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Day 032: 02/04/12

Solo Snowshoe

Words and Photos By: Stephen Williams

I am a loner, and I am not afraid to admit it. I enjoy spending time in nature by myself and love living in Jackson Hole because I have plenty of space to get outside with my camera without anyone in sight. In the winter however, my preferred sport of backcountry snowboarding isn’t very conducive to solo missions. I am thankful for the friends that I have that I can head out in the mountains with, but I won’t lie, I am envious of the guys that I see summit Mount Glory all by themselves. Not just envious of the way they can use that experience to test themselves, but also jealous that they can let go, ignore common sense and shun societies pretenses to accomplish this.

Strapping on a pair of snowshoes and taking a walk along the river might not have the same consequences or downhill rewards of backcountry riding, but it does offer the same opportunity to connect with nature. Pulling up to the Murie Center in the late afternoon, I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of cars in the parking lot. Being in the moment of breaking a trail along the Snake River to see what photo opportunity I could find before the sun went down, I found the chance to be alone with my thoughts. Standing below the towering peaks of the Tetons and watching the last bit of orange light strike the rocks off in the distance definitely puts a lot of things in perspective. Staring up at the Grand, I am reaffirmed that that peak has been standing for a long time before I came along, and will continue to stand for a long time after I am gone. The mountains abide, and I don’t know about you, but I take comfort in that.