Tomorrow I plan to leave the mountain. Another snow blew in yesterday and yet another four inches of fluff has landed. Today, for the first time in over a week, a vehicle broke a track past the house, and more notably, broke the stillness.
I have supplies galore, but at the moment the back up generator is failing to start. A large, powerful, older gas behemoth, converted to propane, is causing me a couple of issues in regards to such modification. Parts are on order, sitting a thousand feet below me in a box, and it is time to retrieve them amongst a few other wintry items.
Much pre planning goes into outings this time of year. Moon Bug is checked, lubed, oiled, and gassed up. Gear is confirmed to be in the right places, and all supplies to walk in or out are in the back pack. Notes to set the back up heat, etc. are all in place as the day hopefully goes well, but preparedly might not.
Another note to be sure, damned sure, to take the trash down so it’s not sitting here for another four to six weeks. The chain saw, the shovel, the snow shoes and poles, tow straps, rear winch, snacks, water, hand gun, a ping buddy. Much to do, but exciting still.
Traversing this range alone, breaking my own trail across the untouched ridges? There is a sense of pleasure I get in a way not otherwise experienced. Lucky to be here, it feels like mine alone on certain days as such.