Читать книгу Shaped by Snow. Defending the Future of Winter онлайн

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To the east of these waves are gray-and-white-striped cliff bands of limestone and marble, which contrast the neighboring creams and dusty reds of Superior. The feature is a popular climbing destination called Hellgate. The first avalanche I saw as a child was one that careened over those cliffs.

I was once hiking with a friend along a trail at Snowbird, directly across the canyon from Mount Superior. Looking at Superior’s auburn-streaked face, he remarked that the mountain was much more beautiful during the winter. For reasons unclear to me in that moment, I was offended by his comment. I couldn’t comprehend how he could compare the two. I grew up as close to the mountains during the summer as I did during the winter, and for me to choose between them would be like a mother trying to pick a favorite child.

I once asked Baqui if he had a favorite season. He responded: “Yes. It’s called the four seasons.”

Superior is a popular peak to summit during all seasons. In the winter, skiers and boarders will skin up it to ski down, making it some of the most sought-after backcountry terrain up Little Cottonwood Canyon. During the summer, many hike to its peak along a more gradual ridgeline, or scramble up the south ridge. The south ridge is exposed and a bit treacherous. A rope and climbing gear aren’t necessary to climb it, but a level of athleticism and sure-footedness is. When my parents climbed it, my mother asked my father to rope her up during a certain section, just in case she were to lose her footing. He attached the rope to her and she climbed the section confidently, only to realize he hadn’t actually been holding onto the other side, letting the rope drag behind her. My mother said that the summit of Superior was gorgeous, but made even more beautiful by the thrill and exposure of the scramble. She said they were hiking the edge of fear and excitement.