Winter is coming!

Waking up early in the predawn darkness, groggy eyes, cold fingers, achy calves, frozen breath but lots of strong, hot coffee to wipe that all away; sharpening tools, loading packs with pointy gear and warm thermoses, stiff frozen boots. That first step out into the icy wind, slogging uphill, dodging skiers, soaked in sweat. Fumbling crampons with numb fingers, the first swing, looking up right as a load of powdery snow pours over the lip, filling my collar and trickling down my sleeves. Calves burning and pulling over the lip into soft snow. Climbing until the last streaks of winter sunlight creep behind the ridges and peaks, stomping back to the car long after the last skiers have left and the pavement has re-frozen over. Huddles around the old coal fireplace, an odorous whiff of sweaty wool socks dripping and drying above. A large heavy meal and ready to do it again tomorrow.

Ok, so maybe I'm being prematurely optimistic, but I swear the air was a bit crisper the last couple of mornings.