Adventures in Backcountry - Just the Beginning

  Backcountry skiing is not something to embark on cavalierly. Unlike resort skiing, backcountry is unforgiving and, for some, deadly. To enter into the backcountry safely requires training, gear and acute gumption.

This winter my goal is to rock backcountry terrain.

For me, this is a goal that three years ago would not have been remotely possible. Now it is pretty much all I think about. To the extent that it is not uncommon for me to watch a single ski clip multiple times throughout a day and with each iteration my muscles twitch for action. In reality, my body nor skill set are at the level needed to be successful.

So how does an individual begging prepping for the backcountry experience? First, educate yourself! Learn as much as you can about safety, terrain, avalanche risk assessment and rescue techniques. This endeavor has, admittedly, been a bit difficult for me as I like to learn by doing and that is not safely possible. If you are unsure of where to start I recommend, http://www.americanavalancheassociation.org/.

Conditioning is also immensely beneficial for a positive backcountry experience. Conditioning should include three things in my opinion: cardio, weights, and more squats than thought to be generally rational.  Also all conditioning should, if possible, start way before you begin dreaming of skiing.  I swiftly learned on my first day in “side country” that although I think I am in decent shape; I am not.

Next, get people involved with your quest. Especially those who have experience and don’t mind spending time helping you figure stuff out. Work out, skill practice and generously thank these people as they are your Virgil in your ski purgatory.  Most important: share the stoke! Outdoor experiences have a keen ability to create lasting relationships. Embrace it, these people will likely be lifelong friends.

Another necessary step is to inevitably get the appropriate gear. No longer will just skis, boots, bindings, polls, water resistant jacket and pants suffice. In order to be safe/capable one must now acquire beacon, shovel, probe, skins, touring bindings and possibly different skis and poles. These items are not cheap but can be bought through Craig’s list or eBay at a fairly low-cost.

Once you have completed aforementioned steps it is then time to start practicing skills on undeniably safe terrain. This is my current juncture. Over the weekend I took my first steps into the realm of backcountry terrain. It was fantastic and very educational. In a short amount of time I learned that I have a good bit of knowledge to obtain before being remotely proficient. Best of all though, I was able to demonstrate to myself that my crazy season goal is obtainable. It will take a lot of time, energy and patience but it is obtainable. I can’t wait. Bring on winter 2015-2016!

When I think of you, I think of roses.

Dear Mom, When I see roses I think of you. Roses remind me of hours spent tending the dirt gingerly pruning  each plant and a look of simple content after days spent in the sun. Watching you tend your garden growing up provided me with patience for nature and an appreciation for the attention needed to bring beauty into our world. I hope that one day I have roses so that you can come to my garden and help me tend them.

Another thing that reminds me of you is Goodwill. Countless hours spent sifting through rows upon rows of used clothing to find that one marvelous thing that some silly person thought was of no use or out of style. It always has amazed me how skilled you are in this endeavor. As much as I may have protested in high school about wearing a used formal dress I am incredibly proud that my dress seldom cost more than $50 and was always unique. It set me apart from the rest of my class and I have you to thank for that. Not to mention, it instilled in me an appreciation of unique used clothing. Why buy something new when you could buy something used for a fraction of the price?

Mom, above all thank you so much for being my Girl Scout leader and encouraging me to continue participation in the program. Many women I know started scouts but quickly left simply because they didn’t have a leader like you.  You made scouts fun and took it upon yourself to ensure that we were given diverse experiences and skill sets. Because of your dedication I and other girls were able to horseback ride, sail, rock climb, start a fire without accelerants, and most importantly view the world from other peoples’ perspectives.

I would not be who I am today without your love and guidance.

Happy birthday Mom - may your day be filled with sunshine, roses and love.

Sarah

To Be or Not To Be a Skier

In a land of snow and ice I stand on a precipice. My chest heaves with anticipation as my breath billows in wispy clouds before me.  Looking down I search for a path of least resistance. To my left and right snow capped rocks peak out as if to remind me of the hazard that lies beneath their pristine facades. I need no reminder. My mind hums with a thousand possibilities. Only some of which would NOT result in my hospitalization.

This is the first time I've followed Steve and his friends down un-groomed terrain. This is my first time to ski out-of-bounds. Standing, looking down the steep slope in front of me I can't help but feel uneasy. I've never thought of myself as a skier and certainly not a skier who tackles out-of-bounds terrain.

In my boots I am literally shaking. A queasy feeling rises in my throat. I think to myself that there is no way I can do this and not crash horribly, probably directly into a rock or tree. In my mind I see myself in a hospital bed. I want to go back. I don't want to do this.

Then, I look up. I look at Steve. He is smiling. "You can do this" he says. "No, I can't" I reply.  "Yes, you can. But if you want to hike out I will go with you" he assures me. Looking up the slope we've just come down I recognize that hiking out really isn't an option. Taking a deep breath I stare down the snowy chute in front of me. A part of me wants to cry.

