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Everyone needs moments of clarity
- By Michelle Ramirez
- Trail Staff Writer
- I awoke with panic as my phone rang loudly on my dorm room desk. I knew the moment I heard the high-pitched ringer that I was late — I was supposed to be there by now.
It was my friend’s call that startled me into consciousness. She and her boyfriend were waiting for me in Belfry, Mont., obviously wondering where I was. I was supposed to meet them at a small café around 7:15 a.m. to carpool up to Red Lodge Mountain, but failed to hear my alarm.
Luckily, I had already put all my gear together the night before, allowing me to skip out of town in a relatively timely manner. As soon as I arrived, I quickly laced up my boots and my coat and was on my way. The panic I endured as I raced up the windy, mountain road disappeared at the sight of my friends — bright-eyed and waiting.
I carried my freshly-waxed board up to the lodge to purchase a ticket, $30 that I could have spent on food or gas for a day in heaven.
The sound of my boots crunching in the snow beneath my feet brought back warm memories of some of my first times ever seeing a ski run. It reminded me of everything I love about the mountains — the cool, crisp air, the late afternoon snowfalls and watching the groomers make their way up the runs after all have gone home.
For some reason, flying down a mountain, strapped to a board that could easily break your knees if you landed in just the right position, causes you to shed all inhibitions and burdens. The crisp air that stings your face as you rush by trees and other skiers cleanses and purifies. There are no troubles as you fly down the mountain, carving your own signature into the snow with your board as you turn and dodge obstacles.
I need some moments of clarity and I got them for a few glorious hours. I needed that rush, that feeling of being alive and also being humbled when I get too confident.
Few things in this world can make someone forget all of their worldy troubles and snowboarding happens to be one of mine. When I am flying down a mountainside, I am truly free.
- Trail Staff Writer