Today I scouted the mushing trails and UAF for training session that will be happening later this week in one awesome hour and a half ski from Creamers Field. While I half expected it to be dirty and icy, mixed with sopping slow mashed potatoes, it was still quite fast. While it is definitely melting, particularly near spots with dark ground or vegetation exposed to sunlight, there were still areas where the snow could only be described as dry and powdery.
As I pondered what the root of the dryer, colder areas was (heavier spruce vegetation blocking the sunlight? Permafrost underneath? Neither? Both?), I couldn't help but think of a line I read from a story by Ned Rozell in the Sunday News-Miner some weeks ago:
It endures today because, despite the illusion of Alaska's summers, cold is king here.
Good enough reason for me today, and a great reason to be a skier in this town.
A couple pictures from today's trail condition reconnaissance:
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