A Pleasant Day

I took Wednesday off since the weather was nice and I had to use some vacation before the end of the year. I started a little after 7am, while it was still dark. When I broke out of the timber, a cloud enveloped the landscape for quite some time. Eventually it began to dissipate and reveal the lovely landscape.

Smooth, soft forms.

Ski tracks.

Christina said "Wow" when she first saw this photo, it didn't strike me quite the same way but then I posted a version of this shot, among a couple others, at another site and was amazed by the many responses. The sun shining on the fog in the valley creates a pleasing atmosphere in my opinion. I hung out here for about five minutes enjoying the changing light on the mountains as the fog moved through the valley and the occasional splash of sunshine on the opposite ridge.

Snow Forms

A field of white Christmas trees.

This is the trunk of the tree on the right side of the previous frame.

When I crested the ridge I was treated to this spectacular scene. The Pacific was glowing like an internally lit sapphire, surrounded by pure white.

Time to Ski!

Tracks on the ridge.

My destination for the day, the North Wrangell High Country Shelter.

My "new" skis as I prepare to make my way down the mountain. The skiing was great and the skis performed beyond my expectations. They were great, and the powder was soft and deep.

As soon as I started to move down the mountain, the cloud/fog came in. It eventually lifted but first I had to wait for a little while.