Dwindling Dawn Patrols

I am trying to mentally prepare for the end of the season as winter sputters out these last few storms before giving up. Am I ready for summer? Almost. I have a few more goals for this season, but I have already dusted off the bike and am building my climbing hit list.

David and I met in the parking lot and took an easy stroll up Grizzly Gulch. We watched the sun paint the ridges as we walked and talked about the season and how good it was to just be out. "Just being out" is a phrase that we tend to use as an excuse for a day with less than adequate snow or conditions. In all actuality "just being out" is the real blessing of where we live and our circumstances. There are days that I forget how lucky I am to just be out. 

On any given day in the Wasatch there are at most a few hundred of us out in the backcountry. We are such a small percent of the population. Our days start in the dark, we meet up with friends and are on top of mountains before the majority of the valley's alarms are going off. We are a lucky few and are privy to some of the best things Utah has to offer. As David and I walked and talked I couldn't help but be sad that winter is coming to a close, but I also felt so grateful to be where I was in that moment. Utah is rad.  

Photo Credit: David Kaplan

Photo Credit: David Kaplan

Solo Mornings

I go through an inner debate a few nights every week that goes a little something like this;

"Should I dawn patrol tomorrow?"
"Will the snow be worth it?"
"Where will be good?"
"Who will come with me?"
"Am I too tired?"
"Should I just catch up on some sleep?"

All those questions and more go through my head as I try to pull together early morning plans. Sometimes I talk myself out of going even though I know I will enjoy it. Lately I have started getting better at winning that debate with myself. If I can't find anyone to go with me, I go alone. Even though this severely limits the areas which I can ride, it is worth it.

With my iPod to keep me company Monday morning, I headed up to Twin Lakes Pass. I watched the sun peak through the clouds as it crept up over the horizon. I took the time to enjoy where I was at. I sometimes get so caught up in my activities in the mountains that I forget to look around and realize how amazing they are.

Dawn Patrol is always worth it.