First Snow!

Yesterday brought the first snowfall of the season, so naturally, this morning I rushed up Kachina and summited for at least the thousandth time!

The snow started at the base of the Kachina lift, just a couple of innocent-looking inches. Higher up, those inches turned into a foot or more. I kicked steps into the steep sections and postholed through the flatter bits, occasionally sinking to my thighs. Getting a leg back out for the next step became a small expedition of its own.

But wow, was it beautiful. Crisp air, fresh snow, and a sky so blue it hardly looked real.

Judging by the forecast, this batch will probably disappear before the next one arrives. Still, the first snow day is always special, even when you spend part of it trying to retrieve your legs.

Here are a few pictures, all from today. Click to enlarge!

Mount Wheeler with a respectable amount of the fresh stuff.

Gold Hill.

Gold Hill again but this time with what looks like a couple of colleagues from Colorado. 

Simpson Peak with what looks like a skiable line...