I’m going to admit something that I rarely let slip out of my mouth or in this case, type with my cracked and dry fingers. You might want to sit down. Ready? I don’t Nordic ski.
Sure, I’ve tried and have even gone out a few times here and there. I’ve had a lesson from my friend and excellent skier, Susan Prichard. I’ve gone from classic to skate, trying to find my groove. But the truth of the matter is that I just really don’t like it, which I know is close to sacrilege around here. But I do admire those that do ski. Like Sherrie Krown. Did you know that this season, Sherrie skied every single Methow Trail in both directions? That is over 400 kilometers, or roughly from Mazama to Seattle. I am going to guess that Sherrie likes skiing.
Speaking of skiing and Methow Trails, Nancy Kuta has come up with an amazing idea. She calls it the One Pinecone Campaign or OPC. She suggests that every skier pick up just one pinecone during their ski. Just one. But if everyone did this, it would help keep our trails in good condition and would eliminate that frustration of hitting a pinecone mid-stride and then screeching to a stop, or in my case, just tipping over.
While the groomers do an incredible job on the trails, dealing with pinecones is not something that they can easily do, aside from covering them up when the snow allows. So, it is up to us. Or you, I guess, as now my secret is out. When you are out there in these last couple weeks of gliding around, and you need to stop for a break or a drink of water, stop next to a pinecone. Pick that sucker up and then throw it as far from the trail as possible.
Try not to bean a fellow skier, as that could be embarrassing for you and painful for them. Also, be sure that no dogs are nearby, as the dogs could view that as a very fun game where they then go retrieve the pinecone and bring back a second one. Or worse, run off to retrieve the pinecone and get lost.
Now that skiing is close to coming to an end, although the groomers will surely work their magic to keep things rolling as long as possible, the next excitement on deck in Mazama is guessing when the North Cascades Highway will open. I have heard both ends of the spectrum being tossed around; an early opening in the beginning of May and a late opening in June. If the current weather forecast is to be believed and we will be seeing temperatures in the 50s by Sunday, I might just begin hoping for that early opening.
