ESSAYS... WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO SEND US YOUR WRITING ON HUMAN POWERED SPORTS. PLEASE KEEP THEM CLEAN AND SHORT. WE DO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT.
ESSAY
Dennis T Croughwell
October 30 at 5:00 AM ·
THIS IS RIGHT ON THE NOSE. .......READ IT SLOWLY... I FIRST STARTED READING THIS AND WAS READING FAST UNTIL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD. THIS IS VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK.
AND THEN IT IS WINTER You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change....Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's NOT over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY!
REMEMBER:....
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.
"LIVE HAPPY IN THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR!
LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
~Your kids are becoming you.......
~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... "what?" . ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.
~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.
Gramps on PICKLES, said to his grandson…
“Well, another year has come and gone….”
“Yeah.” The grandson says.
“When you’re young, the days seem short, and the years long.”
“But when you’re old, the years seem short, and the days seem long.” Gramps says.
And the dog thinks….”And when you’re a dog, your tail seems long, but not quite long enough.”
A comic strip by Brian Crane.
A SEASON AS A LIFTIE
On a whim, I asked Paul, the lift operators manager if there might be an opening for a geezer to work only on Saturdays.
To my surprise and pleasure, Paul said yes.
In September, I went thru liftie school at the Mountain House.
Here, we learned the ins and outs of proper lift management.
Later in the day, we rode chair 1 down to the bottom and learned what is expected of us.
The first day as a liftie, I was instructed by my fellow liftie, Brad, on how to prepare the loading ramp and surrounding area, including the rope lines.
Then, I was on my own. First at the top terminal, then at the bottom load area.
The top is rather boring, if you just sit inside and watch the chairs of skiers go by.
So to avoid the doldrums, I met each chair of skiers. Greeting them and often explaining the unloading process was a challenge.
Especially new snowboarders. Their “friends” try to teach them how to board, but fail miserably in explaining the loading and unloading techniques. So in ten seconds, I explain where to put their loose foot, and more importantly, to head straight down the ramp. Inevitably, they turn their boards sideways and go down on their faces. I try not to laugh, but it’s so funny watching these newbies, I can’t resist.
Often times, the riders crash, so I slow or stop the chair, and run out to pick up the pieces. Four times this winter, I had to help kids off the chairs when they panicked and did get off in time. Apparently, riding the bull wheel is against the rules.
But it’s the bottom loading area that really got me interested.
I work outside most the day, so I sit on a regular chair next to the controls. From there I can control the stop/start and speed of the rope.
What brought me the most pleasure, was helping the parent load their young children. The young tykes have a hard time skating up the ramp, and the parents get frustrated dragging them up to the “Wait Here” sign.
So when I see a youngster struggling, or their parents at wits end, I run down the ramp and take the child’s hand and tow them up to the “Wait Here”sign, or to the chairs to load them. The biggest hazard to loading a child, is getting them fully on the chair as it goes by. Often, skis or poles or other gear go flying. If I can stop the lift in time, I can put their skies back on them, but often times I have the next riders carry the equipment up to the top.
Greeting all the guests, no matter their age is a must. Making the guests feel comfortable, and getting them loaded without incidence is why we are there.
There are a few lifties that deserve recognition tho. Andy from chair 2 is one of those people. He works his entire shift outside in all weather conditions. He is in my opinion the best lift operator Silver has. But Andy is hard. He’s not necessarily a people person, but excels in being a consistently good employee.
I can’t say enough about Jeff, Chris and Paul. They manage a motley crew of people from all walks of life and ages. It’s so hard to manage people that are only employees for 4 or 5 months at a time. Many come back during biking season, but have to go on unemployment insurance in off seasons.
The men and women that load our children and us, deserve our respect and thanks.
And I can’t say enough about the Mountain House staff. With the onset of a new owner, Silver Mountain is blossoming into a fine resort.
Undoubtedly, it will take time to undo the neglect that Jeld-Wend has done to the resort over the last decade or so. But with Trig’s guidance, Silver Mountain is on the right path.
If you’ve noticed this season, the Mountain House is cleaner, better staffed, and is about to go thru a complete remodel.
But it always comes down to the employees. Without their hard work, things would happen way too slow.
