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It was a lovely day, warm and with a great big clear sky. I almost couldn’t believe it was still winter. Where were those storms that flooded the nightly news and made this past New Years so skiable? The town had dried out no more piles of snow along the road but never the less we were going to find it!
Boots, skis and packs bouncing in the back of the van we drove up the mountain. It was just a moment and we were there around the white valleys filled with cross country skiers and children sledding. That was not for us. On we went looking for something, something wonderful. The small hills, with their fluffy pine trees and cheerful faces soon grew up to be mountains full of elegance and then we saw it. Our mountain was a magnificent tall peak, rising about the rest with snow clinging to her sides. She seemed to be welcoming us to come discover her curves.
On with the boots, on with the skins and on with the skis! We were off….
Only to find this world of white to be a world of ice. Up the lady of misery we went with our edges slipping not able to cut through the crust and our skins slipping on the steepness of her slopes. Only the hope of kinder snow on the other side were we able to stay motivated. On we went!
Breathing heavily wishing I had spent my week in the gym we made it. There we were at the top and now my breathlessness came from the view. Lake Tahoe spread before us and I felt I could dive off the edge and land in its blue waters.
With one swoop the skins came off! We reveled in the view as that softer sun kissed snow guided our skis home. The view became a blur of blue as I remembered why I loved the climb – to earn the downs.
