Ski Season Lingers

It is nearly mid March and snow continues to pile up in our nearby mountains. Our ski season is scheduled to end on April 9, but I suppose there is a possibility of Schweitzer extending the season if the snowpack perseveres. I only have 9 days of alpine skiing under my belt, but will likely devote more time to that activity before season's end. I do have 30 days of classic Nordic skiing so far, which plagues my arthritic left shoulder. The alpine skiing is less painful.

There is still some ice around the lake shoreline and the lake level remains at its winter level (about 10' below the summer level). Kayaking remains unappealing in those conditions. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Typically I start my kayak season in April, but occasionally in March (albeit unlikely this year). The snowpack in Montana's Bitterroot Mountains is slightly below normal. If that remains true, local flooding of Lake Pend Oreille will be minimal since the Clark Fork River is the main contributor to the lake. The Pack River flow from the local mountains may be somewhat higher than usual.

Looking forward toward kayak season, I have several tasks:

• assess the status of my left shoulder, a potential season-killer
• sell one of our 4 kayaks
• maintain kayak fleet and other gear
  
• reestablish my roll (too old now?)
• continue to organize the Cortes Island trip (mid September)