Drifting through the Ghost Forest
Went up to Boulder and did research at the library for my book before leaving. A massive snow storm had moved into the area and a severe weather advisory was in effect. This seems like a good time to go out, so I parked at Flatiron Vista and put the snowshoes on to meet it. And what a storm it was! Fog would wind through the forest, obscuring some trees while revealing others. The snow and wind were both so intense that even when standing still, the forest would move around me as parts came and went in the blizzard.
I was so enthralled by how basic snow and trees could combine together in such compelling ways that I spent 5 hours out there, just traipsing through it all on the snowshoes. I didn’t realize so much time had gone by until it started to get dark, and FAST. I ended up getting lost out there and wasn’t sure which way was which. My dramatic mind started to think of the Nahani, the Athabaskan legend of those that become lost in the forest and taken by the evil spirits of the woods, turning their victims into their kind. It didn’t help that the snowshoeing started to get real rough since my feet weren’t used to the new boots I had. With the last of the light fading I started to think I’d have to spend the night in the blizzard. But at last, I found a trail! And I saw lights far off in the distance. Civilization had not been erased by the storm.
I followed the trail and finally made it back to the lot, which by this time it was excruciating to pick up my feet as I walked with the snowshoes. There was another vehicle parked in the lot, and a young guy got out of it when I made it to the lot. He had just called 911 on me because he saw my empty car in the lot and thought someone was stranded out there. I was immensely grateful he did that for me and made a point of letting him know that, even though nothing had happened. I’d hate if someone had to go out in the storm to chase me down. I drove home in the storm at a slow pace and finally made it back late at night. It felt amazing to stop walking! Nothing feels better than the sudden absence of pain. I gave myself some huge blisters on this trip, but its good to break myself in for Calgary next month.