February 10th, 2016

But how to: Alone, elegantly, a wolf on a rock, old pale and dry, dry bones rattling in the leather bag, eyes alight, high, dry, cool, far off, dim distance alone, free as a dying wolf on a pale dry rock gurgling quietly alone between the agony-spasms of beauty and delight; when the first flash of hatred comes to crawl, ease off casually foward into space the old useless body, falling, turning, glimpsing for one more time the blue evening sky and the far distant lonesome rocks below - before the crash, before... With none to say no, none. Way off yonder in the evening blue, in the gloaming. Edward Abbey

Morning y'all,

It's another beautiful, snowy morning up top. The high yesterday reached 5 degrees. The overnight low was negative 6 degrees. It was negative 6 degrees and cloudy at 7am observation. The mountain received another 6 inches of snow, bringing our total up to 13 inches. It looks as though we're due to receive a few more flurries throughout the day. It is bitter cold and the deep snow is very fluffy, making for slick conditions. I would recommend full winter gear if you intend to reach the summit - winter boots, wool socks, gaiters and Microspikes are a must. There are a number of road closures throughout the park, you can check on their status here... It is serious weather out there today, be safe and enjoy it!

Top photo: The gloaming. Above: The main staircase at dusk.

I have always had a love for snow. It has only grown since I've discovered my love for the mountains. They compliment each other well. There is something majestic about the way snow transforms the landscape, seemingly enhancing quietude, and bringing an even deeper sense of peace and abiding to the world. I went for a few little jaunts yesterday, in between long reading and napping sessions. February is the finest month for torpor, my annual hermitage of rest and relaxation. I spend most of my time outside pushing hard, testing my limits and seeing just how much I am capable of seeing - it is refreshing to spend February unplugged from my ambitions. I am going to ski a bit this afternoon, take a few photos (if my phone doesn't die in the cold), finish planning my summer expedition and maybe even finish a book or two. I couldn't realistically hope for a better day...

Happy Birthday, Luke. I wish you were here for my first real powder day of the season. You're missed down here in the mountains.