Day One - Wednesday

          My first day alone.  After such a long day yesterday, skiing out re-supplying and coming back in, today was a day of rest.

           I woke up to a pellucid, sun-danced day which urged my reticent body to action; but, instead I succumbed to the soft suppleness of my bag.  Hunger finally moved me to action.  Crawling out of my feathery shroud into a sun toasted tent, I started my breakfast of pancakes and coffee.  Being in no hurry for adventure, I read until the confines of my abode drove me out.

          The weather was crispy warm and the jagged edges of Mt. Jefferson were pasted against the endless blue.

          A giant clear cut, with young tress poking up through the snow, and a gradually steepening slope offered the opportunity to improve my inadequate skiing skills.  A perfect place where missing a turn only resulted in the tops of young trees, we hoped supple, brushing between my legs.

          Soon tiring of my sport and stiff from yesterday's demands, it was time to retreat to the balmy confines of the tent to wash my silk underwear and then to take a much needed sponge bath.

          Refreshed and relaxed I ponder the tomorrows as the day ran away from the night.  I would like to gain altitude as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of rain at the lower elevation if a weather change should occur.

           Today a rivet had broken where the toe bail swivels on the boot mount.  I had taken the precaution of taking a handful of book binding rivets, which easily screw together.  And so after a hearty meal, I repaired my skies, cleaned the stoves, organized the food, calculated fuel consumption, and went to sleep.