Richmond Peak Pass

In Whitefish the guys at the bike shop predicted there would be snow on Richmond peak ; so as I got closer I prepared myself. Let me tell you...I had no idea... I was a babe in the woods. When i got near the pass the cue sheet said turn left and follow single track around Richmond peak ....so I turned left. The single track was in the thick of bear country so I turned up the volume and frequency of my voice. The trail began to close in and get snowy, I began to get nervous and ....more nervous. I worked my way around the mountain side talking loudly and pushing in knee deep slushy snow and getting ... Nervous. As I made the turn around the mountain I entered a huge, vast, expansive valley full of .... snow, lots of snow. And lots of trees hiding bears-with-cubs and mountain lions. I started talking like there were two people (I thought that was a pretty good strategy)
"hey jack"
"what?"
"get the chain saw"
"why?"
Then later ....
"hey jack"
"what?"
"get the shot gun"
.... That one made me feel a bit better. I must admit I DO NOT like being part of the food chain.
My head was down, it was hard going and then ....I noticed I was off trail. I was walking in the mountains, alone, off trail and did not know where I was. You guys had more of a clue than I. I looked into the vast wilderness in front of me and the endless valley leading in both directions away from me and my conversation slipped into this.
"Oh Tracy you have done it this time".
Then I mimicked myself (hand on cocked hip, mousy voice)
" I want to find my limits".
Then I asked myself
"have you found them? Huh? You are in the thick of grizzly country in a vast valley and you are lost!"
"Have you found your limits?"
I yelled ....
"I do not like this!"
All at the top of my voice. With great ,let me tell you, GREAT relief I found my trail. I went back to the jack-get-the-chain-saw-or-gun conversation. When I finally got out of the snow I celebrated with wine and cheese (Gatorade and three day old cheese sticks). I was elated.