Hyper-oxygenized crystals of the soul
As you may or may not know, Sweden has no real mountains. But the further up north/northwest you get, at least we have ”ranges” that are great for skiing – both downhill and cross country.
At least once a year we go to Härjedalen in Jämtlandsfjällen (the Jämtland ranges) to get a well-needed dose of snow and cold. As Stockholm has seen no snow at all this season, the dose has become even more essential to our well-being. Global warming is indeed a real thing, and it’s affecting us snowflakes in an averse way – as well as everyone else.
Cross country skiing has many benefits. The overall physical exercise is one thing, of course. But as always, whenever you’re immersed in nature, you also exercise your soul. Gliding past birch forests and little islands of black shrub, encapsulated by thick, fresh snow that literally sparkles like a gazillion diamonds in the sunshine, makes you feel not only physically invigorated but also recharged spiritually. Perhaps it simply has to do with the fact that you’re working hard in nature? A kind of hyper-oxygenized atavism?
If you’re only walking or hiking, you’re going at your own pace, and that is certainly beautiful enough. But when you’re pushing on and traveling through the snow and the sweat on your brow is always very close to turning into ice, it creates a healthy proximity to something that us urban intellectuals would be tempted to call ”proto-natural” but that in actual fact is merely ”natural.” It is still what it once was, and perhaps even more so these days as we – as a contemporary ”culture” of sorts – are obviously losing touch with nature as such.
The snow itself can be blinding in many ways. But it’s also eye-opening at the same time. The similarities with deserts are obvious. The vast monotony is overwhelming and humbling. If you really get into a skiing rhythm, the combined visual and physical monotony can engender what ”desert philosophers” (like Paul Bowles) would call the ”baptism of solitude.” Even though you can occasionally meet others and share a second or two of kindred spirit recognition, you’re in a hypnotic, meditative state of mind that is as encapsulated by snow as everything and everyone else. And you’re definitely alone when realizing it.
You can stop and admire the splendid scenery, or even stop with a skiing partner and have a cup of steaming hot coffee from your thermos. But then you simply have to keep moving again. Not only to avoid getting cold in your sweaty clothes but also because your aching muscles demand to be used even more.
Just like in life in general, there is always more to see around the bend. Our amazing bodies pushing onwards in the exploration of nature liberate our over-thinking intellects by swiftly shutting them down. The intellects can be welcomed back when we’re snugly sat in cozy chairs by the cottage fireplace and we think some more about aspects of skiing and nature, and slowly realize that we want to get out there in the tracks and exhaust ourselves again.
LOVE V & C
