Blowing like mad

I had no intentions of taking 5 days off, but when sickness knocks its usually worth listening to. But after five days of no progress I had to head out, even though I was not at 100% I could no longer take it. So Dick and I headed up to a zone I had not been to, just off the ski hill. Trail breaking through 60 cm of heavy snow was fun, something out of the ordinary. As we neared the top the winds decided to pick up, and within moments it was blowing 50km and hour, hoping we could hide in the trees we did a lap down, and found that their was no where to go. The wind was ripping through the trees, some natural slides were starting to happen and it was time to exit stage left.

It was difficult to find stage left so we headed up and into the whiteout to traverse back onto the hill and ski down the closed run. It was the only handrail we could see, much less use to get down. Some fun turns though and so nice to be out. Now I am sitting here and its pouring rain and blowing like mad. Tomorrow should be interesting.

Sick

Feeling sick, it started sunday with no energy and a headache, then yesterday I started feeling better, this morning I wok up ad any action I do gives me a heartpounding headache. Its feels like my brain is swollen, I cough and it hurts, I get up quickly and it hurts.

I think about the days I am missing and it hurts. Seriously though I was so intent on making August such a  huge month, and its not that I am tired out. I am eating well, sleeping well and not exhausted but I have had a cold since July. I hope that this is the final fight and I will be rid of the cold. But I am bummed to have missed out on three days of touring. Today is so stormy and rainy that it’s ok to miss but  I soo wanted to hit 1.3 by the end of the month. I still can but I have to start feeling better.

Tomorrow is Charley’s 5th birthday so I will not ski then and then from the 26-31 I will hopefully feel good and get back on my horse. Its amazing to think that I have been a parent for 5 years, and that our little beauty will be starting Kindergarden soon. Time flies.

Wacky weather

Two days ago when I was lapping the Laguna area the freezing level rose to 3000m, given that everything around here is 2400m and lower, everything got a little warm. We had received upwards of 70cm of new and I was hoping for lost of great skiing, but it was so warm that I wondered if I would find any good skiing left on the South faces. But no need to wonder since if the melt freeze crust was not enough it then rained up to 2300m, virtually F#$%^&* everything.  Since it was a rainy day the family and I headed to take a look at Isla Victoria, a touristy hike through a super cool forest. Myrtle trees, a phenomenon on  this one island. Super amazing forest, unlike anything I have ever seen.

I am not usually one for touristy things, but this had a beautiful walkway through this special place. It also involved a boat ride to this island with another touristy yet appealing game. Feeding the flying seagulls.

Sorry I digressed from skiing, but there is another side to my life.

Today I headed up the hill, down a hard rain crusted line, well there were a few softish turns, but overall it was high speed side slipping. I then headed up past Refugio Frey and met up with Cassidy, a friend of a friend who was in the area. A quick “hey what’s up?” and then I was off and up a skin track towards Torre Principal. I had dreams that I could solo to the top of this thing but in reality there are a few pitches of 5.10, so obviously no go.  Anyhow since there was melt freeze crust or rain crust everywhere this north face was warming up and had some decent turns down it. I went back and tried to catch back up to Cassidy and crew but they were headed somewhere different from where I wanted to head, so a faraway wave and I was off.  More crusty skiing, a boot pack up a slope that was too frozen to skin and then home. 10370 ft. My tenth 10 000 footer of the month.