 |
| click on image for larger version you can save the larger version as a .png file to your computer open and be able to zoom in for more detail. |
Location: Co. 62 to Summit Prairie; FR 16 west
Road & Trail Conditions: a little bit of everything: clear, patchy snow, ice, plowed & packed, unplowed & deep ruts. black ice on the way down.
Snow Conditions: groomed on thurs. + 4-6" since
Skis on & temperature: 9am 22° (JD 32° drizzle)
Skis off & temperature: 5:30pm 32° (JD 46° rain)
Distance: 12+ miles
Rating (1-10; 10 awesome) 9 for first half; 4 for second; ave: 6
Comments:
hasn't been much grooming, or snomo tracks; trail options limited. FR 16 groomed on thurs., new powder on top. snowed all day, alternating lite to moderate. 4"+ on rig with return, tracks covered over on return.
tree-friend provides shelter for snack break:
am sitting on a new piece of gear:
lightweight, insulated to sit on snow. useful in an emergency if someone needs to sit waiting for help.
am buying more gear at backcountry.com; cheaper than rei, 2 day delivery with $50 order:
http://www.backcountry.com/therm-a-rest-z-seat
second half of trip was long & difficult as sno/ice got into binding & boot wouldn't stay locked in. cleaned out multiple times; ended up walking the last 1+ mile. got into some deep wind drifts, knee to waist.
on drive down 62, nite, ranchland, roads cleared & dry. came around a curve to black ice with water on top & 8 deer trying to scamper off road. rig did a sweet Slalom ski movement, kept foot off brake, missed the hind end of the last scampering doe, returned pounding heart into chest.
~ happy to be home ~
