Adventures by Ali:Life as an Outdoorsy Woman

Sun, snow, skis. What more can you ask for on a June day? Nothing, as far as I’m concerned!

I haven’t gotten out touring nearly enough this winter and spring. The combination of amazing conditions and being able to lazily ride the lift was enough to keep me in-bounds this season. But I want to change that this summer, and spend some quality time on the slopes.

Andy and I spent our first (practically) summer 2017 tour heading up to Illumination Rock on Mt. Hood. I’d never been over there, and it was worth the traverse! Amazing views, super fun corn snow, and smiles all around.

Up and up

So up we go, me stealing jealous glances at the lift-riders at Timberline the entire way. The uphill travel part of ski touring just about kills me every time. I’ve had poor stamina my entire life, no matter how good of shape I’m in. I can hold my own against pretty much anything on the ski down, but up…not so much.

But there’s something to be said about some old-fashioned manual labor, and I always feel better having done it. Realizing I can achieve something difficult and push myself to do so leaves me with such a sense of accomplishment. Plus, it really makes you appreciate every turn on the way down!

Uphill mini-adventures include:

• Dodging snow cats moving around a bunch of snow. I can never decide if that would be a fun, play-in-the-snow all day type of job, or a lonely, depressing kind of job. Hmm.
• Andy and I both had some issues. Ice + slipping + bare knuckles = ouch.
• Finally getting to use my ski crampons. Not as gnarly-looking as normal crampons, but still make you feel like a badass climber.

Taking in the sights (and some food)

We had lunch a little above Illumination Saddle to get a different perspective on things, then headed down.

A short ski down, and…

A side note here. I saw a number of women climbing the slopes, and have a lady friend who summited via a non-south face route while we were on the mountain. But being the only woman at Illumination out of 12 (possibly more) people, and being the only woman skier I saw outside the resort? Kinda depressing, and depressingly normal. We’re out there, but the stats are still not in our favor, ladies. Sigh.

Still, who can complain on a day like this?

Down and down

And now for my personal favorite, the ski down! You can really get some perspective about how far you climbed up by how far you ski down. Phew, a long run. And nothing but fun.

Here’s to more skiing to come!