Despite the bad weather of this winter, I have tried to hike as often as possible, and I shall say my regular ascension to the top of the closest mountain has always been an experience: although I know the path almost by heart, the trail is each time so different that I am always excited to discover the next hike.
So it was no wonder that I had another nice feeling following the snow fall of this week. I had no time to climb during the week, and so the snow was two or three days old when I put the spikes in my backpack yesterday. As I arrived at the entrance of the trail I could see the footprints of one person and its dog. I entered the trail, and was surprised to have difficulties walking. A fine layer of ice was covering the 10 cm of snow and each of my steps asked me to pull my feet higher than usual. When stepping forward, my foot had to crush the ice and fall down on the bottom, the snow entering slowly in my shoes. My only rescue was to strictly follow the footprints.
After a few hundred meters I entered the forest towards the mountain. My neighbor and its dog had turned right at that point back to the village. As I would be entering a white virgin path, I decided to put the spikes. Luckily the ice on top of the snow became a bit softer, and it was like walking on a cupcake: I was crunching this thin layer of soft but strong ice to land in a sweet, smooth and floppy blanket.
The entrance of the trail 
Entering the forest 
On my way back 
Guardians, my dear guardians
The next part was tricky: not many people had passed and a third layer at the bottom was very icy and slippery, especially on the “stairs”. But the view was again worth the challenge!
The icy crust – walking on a cupcake 
Icy stairs 
Today I went back hiking. The top icy layer was stronger and I could half of the time stay on top of the snow… the other half of my steps consisted of a hard bump as the ice finally cracked under my weight – and I surely have spent twice as many calories for the same walk!! But we had a storm advisory for the afternoon, so I wished to enjoy the nice morning as long as I could be safe, as my next workout may well be inside!
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