Ernie

[randoskier]

"I remember all kinds of snow that the wind could make and their different treacheries when you were on skis. Then there were blizzards when you were in the high Alpine hut and the strange world that they would make where we had to make our route as carefully as though we had never seen the country. We had not, either, as it all was new. Finally towards spring there was the great glacier run, smooth and straight, forever straight if our legs could hold it, our ankles locked, we running so low, leaning into speed, dropping forever and forever in the silent hiss of the crisp powder. It was better than any flying or anything else, and we built the ability to do it and to have it with the long climbs carrying the heavy rucksacks. We could not buy the trip up nor take the ticket to the top. It was the end we worked for all winter, and all the winter built to make it possible." -Ernest Hemingway, Schruns, Austria, 1925

[martin2007]

Randoskier, thank you for posting this. The piece still turns me on. I came across it at least 40 years ago during my youth during a time when Hemingway's books fascinated me. I still read him (and about him) from time to time. I'm grateful that you decided to celebrate the mountains and the writer here at Telemark Talk. It feels to me like a perfect fit.

[fisheater]

Please enlighten me. I’ve read some Hemingway. I’ve not read that. I’m liking him more all the time, live bait for trout, and hiking and skiing. Having big fish take the boat for a sleigh ride, bonus!

[martin2007]

It's from his book about his years in Paris: "A Movable Feast". Reminiscences of the years when he was in his prime. Takes lots of liberties with the truth, and that's maybe what makes it a good read.

[fisheater]

It's from his book about his years in Paris: "A Movable Feast". Reminiscences of the years when he was in his prime. Takes lots of liberties with the truth, and that's maybe what makes it a good read.

Liberties with the truth??? Being a fisherman I know my friends and myself would find it to take liberties with the truth! Well, if I have to be 100% truthful, there may be occasional exaggeration! Only for the art of telling a good story!

Thank you, Martin