May 4, 2016, Alpental

I started the day with an MRI on my left ankle. So I knew a day skiing would improve things. Ski boots, alpine and backcountry, feel pretty good. About 1pm the fog was lifting and I drove up. The gate was installed with a sign so I parked near the bridge. Putting on my boots I noticed my pack which was outside the Sub lift getting wet. I don't ski in the rain. So I waited for the rain to stop and get nicer. Within 15 minutes it was time to get on the boots and go up.  Met 2 snowboarders and I asked about the pollen. €œNot bad and there is a cat track that is clean.€   I followed there down tracks and went over to the cat track. They kicked steps up the track and one skier skied part of the track The track is a single with a deep rail/trench on each side of the track. I tried skiing up the track but it is so narrow that you turn and turn and turn. I spread out my up line but there are other old tracks. Don't go up between St Bernard and Sessel lifts until the base gets a bit flatter.

Near the top of Sessel I heard some guys and looked down towards the base. I can not see the base-just fog that was dense.  A skier is heading down in my direction and is dragging something. A line that is used on the hill-long line/rope with flags.  He is gone in the fog. I am heading up towards Lower International and I notice something on my glasses. Within a minute it is drizzling and then more drizzle. I get it.  Stop and go down. I noticed that there were just moguls to the skiers right of Sessel lift and before the rocks area. That was OK but the snow was very mushy. As I got lower and see the lodge, I see 3 or 4 long ropes in the  the snow but no Patrol.  I noticed that I should have skiined up towards the trees and under the Armstrong lift.  I usually go that way and the moguls looked better. I was able to ski down but felt a bit of a drag. It was still drizzling at the base. When I started driving down, the heavy duty rain started.. I called Jill about picking up some BBQ at Preston. She asked €œhow was the skiing€. I said €œ I will tell you when I get home€. She knows what that really means. I need to tell the story with more meaning in the story.  She had decided to not ski today.  Another great call. At home I looked at the skis and the tips had pollen BUT the back half of the skis had only a little pollen. Art and Robie, it is getting better. ;)  I used my Purple Power Citrus Cleaner to clean the skis and then re-wax again. I need to go higher.