A meteorological aside

Although I'm sure you'd love to hear more about monkeys, some days are really more about coping with the elements than about chasing fuzzy primates around the hills.

Rather than delving into the antics of the green group, I'd like to explain to you all the complex evolution of my feelings towards snow.

It has its positives and its negatives. And because I'm tired, it's list time.

Pros of snow:

• Tracking -  it's far easier to know where a group is when you see a little trail of footprints leading from the sleeping trees
• Mobility - rather than stumbling around rocks buried in 3 feet of snow, you can just walk over them! Sort of. Mis-steps lead to some pretty major ankle-twisting-attempts
• Overheating effectively negated - hiking around all day getting you hot-headed? No worries. Stop moving for about 4 seconds and you're back to frigid temperatures!

Cons of snow:

• Tracking - it's far harder to find a group of monkeys when you knew where they were, but the snow has covered up their tracks. Also, following monkey tracks is deceptively difficult. Their tiny bodies don't break the surface layer. Our clunky meat-suits unfortunately do.
• Mobility - did I mention the hidden logs, ravines, creeks, and caves that eagerly await your legs? It's basically an arctic version of the Sarlac.
• Heat effectively negated - now, I have fond memories of playing in the snow in Ontario growing up. What I failed to remember was the length of the play sessions. Sure, 2 hours is no problem. After 4 you can't feel your toes. After 6, hand coordination is a distant memory. After 11, you aren't even sure if your body works any more.

Now, I should mention that today was the first day of sun after a long period of snow up in the park. In the deep patches, I'd say there are about 3-4 feet of snow. You might think the sun is an amazing blessing after all of this time, and it is! But...

Pros of sun:

• Holy cow my everything doesn't hurt
• What is this? Warmth? AMAZING.
• I feel alive for once

Cons of sun:

• Slush - as if 3 feet of snow isn't bad enough, when you add in 14 degree weather and sun (what happened today), movement is almost impossible. Yes, you will not freeze to death, but every step feels like a stair-climber made of molasses and fire. 
• Heat - no, drudging through half-melted snow-slush up to your thighs is not a chilly prospect. It's friggen hot, and incredibly exhausting.
• It tries to kill you - snow + sun = sun everywhere. This deserves explanation.
• Visibility nulled, which equals increased likelihood of falling into said ditches, etc. Also makes it incredibly difficult to watch monkeys who like to sit in the sun
• Reflecting UV rays EVERYWHERE - have you ever had a sunburn on your eyelids? Let me just say that it is not pleasant.
• Fiery ball of death. I mean, just look at it: 

In conclusion, until the snow is gone, I'm going to be a bit of an unhappy camper. Although I'll never forget how much snow has done for me...like the treacherous friend who does things for you to barter forgiveness.