Seasons Change

Sometimes in your life you must read the writing on the wall and understand what needs to happen, this past week was one of those times.

I took off early Wednesday morning and bolted up to Denver to meet up with UTM, I kind of got a later start than I was planning due to a battle with some cold beers Tuesday night but it ended up being just right as UTM was still sipping coffee on his couch when I pulled up. So since none of us were very motivated we enjoyed a few cups and talked about our future trip to Canyonlands as well as UTM’s planned 30+ miler this summer.

After a while we got motivated enough to head to a great little diner where the biscuits and gravy did there job. Eventually we got on the road and made our way to the top of Loveland Pass to check out some of the gully chutes. Although I had never ridden the pass before UTM had spent plenty of time and new the lines well. After a few runs we decided to mix it up some and hit another chute that was slightly steeper, but still nothing to worry about…and that’s where it gets a bit fuzzy.

I remember dropping in and cutting left as I approached the tree line. Then everything was quiet and there was a thunderous boom as my head slammed into the slope. (thank you helmet!!) I know I recovered quickly, popping back up on my teles and making it a few feet before everything came unglued. I have had quite a few concussions in the past and this was a bonafide WHAMMY. I couldn’t see straight, I was nauseous, lightheaded, had no balance and oddly enough had know idea what I was doing. Fortunately I gathered my self and made my way down slope for a few more feet before I started to dry-heave.

Now I have been in enough traumatic events and had a strong enough medical background to know
I was in a bit of a pickle. So I called down to UTM who was waiting patiently and told him he needed to keep an eye on me and if I went out he would probably have to bring me off of the mountain. To which he scoffed. But I knew he would have helped me if I needed it. Right??

Well needless to say I made it slowly down although it seemed like I couldn’t keep my balance for anything. I think that is what really worried me is that as soon as I would get going I would eat it again and again. Finally as I was pulling myself up from my 5th or 6th fall I decided to take the skis off and hike out, as I was about to pull my left ski off I noticed that my climbing block was locked in the up position!! What a relief! I felt much better once I realized I could blame my equipment for some of the issues I was having, I dropped the block and skied out the rest of the run. I ended up taking a few minutes to get my wits about me and actually left for the day on a good note by riding a few more runs!

Thursday UTM and I got an earlier start and headed to Keystone. Although I was not completely “with it” I felt alright. We rode a few runs but eventually bailed because there was no escape from the ice. Even the backside was crowded and crusty.

I guess enough is enough, and as I got home Thursday evening I knew it was time. Time to toss the teles back in the attic and get the bike out, spring is officially here!!!