Fresh to Cat Tracks

What a beautiful "just after sunrise" shot of Jack & Rudy at Vail Pass this morning!

Catching air as we lay fresh tracks in an inch or so of fresh snow! 
What a great shot! :)

We skijored Wilder Gulch at Vail Pass this morning. As you see above, we started the day laying fresh tracks in a light layer of fresh snow. But, Vail Pass is very popular for both snowmobiles and snowcats that transport skiers to backcountry powder caches. Partway into our skijor to and up Ptarmigan Peak, we came across a snowcat transporting skiers to Ptarmigan Peak as well. We paused to let the snowcat go in front of us. I love this particular snowcat as it always cracks me up when we meet it...

"Cool paint job!" says impressed Jack.
I love this Scooby Doo themed snowcat!
Rudy was impressed too, he's just at my side watching the cat so not
in view of the camera.

But, letting the snowcat pass means Jack & Rudy get to play chase. They want to catch anything in front of them and they were very impatient waiting for me to give them "the release" so we could start the chase :)

"You don't pass us and get away with it!" declares the 'must catch anything
in front of us' brothers.

The final climb on Ptarmigan Peak to what is known as Ptarmigan Pass is very steep. As a result, the snowcat eventually outran us on steep, steep terrain. Today's "view shot" is us starting back down Ptarmigan after a very aerobic climb. Jack & Rudy really took off to enjoy the fast down after their hard work climb :)

Pretty views, zooming kids. Wheeee!

Once we turned around, we got to enjoy the fresh & soft snowcat tracks to run in. A couple of snowmobiles had also come up the same way. So today's video highlight is having a great time skijoring in soft/fresh snowmobile and snowcat tracks in Wilder Gulch. Come along and watch Jack & Rudy having a great time running and towing me in the soft tracks. Wheeee!

[watch on youtube if no video loads below]

The turnaround guarantee: Jack will roll snow angels. The turnaround question of the day, will Rudy woo or roll angels? Angels won today!

"Ah, rub a dub dub!" goes the silly snow rolling kids.
The Scooby snowcat had turned right to Ptarmigan Peak while we continued
straight for a little ways longer. Thus, the kids got to roll snow angels in fresh
snow instead of in snowcat tracks (as they would prefer :)

The other guarantee of the day at Vail Pass? Well Jack & Rudy will climb the snow wall in the parking lot to get end of run treats from me in a standing position. This is their new trick this season. Silly kids :)

Nice that I can stand and hand out treats (instead of kneeling) as Jack & Rudy
prop themselves on a high snow wall.

A really beautiful morning with tons of fun action for Jack & Rudy: 9.6 miles traveled with 1200 feet of elevation climbed and a top speed of 23 MPH.

2022/2023 Season to Date: 116 days on the trails covering 1028.8 miles and 93,700 feet of elevation climbed.