Blessed with perfect weather, we hiked the Jewell Trail up and back to ski Airplane Gully today. Matt & I left Marshfield Station a little before 9AM, about the same time as 6 other skiers and riders. The summit temperature was 46F at 6AM, and rose to the mid 50s by mid day under sunny skies. <BR> <BR>We ate lunch, changed into our ski and snowboard gear, and were ready to start down for first tracks before Noon. Our first run set off a small wet slide of 2"-3" slush near the top, so we skied to the side and let it run by. There was a little running water about 300' down, where the slush piled up on some rocks. <BR> <BR>Today we were able to ski 1130' vertical, nearly down to Spaulding Lake. I hope it holds up another week! <BR> <BR>Looks like the snow may not hold up until next weekend's Auto Road opening. There were a couple rocks poking through at one spot about 300' donwn, and it was a little narrow. This could choke off the gully, if we lose another foot of snow this coming week. <BR> <BR>After our first run, we were joined by a crew from the summit, including Mike, Kat & Bill, & Peter. It was great to see you guys! <BR> <BR>Pictures coming Monday, when I hook up with Matt again at work.
Airplane Gully, 5/01/04
- Thread starter Lftgly
- Start date
Frankontour
New member
Thanks for the report, I'm quite eager to see these pics !! <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/clipart/happy.gif" ALT="
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"><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3885.jpg" ALT="Jewell Trail"> <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3886.jpg" ALT="Gulfside - Jewell Tr Junction"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3887.jpg" ALT="Airplane Gully - Jon"> <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3888.jpg" ALT="Airplane Gully - Jon2"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3889.jpg" ALT="Airplane Gully - letting the wet slide go by"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3890.jpg" ALT="Airplane Gully - Matt"> <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3891.jpg" ALT="Airplane Gully - Spaulding Lake below"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3892.jpg" ALT="Airplane Gully - 1130' vert - looking back up!"> <BR> <BR><IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3893.jpg" ALT="time for libations..."> <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/messages/8/3894.jpg" ALT="what a day!">
Castlerock
New member
Nice... <BR>Lftgly, did you get a look at Pipeline?
Frankontour
New member
Thanks Lftgly ! <BR> <BR>It looks quite less snowy than last year, but still enough to make some great turns. <BR> <BR>We're going to head north for this weekend (Édouard, Grand-Fonds, Massif du Sud, Massif and stuff like that in view), but for the next weekend, a shot there could be interesting <IMG SRC="http://www.firsttracksonline.com/discus2/clipart/happy.gif" ALT=""> <BR> <BR>(hopefully it will still be possible to ski most of the trail)
"> <BR> <BR>(hopefully it will still be possible to ski most of the trail)
<BLOCKQUOTE><HR SIZE=0><!-Quote-!><FONT SIZE=1><B>Quote:</B></FONT><P>Hmmmm...the Auto Road opens next weekend? Anybody in the mood for some car-assisted Airplane Gully turns?<!-/Quote-!><HR SIZE=0></BLOCKQUOTE> <BR>What, nobody? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller? <BR> <BR>Pipeline would be cool, too, if it's still skiable. Lftgly, I second Castlerock's question: what did Pipeline look like?
I don't want to start a traffic jam, but I'm tentatively planning to drive up with someone, Marc. <BR> <BR>Re: Pipeline, I gave up above the ice fall 4/18. Matt got a photo of the ice fall 5/01 from below, I'll try to post it later. We could not see much of Pipeline from Airplane, so I don't know for sure, but on 4/18 there was one break forming near the top, and another halfway down or more. I've got a feeling it's pretty much done for the season, except for the top couple hundred feet.
Patrick
Well-known member
Marc, <BR>Don't tell me this Marc. <BR> <BR>I would love to go so much, however my body still needs to mend (although my car back last Thursday). <BR>I was at Ste.Anne on Saturday (instead of Sunday River/Tucks combo), let's say that it was great to be back on skis, but I don't think many people would enjoy skiing with aches, pains and the massive headache I had in the morning. My chiropractor which gave me a green light for Ste.Anne knowns me well enough regarding my tolerance to discomfort.