Cross Country Skiing

[Crankin]

OK, I was humbled pretty quickly at Franconia this weekend. I challenged myself, though, and laughed through most of it. I feel as if I am a confident intermediate level skier for groomed trails. I can climb anything and my descending skills have greatly improved. I've skied down a couple of black trails, too.
Basically, Franconia has narrow trails that are tracked. So, for someone like me, who gets out of the tracks to descend/climb, the challenge was there. Not so much the climbing, as I learned pretty quickly how to herringbone in a narrower stance after one face plant, going up. Serious, serious climbs here.
The issue was descending. I am not skilled enough to descend and turn and keep my speed regulated in the tracks, as there was not enough room to snowplow or turn if you were in the very small area that was groomed next to the tracks. Some of these descents were definitely black diamond rated. We finally found one yesterday where the steepest part was untracked, but the groomer had left a huge ridge of snow in the middle of the trail, which caused even my expert skier friend to go down. Friday was hell for me, but I improved a little yesterday. I was able to do 2 descents without falling, very slowly, but I had 2 falls that have my arms and wrists aching today. I think this would have been easier if they had left it ungroomed (with the right skis). We actually climbed one of Cannon's black alpine trails that is a shared nordic trail. That was fun.
Today, after we left the b and b, we drove to Bretton Woods, where it was quiet, because of Super Bowl. We skied 10.5 great miles, over to the AMC Highland Center for lunch, and back. At least I left with my confidence restored.
Pictures coming.

[Crankin]

Pictures from Franconia, NH

[limewave]

A friend gave us some children's xc skis. I took DD out this weekend. We just went around the backyard and around the block. She's a natural! I can't wait to take her out on some groomed trails!