Upper & Lower Terrible Edith
The day started foggy, but became clearer as the day went on.
I decided to do one of my more favorite runs, Upper & Lower Terrible Edith.
I shushed down thru the lower terrain park, and carved a tight turn onto the top corner. At speed, I carved a swooping left turn along it’s upper rope. As the woods got close, I carved another turn that took me out onto the main run. Many more carves took place before the steeps started. After the first carve on the steep, the snow balls came rolling down in mass. Hundreds of snow balls caught me at my next turn.
Every turn created a new “avalanche” of snow balls. Soon, what I could see was this mass moving across my path. Vertigo was present, but thankfully I stayed my course and made it to the midway cat track.
As I examined my next descent, thousands of snow balls jumped the cat track and swarmed the lower slope. I ducked the rope and tried to out ski the “avalanche of snowballs”.
My efforts only caused the lower slope to let loose. Now tens of thousands of snow balls bounced and tumbled down my route.
At a bottleneck, the “avalanche” debris became deep. I stopped in the middle of the trail to take in the “avalanche”. Some tumbling snow balls were hitting me in the knees as they bounded down the steeps.
What was, a relatively smooth slope before, now was a field of dead snow balls. Many laid on their sides, while a lot came to a stop like vertical cinnamon rolls.
As I looked up the slope, i noticed that it was trashed. Now hundreds of thousands of snow balls, of all sizes littered all of U. & L. Terrible Edith.
My favorite run became a very unusual “avalanche terminus”.
Oh but what a run it was!
chic 4.7.2019
Often when skiing, you sluff off a small layer of snow that forms snow balls. These snow balls move directly down the fall line.
I try to out ski them, but unlike the snow balls, I have to make turns down the slopes. As the slope becomes steeper, they tend to roll faster.
It’s a blast to race them. Sometime I win, but most the time they catch me.
What a blast.
chic 4.7.2019
1987
High in the Selkirk Mountains,
there is a scramble,
no one should miss.
One that follows
the curves of a cirque.
That arches out
into time and space.
Where access is
from boulder to boulder.
The secret of the Selkirks
come in threes.
But you'd never know it
unless you've seen it form above.
chic. 8.12.2014
1986
There is a passion
in our hearts
and our souls.
that draws us
to the mountains
and cliffs
of the world.
It is not
"Just because it's there"
but rather because
we can be there.
We can
with lots of effort
and desire
scale these mountains
and feel their faces
and touch their souls.
The Native American Indians
believe that
everything has a spirit.
Once you isolate yourself
on its face
and feel your energy
and its magnificence
you realize that you
and the mountain
are friends.
On a journey of your mind.
For climbing
is a physical experience
that pumps your arms
and shakes your legs.
But more than anything
it taxes your brain
to solve each and every
problem big or small.
And once you've solved
it's problem
whether it's a crux move
or finally standing
on its summit.
You've cleared
the cobwebs
from your soul
and become
a brother
with a spirit
only you can know.
chic 2.16.1987
The Crux
It is an old feature, one that causes great desire,
and one that causes great mental and physical pain.
The crux is seldom conquered on the first attept.
But rather has been worked on like any difficult task.
The crux causes you to pump enormous energy
thru your body.
And once its been conquered, the high is so great
that you can't wait to do it again.
chic 2.16.1987
There is a brotherhood amongst climbers.
One that allows you, to put your life in another's hands.
As you stand below, watching your partner carefully
scale a face, your energies are as high.
It seems to travel up the rope to them.
As you scale the face and feel the energy, it gives you
a tremendous rush.
That brotherhood among climbers is a joy that is hard to beat.
chic 2.16.1987
Its amazing to me that I find myself relying on such small hand holds.
But that is the trick of this game.
As each s tested by my hands, my eyes seek out others so my feet will feel the security of that tiny nubbin.
Soon, I seem to flow like fluid p the rock.
My mind is exercised to find and remember these tiny laces.
But all too soon, find myself on top, waiting o play some more.
chic 2.16.1987
Falling
Its an odd sensation that snaps you back to reality all to fast, for your mind to comprehend.
Falling is as much a part of climbing, as any move you make.
However, I try to avoid it as often as possible.
