Mark Renson
New member
I had 1 floating holiday to burn off and the weather wouldn't cooperate for weeks until I ran outta' time last Friday. After a rough workout on Thursday night w/ my trainer, I struggled to crawl outta' the sack early Friday morning. But, my rule is to live your days off to the fullest and I my spirits brightened a little as I observed more snow than I expected once past Bethel on I-89, including snowy views of the Mansfield massif, the Wstah' Range and 'da Rump.
By 9:15:007, I was shuffling outta' the Base Area. I became very happy up on Bunny - the day was bright and crisp, the coverage was more generous than anticipated and I was just happy to be out there. At the top in the Stark's Nest, I was surprised at how chilly it was inside - thermometer read only 15F !! With some moleskin, I repaired 2 nasty blisters and I was ready to go. Coverage on Cat Bowl was very good and snow was crusty and chunky, but became enjoyable as I worked at it. Breaking out the Miras was a good idea and my new BD Revalation pack fit me very well (better than my dying 9 y/o Lowe Contour 50). On the way down, ran into Craig from 'da Barn and then fellow patroller Steve - it's nice how many ya' run into on these pre-season MRG tours!
I skinned up Fox and had to stop to wiggle my toes - it was cold and me' toes wuz' getting numb. Hey, what happened to this lame-o Winter? Had a great run down Quacky, where my crust 'n chunks skiing really clicked down to Broadway. Up to the Double again and descending down Fox, I ran into the PD, fellow patroller Brennan and others and then Justin - like this is the happenin' place! Down Upper Canyon I went and found outstanding turns! A Fox/Vixen-Upper Canyon run followed and I followed up with a skin to the top of Canyon. I then took my time down Canyon where I found Lower to be even better than Upper. Hotting rocks was not an issue until bottom of S-Turn.
By 9:15:007, I was shuffling outta' the Base Area. I became very happy up on Bunny - the day was bright and crisp, the coverage was more generous than anticipated and I was just happy to be out there. At the top in the Stark's Nest, I was surprised at how chilly it was inside - thermometer read only 15F !! With some moleskin, I repaired 2 nasty blisters and I was ready to go. Coverage on Cat Bowl was very good and snow was crusty and chunky, but became enjoyable as I worked at it. Breaking out the Miras was a good idea and my new BD Revalation pack fit me very well (better than my dying 9 y/o Lowe Contour 50). On the way down, ran into Craig from 'da Barn and then fellow patroller Steve - it's nice how many ya' run into on these pre-season MRG tours!
I skinned up Fox and had to stop to wiggle my toes - it was cold and me' toes wuz' getting numb. Hey, what happened to this lame-o Winter? Had a great run down Quacky, where my crust 'n chunks skiing really clicked down to Broadway. Up to the Double again and descending down Fox, I ran into the PD, fellow patroller Brennan and others and then Justin - like this is the happenin' place! Down Upper Canyon I went and found outstanding turns! A Fox/Vixen-Upper Canyon run followed and I followed up with a skin to the top of Canyon. I then took my time down Canyon where I found Lower to be even better than Upper. Hotting rocks was not an issue until bottom of S-Turn.