Finale ‘20/‘21
As chief of trails, I spent many years working on trails alone. I dealt with a spring-pole to the teeth, an Alpine rolling over on top of me on the Alder Ck bridge, a burnt brain box at the headwaters of Boomer Ck (and a long ski out), uncountable Alpine and Gator ‘refusals’ and wind/snow falls that caught me without a chainsaw that had to be cut with a hand saw and a camper’s axe. But there were many other people, now that I think of them, that were out there with me on and off. Carol of course and Mark (RIP) and Margie. Then there was Karl B (who’s also, sadly gone) and his brother Tim who set up and re-set Alpines and then taught me how to make them dance. Kenny, David, Max, Fitz, Jack, Randall, Harold and Ross, Rudy, Gary Rambo; they all reluctantly followed me on Alpines, learning that an Alpine is never ridden, it has to be ‘flown’. Since that time, there’s Red Rod (who will never say no, unless an Alpine is involved), Luann, Ciera, Clint, Jonathon and Steve. Everyone of them accompanied us and did whatever had to be done.
And then there was ‘Becky, who called me a couple of years ago and told me there was a big tree down on the main promenade west of the trailhead. Somehow we got to talking and the ‘Historic Montreal Ski Trail’ facebook page got going, along with the ‘Hygge Hike’ and, well... the rest is history. I was floored by the amount of energy she brought to the whole concept of a little public ski trail on the south side of the City of Montreal. But she’s a mother of two growing young men and I realized I’d consistently pushed her to her volunteer limits each season and had to control myself.
We were ready to continue grooming and track-setting this year, much like the last years; maybe a little more because we realized our trails just may be a place for people to get out and away from traffic, noise and breath some fresh air during this year of pandemic. We even got some much needed extra funding from anonymous donors and the Gogebic Range Health Foundation to do just that. And then Karl returned to the North.
In my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d have a worker around who was wired about our little local trails like I am. There’s that argument about ‘nature and nurture’; I don’t know what’s the cause of Karl’s energy; but he showed up around Thanksgiving and hit the ground running. Now I never forced my passions on our two children; I tried to act as an example rather than a threat; but they’d see me come home after a day out on the trail (if my beard was a mass of ice, I’d make a point of trying to smooch everyone in our family... and miserably failed) and somehow the both of them have become fine examples of not asking what their community can do for them; but what they can do for their community. Well, we were out cutting brush before any serious snow came and he said, “Dad, the Rangers need a webpage”. I made some old-man comment about the Rangers needing a lot of things, especially 12 inches of snow. Four days later Karl launched the webpage we’re all enjoying. He gently suggested I write a ‘Trail Journal’ on any topic I chose (he, and his mother would reserve the right to edit... and there have been parts of Trail Journals that have been deemed a little too ‘out there’, even for them). He always has a camera with him and he started to take pics of the boring old process of setting up a trail and tracking it. Friends of his came up who are professional designers and photographers (with their own equipment) and added to the visuals for the site.
But it goes even deeper than that. You see, I’m tired. Once I reached 60-something, I started losing those organic chemicals that make you want to go out, kick ass and take names. But put a 30-something next to you on the trail and it’s: “you said it yourself, if we go around again, it’ll be perfect”, or “What will it take? Another half hour and we’ll have the Grade double tracked”. I could never come up with an excuse not to spend another loop around. The trails we skied this season were an example of that extra infusion of energy that the young people like ‘Becky and Karl have brought to the Rangers.
And that’s just this year’s history. There are many things on the bench that we’ve been talking about in the Gator, at night over a wonderful meal or on texts. We might see a book. Trail signing will enter a new quantum phase. People will be able to silent auction some interesting trail related items at the Hygge Hike next year. There are things like a token for those who ski all of Montreal or Uller; a type of ‘merit badge’ for other ski accomplishments on Montreal and Uller. Air B&B’s will be able to advertise their places on the webpage, and that has nothing to do with the dirt that will be moved, the trailhead portals we have planned, and the two bridges we’ll build this fall.
I don’t know how to end this. I can’t find another example of how this year went beyond any dreams I’ve ever had. Well, I can but then this would start rambling and the editors will get their snippers out. I’m always glad to quit worrying about the temperature and storms and how the snow is changing; but I’m also a little sad this year has come to an end. What a ride! What energy I saw! What skiing was had! Ski Freely with us again next year! There will be some new surprises! Z
