Ski Tripping...

wspokes · 02-24-2004

Well, we talked of way to get this board kicked up a notch. Well, here is a bit of a ski report.

Went out yesterday, grabbed my Edsbyn XC skis, I hadn't used them since last year and thought I would take them out for the conditions. Conditions, mid 30s. slightly slushy on top but still rock frozen hard on the underneath. I headed up the trail from my home and crossed over some small ice bridges. These ice bridge over a small creek that I criss cross. During winter, I can ski directly on it and over it without noticing it. today was similar with some tiny areas of surfacing where I could see the gentle trickle through the holes. Up the trail I continued til brancing off left and down a gentle incline, so gentle it could almost be flat and unnoticable except for days like these where the trees still shelter the snow from melting under the sun's rays and the top remains a slick fast track. I follow in the tracks from so many days before, days upon days of skiing this season.
The season started with a bang, some small snowfalls in November allowed me an oppurtunity to ski once in November, then december hit with vengeance and a few good fronts brought white to blanket and cover everything. I was off and skiing, enjoying the beauty and skiing...just skiing without thought. Then came a thaw around Christmas, 40s, then 50s...before long it was all gone. So I biked but I missed the snow. january hit and there was nothing...Then in early January, massive amounts dumped upon my area again setting the pace of things to come, off again...every day after work, get home, change clothes and hit the trails. Weekends were made for daytrips from home to surrounding areas with state park trails and wonderful oppurtunities.
Then I got kicked in the shins from work, displaced, cut from the budget from my department ....call it what you will. It hurt. I had some days off until i got placed in a new assignment, new job, new hours, new life, new routine...everything uncertain, including the fact I have only 6 months to find a new permanent position or I am out. So I skiied and the skiing brought some great time alone, time away...hours of it. I skied through the tough days. and I loved it.
Back to the trail at hand, sidetracked...sorry. Down the slight incline that was so fast and slick, gently V the ski for a slight turn...past a creek that looks just so silent and peaceful. Up the other side and onto my trail loop. Except I looked again...like I looked during those troubled days. Something happened from those days til today. I got caught up in life again and worries and there are a few days I can't remember skiing at all even though I wrote down in my calendar, log book, activity diary...memories. I wrote that I skied but no details really other than time. I was seeing all the details again...loving it. The gentle breeze and the smell of pines. The squirrels scattering as I glistened along. On the lower portion of the trail I crossed several more ice bridges slowing to peer into the gaps of water. Looking at the rock formations around the trail and thinking of summer and how I climbed around those areas. now, all covered they look beautiful again in a different way. The green and mountain laurel all covered with white. Look ahead, I spot a huge lofting white motion. It is a Owl taking flight from the cover of a pine. I think, wow, in daylight...but then I notice...it is beginning to darken as evening closes in. The owl curves through the trees and I see only the shadow now as it quickly disappears into the think white pines.
Up to another favorite trail, trails I have given my own names...I go up hole-in-tree trail and come upon its namesake, standing stiffly with a hole in the bottom as some of the roots are exposed. I ski by and look back as I begin my ascent. breathing heavily as I quick step up in V style. Criss crossing the trail in front of me is endless little tracks. At the top, I pause to look at one of the tracks. Perfect tiny feet. small....never sinking into this snow even when it thaws I laugh as I think how lightweight they are and what it must feel like to glide along the top. As usual, I reach into my pocket and pull out a few ears of corn to toss under the pines where there tiny feet appear. Tomorrow...only tracks and a few empty cobs will be there. For I know my tiny friend will eat tonight!
Time to head homeward, down the trail picking up speed and coming through the trees as I come back upon the road and my home. No worries in mind today, only pleasant thoughts and enjoyment. I realize, this is what it is all about in life!! The times like these...the experiences like these. And once again, I remember, I work as a full time nurse to finance my full time outdoor pleasures. Because this is my career!

brad nicholson · 02-24-2004

would have been an A+ but you disappointed me after having me drooling for pics of some nice back country skiing!

wspokes · 02-24-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad nicholson

would have been an A+ but you disappointed me after having me drooling for pics of some nice back country skiing!

