After several days of tantalizing warm weather, snow is falling again in Montreat. In addition to being officially spring now, I have heard many people tell me how fed up they are with winter. Todays snow storm is not what they wanted. This winter was particularly cold and snowy, driving everyone indoors and nigh unto cabin fever. With schools and businesses closed for days or weeks at a time, it is easy to understand people's frustration. However, this winter has not been without its blessings. In addition to the asthetic value of snow-frosted ridgelines, crystaline seeps, and frozen waterfalls, there have also been some long term benefits to the Montreat valley.
Many of the past summers have been unusually dry in Montreat. The large quantities of snow mean that as it melts this spring, the water table will rise. Not only will this help our streams and Lake Susan, this is a good recipe for brilliant blooms of wildflowers and blossoms this spring. The other benefit is to our hemlock population. As many of you know, the hemlocks in this region have been afflicted with the hemlock wooly adelgid. The weeks of frigid temperatures we suffered at the beginning of the year will help slow the spread of this parasite. While winter did not totally rid us of this problem, it certainly helped. So as the snow continues to fall a mere two weeks before Easter, try and be patient with it and realize that spring will be here soon enough.
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Jason Nanz comes to Montreat from Roanoke, VA. He is a 2006 graduate of Roanoke College, an Eagle Scout, long-time Montreat Ranger and a highly experienced outdoorsman. Jason runs Montreat's Wilderness School and can be reached at montreatwilderness@gmail.com 
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