Got out into the alpine today, explored a new zone on Snoqualmie Pass I had never been. The mountain access starts at a low elevation, we approached from 2500ft/762m topping out around 4500ft/1372m. My partner was feeling confident riding down a line we frankly didn't belong, I was feeling a little weak in the confidence & left knee. We descended the fall line in the 3rd picture shown here. Warm temps opened the snowpack, making it soft, mushy, hard to ride and easy to sink in deep. We eventually acknowledged we were in over our heads, pulled the plug to climb out through steep trees. Attempting to get in position to transfer from ride mode to climb mode on the splitboard... my step caved in, I sunk up to my chest in a sinkhole between a downed tree. Stress kicked in, not just from the present moment but these present times, wtf is going on world! Negative thoughts looped my mind. Thoughts of an injury causing a rescue did not settle well, nobody would come get us where we were. I felt my mortality more ever clear. My rule in the mountains is to keep it cool, you need a clear head to get you through. Mountains are my place to learn, reflect on life and feel alive.

Our handy gps maps & determined legs carried us to safety. All is well. Today fully kicked my ass. Good reminder when to listen to your own instincts. The older I get the more you realize prevention is truly key. I can make solid decisions, speak up when I need to but will follow people I trust to places we sometimes should avoid. Patience carefully got us through. The Cascade mountains around Snoqualmie Pass in Washington are no joke to mess with. Some of the spookier mountains Ive explored, a lot of water drains from the steep mountain peaks around and the low elevations, warm temps & deep snowpacks keep the conditions always changing. Live to learn. Mistakes will happen but we are stronger together.

#splitboarding #mountains #beauty #exploring #backcountry #overcomingadversity #StrongerTogether