Editor's Note: If you're looking to earn your turns, view the Brundage uphill policy here before you go.
As the weekend rain gave way to plunging temps and new snow, I picked up my phone and tried to convince my cast of friends it was time to get back on the skin track.
I didn't find any takers. Some were busy planning for Thanksgiving trips to far-flung locations like Mexico. Others were unconvinced the snow was worth the effort.
I told them all, "You don't know till you go," but to no avail. So, Wednesday night found me parking outside the Brundage gates, skinning across the parking lot, up to the top of Bear Chair, down the backside, and up the base of the Alpine headwall.
Luckily, I wasn't alone. The nicely organized skin track I followed looked fresh and was intelligently laid out—working with the terrain, but still making quick time to the top. You can see the video here.
As I lollygagged up Alpine, past the race course shack, I heard a noise behind me. The guy who set the track and his buddy were rapidly overtaking me. Not one to waste an opportunity for a rest, I stopped, stepped off the track, and chatted with them as they approached and passed me.
It was their second lap. Impressive. Using their intel that the top of Alpine was wind-affected and not great skiing, I stopped at the base of the headwall, transitioned, and skied back the way I came—down Alpine, up the backside of Bear, and down Bear to Badger to the lower parking lot, where I kicked off my skis and started walking to the car. Day seven in the books. Another awesome ski on awesome snow.
As I drove down the mountain, I called my oldest daughter, who was supposed to be with me, and convinced her we needed to do a before-work mission the next day. She agreed.
Thursday dawned foggy and wet. We loaded up and headed out, unsure of what we'd find, but enjoying our coffee as we chitchatted our way up the hill.
Like the day before, I parked next to another couple of skiers headed in the same direction. They were already skinned up as we started to get ready. We watched them take off and start their journey. A few minutes later, we followed their tracks. We worked our way up Main Street, transitioning next to the lift, then decided to ski down North to Rodeo in hopes of finding less wind-affected and deeper snow.
It was a good decision. From our first turn on North, we found nothing but boot-top POW and untracked snow. The hoots and hollers started, and we found ourselves working way right and then left and stopping occasionally to talk, plan, and extend the ski as long as possible. It was awesome. Maybe the best day yet.
As we loaded our skis in the car, our neighbors rolled in, all smiles and giggles at the fun they'd just had. As we got to talking, phone numbers were exchanged and plans were made to meet up again the next day.
This is something unique to outdoor sports—chance acquaintances on a skin track or climbing route or mountain bike trail become adventure partners and sometimes friends and sometimes life partners. It's the magic of living where we live and doing the things we do.
My hope for you is that you find time this weekend to get out and get after it and maybe, just maybe, make a new friend along the way.
Keep an eye on your mailbox. The winter issue of McCall Life is headed to the printer next week and should be in your hands in early December. The stories are amazing, and the photos aren't too bad either. I think you're going to enjoy it.
If you haven't yet subscribed, you can do so here.
Have a great weekend!
