Emptiness isn’t such a bad thing

The once snow covered road is now glowing the burnt orange of the earth, as if scorched by the same sun currently consuming the remaining snow. The snowmobile starts with a gentle whine as the motor warms up.  It roars as I punch the throttle and the sled glides off the trailer gracefully. We loaded gear and food with ease, almost as if it was second nature from years of practice. We weaved our way carefully down the remaining snow.

Five miles of beautiful, crystal clear mountain stream and trail now behind us we arrived to emptiness. The second we arrived we were surrounded by the vast nothingness of the mountains. 

 Only the sweet hush of the wind in the pines and the gentle kiss of Mother Nature as she blows crisp mountain air across my neck and face. If for nothing else but this short moment of solitude the trip was a success. After victory beer, a good porch sit and a few chores it was time to explore, without the constraints included with guests.

Initial assessment of the snow is good, a welcomed change in comparison with the prior month’s sketchy snow pack. The tall, steep, and daunting lines above the lakes have always called to me.

  The approach being exposed, steep, wind loaded, littered with cliffs and drop offs never presented an option for a mid season assent.

Standing on top, looking down upon the lake and surrounding valley I know today is the day I check this line off of my list. Beautifully preserved north facing powder was the reward for my years of patients.

Great food and great company rounded off the night with perfection.

 The nightcap of sweet whiskey, sipped indulgently, ushered the sandman in gently.

The sun cresting on the mountains brings with it the frosty wind of the fleeing darkness. Our well-rested eyes flutter open as the smell of tea and smoky pine fill the yurt.

Today… another one off the list. The view from the front porch of the yurt offers a cornucopia, if you will, of diverse terrain. Red pine trail offers great open glades. While the north face of yellow pine offers long steep chutes, cliffs, and with the snow just right, seemingly endless pillow lines. The north chute was first on the list but not enough snow was left to send it. We meandered down the thick pine to a pillow line of still soft powder. Down a tight bottleneck launching into the apron with max speed just to be thrown head first by sticky slush as soon as you enter the sun baked shadow line.

The long but mellow tour back to the yurt was refreshing, gliding through pine and aspen glades. Hungry for dinner we made good time.

After dinner and margaritas we headed to the lake. It was time for a snow couch lounge session with scary saucer sledding onto the frozen water. It was a blast.

The past few days of 65+-degree weather did a number on the snow, so we took a lazy Easter Sunday. Cleaned up the yurt and battened down the hatches for summer. Decided we couldn't end the season without one last run. 

Getting out was its own adventure. We had lost over a 1.5 miles of snow on the dirt road and had to hike to the car. Turns out the "Easter Bunny" left me a rotten egg in the form of a flat tire and flat spare. A hike and then hitch hike to cell phone service only to find out that "triple A" doesn't do dirt roads. I was stuck in the middle of Bloomington, Idaho. Lucky for me a stranger gave me a ride and a few hours later the Turners came to the rescue.

Got home late, exhausted, and hungry. Fell asleep thinking... that was AWESOME!!! Living my dreams daily! Minus the double flat tire...