It is that sensation tha makes you move with caution, and keeps you from becoming too foolish.
Altho its ever present, I recommend you not become to practiced in it.
chic 2.16.1987
There is one sensation that I wish not to feel as I climb.
Its fear.
Fear I'll hold you back when you should rely on your abilities.
If you find yourself pushing your abilities beyond your limits, you find yourself alone.
If only we could control our fears, we may just find a secure hold or a way out.
It is important for climbers to fine tune ourselves to realize our limits.
To test them, but to protect ourselves and then to move on.
Soon, thru careful probing and effort, our abilities will increase, to where someday, that problem will become fun to practice on.
chic 2.16.1987
The summit of one hike, isn’t necessarily near the top, or at the lake
But rather the summit is in ones imagination as they ponder what's ahead and savor what they've seen.
And two different people on the same summit, will experience totally different highs.
But that's just the mountains.
chic 6.11.2016
Lowe Terrible Edith, Silver Mountain, Idaho
As the slope steepened beneath our skis,
each turn releases hundreds of small snowballs down the untouched slopes.
And, as the next turn approaches,
our perspective is set off by all the snowballs racing across our skis the other way.
Moments later, during the next turn,
those same snowballs move in the opposite direction.
This goes on and on for hundreds of vertical feet,
as our perspective upon each turn, changes.
As the slope lessens,
the snowballs find places to pile up, to watch us disappear below.
chic 3.27.2017
To walk among the trees,
thru the forest,
and along babbling streams,
brings out a feeling of peace.
Altho these feelings are fleeting moments,
their affects last long after you leave.
As I lay in bed, my senses bring back
those moments spent in the wild.
Reliving those special moments,
bring me back to those moments
in the woods,
where I feel most at home.
chic 8.25.2017
The journey,
to the top of a mountain,
to a secluded lake,
or along a scenic ridge,
allows one to see
within their soul.
Fore it is then,
that a person grows inside.
It is then, that a person
sees who they are.
chic 8.25.2017
A trail, takes me away.
To a place where I can be free.
To wonder the mountains,
and see all they hold.
To look out onto the land,
and feel its presence,
brings peace.
chic 8.25.2017
There is something about a ridge line that demands you to walk amongst its beauty
There's just so much to see and experience.
The granite boulders contain large quartz veins with slabs of Mica thruout.
All around us are stands of Sub-Alpine Fir standing tall and narrow. The biggest, some nearing 2 feet in diameter, are only about 107 years old.
Ancient snags have shed their bark and stand as silver chandeliers. They were elders when the Great Fires of 1910 swept over the area. They stand strong even today. Because their inners are exposed, I noticed that in 40-50 feet the inner layers twist 6 to 7 time around their stocks.
When Sub-Alpine Firs start their lives, they remind me of hula dancers swaying as they grow, shaped by time and Mother Nature. Over the decades they stand straight, reaching for the sky.
chic 9.15-18.2017
As I stand on the ridge line to Smith Peak, both side drop off precipitously to the valleys below.
Canada rises to the north, while the American Selkirks are all that's in view to the south.
This ridge line, like most ridge lines are very addictive.
chic 9.15-18.2017
Dennis T Croughwell
October 30 at 5:00 AM ·
THIS IS RIGHT ON THE NOSE. .......READ IT SLOWLY... I FIRST STARTED READING THIS AND WAS READING FAST UNTIL I REACHED THE THIRD SENTENCE. I STOPPED AND STARTED OVER READING SLOWER AND THINKING ABOUT EVERY WORD. THIS IS VERY THOUGHT-PROVOKING. MAKES YOU STOP AND THINK.
AND THEN IT IS WINTER You know. . . time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was young, just married and embarking on my new life with my mate. Yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams. But, here it is... the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my youth go?
I remember well seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But, here it is...my friends are retired and getting grey...they move slower and I see an older person now. Some are in better and some worse shape than me...but, I see the great change....Not like the ones that I remember who were young and vibrant...but, like me, their age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.
Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore... it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will... I just fall asleep where I sit!
And so...now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that I wish I had done but never did!
But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...this I know, that when it's over on this earth...it's NOT over. A new adventure will begin!
