I knew I just had to get out there today. Originally I’d though maybe a long walk from Strawberry Pass. But Chris suggested Plewman would be better – south facing.

So that’s what I did. And yes, the snow started pretty early but It was reasonably good snow – and it was hot (30 plus degrees) and the sun reflected off the snow and it was quiet except for birds and ground squirrels and being alone up there today was heaven.

I noticed something interesting. And truthfully, I’m sure I’ve noticed it before but not as sharply. There I was plodding up through trees and across snow and focussed on getting up. The minute I broke through the trees and into the sub-alpine – the minute the mountains loomed above and around me, I broke into this happy place – this place of bliss where time didn’t matter much and I felt this sense of joy.

Yeah – the alpine. I think I was made for it.

So I got up Mount Plewman across snow and had a lovely lunch – at least the parts where ladybugs weren’t biting me was lovely.

And then back down with some bushwhacking/scrambling near the top so as to avoid the really bad snow.

And it was simply a glorious day.