Hello La Niña

When snow threatened last week, we made loose plans to go snowshoeing on Saturday, as long as there was enough snow, it was sunny, it was dry, and as long as it wasn’t too cold.  As soon as I opened my eyes on Saturday I knew it was a perfect day.  The morning light has a special sparkle to it when it’s beaming off fresh snow.  Yes, there was even a light dusting of magic at sea level.  It was a perfect day for snowshoeing.

Off we went to Mt. Seymour. The road up the mountain was clear and the parking lot was packed. We strapped on our snowshoes and headed up Heart Attack Hill.  With so much snow, the trail was just a narrow single track winding its way up.  Within minutes we had left the crowds behind and stopped to peel off a layer.  At the top of the hill the toques came off and the climbing continued.  

The trail narrowed even more as we went higher.  Passing someone coming down the trail was a great excuse to plow through the powder and break new trail. The snow was unbelievable. It was so fresh and powdery and looked like it had been snowing for weeks.  How could that be – this is November? Hello La Niña.

We would pass people occasionally, but mostly we’d be on the trail by ourselves feeling like we were somehow special to be experiencing this magic. I couldn’t resist the virgin powder and traipsed off trail, often sinking knee-deep and happily rolling over in it.  There were many snow-monsters left in my wake, where I had lay in the snow.  The sky was blue, the sun was shining and we were frolicking in the fresh powder in snowshoes: all the elements of a perfect snowshoeing adventure.  

Beyond Brockton Point and ventured into the backcountry to find a suitable turnaround spot.   Before we headed back we stopped for a snack and a cup of hot chocolate. Then took more than few moments to marvel at the beauty around us.  The vast expanse of snowy mountains with Vancouver glistening below in the sunshine made for a stunning vista in every direction.  Once again I thought how happy I am to call Vancouver home.