Today I am home from work with a sore throat. Yesterday I got to ski through Narnia (as my friend Roz described one of the photos) before work. Indeed it felt like it but fortunately I did not run into any wicked witches, lions, or ice princesses out there. Getting to the trailhead was a bit of a challenge between unconfident drivers on plowed and sanded roads and deep snow where I ordinarily park. After a warm spell, La Nina is back and has blanketed the lowlands in cold fluffy snow. It's not often that areas near sea level are ski-able. I wish they were because I'd get my exercise every day on skinny skis before work. However, most residents of this area would rather have regular rain because it's a lot easier. I don't disagree. Anyway, I had time to ski for an hour at the Pilchuck Tree Farm before I needed to get to work. Enough snow covered the logging roads but probably not the trails.
The sun is up early enough this time of year that there's no need to start in the dark. Snow depth was variable but for the most part I was breaking trail though about a foot of fluffy stuff. And crossing blow-down over the road. Only once did I have to take off my skis and bushwhack through downed limbs and over logs. The morning was so pretty and calm that I wished I had more time. The temperature was cold but very comfortable for skiing. There was no wind, no sound except for the swishing of skis, the occasional crack of a branch, and my own steady breathing. I could've gone on. Maybe tomorrow if this sore throat goes away. Here are a few more pictures.