Created 25-Mar-23
Modified 20-Dec-23
Snowpig Classic 2023 – 2023-03-18 2023-03-20 w/ Peter, Konrad, David.
The leadup to this one was a little different than other years as I pretty much totally missed the back half of 2022 Super Saturdays (due to knee injury) when we usually talk of such things. At any rate, a previously scoped out meadow downstream Cataract was more or less already lined up and salmon with scallops starter was organized by Peter for night one dinner. Our unofficial troubadour, Peter crafted this song as he prepared the food:
“oh the weather outside is delightful,
our fire will be rightful,
let it glow, let it glow, let it glow!
bronzing in the sun - oh how frightful
wouldn't that be an eyeful
let it show, let it show, let it show!
clayton has to watch his knee
we won't be frozen, but here's some Disney
let it go, let it go, let it go!”
If anyone at Disney, or in Nashville, is reading – lets talk recording deals… lol.
I’d been hammering on the gym work and PT with this goal in mind and hefting a 55 pound pack felt somehow easier than expected. I arrived first at the trailhead to warm up and be ready leaving my pack on the tailgate. Coming back up from looking at the creek I see Konrads car pull up and all three bail out and try to make off with my pack – assuming I was in the outhouse. Off to a fun start!
The meadow we had in mind was about 3.5 km from the parking area so at a reasonable pace we were ready for one of Konrads presents just past noon. Harp beer as we were very close to St Pattys day. Tramping out paths, tents pads, setting up tents, bear hangs for food, digging out the kitchen, logging, and sunning took us to dinner time. Peter had lovingly prepared the salmon along with lemon and herbs in a foil pack ready for the fire as well as skewered scallops which we opted to enjoy as a starter. My side was a success – a precooked package of coconut jasmine rice. Still room for snacks and treats of course as the evening light gave way to darkness. The calls of Boreal Owls confused us until night two when my phone app ID’d the call. Very cool!
Day two I was first up (typical) and managed to cram my feet into very stiff frozen boots. -17. Coffee etc and try and get the blood to flow to my feet with some photos by the creek. As the others joined they had the same issue – it had been just warm and damp enough the day before this was pretty much unavoidable. After breakfast etc we grabbed some snacks and headed further downstream to Titan falls – a one way trip of approx. 1.5km. David and I descended to the bowl below the falls leaving Konrad and Peter in the sun at the top. The echoing calls of American Dippers plus the burbling sounds of the water was idyllic but returing the sun and a nip or two of something was also appealing. Returning to camp we had a lunch and then more logging and wood processing enough to take us very comfortably thru night two.
Its not Snowpig without bacon and this year I experimented with “Piggy-Poppers”. I halved and de-seeded jalapenos at home (as they would freeze) and assembled the poppers on site. Some had happy cow cheese and some Balderson cheddar and both were winners. I had enough for three rounds of four which nicely complemented the variety of other food we prepared for ourselves. The baby nans for also a win but for next year I don’t need a half kilo, even if intending to heavily share! A pleasant evening was spent by the fire bullshitting and snacking but somehow we had all learned our lesson from previous years of being regrettably full and had eased up on the goodies a little. There is always room for the special treats like Mrs. H’s loaf though! (another long standing tradition)
Day three pretty much a leisurely warmup and packup before heading out. David had work so missed the post trip lunch (Stockmans) but I’m sure his work-mates enjoyed his smokie ambiance! Lol
Until next year, the stoke continues!
Rocky Mountain Tetrapus
© Clayton Ditzler
