Friends in the Great Outdoors

"I've got a good old friend who's seen me at my worst
He can't tell if I'm a blessing our a curse
But he always shows up when the chips are down
That's the kind of stuff I like to be around" -----Guy Clark, "Stuff that Works"
 
First, PRAY FOR SNOW! We are in that typical New Mexico snow-free doldrums of January. Hopefully things will pick up soon and we get our February and March allotment of snow. Otherwise, it's going to be another flammable spring and early summer.

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Next, my gig schedule into March:
--Jan 25, Dixie Girl Restaurant (Craig Martin Experience), ~7-ish
--Feb 8, Blue Window Bistro (Craig Martin Experience), benefit for the K2 Women's Weekend (and breast cancer research)
--Feb 22, Pajarito Pub & Grill (D.K. and the Affordables), 8 pm
--March 15, Betty Ehart Senior Center (Craig Martin Experience), benefit for the Empty Bowls Project

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Finally, this week's musings--

Initially, this post was going to be about outdoor gear and clothing. I have some great stuff that I really like, from the EMS Bergelene long underwear that they'll have to peel off me when I'm dead, to the Marmot Dryclime windshirt that is either in my pack or on my back, to the crocheted wool hats my wife made me, to the Black Diamond "flicklock" adjustable poles. Backpacks, skis, other jackets. the Jetboil stove. Initially, I was going to write about that stuff, but in the end, that's pretty boring, and doesn't speak to the theme of "abundance" that I'd like to explore over the next couple posts.

Always watch out for G.A.S.--Gear Acquisition Syndrome.

I was thinking about gear because I was putting my stuff away last night after a fairly short, but fun, ski tour near Taos Ski Valley with my friend and ski patrol colleague Scott. I'm teaching a ski patrol class in March and we wanted to check out the area where we'll be conducting the class. Of course, we didn't skin in silence. It was great to catch up and discuss the joys and travails of having children, talk about work, and lament how "soft" we've become, which was made even more obvious when we were passed by Sam, one of the local, premier, Los Alamos hardcore mountaineers. Anyway, Scott and I did a few great trips together back in the days before kids, but haven't been backcountry skiing together now for a few years. It was nice to know that an old relationship like that can click back into place. During the past ten years, we've trained together on rescue toboggans and in first aid, spent hours in the car to and from ski patrol education classes and other destinations, and rebuilt avalanche and mountaineering programs at our local ski patrol and regionally. I'm proud of what we've accomplished, both on and off patrol. Off patrol, we managed a somewhat rare descent from the summit of Wheeler Peak together (rare due to the westward, wind-blown face we chose to ski) in 2004, and a few other backcountry days here and there. (Scott's other exploits in Colorado and Northern New Mexico, though, are also noteworthy. Search for him on SummitPost and you'll see what I mean.)

This reflection took me back to other trips and partners. My friend Ryan and I spent a lot of time climbing in Rocky Mountain National Park when we lived in Fort Collins. Routes like Taylor Glacier, the Spiral Route on Notchtop Mountain, and Dream Weaver were our favorites, though we also went to Ouray to ice climb and did a lot of skiing (and driving) in (and to and from) Utah and Colorado. Matt H. was always up for a ski tour, no matter how big or small. He was also a patroller and frequent companion on our ski patrol education trips. Just try and keep up with him. Mike D. is a newer backcountry ski buddy of mine, and we explored some of Cumbres Pass on skis last spring. I'll be calling him again. D.K. is a great band mate, but has also been involved in a few of my adventures, such as taking my second MTR class in 2005, and setting up several trips in the Jemez to ski, fish, or camp. My brother in law, Chris D., also makes this list as he's put up with my slowness on several climbing and skiing trips. Mark W. was my most reliable running buddy, and we did many "lunch laps" together at our local ski area. Regardless of the company I keep on a particular day, it seems like every time I go out and tick something off the top of my list, 5 more things are added to the bottom. I'm thankful to be surrounded by folks who inspire me to take on new challenges.

On the summit of Wheeler Peak with Matt H., showing our brand affiliation. Photo by Scott.

So, while this post started as an account of my favorite gear, it evolved into celebrating good friends. My take isn't necessarily novel, but here it is: what matters to most folks--be they hunters, gatherers, hikers, bikers, climbers, knitters, worshipers, artists, musicians, or skiers--is the fact that they can find a few like-minded souls to congregate and venture out with. I count myself lucky that I have a few old friends that I like and who can stand to be around me. What's more, while we each choose our *insert activity here* buddies based on how well they *insert activity here*, some of the most important and friendship-determining time occurs in the car, on the approach, over lunch, or in the pub afterwards.

Scott, Ryan, Matt B., Matt H., Mike D., D.K., Chris D., Mark W., and others I'm sure I've forgotten: thank you for the turns, tours, and climbs of the past, and here's hoping for many more.

Ryan H. near Mt. Tukunikivats, UT.

Of course, my wife should get special mention here. She holds the ultimate place in my co-adventurer ranking. We've skied, backpacked, climbed, hiked, created art, grown food, remodeled houses, raised kids, celebrated, lamented, laughed, cried, and learned together. We have spent hundreds of hours in the car, tent, hotel room, and kitchen discussing and planning the next adventure. While the journey hasn't just begun, it will continue as long as we're both alive.

The Mrs. and her bro, Cerro Rubio, NM.

"I've got a woman I love, she's crazy, paints like God
She's got a playground sense of justice, she don't take odds
I've got a tattoo of her name right through my soul
I think that everything she touches turns to gold." ----Guy Clark, "Stuff that Works"

Thanks for reading, and have a great week!