Thoughts about…

Preparing for Winter

Winter is my favorite season by far, but this hasn’t always been the case. Rather, historically I’ve loved autumn most of all. And the reason for this is because I associate it with the beginning of the school year. I know that sounds funny, especially since I haven’t attended a traditional school in years and I don’t have any kids through which to live vicariously. However, I’ve always equated school (and fall) with new beginnings.

When going to school, those new beginnings manifested in the forms of learning new information and skills and meeting new classmates. Even when reuniting with friends whom I hadn’t seen for months, the old was made new because everyone changes. And those changes in people, no matter how subtle they are, always reveal themselves after extended bouts of separation.

Upper Angora Lake on September 4, 2023. © Jared Manninen

I also appreciated how school added structure and purpose to my life because toward the end of each summer I no doubt spoke the phrase “I’m bored” one too many times. Realistically, how many pick-up games of baseball, basketball, football, or tennis can you play with the same friends over the course of an entire summer before you start to wonder if there isn’t something more to life? I say this despite the fact that I would’ve never admitted that as a child!

Lastly, having grown up in the upper Midwest with its abundant forests of deciduous trees I learned to love the changing colors, as well as the cooler temperatures associated with fall. The transitional nature of autumn weather essentially made every day feel like an adventure.

Looking toward Granite Chief Wilderness from Mount Judah on September 9, 2023. © Jared Manninen

If you weren’t aware, for a number of years now I’ve been a seasonal worker in the outdoor recreation industry at Lake Tahoe. From late November through March I work at a cross-country ski center, and from mid-May to October I work at a family-owned summer resort. So I’m out of work during the “shoulder” seasons. In other words, I don’t actually have a job during most of the spring and fall. This is because both resorts at which I work close due to the lack of business which is a direct result of the change in seasons.

In many respects, my work schedule is the opposite of most people’s. After my hectic and structured summer job ends and before the snow flies, I have a decent amount of free time. On the other hand, most people have returned to their daily and weekly routines by the time I’m wrapping up work since their kids, for example, are back in school.

Lake Tahoe on September 13, 2023. © Jared Manninen

I know it sounds great to have all that time off during the fall. And I totally agree that it is. However, the weather isn’t always on my side at that time of the year. Tahoe in October, for example, could be warm and sunny with 75 degree temperatures one day. But the next day may yield a high of only 45 with cold, soaking rains. Or, vice versa.

Back in October of 2015, I planned a two-week backpacking trip along the long since defunct Tahoe-Yosemite-Trail. Again, this is thanks to having some time off during the shoulder season. The plan was to hike from my home down to Tuolumne Meadows, with my roommate meeting me after the first week at Sonora Pass to deliver my one resupply.

As I set out, the 10-day forecast looked chilly but ultimately favorable for backpacking. I actually don’t mind hiking in cold temperatures under overcast skies. By the third night, however, it started to rain. And the rain continued for the entirety of the next day. Needless to say, I was ill-prepared for dealing with low temperatures and that much constant rain. By the end of day four I was as close to becoming hypothermic as I’ve ever been, and this was after covering nearly 18 miles of trail. No matter how hard and fast I hiked that day, I just couldn’t get comfortably warm.

Where the Upper Truckee River meets Lake Tahoe on September 14, 2023. © Jared Manninen

I decided to call off the trip upon reaching some shelter that night. Fortunately, I was at a location within a few miles of Sonora Pass. So, the following morning I quickly hiked to the road and managed to hitch a ride into Bridgeport. Later that day, my saint of a roommate drove down and picked me up.

Much to my chagrin, the weather on that fifth day was absolutely perfect. Blue skies and sunshine. But I had already made the call and was still feeling slightly broken from my previous day’s efforts. So I acknowledged that the 60 miles that I covered over those five days was adventure enough this time around.

View from Angora Ridge on September 19, 2023. © Jared Manninen

And let it be known that the structure in which I sheltered during that adventure was technically an outhouse. Also let it be known, that that was actually the second time in my life that I stayed overnight in an outhouse due to being caught in the rain while backpacking. Not exactly highlights of my life but, hey, we do what we can with what we got!

As you might imagine, I don’t schedule too many backpacking trips in October anymore. That’s not say that I wouldn’t, because I still do go on shorter camping trips during the shoulder season. However, the volatility of fall weather has ultimately created within me a sense of urgency to take care of other business before it’s too late. Just consider last winter (2022-23), here in Tahoe, where the snow arrived on November 1st and essentially didn’t stop until the following May.

Sometimes it can just be a matter of a few weeks before we’re in the thick of it.

Upper Truckee River in Washoe Meadows State Park on September 21, 2023. © Jared Manninen

As I’ve gotten older and look forward more to winter than fall, I wouldn’t say that my love of autumn has actually diminished. I now just appreciate it for slightly different reasons.

I always have a to-do list of tasks that I try to complete before winter, which kind of feels like school homework. Those are usually home winterization projects such as splitting and stacking firewood, cleaning the gutters, purging any junk that’s accumulated in the garage, and reinforcing various structures on the property.

This also means that I start increasing my physical fitness capacity again, similar to participating in school sports. I’m in decent shape year-round, but by September I’m completely exhausted from the summer. So I revisit those single leg strength and balance exercises, as well as increasing my cardio output. But this isn’t only so that I can glide into the cross-country ski season without too many hiccups. It’s also so that I’m prepared to shovel snow!

View of Lake Tahoe from Freel Peak (10,881 feet) on September 22, 2023. © Jared Manninen

Even though I’m no longer involved with school most everyone I know, regardless of whether or not they’re personally attending school or have school-aged children, still take most of their vacations during summer. And I work so much during that time anyway, both at my resort job and on personal projects, that I seldom see friends outside of my roommate and co-workers. So when autumn does roll around, I start reconnecting with my other friends and loved ones as if I were returning to school.

Not surprising, we all tend to express a shared disbelief at how quickly the time has passed since last we spoke or saw each other in person. But it stands to reason since we’re usually all scattered to the winds and on our own programs during the summer.

So this community-related aspect to fall is something I’ve always appreciated about the season. It has a special way in which it brings people together and creates a sense of unity within a community. Regardless of whether or not you’re looking forward to winter, it’s on its way. Fortunately, we’re all in this together so let’s prepare for what’s to come.

View of Desolation Wilderness on September 27, 2023. © Jared Manninen

So far, I’ve managed to keep my streak alive by cross-country skiing at least once per month for the year. I have to be honest, though, that this’ll probably be the only year that I attempt this goal. It hasn’t been that difficult, especially since there’s still so much persistent snow from last winter. However, I’m not a big fan of lugging around the ski gear.

I know I could find a more hands-free and convenient way to transport it with a backpack specifically designed for carrying skis. But it’s still just a lot of extra stuff with which to be deal. And I could be spending that energy carrying more camera equipment for birding! haha 🙂

But it has been fun xc skiing in summer and fall just for the sake of doing it!

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Thanks for being a part of my life. Until next time…

-Jared Manninen

Tahoe Trail Guide is an online resource for hiking, backpacking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the Lake Tahoe region. In addition to trail data, I offer backcountry “how-to” articles and information about the local and natural history of Tahoe. Tahoe Swag is a collection of art and design products I create based on my love of the outdoors and appreciation for Lake Tahoe and the surrounding Sierra Nevada Mountains.

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Last Month’s Newsletter (aka Recap in Video Format!)

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