Editor’s note: it is the month of December and for many bloggers it is the season of “Blogmas”. It is a marathon of posting every day for the month of December, often with a holiday theme. For some crazy reason I have dived into this as motivation to clear out some drafts and repost some posts from the last 6 years with a refresh. And maybe a few new stories! I am looking forward to more adventures this upcoming year where I can be absorbed into the welcome sound of snow. Do you know the science behind why fresh snow absorbs sound and lowers the ambient noise over a landscape? The trapped air between the snowflakes attenuates vibration!
I remember the first time I heard the sound of snow.
I had ventured out on a winter hike by myself, leaving my car at the beginning of forest road in the Central Cascade Mountains when the snow on the ground made it impassable. Strapping on snowshoes to my sturdy boots and donning warm layers of clothing and a backpack, I set out towards a small alpine lake that I knew was a few miles away.
I slowly made my way along on the drifts of snow that had fallen the past week as they became deeper and deeper. Swoosh, swoosh went my footsteps in the undisturbed powder, no evidence of others having made this trek before me.
The world had been transformed to a long ago black and white movie, leaving only dark outlines of the tall pine trees cloaked white alongside the road to mark my way. The skies were a muted grey that surely foreshadowed more snow would fall sometime during my journey.
Somewhere along the way, snowflakes flakes began to fall around me. Standing alone in the middle of the forest, I truly heard nothing but the sound of my own breath. And the longer I stood there, even that began to fade away. It was so quiet it might have been possible to hear my ice tinged eyelashes move as I blinked. I studied the snow as it hit the ground and thought I detected a soft patter that I knew must be only my imagination.
Sticking a mittened hand out in front of me, I could see the intricate flakes stick to its fibers before silently melting away along with all of my cares and worries. There was nothing but me and the snow in a tranquil state of being like nothing I had perceived before.
Sure, I had plenty of snow to play in as a child. But in town, snow fell among cars and people and all sorts of congestion and chaos. It dimmed the busyness of the world but did not drown it out completely. There were too many distractions. And if I went out on an adventure like sledding with my family, you know that at least one of my 5 brother and sisters made silence non-existent.
Out in the wilderness by myself, I was able to hear nothing but the sound of the delicate flurries as they fell down from the heavens above. My ears felt heavy with their futile attempt to detect any sound they were sure had to be there. The air was suspended and thick, engulfing me gently in its embrace. Time in the forest itself seemed to be as frozen as my nose was, not a bird chirped or squirrel rustled.
As if under the folds of a weighted blanket, Mother Nature had slowed to a stop.
It was intoxicating and despite the chill, I did not want to return home. I knew I would be in search of this sound and feeling again and again. That is why I long for winter despite its cold and darkness that often bring depression and lethargy. I know that somewhere out there I can find peace and calm for my soul that comes with experiencing the unique sound of snow.
As we delve deeper into the upcoming winter months, I plan to go in search for the sound of snow and its accompanying symphony for the senses. Not to runaway from everything going on in the world right now but as a way to cleanse my spirit in order to push through everything and reach the other side.
And whether it is the sound of snow or another sensation unique to the winter months, from the blinking of holiday lights to the smell of favorite foods wafting from the oven, I wish the same for you.
These are a few of my other holiday posts:
Paleo Holiday Baking: A Few of My Favorite Things
Dear Santa, I’ve Been Really Good This Year (My Wish-list For The Pacific Crest Trail)
Oh, Christmas Tree, Oh, Christmas Tree (Or Why The Holidays Are Sometimes Crap)
Thinking of getting out snowshoeing for your first time? These are a few posts I’ve written up on what I’ve learned so far…
11 Things I Have Learned About Snowshoeing
7 More Things I Need To Tell You About Snowshoeing
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