Mountain seals

Perry (with snowboard) jumps into the passing lane to get by the SEALS

On Thursday it snowed a lot - like two to three feet of snow on the mountain. The road to the pass is not considered 'essential' by DOT so I was pretty sure it would not be plowed when so many other roads still needed to be cleared.  But when I got to the golf course I was happy to discover that rather than by DOT the road had been plowed by the Navy SEALs.  So rather than starting my ski in the rain at the golf course I got to drive to the pass where it was still snowing hard.  At the pass the Navy SEALs were doing one of their exercises where they climb up the mountain with all their gear and then do some winter camping.

Shortly after I arrived another 'regular' on the mountain Perry showed up with his snowboard.  All the SEALs were stretched out in a long line on the trail ahead of us.  All wearing their white camo and with rifles and radios - the whole kit and caboodle. It was an impressive site.  They all had on heavy packs and were trudging through the deep snow up the mountain.  Perry and I did not have heavy packs so we left the trail and passed the entire SEAL team.  It made me feel young.

Up on high it was a total whiteout but the skiing was good. I went to the top and skied down and ran into the SEALs again.  I was amazed that they were on their way to the top too.  It was a total blizzard up there, but brutal conditions is good training!

Patrick