Meadow Skipping and Tree Threading

In the interests of staying alive, we are -- have had to -- dial it down more than a notch or two in the backcountry. Spooky cracks are everywhere. This one just on a very low angle slope, not going anywhere, but with a few more degrees.....

Whumpfing snow and racing heart beats are drowning out the distant memories of over the head, blower pow on steep faces and open bowls that we would expect to be enjoying at this time of year. Today the reality is something quite different. We are keeping it mellow. Meadow skipping and tree threading is the name of the game in our neck of the woods. As demonstrated by Pete Harris:

Going slow and taking in the surroundings also makes me really appreciate just being out, and alive, to be able to enjoy it.

Chad skins beneath the snow snake hanging in the tree:

Threading the trees again:

It's different, but still fun. I guess we are going to have to get used to it as our sketch snowpack is here to stay.