Eagles in the Snow

Have you visited the storehouses of the snow, or seen the storehouses of hail? Job 38:22 NLT

Have you ever wondered why there is more snow at higher elevations than lower? Usually the main reason for this is temperature variations. The higher you go, the colder it is, at least if all other variables are equal. Folks who study the weather tell us that for about every 1000 foot gain in elevation (approx. 300 meters), the air temperature drops about 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Sometimes a new snowline is very distinct in the mountains; sometimes it’s a little fragmented, such as in the above picture.

The firs and pines usually range between 100 –150 feet tall in areas where I hike. So when I am looking across at a mountain which I am thinking about hiking over, I can make a rough estimate as to how much elevation I’m going to have to gain to get there. I simply count the number of trees, base to top, that it takes to reach the top of the mountain. If I’m in mostly mature, tall timber, then about 6 –7 trees (standing end to end in my mind) would make about 1000 feet gain in elevation (150 ft. x 7 = 1,050 ft.). If I’m in smaller timber, I estimate that about 9 –10 tree lengths will make up a 1000 foot gain.

This is a rough estimate, but it has helped me immensely when I am trying to determine if I have enough time to go over the next ridge or not before it gets darks or I need to get back to my truck. Depending on the steepness of the slope, it gives me a general idea of how long it will take me to ascend a mountain.

In the picture above, you’ll notice there are two bald eagles sitting on a dead tree right about where the new snowline is starting to form. The big birds are watching a river below, no doubt hoping for a fish dinner.

I’ve often thought it would be a lot easier for me to get up and over these mountains if I could simply soar above the treetops like one of these eagles.

How cool would that be?

Someday.