My name is Sarah, I live in beautiful Squamish B.C Canada and I am an avid climber, biker, skier and outdoor enthusiast.
When you live on the “wet” coast you can’t let weather dictate your activities or how much you enjoy them. This weekend the weather appeared to be the farthest thing from favorable. Avalanche danger was high, temperatures were warm and no one seemed to be planning much. A good friend and I decided to venture out to a secluded hut for the weekend, where terrain would be manageable and we could just have a good time.
We left town and hit the trailhead at about 1:00 p.m., we observed the lot below was entirely packed with vehicles. Humming and hawing for a few minutes we made a decision to head towards the hut anyways. Our senses were saying “go, don’t worry there will be room!”
There are always moments where I feel exhausted and ready to lie down in a bed of white. But then I think of the joy I will feel when I reach the hut – when all my work pays off. I push on with my pack weighing me down, just a few more switchbacks to go.
After a skin in with heavy snow, we reached the silent cabin. All that could be heard was the sound of Whiskey-Jack birds flapping from branch to branch. As we began to unload and loosen our boots, we came to the realization that no one was around. This is extremely rare in our area. Usually on a weekend, despite weather conditions, huts are packed full with ski fanatics. We had played our cards right and lucked out with the choice to follow our map and our guts.
The shack was clean, dry and ready for us to occupy. We found a few wood bits, loaded the stove, pulled out the wine and let the après-ski began…
Following an afternoon of skiing, in not the greatest of conditions, we found ourselves ready to relax and dine! We made a Broccoli Alfredo tortellini, which supplemented the first bottle of red wine. Later we kicked up our hut booties and enjoyed an assortment of Swiss chocolate and the second bottle of (slightly cheaper) red wine.
The night was cool and calm. After our planned festivities we stepped outside into the damp air and saw the sky filled with nothing but stars.
The reason I love touring is for the adventure but also for the sense of earning something. Sharing a glass of red wine and comfort food always feels well deserved after carrying a heavy pack up snow-covered slopes.
“Out there it’s all earth and sky – The place to connect with the only necessary basics of life”.
After an impromptu dance party and heating the cabin to the max – we hit the loft for some shuteye! As the hours of night went on we found ourselves waking frequently to the sound of friendly little squeakers munching on crumbs. The night was peaceful and knowing we were the only two people in the area gave us a sense of freedom.
The next morning I set my skins and went to pull my boots on when I noticed our little furry friends had left gifts of tortellini in my liners…
The ski out was beautiful and cold. The fog was slowly starting to burn off as we began our decent back to the lot.
“There is no bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.”
When I sat back down in the truck, I immediately begin planning for the next trip. Wishing this one would never end…but then I remembered that this is my life and I’ll likely do it all over again tomorrow.
Life was meant to be enjoyed – go out with people you love, try new things, endure the distance and always remember to enjoy the afterglow. During an exploration I always reflect back on some very wise words. They have taught me to take in every moment and fully appreciate the things going on around me. I leave now, onto my next adventure, and with these words may you also find inspiration and gratification:
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.”
― Eleanor Roosevelt
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Sarah Murrell (@mountaindarlin), is a Winter 2014/15 Mountain Hardwear Ambassador. She Grew up in the East Kootenays of British Columbia, now currently located on the coastal shores of Squamish B.C.
She’s a devoted Climber who enjoys writing, skiing, biking and scrambling mountains in her spare time. Currently works as a swim instructor, as well as volunteers with Squamish Search and Rescue. Sarah also started the WWD CLUB blog to help get more women in touch with the outdoor sports world.