New Year

Here it is, New Year's Eve at Auski, and I have absolutely nothing to wear! Actually, if I am wearing pants and a shirt, I am probably over-dressed.  There is going to be a shindig over at the manager's house, which will probably be a replicate of Christmas- getting drunk and eating.  Not that I have a problem with that, but I think I might go to bed early tonight, as lame as it sounds.  There is good reason though.

With all the rain lately, the weather has been quite bearable and only peaking in the mid-thirties, with the mornings being almost pleasant.  I have been hiking a bit more and I think I have found a route up Mt. George to the south.  Since I don't start work until 3 pm on New Year's Day, I was thinking that it would be an excellent opportunity to give it a shot.  It is only about 400m of elevation gain, but quite steep.  Nothing worse than what I climbed in the Mackenzie mountains this summer, just a lot hotter.  If I set out at 6:30, I should be able to make the summit by 8 and be back to the roadhouse in time for a nap by noon.  Don't worry- I will take extra water and a first aid kit and such.  The great thing is that there are no bear worries out here.  I didn't realize how much that was a part of my psyche while outdoors until I didn't have to think about it.  The deadly things here are all rather small and unlikely to be up in the rocky hills anyway- it is a nice change.  

Happy New Year Everyone!

-A.