If You Wanted To

Today was one of those days that happens once in a
while during the winter. Not too cold, not too windy...
just right. Even though it was a beautiful "day" for a
hike, many people I talked to did exactly the same thing
I did. Just hung out. I'd almost rather the weather be
really lousy on our only day off since guilt doesn't
factor into the equation that way. A lot of people that
spend only the summer here don't realize that it takes
more of an effort to take a hike here in the winter than
it does in the summer. From October to February you can
pretty much go almost anywhere on a marked trail. By
yourself. Without a radio. Without checking out with
the Firehouse first. You can't even solo climb Ob Hill
by yourself or without checking out. (not that I would
want to...I'm one of many I'm discovering that are proud
of the fact of never climbing this menacing mini-mountain)
The only place you can hike by yourself, without all of
the bells and whistles is Hut Point. Not much of an
adventure. However, I do remember my first winter,
backing up to the edge of the point in the dark, taking
a photo of the cross with the town in the background.
One step behind is a VERY long drop onto the rocks and
ice. Not a good way to discover the wonders of gravity.
So the map lists many wonderful places to hike and to
have an adventure...just not so much in the winter.