Yes, I have regrets. There are things I wish I hadn't done...things I should have done, but indeed, there are many things I'm happy to have done. It's all in a lifetime.
So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! Don't put things off too long!
Life goes by quickly. So, do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life...so, live for today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember...and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things that you have done for them in all the years past!
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after. Make it a fantastic one.
LIVE IT WELL! ENJOY TODAY! DO SOMETHING FUN! BE HAPPY! HAVE A GREAT DAY!
REMEMBER:....
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.
"LIVE HAPPY IN THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR!
LASTLY, CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING:
TODAY IS THE OLDEST YOU'VE EVER BEEN, YET THE YOUNGEST YOU'LL EVER BE SO - ENJOY THIS DAY WHILE IT LASTS.
~Your kids are becoming you.......
~Going out is good.. Coming home is better!
~You forget names.... But it's OK because other people forgot they even knew you!!!
~You realize you're never going to be really good at anything
~The things you used to care to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don't care to do them anymore.
~You sleep better on a lounge chair with the TV blaring than in bed. It's called "pre-sleep".
~You miss the days when everything worked with just an "ON" and "OFF" switch..
~You tend to use more 4 letter words ... "what?"..."when?"... "what?" . ???
~Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it's not safe to wear it anywhere.
~You notice everything they sell in stores is "sleeveless"?!!!
~What used to be freckles are now liver spots.
~Everybody whispers.
~You have 3 sizes of clothes in your closet.... 2 of which you will never wear.
~But Old is good in some things: Old Songs, Old movies, and best of all, OLD FRIENDS!!
Stay well, "OLD FRIEND!" Send this on to other "Old Friends!" and let them laugh in AGREEMENT!!!
It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived.
Gramps on PICKLES, said to his grandson…
“Well, another year has come and gone….”
“Yeah.” The grandson says.
“When you’re young, the days seem short, and the years long.”
“But when you’re old, the years seem short, and the days seem long.” Gramps says.
And the dog thinks….”And when you’re a dog, your tail seems long, but not quite long enough.”
A comic strip by Brian Crane.
A SEASON AS A LIFTIE
On a whim, I asked Paul, the lift operators manager if there might be an opening for a geezer to work only on Saturdays.
To my surprise and pleasure, Paul said yes.
In September, I went thru liftie school at the Mountain House.
Here, we learned the ins and outs of proper lift management.
Later in the day, we rode chair 1 down to the bottom and learned what is expected of us.
The first day as a liftie, I was instructed by my fellow liftie, Brad, on how to prepare the loading ramp and surrounding area, including the rope lines.
Then, I was on my own. First at the top terminal, then at the bottom load area.
The top is rather boring, if you just sit inside and watch the chairs of skiers go by.
So to avoid the doldrums, I met each chair of skiers. Greeting them and often explaining the unloading process was a challenge.
Especially new snowboarders. Their “friends” try to teach them how to board, but fail miserably in explaining the loading and unloading techniques. So in ten seconds, I explain where to put their loose foot, and more importantly, to head straight down the ramp. Inevitably, they turn their boards sideways and go down on their faces. I try not to laugh, but it’s so funny watching these newbies, I can’t resist.
Often times, the riders crash, so I slow or stop the chair, and run out to pick up the pieces. Four times this winter, I had to help kids off the chairs when they panicked and did get off in time. Apparently, riding the bull wheel is against the rules.
But it’s the bottom loading area that really got me interested.
I work outside most the day, so I sit on a regular chair next to the controls. From there I can control the stop/start and speed of the rope.
What brought me the most pleasure, was helping the parent load their young children. The young tykes have a hard time skating up the ramp, and the parents get frustrated dragging them up to the “Wait Here” sign.
So when I see a youngster struggling, or their parents at wits end, I run down the ramp and take the child’s hand and tow them up to the “Wait Here”sign, or to the chairs to load them. The biggest hazard to loading a child, is getting them fully on the chair as it goes by. Often, skis or poles or other gear go flying. If I can stop the lift in time, I can put their skies back on them, but often times I have the next riders carry the equipment up to the top.
Greeting all the guests, no matter their age is a must. Making the guests feel comfortable, and getting them loaded without incidence is why we are there.
