Avalanche

Fuck it

Drew Hardesty

21 Aug 2025 — 1 min read

photo, Mark White; somewhere in the next canyon over to the south

What is it about these two profound words that you hear with any decision of consequence?

You’re looking over the tips of your skis down onto the Bobsled, a perfect white canvas on the north side of Gobblers Knob*. Shadows of blue pierce the canvas, but that's all. Test results are inconclusive, there are no signs of instability, just a poor snowpack structure. The avalanche danger remains Moderate with PWL listed as a problem.

“Fuck it,” you mutter. And then you’re onto the slope.

Why do we do this?

In life, there will always be things that are unknown and unknowable ahead of time. Maybe it’s impatience, frustration with uncertainty, or the simple fact that at age 55, every decision you’ve ever made has led you to the top of this slope.

But then again, it’s always worked before.

I *think* I've trained myself, upon hearing those words from either myself or someone in my party, to have the bells of St Mary go off in my head and Slow Down. Wait for a moment.

With thanks to Gordon Graham

See you next week -

Drew

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