We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The sun was shinning, the weather was sweet. We were amongst the best of company, and there was 9 inches of fresh snow. It was almost like slipping back in time 12 years.
Lunch at Molly's was great! It was so nice to see everyone, to share some Chris stories and just to be together again. I am so glad we did this. It's amazing to me how hard it is these days to get a few old friends together, and yah, I mean "old" as in, we're not 21 anymore... but the wonderful thing about this group is, many are still young at heart. Still hanging on to the days when life really was so simple.
The hike to Clayton's peak was quick and painless, well worth the energy spent. The views from up there are spectacular especially on a day like this. I haven't been up there in many years. I used to spend a lot of time up there both with Chris, and after he passed. Many of us used to hike up there a lot just to feel close to him, but I can't even remember the last time I was there, all I know for sure is that it has been way too long. The wind was gusting pretty hard, I loved it, I have always felt like Chris's spirit is in the wind at Brighton.
I had no intentions of riding down the backside of Clayton's Peak... until we got up there. Actually, I thought it looked beautiful and very tempting when we first got up there, but I still had little intention... until Dave went. I was still teedering on the idea... until Greg went. Then I had a little "angel" on my shoulder saying "Come on Suz." It was way too good to pass up, and what better way to spend time with Chris then to take his favorite run? Clayton's Peak to The Jedi Trees... it was amazing! That's all I can say. (The Ski Patrol gave the all clear and encouraged us to go, so don't worry, we took all precautions and safety measures.)
Let me just expain the last three pictures, they make me laugh a little. It was so bright that I couldn't see what I was taking pictures of. The last is Jake... but not, it's where he had been, or where he was going... or something? The middle one is Greg, but all you can see is the puff of snow from his last turn. The top one is teeny, tiny Dave, the red dot in the very bottom corner of the picture. I guess I don't have much of a future in snowboarding/skiing photography. Shoots!
I lost my phone somewhere in all of this powdery goodness, so we never met back up with Ray. I was super bummed about that, but I am sure she spent some quality time with Chris up on that mountain by herself. I think I can speak for us all when I say we couldn't ask for a more perfect day. Thanks to everyone who made it. I think we should do it again sometime in the next 12 years. But hopefully not that long.
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5 comments:
Looks Epic! I love that you had a little "angel" encouraging you to go for the backside. How much air do you think Chris caught on that run with you???? ;)
BTW, the pics are sooo gorgeous! What an amazing day to be out. I remember that hike we took to the top of Clayton's one summer shortly after Chris died. Seeing the backside of it with no snow was unnerving. It was the GNARLIEST rocky mountainside I could have imagined. It looks like nothing but fluff in your pictures!
Nice job Susan. Wish I could have skied with you guys. Next Time I will. Looks absolutely perfect
Les- there's officially TONS of snow back there. I read that the last time we had this much snow was in 1996... interesting. We were reminiscing about that summer hike while we were up there this time. Boulder rolling is fun!!!
dude, that hike from the parking lot up to the peak was gnarly! and yes, it looks much different in the summer than in the winter.
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