Snowshoe-n-it Up

So I have to amend this post, just in case any of my devoted readership feel inspired to take on the Limber Pine Trail... the hike I did with Terry was definitely not the Limber Pine Trail. In retrospect we probably weren't on a trail at all, apart from the one someone had tramped through the snow before us. I found this out when I took Terrell snowshoeing with me and we ended up wandering this way and that, never finding the path ascending to that beautiful view of Bear Lake. But we did get in a good cardio workout, blazing our own trail through the deep heavy snow. Afterwards which we did go hike the Limber Pine Trail. It felt comparatively unspectacular after the hike I did with my roommate. It's a very short jaunt up swithcbacks to a top out that, as far as we could tell, only overlooks the sinks, affording us a view of several billion snowmobilers. While the snow was kind of terrible, and the hike was not spectacular, it was still fun to be outside, enjoying the beautiful sunshine and blue sky! Fortunately there are endless options when it comes to snowshoeing so hopefully I can convince Terrell to go again.

Me and Terrell on the actual Limber Pine Trail

When the inversion settles in here in the valley, it's hard not to get mopey. So ugly and cold it's been that last week I began to relate to Ron Weasley describing his first experience with a dementor.

I felt weird though, like I'd never be cheerful again, he said.

How are you? people would ask. 

Like it'll never be warm again, I'd reply. 

Thankfully there are more ways to enjoy the snow than downhill skiing (which I discovered over Christmas, is not my forte) and one of those is snowshoeing! Happily being reminded of this fact, Terry and I headed up to Bear Lake, and were well rewarded for our efforts. The lake was completely covered in cloud, which was really a fascinating sight. And once we got up above the smog, you won't believe what we saw! Blue sky and warm beautiful sunshine! I could've stayed up there all day! We got back just as the sun was setting and traipsing down the hillside, I thought to myself, "God must love me to let me experience beautiful days like this." 

the lake covered in cloud

up the Limber Pine Trail

getting in some cardio...

Yee-ah!

Whoot whoot!

setting sun on the hills

Random Snowshoe Fact: According to an independent study conducted by the University of Vermont, snowshoers can burn 420-1000 calories per hour. It burns twice the calories as walking at the same speed.
 http://news.tubbssnowshoes.com

Climbing and Christmas

Currently it is -8 degrees outside, which circumstance would normally lead me to lament that Christmas is over and there are yet several months of grueling snow and freezing temperatures ahead. However, as I take the bike rack off my car (finally admitting that the season is over) and plug in my electric blanket, I think it would be much more beneficial to pause and reflect on the positive. My thoughts then naturally turn to climbing, and my wonderful climbing peeps. We not too long ago traveled to St George, to enjoy slightly warmer weather, great climbing, and as always, fantastic company. One of the fun things about the St George area is that the climbing is quite varied. We spent our first day climbing short sporty routes on black basalt, the next day trad climbing up cracks in sandstone, and our last day tried a new area with really ugly, but very sticky rock littered with sharp chert nubs.  

Some of the highlights:

-I finally made it to the St. George temple! And loved it.

-Emma discovered a wild passion and talent for off-width climbing. Yikes!

Deliriously happy Emma :)

We've created a monster...

-Brent powered up some intense climbs with impressive finesse and agility.

Look at those sweet hand jams!

-Becka was leading trad like she was born to lead trad. A true rock warrior.

-I led my first trad climb ever! Like, ever in my whole life! And I didn’t cry or wet my pants, though I might never get up the courage to do it again.

-We celebrated Becka’s birthday! The Mongolian BBQ was a delicious and satisfying finale.

Becka’s post contains a much better description of the climbing than mine, plus I like it because she makes me sound way more hard core than I actually am. Here it is: http://beckasadventures.blogspot.com/2012/12/adventures-in-rock-climbing.html

 

 

 

One of my favorite moments from the trip was this:

I was belaying Emma, and as she had reached the chains, I was staring at the ground, when Becka looked over and asked “what is that falling down on your head?” The lack of alarm in her tone assured me it was nothing life threatening, so I calmly turned my gaze upward. It was a magical moment, when what I saw was bright orange flower pedals, wafting and fluttering gently down on me like confetti. It was quite beautiful. In actuality they were not flower pedals but bits of orange peel. Perched high above me on the rock, Emma was eating cuties and tossing the peels out into the sky. These eventually had to be gathered up, according to Leave No Traces ethics, but nevertheless the moment left a happy impression on my mind.

These pics aren't actually from this trip but I love them so much I had to include them. Look at that crazy flake!

And here we are for our traditional group shot. I think it's fun to compare our group shots over the years. I love my friends.

 

And then of course there was Christmas, and my Christmas this year was basically flawless. I had a particularly profound experience over Thanksgiving, and lingering feelings of gratitude left me predisposed to feeling extra happy. 

Me and Terry decorated a tree for our apartment...

made lots of treats...

including mices of course!

and made cookie houses with our peeps!

One of my favorite gifts this year from a friend who knows me too well. :) Of course seeing the Hobbit, and thoroughly dissecting the film, was a requisite part of the break.

I took time off work and got to spend several quality hours with my family... I haven’t seen my little bro in ages and it was great fun having him around again. He convinced me to go skiing, for the first time in my life. I have to concede, it is not something I could include in my repertoire of natural abilities. I’m not at all convinced that the snow plow is the best way to learn. Mostly it was exhausting! As I rode the lift up feeling battered and a little emotional, I looked below me with empathy at a dad snowboarding down, carrying his child (attached to a miniature snowboard) in his arms. The boy was sobbing and I thought, “I know how you feel! I wish I had someone to carry me down the mountain.” However by the end of the day I could parallel ski down Little Beave no prob, which for being self-taught, I think shows perseverance if not natural aptitude. My little brothers were amazing! racing each other down crazy black diamonds or whatever, having the time of their lives. Kudos to them for being awesome. 

 

 

The rest of the break was unadventurous, and very relaxing. I got to play with the baby, who you can see is ridiculously cute, and play board games, and wii games, and play with the baby, and go to the movies (have you seen Lincoln? it was so good! and Les Mis?? also awesome), and play with the baby some more...

 

 

 

Christmas Eve was wonderful. We sat around the tree, discussing the gospel and sharing our testimonies. Have I ever mentioned I love my family of gospel nerds? It was a beautiful opportunity to refocus on Christ. I know that he lives, that he sustains and blesses me daily. Everything good and right in my life is because of Him. I love that we get to celebrate his birth by spending time with family and friends, and giving gifts in his honor.