Mark Renson
New member
Saturday, we were blessed with approx 3-5" of new wet snow and bright sunny skies ...... yup, this was New Hampshire, above the 4000 foot elevation. From what I could tell, everything else in New England was under gloom. <BR> <BR> For the avalanche report, Brian typed in "we are most concerned with these loose avalanches. While these don't have the destructive capabilites of slab avalanches, these slides could cause problems for people who get tangled up in them. Remember that the Low rating reflects the possibility of slab avalanche activity, not loose snow activity" <BR> <BR> So, under sunny skies, I climbed up the Lobster Claw Gully, figuring I should get it while I can in this low snow year. The snow was very heavy and getting heavier under the bright sun. Under the smashed 'taters was a firm edgeable surface. I was glad that I was wearing crampons which gave me happy feet. Jeff, the AMC Caretaker followed me, carrying his board and avie gear too. On my descent, I found very difficult snow to ski on - yikes, maybe I better learn snowboarding! Anyway, right above a steep roll, I floundered a bit and the bottom fell out from underneath me and I fell flat on my face downhill. On my ride, I went! Oh sh*t !! I saw some brush come toward me and I made a futile attempt to grab it. I was worried about picking up too much speed and being slammed into a rock. Well, the loud hissing noise of sloughing loose snow did come to and end and I was well below my right ski which was up where the slide released. My "ride" had ended, I got a good laugh and I had a bit of a slog up to my ski. Jeff was nice enough to offer to carry it down, but I insisted he enjoy his turns. He later thanked me for clearing off the heavy snow and leaving a firm yet edgeable fun surface to ride on. <BR> <BR> I got back to my ski and had fun skiing down the bed surface. Down lower, I encountered tough skiing as the firm surface below became very punchy. What looked very nice was actually very difficult. <BR> <BR> I did get some nice views of the huge slab release that occured the prior week - it's big, man! But there have been bigger there. During the biblical dump of February 1969, apparently one ran through the bowl, down the Cutler River streambed and over the Little Headwall and down onto the Sherburne Trail. <BR> <BR> I did get a bit of a sunburn during the day. How many others in New England could say the same! <BR> <BR> For a change, I did not get involved in some Saturday night revelry and foolishness like I had been for a while at MRG. <BR> <BR> Sunday morning ...... gloomy foggy skies, everywhere. Light snow began to fall and snow surfaces were crusty. An uneventful day. I descended via the Sherburne Trail. I was warned that it was in horrible shape. Actually, it was not bad at all and I was able to make great turns in the wet snow. A long toasted section was easily bypassed on the left in the woods and conditions were fairly reasonable down to the S-turns. At the S-turns, rain started to fall (snow level: approx 2500 feet) and conditions became ratty, though I was able to make it to the bottom without taking off my boards. <BR> <BR> The forecast calls for at least 6" and some strong winds which will be very helpful. You can help out by - after you put on your pajamas - saying a few prayers for snow along with your regular bedtime prayers tonight.