Teton Pass: Down But Not Out

On both Monday and Tuesday, I chickened out on driving in the snow. We have moved to an area of the country that prides itself in the shear volume of snowfall that occurs every year, and guess what? My driving skills do not apply.

Everyone at work balked at my fear.

First question: didn't you drive in snow in Minnesota? Well, I would like to say that "Yes, of course I have driven in snow in Minnesota! Who hasn't driven in snow in Minnesota? I mean, if you've been to Minnesota, you have driven in snow - even in the summer!" Unfortunately, the truth isn't all that easy. I lived in Minnesota for a total of three years. Every winter during that time, I was subjected to my husband lamenting the lack of snowfall. It's true. Snowmobile folk had to travel to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan just to get time in on their toys. Most of what I was subjected to on the inclement weather front in Minnesota were extreme temperatures. The wind doth blow with ferocity in Minnesota. The result? It's too freakin' cold to snow.

And okay, maybe it did snow there when I lived there. I seem to remember a faint flickering of snow somewhere in those three years. But the DOT in Minnesota uses salt liberally. I mean, they start salting at the first flake. The DOT crews would work all night to ensure that the roads were passable. In addition to that, none of the roads I drove on had a 10% grade or were all that twisty turny.

The difference here: in addition to many of the "danger" signs that are posted, the motorist must bear the burden of the steep mountain pass grade. The "snow removal" effort consists of very large snow plows laying gravel for traction as they plow and plow and plow... until 9PM at night, when they cease all efforts. They don't pick it up again until 5AM the next day... safety permitting, I am sure.

And speaking of safety permitting, I awoke on Monday to see snow falling from above and being blown from below. It was a visibility issue that I wasn't quite certain I could contend with behind the wheel. In addition to that, it had been snowing all weekend. Between the blowing of the haughty Western wind, which tends to create ice on the road a great deal faster than if it weren't blowing, and the snow accumulation factor, I lost my nerve.

I knew that I would be mocked out the door when I finally did make it to work. This place is rife with skiiers. And I don't mean "downhill skiiers" - which is true as well. What I am referring to is that contingency of athletes that feel it necessary to ski "backcountry". This involves the not so simple chore of actually climbing the hill and then skiing down it. No chairlifts for these hardy folk! Oh, I was definitely going to be a target when I finally showed my face at the office: the mamby pamby girl from Minnesota can't drive in the snow! HAAAAAAA!

On Tuesday, I drove toward the pass. I never even got to the crest of the commute, some 8,000 feet up. I turned around and went to our office in Driggs - only a one mile commute from my house. I checked in, and then went promptly to the local tire dealer for snow tires. Additionally, I made the call to our Jackson office and was relieved to find that spineless or not, someone was willing to ride share with me from Idaho to Wyoming.

I am encouraged. My ride share buddy has been here for almost nine years... and she is originally from Minnesota.

There is hope for me yet. With the right wheels, a certain amount of patience and yes, the inclusion of a spine, I may just get used to this place.

With five months of winter, I had better!