Ides of january

You’d think, after 49 years, 11 months of observing, worrying over, snowshoeing over, shoveling out of, skiing on and grooming our snow-packs, we’d have seen it all.

Guess not.

There’s 24+” of snow in the woods.  We’ve pounded it down to a good 12” base.  We thought we were set up for the winter; Montreal and Uller.  Upper Scribner’s Meadow had other ideas.  The marsh grass in the meadow didn’t get flattened with our early storms like we’re used to.  There’s a good 3-6” of old, warm snow next to the ground.  Let’s just say the gator just bottomed out and we had to winch the 6’ drag backwards out of Scribner’s after a 3 mile dead-head.  

Our snow column is a mixture of old, warm sugar snow close to the ground, a heavy layer of boiler plate from the wind driven Christmas blizzard and then a good 10” of continental and lake enhanced snow on top.  Don’t break through that Christmas blizzard snow.  

We did.

Early this week we had rain, freezing rain, drizzle and then some warm snow.  Yesterday showed up with some of the best snow we’ve had since Christmas.  7 inches.   

Since we had warm snow following our January Thaw storm, every twig, branch and stem got loaded and has bent over on to the trail.  

In spite of ourselves, we got out there and set a wonderful track on Montreal.  It took hours; but even the Trail Chief is thinking it’s a track to ski after roof shoveling tomorrow morning.

It’s only the Ides of January; but the Chief is wondering if he’s already burned out.  

Nah.  But he’s going to let Uller sit and hope some of this new snow settles and gets blown off the million twigs and branches drooping over the Hall of the Mountain King and the Voodoo Transit.  

Hey, if you would like to ski Uller this weekend, do so.  Break some back country trail (the new snow is only 7” on top of well packed old trail), bring an old bamboo pole or a good Ironwood walking stick and whack some bent over, snow-laden saplings.  You’d do us a world of help.

Wow, this snow is nice.  Whipped cream, cold soft-serve.  Get out there.

Ski freely, you’se.  Z