LOCALadk Magazine

32 Winter 2020 LOCALadk Magazine LOCALadk If you love hiking in the winter, downhill skiing, and spend- ing time with friends, you'd be hard pressed to find an ac- tivity that combines those hobbies better than backcountr y skiing. Once you acquire the gear and knowledge, you have the keys to a lifetime of exploration both near and far. Backcountr y skiing, or alpine touring, is not only amazing exercise and incredibly rewarding, but also downright thrill- ing. With the help of special heel-freeing bindings and skins attached to skis for traction, skiers are able to glide over the snow and cover much more ground than they can using tra- ditional snowshoes. At the most basic level, the activity con- sists of touring in an unpatrolled area outside resort bound- aries. It offers the chance to unplug from the world, connect with friends, and create some truly special memories. With few people around, you're enveloped by a feeling of solitude that's rarely experienced back on the ski hill. While backcountr y touring doesn't necessarily include a technical climb up a steep gully, that's the style that excites me the most. If you've ever spent time in the High Peaks re- gion, you've likely noticed the massive slides that have been car ved into many of the mountains from landslides and ava- lanches. In the winter, the scar that remains is reminiscent of a ski trail filled with deep snow that powder hounds dream of. These impressive features, found only on the steepest slopes, are a backcountr y skier's paradise. Because so much work goes into skiing just a single line, the feeling you get when it all comes together is unmatched. You've spent days endlessly checking the weather, found the right touring partners, braved the subzero temperatures, endured the long approach, dug a pit, studied the snow pack— confident the snow is stable — donned your climbing gear, and finally made it to the top of your line. Your heart feels like it's beating out of your chest, be it from exhaustion or excitement. Ever yone is grinning broadly as they rip the skins off their skis and click into their bindings. Rarely do you find yourself so entirely present. You peer over to where you started and your eyes find the ver y line you followed to get you to where you are now. The satisfaction of reaching this point entirely because your legs alone brought you here is surreal. You take a look at neigh- boring peaks and are already planning your next adventure before this one is even over. The route in front of you is like a blank canvas. It's up to you to decide how to paint it once you reach the bottom and glance back up. The only rules are to have fun and stay safe. A classic game of rock/paper/scissors determines who goes first. With the luck of the draw, you take a deep breath of crisp winter air and drop in. Instincts immediately take over as your brain and body react to what's in front of you. Nav- igating your way around frozen waterfalls, rocky cliffs, and

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