Tromp tromp tromp....

Tromp tromp tromp....

What else can I say, this seemed to be the theme for the weekend.  What an amazing sound it is, as you hear the frame of your shoe cracking through the thin white crust to reveal all the powdery goodness that had been bestowed upon the mountain the night before.  The only thing better would have to be the fact that it was the not only epic conditions but my first time...

It all started Saturday morning at about 5:45 when I awoke from a dead sleep to look outside and see pitch black, and noticed that the storm had subsided, rolled over to check the watch and it was then that I thought to myself that I was awake at this time for a reason and it was not to simply lay in bed and wonder what the mountains had to offer. so I jumped up hit the espresso machine for everything it was worth and began filling the backpack with everything from extreme weather gear to fresh coffee grounds to make with melted snow on the alcohol stove at the top of my climb.  

Rolling out after the sun had decided to join us for the day we headed North East me, myself and the Subi it was to be a threesome today.  I must say I had a huge giggle when the 12 people in front of me were pulled over at the CHP chain inspection and over half of them turned away as they had brought none...  Really, I mean Fuckin really people??? it has only been dumping snow for the last 24-48 hours.  Any way I had to smile as the  B(o)(o)Baru and I were waved on through and told to enjoy our time in Subiland...

Upon reaching Big Bear I headed to the recreation area on Mill Creek road as we had ended several great rides down this trail and that was where I was headed.  Grabbed the pack grabbed the shoes, strapped in and away we went.  we were snowshoing and probably had some stupid 12 year old smile on the face but it felt good

I picked up a track laid down by two others and eventually caught and passed them (it is the roadie in me)  they were amazing, took my pic for me and then we all proceeded to get lost together.  The snow does a great job of concealing stream crossings and trails.

After they chose to give up I took one more look at the gps that showed the trail just ahead and looked up at a steep climb on the other side of a creek and just decided to go all in.  marked the waypoint in the event I got too lost and jumped in (thank goodness for waterproof boots)  Long story short I managed to find the trail 2 peaks and almost an hour later and off I went cutting fresh tracks to top of the mountain.  

Although very faint at times I just followed the very slight depression in the side of the hill.  The concept was to reach the top, make some hot lunch and coffee, and spend a little me time.  My mother’s ashes are strewn across that mountain range, and I feel really connected when I travel there.  

Lunch Time

Having had great weather on the way up( a nice warm 23 at the bottom) it all of a sudden became very cold, you could feel a drop of at least 10 degrees as the clouds came in and the heavens opened up and I was treated to big fat fluffy flakes the whole way down.  the only sounds I heard were the flakes on the brim of my hat and the Tromp tromp tromp of the powder compacting under my shoes  Life had reached a new level of amazing...

I live by a rule of leave only footprints and take only memories when in the wilderness but on this trip it was to be taken to the next level.  As I reached the bottom of the mountain and rejoined the beaten path of others on snowshoes I noticed that my footprints from the trip up had almost been erased by the beautiful mother nature and as I crossed the last stream and my foot landed upon the compacted path of others again I smiled as I thought about the fact that what I had experienced was mine and mine alone.  It was built just for me on this day and by nights end there would not even be footprints to show that it actually happened or that I was even there.  It as for me to share with those that are close to me, or not at all.

I crested the last hill on the beaten path, the loud voices of humanity, children running and screaming, playing in all that fell from the sky completely content and not knowing or caring what exists just outside of their vision, p over the next hill.  I hope for their sakes that as they grow up they choose to venture there, beyond the confines of society’s playground and experience half of what I have today.  

See ya on the trail, or where ever our paths may cross

Sunday was equally amazing but in a different kind of way.  Another day in the snow, another amazing day full of discovery.  Not my discovery this time and I am going to keep that one,just for me...


It is amazing how fast things can change, one minute you can have everything, and exist at heights you never thought possible, only to find that they may very well not be.  If I take anything away from these experiences, it is to push your boundaries, your comfort zones and enjoy every minute that you have as things may change the very next moment and you may be left not in the snow but out in the cold just the same