Backcountry skiing is generally for the diehards, those who wish to put their bodies through the physical anguish of hiking uphill just to gain a short downhill rush of bliss. The fact that someone would choose this over a chairlift at a ski area shows even less sanity.
Then add in the even less logical proposal of skiing in early November on a limited base of snow amid many downed logs and tree roots sticking out in harms’ way, and you have full-blown insanity.
That was the “fun” three other friends and I engaged in Saturday off Cameron Pass in northern Colorado, just four backcountry nutjobs looking to get something resembling a powder fix.
Lucky for us, the conditions provided more than we could have usually hoped for this time of year.
Into The White Room
Approaching the 10,276-foot summit of Cameron Pass, it quickly became clear that Old Man Winter had generously blessed the slopes with a thick layer of natural frosting. What typically looks a barren brown in early November was caked white with fresh fluffy powder, leaving us all salivating for the rush of adrenaline yet to come.
But first comes the pain and the reality of what it takes to realize those conditions. That being uphill travel, which on the first day of the season, usually feels like traipsing through a molasses or thick gravy.
My ski partners from Laramie were all in a little bit better shape, so I did my best to keep up, panting and sweating like an overheating pig. We got to the top and dropped in and an old, familiar feeling returned, the sheer joy of flying over soft snow and dodging trees.
The Payoff
The first run down left a little to be desired, scraping over more than a handful of rocks and tree roots.
But on the second and third laps we scored big, slicing and dicing through deep powder patches that had our hoots and hollers emanating throughout the forest.
I’ve been skiing long enough to know that you have to appreciate good conditions whenever you get them. For early November, this was about as good as it gets.
Whether it’s skiing, hunting, fishing or simply taking a walk, getting into the outdoors and away from the hubbub of modern life can be an exceptionally therapeutic exercise. The juxtaposition of quiet and tranquility to everyday noise can sometimes be jarring when first arriving in the wild.
Without cell service, there’s no distractions from that technology, which sometimes opens one’s eyes to the comfort and addiction they have to this service. But after a few hours, a sense of invigorating calm and focus takes over, which can provide a wonderful sense of balance and grounding.
Back To The Real World
On the fourth and final lap, some reality set in, both personal and in the environment around me.
The skis started feeling like miniature logs on my feet and the real logs laying in the way started to become less avoidable. After catching my tips a few times on tree roots, flinging me down the slopes like an errant ragdoll, I took that as my cue to exit and we started our long trudge back to the cars.
Post-holing through waist deep snow to reach our final destination was yet another sobering moment, serving a reminder of the pain and effort we go through to make all of this work for 5-10 minutes of pleasure.
I think my next day on skis will be one with a chair lift to the top and a mini bar waiting at the base.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
