wallows in our tracks, and we have to wait for her at the bottom.

In my tracks and keeping up just fine!

The best snow surface for her is nice, creamy, sun-softened corn snow. The good news for all of us is that there is tons of it, all summer long, in our central Oregon Cascades.

Mmmmmm... creamed corn!

Her stoke is always high, both on the up and the down.

Kaya tends to stay right on my tail...

Even when we're skiing! Check out her epic face shot...

She has also been known to warm us up after skiing in tents and camper vans, and who wouldn't love that?

Fluffy foot warmer... my favorite!

And about those pockets full of snacks: there's usually something tasty and easy to grab in her dog pack!

Cheese, nuts, or beef jerky?

So Kaya, thanks for being an awesome ski buddy, and cheers to many more years of shredding together!