There are a few lifties that deserve recognition tho. Andy from chair 2 is one of those people. He works his entire shift outside in all weather conditions. He is in my opinion the best lift operator Silver has. But Andy is hard. He’s not necessarily a people person, but excels in being a consistently good employee.
I can’t say enough about Jeff, Chris and Paul. They manage a motley crew of people from all walks of life and ages. It’s so hard to manage people that are only employees for 4 or 5 months at a time. Many come back during biking season, but have to go on unemployment insurance in off seasons.
The men and women that load our children and us, deserve our respect and thanks.
And I can’t say enough about the Mountain House staff. With the onset of a new owner, Silver Mountain is blossoming into a fine resort.
Undoubtedly, it will take time to undo the neglect that Jeld-Wend has done to the resort over the last decade or so. But with Trig’s guidance, Silver Mountain is on the right path.
If you’ve noticed this season, the Mountain House is cleaner, better staffed, and is about to go thru a complete remodel.
But it always comes down to the employees. Without their hard work, things would happen way too slow.
Upper & Lower Terrible Edith
The day started foggy, but became clearer as the day went on.
I decided to do one of my more favorite runs, Upper & Lower Terrible Edith.
I shushed down thru the lower terrain park, and carved a tight turn onto the top corner. At speed, I carved a swooping left turn along it’s upper rope. As the woods got close, I carved another turn that took me out onto the main run. Many more carves took place before the steeps started. After the first carve on the steep, the snow balls came rolling down in mass. Hundreds of snow balls caught me at my next turn.
Every turn created a new “avalanche” of snow balls. Soon, what I could see was this mass moving across my path. Vertigo was present, but thankfully I stayed my course and made it to the midway cat track.
As I examined my next descent, thousands of snow balls jumped the cat track and swarmed the lower slope. I ducked the rope and tried to out ski the “avalanche of snowballs”.
My efforts only caused the lower slope to let loose. Now tens of thousands of snow balls bounced and tumbled down my route.
At a bottleneck, the “avalanche” debris became deep. I stopped in the middle of the trail to take in the “avalanche”. Some tumbling snow balls were hitting me in the knees as they bounded down the steeps.
What was, a relatively smooth slope before, now was a field of dead snow balls. Many laid on their sides, while a lot came to a stop like vertical cinnamon rolls.
As I looked up the slope, i noticed that it was trashed. Now hundreds of thousands of snow balls, of all sizes littered all of U. & L. Terrible Edith.
My favorite run became a very unusual “avalanche terminus”.
Oh but what a run it was!
chic 4.7.2019
Often when skiing, you sluff off a small layer of snow that forms snow balls. These snow balls move directly down the fall line.
I try to out ski them, but unlike the snow balls, I have to make turns down the slopes. As the slope becomes steeper, they tend to roll faster.
It’s a blast to race them. Sometime I win, but most the time they catch me.
What a blast.
chic 4.7.2019
1987
High in the Selkirk Mountains,
there is a scramble,
no one should miss.
One that follows
the curves of a cirque.
That arches out
into time and space.
Where access is
from boulder to boulder.
The secret of the Selkirks
come in threes.
But you'd never know it
unless you've seen it form above.
chic. 8.12.2014
1986
There is a passion
in our hearts
and our souls.
that draws us
to the mountains
and cliffs
of the world.
It is not
"Just because it's there"
but rather because
we can be there.
We can
with lots of effort
and desire
scale these mountains
and feel their faces
and touch their souls.
The Native American Indians
believe that
everything has a spirit.
Once you isolate yourself
on its face
and feel your energy
and its magnificence
you realize that you
and the mountain
are friends.
On a journey of your mind.
For climbing
is a physical experience
that pumps your arms
and shakes your legs.
But more than anything
it taxes your brain
to solve each and every
problem big or small.
And once you've solved
it's problem
whether it's a crux move
or finally standing
on its summit.
You've cleared
the cobwebs
from your soul
and become
a brother
with a spirit
only you can know.
chic 2.16.1987
The Crux
It is an old feature, one that causes great desire,
and one that causes great mental and physical pain.
The crux is seldom conquered on the first attept.
But rather has been worked on like any difficult task.
