The Dark Side

• Arrogance is the camouflage of insecurity.

                                                             -Tim Fargo

The Grass Was Green and the Frisbee's Were Flying

What a day it was, skiing on fresh powder with no lines, just us and the mountain. Scott, my editor and I had finally gotten used to being on skis and had figured out the logistics just right so we didn't fight traffic but still got in a good day on the slopes. It was windy, but we didn't mind. It was one of those rare moments in life when everything was just right, and nothing was on your plate that you had to worry about. We were no longer green horns, we had not figured everything out yet but we had progressed leaps and bounds from our first trip. Life was good.



The Weekend Project

This is the project that started off as a 30 minute project but after the third trip to the hardware store reality sets in. It was just such a 'project' that Scott and I found ourselves in. Our first day on the hill we struggled, big time. Losing skis and being unable to get back in them and just trudging on, so we make it our policy to help others when we can. I dismounted the chair lift and fiddled with my gloves, and I look up to see Scott helping a gentlemen back into his skis. After he catches my eye Scott nods toward a woman who has fallen at the foot of a patch of trees and is struggling to no avail. Skiing over there, I see that she has figured out its best to get out of her skis and start over. Tapping on the release with my ski pole she pushes it and out she pops her foot in. Scott has side stepped up to me and has her poles in hands. After a brief dialog, it is clear that her English is not her first language, which turned out to be better for us as she could only watch what we did and mimic us. I love teaching people and seeing the light bulb turn on when it clicks. It is important that the 'student' has support from their peers that can help them when I can no longer help.




Focusing

After we got her into her skis and taught her how to stand back up we turned to look for her friends so we could pass the baton unto them, they were gone. For the next 20 minutes, Scott and I did what we could to ensure her retaliative safe passage down the mountain. Once we reached the last flat part she recited back everything we had told her and so off we went as there was nothing more we could do for her. On the way down we kept a close look out for the rest of her group. They were gone. That ticked both of us off royally, and confused us; why wouldn't you stay and help your friend? We were unable to come up with an answer for that.



Final Thoughts

So...
Scott and I went on with our day as best we could but we could never figure out why they left her to fend for herself. I wasn't able to come to terms with it that day but I finally sorted it out. What I came up with was that even though I was frustrated that her group left, I was able to share my passion with someone new and hopefully she started to enjoy herself. That is all that I came up with. It still sets me off when I think about it but I really have no control over what happened and so I'm letting it go.


Looking Forward

This year is a big year for me I have a NOLS trip coming up and I got accepted to college for a Ski Area Management and plan on going going to the mountains as often as possible. I will continue to write and share my experiences with you. Hope you had a wonderful new year.



Another distraction.



K