Not being a matinal person, early mornings are a challenge for me—but often they are necessary.  There are fresh tracks to be had, pre-dawn starts for long days of hiking and climbing, alpenglow vistas to be captured, and when at home, bait to be bought and fish to be caught so that Pops can be back at the dock by noon.

Everyone has their AM rituals, and I’ve come to enjoy my personal routine that gets me up and out there in under 30 minutes while it’s still cold, dark and silent outside.

•    First alarm goes off 10 minutes before I absolutely have to roll out of bed, so I can hit snooze at least twice.
•    Savor last minute of being warm and comfy under my toasty blankets
•    Roll out, heavy socks on, toss on Smartwool and Capeleine base layers
•    Bathroom to brush the teeth and splash cold water on my face, lotion and sunscreen
•    Meander down to the kitchen for my most favorite meal of the day: breakfast
•    Put together a hearty meal—either heat up some oatmeal w/ fruit and nuts, scramble up some eggs and sausage or nosh on a PSB w/ pb and nutella
•    Get my stovetop Moka Express (easy, fast, and delish) cranking.  Down a couple espresso in the kitchen and toss the rest into my handy dandy Sigg thermos with some Lake Champlain Aztec Hot Cocoa (yummiest ever!) and stow in bag for a late morning pick-me-up.
•    Out the door—Bonjour Tetons!

What gets you going?