Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Sleeping On Snow

John Steinbeck wrote, "Ideas are like rabbits. You get a couple and learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen." I thought about that as I hobbled down the stairs the morning after skiing for the first time this season. Nineteen runs through thick, heavy snow were in the books, and my legs were feeling every page. So, what in the world made me think pulling a 25 lb sled with another 20 lbs on my back through the same thick sludge up the side of a mountain would be a good idea? Rabbit ideas, that's what. One good idea, and suddenly, I think have a dozen.


The challenge hit immediately. My legs, already tired from skiing, screamed with my first step. My sled, with two tie-down straps wrapped tightly around it, had zero glide. Pulling it by hand was a ton of work and quitting crossed my mind, fervently, for the first mile. In fact, I almost did quit a couple of times, but was lucky enough to realize what I wanted just slightly more than quitting was success. I visualized the lake not my car. So, I trudged on with the mantra one foot in front of the other for hours. I'd set a small goal, force myself to reach it, then do it again. Sometimes I only aimed for a spot two trees in front of me. Five feet of trail. That's how hard pulling that deadbeat sled was. But eventually, something happened. The going got easier, my goals grew further apart until they disappeared completely, and I made progress.    

                                                                   

 so eventually, I forced myself to smile too. 


It helped. By smiling, I recognized that I was happy. Happy to be me, in the woods, and on this trail. Happy to be under the sun and the tall trees. Happy to be in the snow with my dog, the cold air biting at us, reminding me just how alive we were. I drank it all in and continued on. For we were almost there. 

Then, the last half mile hit. The half mile that was supposed to be cake. The half mile of downhill coasting. The half mile when I lost my load a total of six times and my mind six times more in frustration. Perhaps I was tired and not tightening the straps correctly. I don't know, but I do know it was hugely exasperating and I was done. Fini. Cooked.  


But isn't that precisely the moment we find otherwise? The moment we find some untouched batch of strength that carries us to the goal line? So, I swore and I cursed and I reloaded that sled over and over until finally, I made it. I was at the lake.

Once there, I found a handful of snowshoers and cross country skiers ready to watch me with interest. I also found a lot of snow. Between the two, I immediately lost all confidence. I believed I had no idea what I was doing. What if I couldn't get the tent up in all the snow? What do I do about a fire pit? Would our water keep from freezing in my sleeping bag without me in it until bedtime? I had snow-camped one other time when there was maybe six inches on the ground and much warmer temperatures. Here, I guessed, lay three feet. Everything was covered. I texted my partner, Kimi, and said all I wanted was to be home. I feared I was in over my head. Plus, all these people were watching me like I knew what I was doing. Essentially, she responded with, "That sucks" and "Can you go back to the car?" That's when I knew Wisdom and I were there whether we liked it or not. There was no way in hell I was dragging that sled back to the car. My hands ached from pulling it and I had rope burns on both thumbs. No. We would be sleeping on the snow no matter what. Might as well get to it, I thought, and I began to make the woods our home. About that time, three of the nicest people stopped to say hello. I expressed to them some of my doubts about the night ahead. They were supportive and so excited for Wisdom and I to be out on such a great adventure, and their positivity was catching. I became excited again too. I got the tent up and knew Wisdom and I would be fine. But I have to work on that confidence thing and not be so quick to discredit and discourage myself. We can do the things we dream.   

I spent some time digging out the fire pit and finally got to rest and savor camp. The day hikers were gone and Wisdom and I had the woods to ourselves. With the fire crackling at my feet, I enjoyed a hot dinner, a mug of tea, and whiskey with the moon. 

But night comes early in the winter mountains and by 730, it had been dark for three hours. With the fire nearly out and the cold creeping in, the time was right to call it a night. I tucked Wisdom into a down jacket I'd brought for her and supplied her pockets with hand warmers. She was asleep in minutes. 

It took me a bit longer. My legs ached and the tent was cold. Sometime overnight, however, I noticed the temperature inside the tent had increased. Eventually, I figured out it was snowing. My tent now had insulation! The next morning, I was curious to know how much. 

Almost 4 inches had fallen, it was still coming down, and breakfast in bed sounded good.

Without delay, I crawled back in the tent and boiled water for tea and oatmeal in the vestibule from my sleeping bag. The heat from the stove warmed the tent providing the perfect ambiance for a 5 star breakfast. Happy and proud of myself and Wisdom for doing something that took some guts, I began to think what I would change the next time- an improved sled set-up (one that hitches to my body instead of having to pull it by hand), more wood to be able to stay out longer, and a gas lantern for light and warmth inside the tent at night. I almost couldn't wait!

Just before lunch, I broke camp and we started for the car. The hike back was easier because it was mostly downhill, but still, that sled lacked all glide. Not once did it bump up against my snowshoes. Oh well, I wasn't failing now. Wisdom, bounding down the trail in front of me, appeared ready to climb another mountain. 
Next time, she's pulling the sled. 

12 comments:

  1. What a great adventure! It reminds me of the book, Mind over Water- have you read it? I love your perseverance and your ability to find joy in simple pleasures.

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    1. Thanks D! I haven't read Mind Over Water, but did just download another book about rowing (Boys in the Boat or something). Anyway, if after that one, I'm still up for books on rowing, I'll check out MoW. :)

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  2. Wonderful story and writing. You know it's good adventure writing when you suddenly want to go snow camping!!
    Thanks for sharing.

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    1. So…. did you go? :-) Thanks for checking it out and leaving such a nice comment. See you on the trails!

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  3. You did it again, Lisa. Astonish and enjoy even yourself! And next time, DEFINATELY have Wiz pull the sled. She'd prob love it! Love you XO

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    1. Thanks, Mom! I should learn mushing and Wisdom could be my mushing dog. How sweet would trail life be then?!?

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  4. What I great story! And you persevered through all of it. Be proud of yourself! Isn't life better when you have a companion to share it? (Wisdom) Doggie smiles make all things better. And stylin' down dog jacket, by the way. I'd pass on skiing, but snowshowing sounds like a good challenge.

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    1. Thanks Constance! The stylin' dog jacket was actually mine. Wiz doesn't have a jacket, but I knew the temperatures were going to be in the low 20s or teens overnight and figured she needed to have something. The next morning was funny though- before she got out of the tent, she took the jacket off... herself. As if to say, "I'm not being caught dead in this thing, Mom." I think jackets are beneath golden retrievers. ha ha!

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  5. I finally got a chance to read this one and it didn't disappoint... You know I'm not one to be in it for the struggle, but I can appreciate that feeling of pride in accomplishing something that seemed to be getting farther away with every step! Sounds like you had a great adventure.

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    1. Farther away with every step.... that's exactly how it felt. It was a good practice to stick with something and persevere though. I'm quick to quit when I'm not having fun; something I'm working on changing. At least with these kinds of things!

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  6. Hey lisa. I am jealous every time I hear about one of your adventures. I have to say the hardest parts, although they suck at the time, are the most rewarding when you reach your goal. I live for the challenges that I face on hikes. As soon as you get to that view at the top or that campsite by the lake it is that much more special. Ditch the straps that go around. Get yourself some ratchet straps with hooks or some good rubber bungees and hook to edge of sled. Drill holes in sled edge if you have to. Anything on bottom will be like having the brakes on as you found out

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    1. Hey BIL- thanks for the sled tips. I'm going to look into your suggestions and see what will work best. Anything to make the hauling a little easier. I still like the idea of hitching it up to the dog, ha ha. We need to all plan an adventure again soon. Maybe in Vermont!

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