Should Have Brought Cleats

"Sit, wait, stayyyy......"

Beau waited and watched as I stepped backwards and downstream on what seemed like a manageable slope. I was working to widen a viewfinder composition that would soon include my patient pup and the thawing creek. He continued waiting and watching as I slipped on leaf-covered ice and began my slide upside down on a slope that funnels toward a waiting soup of snow, rocks, mud, ice and open spring water.

In hindsight, I had a lot to be grateful for this fine day. First on the list was Beau’s excellent “Sit / Wait ....” He didn’t budge.

Next, I was delighted that my camera hadn't taken much of a toll aside from a small bounce or two. My eyeglasses frame didn’t fair quite as well. They needed aligning anyway.

And, I suppose somewhat important: my body was thankful to my head for providing bumper service as it caught the trunk of a large cottonwood thereby halting my slide any further into the abyss. My body and head will bicker about civil liabilities in the near future. Neither will win that squabble since its comparable damage. Judge Advil will mediate and all will soon be happy.

Falls Creek, appropriately named given my loose footwork on its trail, is a favorite stream that I’ve shared with Layla and Sandi. Located along Turnagain Arm, it's a moderate hike and mostly vertical. It’s a shame I didn’t bring the Kahtoola micro spikes along. Forgetfulness and slips cut today’s small adventure short. We’ll do more next time, Beau. I'll bring cleats. Though, a helmet might not be a bad idea, either.

Fresh air.