2008, June, 22, Alpental/Nash

Alpental Snow is still real good in late June, small soft sun cups between 10:30 and noon, only 50 ft of bare ground and occasional tree limbs between the car and upper international.  Although a few rock outcroppings are starting to surface mid-run.  One happy Siberian Husky with two skiers and one other solo skinner were inbounds at the same time.  Hikers are starting to show up in the lots.  Several dozen workers were filling a few hundred trash bags around the base, thanks if you were one of them.  One worker reported that after beer bottles and wrappers the most common waste was snow banked doggy poo placed inside plastic bags.  Apparently the appearance of responsibility is more important then actually being accountable to some.

Near the Top Station I paused in silence, below a few larger trees out of habit.  Thin clouds were yo-yoing around me but it was calm and comfortable, my mind cleared a bit.