Slick

Jack & Rudy's preferred ways to express happiness & satisfaction :)

Jack: always that happy, happy smile usually with a wag or two (or more)
of his big swooshy tail!
Rudy: happiness & satisfaction are defined by woos!!! "WOO!" is
extreme satisfaction :)

It has been an unseasonably warm start to March which has had our trails melting in the afternoon to then freeze overnight. That means we encountered very icy and slick conditions on the trails of Breckenridge Nordic Center this morning. 

The shininess you see "around Rudy" is slick ice.
The trails were dominated by the dangerous ice patches most of the outing!

At some point in March or April, the crust on the snow off trail becomes firm enough to support Jack, Rudy and myself on skis. With super slick conditions on trail this morning, we decided to give the crust a test. It was still too early for the crust to hold us; but Jack & Rudy gave it a thorough inspection!

See the post holes from Jack & Rudy behind them. The crust could
not support them walking yet. But, the good news is the crust is solid
enough to support a snow angel roll without busting through. Almost
time for the spring crust :)

With the crust not firm yet, it was back onto the nordic trails. Once we got far enough from the (heavy use) trailheads, the ice became less & less of an issue. So nice up high and far away from civilization!

Whee up high! No shiny iciness way up here!!!

But, most of the day was spent on slick & icy conditions. Jack & Rudy are PERFECT at slowing down when they hear my skis scraping like crazy to try and keep myself under control. What great partners!

Time to report back in with retired mentor Zorro after another successful skijor outing:

"Glad they kept you upright!" says handsome Zorro.
"Waiting our turn!!!" adds wonderfully patient Jack & Rudy!

A fun day, but boy oh boy was it slick out there!!! 9.8 miles traveled with 1000 feet of elevation climbed.

2021/2022 Season to Date: 101 days on the trails covering 846.8 miles with 79,800 feet of elevation climbed.