LECHTANSKI.NET

Another weekend, another drive to Baker. I went a little further this week to the White Salmon trail. It is after mile marker 51, and about 1300 feet higher than the Salmon Ridge trail. What does this mean? Snow. Actual snow.

This trip was great. Again a crisp, crystal clear day. I only fell twice, and those were really intentional (I don’t have stopping skills, yet. But really that’s rather unimportant in a race atmosphere, right?). I’ve been working on technique, and just getting comfortable managing my XC skis and boots. This trip was huge for that.

The White Salmon trail is essentially an out and back route, with a drop into a valley and a climb back out. So the first half on the way out, I was working on my downhill acceleration, tucks and turning. The second half was climbing at varying degrees. Steep upgrade to slight rises. It was pretty tough at times. And some of the toughness can be attributed to the fact that I got roped into participating in my teammates’ Cross Fit workout the day before. Not a great idea.

The trail ends on a plateau where I snapped this picture with my phone. I really have to remind myself that these trails generally actually take you somewhere to see something. They aren’t just meandering routes for the sake of meandering.

On the trip back, I got going a little too fast for my taste, with a hairpin turn quickly approaching, I bailed out and let myself fall. Sharp turns are pretty awkward still, and if I missed the turn there is nothing to stop me from tumbling down the mountain at the edge of the trail. And the fall on snow hurts way less than the fall on ice. Nice.

Here’s the tentative schedule up to race day:

• May 7: To celebrate my Sister, Beth’s birthday, White Salmon Trail after work
• May 9: White Salmon Trail
• May 14: Mt Baker Ski Area after work (maybe)
• May 17: Mt Baker Ski Area
• May 21: Mt. Baker Ski Area (maybe)
• May 24: Race Day!

So if you’re up at the mountain on any of these days and see a guy stripping down to his underwear in the parking lot, there’s a good chance it is me.