 "You've got this" Steve says. And with that, I point my skis down hill, lean forward, and let go. Light powdery snow  swells  up around me. A couple of quick turns later I am staring up at Steve from the bottom of the chute. I made it.

For the rest of the day it is impossible for me to wipe the ear-to-ear grin off my face. Even later when I crash and  snow drips down the back of my pants I jump up squealing with glee. I tested myself, passed and earned the right to  be called a skier. It is an amazing feeling and I can't wait for our next adventure.

Vegan Fudge Recipe and Holiday Cheer Creeps In

Last night, on my way back from another great snowy ski day, I heard my first Christmas song of the season. I can’t say that I was surprised. It is the week of Thanksgiving after all.  With a little more than a month till the big day it seems relatively appropriate that holiday cheer begins its creep into the fabric of our everyday lives.

Aside from the Christmas music, over this weekend I participated in my first Friendsgiving. Which if you are not familiar with the concept Friendsgiving is the first excuse for a bunch of people who know each other to drink heavily, eat copious amounts of food and gorge themselves on the first taste of holiday cheer.  It is an all-around good time. As part of this holiday pre-season event it is required that all participants contribute a thanksgiving themed dish.   Since this is only the beginning of the holiday season I did not feel it was necessary to spend all day cooking some elaborate dish. I wanted to make something easy and thanks to the expansive knowledge of tumbler I found one of the simplest recipes I think I’ve ever attempted, 3-ingredient vegan fudge.

3-Ingredient Vegan Fudge

Ingredients:

3 cups of dark chocolate morsels

¾ cup of whole coconut milk

2 table spoons of coconut oil

+ any additional ingredients your little heart may desire! For this rendition of fudge I chose to add walnuts and coconut pieces.

Procedure:

1. Place chocolate chips into a bowl. I placed mine in a metal bowl and then heated it by placing it into a sauce pan of simmering water. Essentially replicating a double boiler.
2. In a separate sauce pan bring coconut oil and milk to a boil, whisking occasionally.
3. Pour milk and oil mix over chocolate chips and stir until all of the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. At this point, add any additional ingredients you would like.
4. Pour mixture into a well-greased pan. I put mine into a 5x5 pan.
5. Place into the fridge for 2-3 hours or the freezer for 1 hour.

** Recommended augmentations: Add vanilla extract and or powdered sugar, this is to cut the somewhat bitter taste of the dark chocolate morsels.

The beauty of the 3-ingredient fudge is not only that it is ridiculously easy but also that it is a crowd pleaser. Although everyone was stuffed to the brim from pre-season thanksgiving foods several people asked if they could take doggie bags home of vegan fudge. With holiday cheer, aided by red wine, I gladly obliged their requests.

So as the holiday season swings to full tilt, remember 3-ingredient fudge for those moments that to embark on an extravagant dish would bring out the Grinch in anyone. But until then revel in the glittering splendor that is the holiday season and don’t be ashamed to crank up the volume when your favorite holiday song comes on the radio. I know I did.

Letting it be isn't easy

For those of you who know me you probably would agree that I have a difficult time just letting things be. To be more specific, I have a hard time giving life time to produce or resolve various situations. This inability of mine spans from professional accomplishments to personal relationships. More often than not this results in unnecessary anxiety, frustration and at times stinging loneliness.

So, to combat this fallacy of mine I've taken to repeating the mantra of 'let it be'. That's right, just like the song. In fact there is a particular version of "Let it Be" that rings through the space between my ears in these moments of impatience. The version is from a Beatles inspired movie "Across the Universe" and is distinct because it opens with a talented young boy singing that is quickly accompanied by a full ethereal church choir. If you haven't heard this version of the song, you can find it here. Although this mantra may be considered trite, it feels like a personal prayer whenever I hear or repeat those words.

Several weeks ago a close friend experienced a situation in which life felt as if it was too much to handle or things weren't turning out the way she had expected them to. I need to admit here that to be a friend during these events can be difficult. Often I do not know what to say. As I sat listening to her plight 'let it be' echoed through my brain. When the opportunity presented itself I said those three little words "let it be". My friend immediately protested, "sometimes you just can't". "I know, but you need to let it be" I replied. I could hear her eyes rolling through the wires. After further conversation and repeats of let it be my friend thanked me and moved on with her day.

Just this week I found myself beating my head against the wall of life. Frustrated and disheartened I reached out to my friend who I had comforted just weeks before. To my surprise she offered the same advice. "Let it be" she said. As many of you probably know it isn't easy to receive your own advice. It can feel like an affront to your emotions. But for once, I took a deep breath, accepted her encouragement, let it be and changed the subject. Eventually I did receive an answer to that frustrating situation and although it wasn't what I wanted it to be I did feel better knowing that I had finally let something be.

And when the night is cloudy There is still a light that shines on me Shine on until tomorrow, let it be