Ejected from sleep by the klaxon alarm I tumble out of bed fumble with layers of clothes slumping against the counter willing the coffee to brew faster Clamber out the door We ride in silence into the approaching dawn nursing steaming mugs driving a little faster to make the milk run The chalet is bright and full of noise we stuff feet into plastic boots file outside Stand in the biting cold our breath clinging to red coats impatiently kicking at the snow waiting for the lift to turn Rising with the sun as it reaches out to touch the walls of the notch and Mansfield’s nose beyond First tracks a moment of silence before the mountain opens