Spent yesterday and today breaking out new trail. The first day was spent mainly crossing the clearing that state forestry put in a while back (Sunny Daze 2/17/17). Of course I got stuck a few times in the drifts, but finally made to the main trail on the other side and who should come by with his daughter and grand kids is a neighbor hadn't seen in years. So talked to him for a bit until the kids were going into hypothermia, then went on our separate ways. The rest of the time was spent connecting existing trails to form a loop and then head home. Figured the next day'd be easy since all that was needed was to pull the groomer over the new trail and brush some overhanging trees.
All that went fine, but didn't appreciate that the temperature inversion, that was absent yesterday, had returned, so the valley was about 15° colder than at the house. Wearing the same light gear, got a big surprise when heading down into the valley and it quickly got nippy. Could have turned back, but hey I'm tough right? So stupidity ruled. About five miles out, realized that this was a bad idea, since my hands were pretty cold by then. The hot grips that would have helped, burned out years ago when the voltage regulator went bad, and never replaced them. Then the trip, which had been non stop, became a stop every mile or so, to either brush some trees or lacking any work, just running in place and swinging my arms until the circulation came back. Too much fun. But now I'm home with all my fingers and toes, so alls well that ends well, I suppose.
Stopped at the turn for home where the trail faces south and got this photo. There was a great sunset all the way back, but my hands were too cold by then to mess with the camera. Thinking it might be time to fix those hot grips.
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