Snowmobiling
A window into the world of snow machines
Yesterday we went snowmobiling in the local mountains. We left right from the house and climbed up logging road switchbacks until we emerged into some “meadows” (tree-cuts) where we could rip around.
I rode on the back of Richard’s snowmobile in the “huggy-bear” position, which means holding on for dear life. I’ve never put so much trust in a thirteen year old, but he was very responsible and went slow for an ornery human-powered snail such as myself.
After the first stretch, I was freezing. I underestimated how much colder snowmobiles are than skiing. I put on my big down puffy jacket, took out hand warmers, and felt ready for Everest .
At the mountain-top, we found a secluded area to make a bonfire. We used snow saws to cut down some dead trees and dug a pit to start the fire. I took the job of sawing the trees into logs because it seemed like it’d keep me warm.
Then Tom took me for a spin. He has skills and rode into some wild terrain: deep powder with narrow trees and steep hills. We went down a steep hill where Tom let off the gas entirely and it was just gravity taking us. Then we went back up the really steep hill, and Tom and I both jumped off right before the snowmobile crashed into a tree. We shoveled it out and luckily everything worked, so we kept going. After getting back to the bonfire, they let me rip around on one of the snowmobiles by myself. I got stuck soon after. It definitely takes some skill to ride up hills and across uneven terrain. The only other time I’ve ever ridden a snowmobile was to go down a road to skin up a ski mountain, so this was a completely novel experience.
The sport of snowmobiling could be said to be the antithesis to my adventure as I’ve designed it. It’s expensive, loud, burns a lot of fuel, requires no fitness unless you get stuck, and is probably quite unhealthy between all the sitting and inhaling fumes. Nonetheless, I’ll reserve my judgment of it for now. Tom learned snowmobiling purely as a way to access snowboarding. I can see a future in which I get a snowmobile to access skiing. I’ve already talked to my friend Dan about a number of cool ski tours in Washington that would be possible with a snow mobile.
We brought skis and snowboards but didn’t end up having time to use them. Still I got enough time on my feet to feel that my knees are still not ready to run. I imagined running today, and the image of Faramir in Lord of the Rings walking into a battle he knew he would lose popped into my head. That means the plan is now to take the train to Valemount tomorrow. I’ll consider running if I make a lot of ground in recovery today, but it seems unlikely.
The lack of running for over a week is certainly disappointing, but I’m choosing to stay conservative while I can. For the sake of the blog I want to run because that’s the story I want to tell. For my own sake, I’m glad I’m making decisions that prioritize my health.
I noted to Lee that Richard and Grayson get along so well. They are 13 and 11, my brother and I have the same age difference and we didn’t get along at all growing up. She said that when they were young and they fought, she really impressed upon them that “it’s you two together. There’s the world out there and then you two. You’re partners for life.”