Sorry about the tease, I will get some pics posted tonight. Enjoy...as of right now, it is snowing in Pennsylvania again!! Today will mark 55 days out skiing for me this season. Life is good! The pic attached to the first email is an actual photo of the field that I commonly ski across. The one attached here is a rock bridge I pass daily while skiing. Both pics have been posted prior. I will get some new ones up.

wspokes · 02-24-2004

Here's some pics of the areas I ski. These are from last Sunday. Ridgway, Pa. Laurel Mills Recreation Ski Area. Groomed trails that go on and on...in the Allegheny National Forest. The trails snake their way through pines and are always rolling up and down the hills. There is a pic of my girlfriend, Brooke, as well. With her stereotypical smile from ear to ear when outside. There is also a photo of the pavillon/warming house where the trails start. Enjoy!

I will follow up with some photos of the trails around my home where I ski as well.

wspokes · 02-24-2004

Here's the local trails around my home where I ski. I mentioned in a previous post about the rock formations I ski past and the difference from summer to winter. I have tossed in a few contrasting photos of the same areas and just how different things appear. There is also a close up of the inside of the rock bridge as well, that picture is above in this same post. The final photo is one I tossed in to show just how interesting backcountry XC skiing can be...it is an area that sometimes fools me when I am skiing through. I talked of the trail crossing over creeks...well, there is one part deep in the woods, down in a valley that crosses creeks as well as ponds. Sometimes it is hard to tell which is which and I usually don't take too many chances...I enclosed the photo of the one day I chose to take a chance. I ended up clambering across the top of the ice to get off. I took a pic after. you can see the ski tracks up to the point and then the break...I broke through on the outer most edge of the pond in a shallower spot...I almost judged it correctly...but just not quite. Ski safe and Enjoy. I hope some people enjoy the photos.

DefJef · 02-24-2004

great pics, great scenery!!!

brad nicholson · 02-25-2004

those pics are really great...looks like you have had some great snow. isn't it always great when you can leave from the house to have an adventure? whether that is cycling, climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, etc...

wspokes · 02-25-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by brad nicholson

those pics are really great...looks like you have had some great snow. isn't it always great when you can leave from the house to have an adventure? whether that is cycling, climbing, skiing, snowshoeing, paddling, etc...

Yes, it is ideal. I built my house in 1999 and I chose an area that as a kid we used to go fishing and boating on this little lake, so when It came time to build, I returned to that childhood location, found property, and the rest is history. Now, I just can't believe how lucky I am. I ride my bike with the Amish buggies on the roads around my house and I have awesome hills to climb and downhills to descend and rock formations all over in the surrounding state forests and gamelands...endless pleasures! I couldn't be happier!

You are from Colorado, correct? I went for computer training in 1996 in Boulder and didn't think I wanted to leave! I have found that all areas have their own little hidden treasures!

Glad you enjoyed the pics.

brad nicholson · 02-25-2004

i am from north carolina but i tend to get out a bit...thank-God for my wife's benign nature. That is exactly what I plan when i eventually settle down. Move to NC mtns next to my parents where my kids can run across the field to grandpas and grandmas and i can ride bikes from my front door or walk a little way to my own climbing/bouldering area....i have only a few times been able to live like this. here in germany i can bike from my apartment anywhere i want to go and in oklahoma i could ride 9 miles out of my garage and be zooming through a huge open range wilderness area with free range longhorns, buffalo, all with rock climbing and some magnificent mountains to mtn bike and climb with road bikes...i have yet to live where i can ski out my back door...but i am working on it!

wspokes · 02-25-2004

Oklahoma aye? Well, here's aphoto from the Muskogee area. That's me at my aunt and uncle'sranch out that way! loved it. Great areas, the northwest of Ok is really hilly and craggy as well. Like I said, every area has it's treasures! NC is beautiful. Good luck with your long term plans! The idea of the kid's running over to the grandparents is ideal!

brad nicholson · 02-25-2004

was living in sw oklahoma, in lawton. the wichita mountains wildlife refuge is there and it has a lot of good climbing. good mountain biking, good road riding, paddling, and sailing. the only thing it is 115 degrees in the summer and 15 degrees in the winter. i have lived there twice.

Snow Nymph · 02-25-2004

Nice to see the photos! Thanks!

Wish I could ski out my back door. Some day. . . .