Powder Skiing for Breakfast

Scott Rowley Skiing the Bachelor Cinder Cone

Powder skiing for breakfast……. What the heck is that you may ask?

I did not literally have powder snow for breakfast, but while most people in America were sitting at the breakfast table I was busy hiking up the Cinder Cone at Mt Bachelor with my skis.

My co workers / friends Garrett, Ernie and Rex joined me for a little sunrise powder skiing today. We woke up at 530am, drove the 30 whopping minutes up the ski resort and hiked to the powder stashes before the lifts were open.

Sure. I was really tired and had to push through the challenging voices in my head telling me to sleep in. Well my bed will be here when I get home after work tonight. I told myself! I made my breakfast smoothie, packed up my rig and drove into the darkness.

When we arrived at the resort the sun had still not peaked over the horizon, but we could see a clear silhouette of the mountains in the backdrop. The sunrise is going to be beautiful this morning. Rex said!

We enjoyed a smooth 45 minute skin to the top of the Cinder Cone. During the hike I was reminded of why I woke up so early. I LOVE THE MOUNTAINS!

The mountains are peaceful, crisp and bring a sense of serenity to my life that I find no where else in this vast world. It is really amazing to get the opportunity to experience a sunrise with the kind of view we get in the Central Oregon Cascades. Nothing short from marvelous. I really did get an overwhelming sense of gratitude today upon realizing how amazing this places is.

As we hiked higher the sun began to peak out over the city of Bend, OR and the Sisters Wilderness was painted in a pink sunrise glow that words cannot describe (see photo below). My mind began to drift into envisioning the smooth blower powder turns the next hour would bring to my life.

After taking in the cold, crisp early moments of the day we collected our gear and prepared for an awesome decent. The moments that followed were filled with hoots, hollers, smiles and some of the best powder turns I have ever had before 730 in the morning. We even took a few photos of powder skiing during this sunrise.

We hiked the Cone two more times this morning and each one got better. The sun continued to rise and so did our spirits. Each turn I felt like my mind was nowhere except present, which is really where it should be during all moments of life.

There was really no best run today. They were all amazing and we had created the perfect atmosphere for a great time. Friends, cold blower powder and one beautiful sunrise.

We shared some words of positivity and laughter during a regroup at the parking lot, hopped into the car and made it to the office by 900am. Just in time for Pancake Tuesday at G5. :)

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