12/21/08

Day 12

Conditions: Powder + Backcountry = EPIC
Location: Mount Bohemia, MI

We thought all the deep snow was gone after Saturday, so we geared up for a day of packed powder and fast trees. We had a great couple of runs, when we heard the backcountry was opening. We found that one rope had been removed to open Shivering Timbers and Lonesome Wolf – one of our favorite run packages. As soon as we turned into the steep of Shivering Timbers, we realized we were the first ones on it.

We spent the next five or 6 runs in knee-deep powder in the backcountry. No obstacles, no speed-checks, just floating through the trees. It was a flow experience.

Right before we left, Lonnie offered to show us the Outer Limits. We tried to find our way through this labyrinth before, and always ended up hiking out. In the process of getting to the actual runs, we un-booted three times as we hiked through un-packed snow that reached up to our waists. At least we got a cardio workout.

When we finally got to the runs, we looked at each other with a silent stare that could only mean “this better be good…” To our surprise, it was. It’s definitely a run that has hiking, but it will be a nice place to go play late in the day.

Highlights:

- Powder in the backcountry. Days like this are why we snowboard.

Lowlights:

- Not expecting much from the day, we ditched the video camera. So, we didn’t get any epic, first-track shots. But, we really didn’t care. We were having too much fun to worry about getting the perfect shot.

Après Ski:

Because we had too much fun, we stayed too long. We didn’t leave until after 3:00p.m. – three hours later than usual. As a result, we didn’t get home until 1:00a.m. Once again, worth it.

Days to go: 38