The crux causes you to pump enormous energy
thru your body.
And once its been conquered, the high is so great
that you can't wait to do it again.
chic 2.16.1987
There is a brotherhood amongst climbers.
One that allows you, to put your life in another's hands.
As you stand below, watching your partner carefully
scale a face, your energies are as high.
It seems to travel up the rope to them.
As you scale the face and feel the energy, it gives you
a tremendous rush.
That brotherhood among climbers is a joy that is hard to beat.
chic 2.16.1987
Its amazing to me that I find myself relying on such small hand holds.
But that is the trick of this game.
As each s tested by my hands, my eyes seek out others so my feet will feel the security of that tiny nubbin.
Soon, I seem to flow like fluid p the rock.
My mind is exercised to find and remember these tiny laces.
But all too soon, find myself on top, waiting o play some more.
chic 2.16.1987
Falling
Its an odd sensation that snaps you back to reality all to fast, for your mind to comprehend.
Falling is as much a part of climbing, as any move you make.
However, I try to avoid it as often as possible.
It is that sensation tha makes you move with caution, and keeps you from becoming too foolish.
Altho its ever present, I recommend you not become to practiced in it.
chic 2.16.1987
There is one sensation that I wish not to feel as I climb.
Its fear.
Fear I'll hold you back when you should rely on your abilities.
If you find yourself pushing your abilities beyond your limits, you find yourself alone.
If only we could control our fears, we may just find a secure hold or a way out.
It is important for climbers to fine tune ourselves to realize our limits.
To test them, but to protect ourselves and then to move on.
Soon, thru careful probing and effort, our abilities will increase, to where someday, that problem will become fun to practice on.
chic 2.16.1987
The summit of one hike, isn’t necessarily near the top, or at the lake
But rather the summit is in ones imagination as they ponder what's ahead and savor what they've seen.
And two different people on the same summit, will experience totally different highs.
But that's just the mountains.
chic 6.11.2016
Lowe Terrible Edith, Silver Mountain, Idaho
As the slope steepened beneath our skis,
each turn releases hundreds of small snowballs down the untouched slopes.
And, as the next turn approaches,
our perspective is set off by all the snowballs racing across our skis the other way.
Moments later, during the next turn,
those same snowballs move in the opposite direction.
This goes on and on for hundreds of vertical feet,
as our perspective upon each turn, changes.
As the slope lessens,
the snowballs find places to pile up, to watch us disappear below.
chic 3.27.2017
To walk among the trees,
thru the forest,
and along babbling streams,
brings out a feeling of peace.
Altho these feelings are fleeting moments,
their affects last long after you leave.
As I lay in bed, my senses bring back
those moments spent in the wild.
Reliving those special moments,
bring me back to those moments
in the woods,
where I feel most at home.
chic 8.25.2017
The journey,
to the top of a mountain,
to a secluded lake,
or along a scenic ridge,
allows one to see
within their soul.
Fore it is then,
that a person grows inside.
It is then, that a person
sees who they are.
chic 8.25.2017
A trail, takes me away.
To a place where I can be free.
To wonder the mountains,
and see all they hold.
To look out onto the land,
and feel its presence,
brings peace.
chic 8.25.2017
There is something about a ridge line that demands you to walk amongst its beauty
There's just so much to see and experience.
The granite boulders contain large quartz veins with slabs of Mica thruout.
All around us are stands of Sub-Alpine Fir standing tall and narrow. The biggest, some nearing 2 feet in diameter, are only about 107 years old.
Ancient snags have shed their bark and stand as silver chandeliers. They were elders when the Great Fires of 1910 swept over the area. They stand strong even today. Because their inners are exposed, I noticed that in 40-50 feet the inner layers twist 6 to 7 time around their stocks.
When Sub-Alpine Firs start their lives, they remind me of hula dancers swaying as they grow, shaped by time and Mother Nature. Over the decades they stand straight, reaching for the sky.
chic 9.15-18.2017
As I stand on the ridge line to Smith Peak, both side drop off precipitously to the valleys below.
Canada rises to the north, while the American Selkirks are all that's in view to the south.
This ridge line, like most ridge lines are very addictive.
chic 9.15-18.2017