Okay, really, yesterday was opening day, but that was on snowshoes. This is the first time since last March that I’ve been on skis, so today felt more like opening day.
It was -8c in the sun when I headed back up to the Pyrnnpass. Yup, that’s a minus. The terrain up at Pyrnnpass is a bit hillier than the place I usually ski in Bad Mitterndorf, so I went prepared to fall down. And fall down I did, but only once, while trying to climb a short but steep hill. Fins or no, a herringbone stride is just not enough if you don’t dig right in. I landed on my knees, which isn’t so bad, and I managed to make it through the rest of my ski, which was about an hour and a half, without furthur incident.
My hip flexors had totally forgotten that they have any use at all, and right now, they’re pretty mad at me. In addition, there’s a stringy little muscle that runs up the outside of my lower leg that also has quite a lot to complain about. I knew this was goiing to happen, and that’s why I made such a short day of it. Besides, it’s a 20 minute drive from the house. It’s not like I have to use it all up today.
I didn’t feel the cold unless I was standing still in the shade. I did remember to wear sunscreen and while my face is feeling a little raw, that could be from the cold and dry just as easily as it could be from the sun. There were 10-15 cars parked at the trailhead, but everyone was so spread out that it often felt like I was out there on the meadows all by myself. The river is frozen in places and the frost is built up all over every surface, so the light scatters and sparkles like you’re inside a cut crystal vase. It was gorgeous.
Tomorrow, another snow outing, destination TBD. It’s supposed to be the same as today, bitter cold and clear, then Thurday, there’s new snow in the forecast. After that, it’s going to warm up, but the Christmas feasting season starts then and we’ll be too busy eating to ski.