Cross Country Skiing

[Jolt]

Managed to get out and ski yesterday for just under an hour on the local rail trail (that the snowmobilers use, and pack down nicely for skiing). Unfortunately it is going to rain this weekend so will probably have to wait until the next snowfall to go again. Next time I will have to try some of the side trails for more of a challenge since the rail trail doesn't give me any practice turning or going up/downhill.

[Crankin]

Snow shoed in our neighborhood/conservation land trail late this afternoon (Jolt, the one we hiked on years ago). Really warm out, about 50. The snow was pasty and it was quite a work out. I didn't do quite the whole thing as I have neighbors coming over for dinner and I had to start preparing. This is the trail that has the really steep (20+%) climb back up to the street. Although I only went about 3 miles, it felt like 30 between the snow and the climb. I kind of am hoping to ski at Windblown tomorrow, as it's always colder up there and the conditions may be OK, if it doesn't start raining. There's going to be a lot of ice in northern NH and Maine, Vt., so I hope everyone is safe up there.
I love winter.

[Crankin]

Snow shoed on Friday and skied yesterday. I have never seen so many people at Great Brook Farm. Since it was about -5 early in the AM, we went at 1 PM. Conditions were Ok, but I was just off, feeling like my arms and legs were dead, back was hurting, but, hey, I went and skied about 10K. Saw She Fly early in the ski, which was about the only time I smiled! There were a lot newbies out, with poor trail etiquette, as well as many skaters, who fly by and make me feel like an old lady. I slipped and fell going up the bigger climb, just from pure tiredness. Only I would fall going up a hill.
Going to Windblown today, which, no matter how crowded it looks, never feels crowded, once you get out a bit from the lodge. And, the grooming is much better.

[ridebikeme]

Sounds like a great day Crankin! It seems as though this last bout of weather has really wiped people out... in terms of effort, holidays etc... I'm hearing from people everywhere that they are tired, and those are the folks that "never" say they are tired

Hope you have a great ski today!!

[SheFly]

We went back to Great Brook this morning for a skate before things got busy. Much better, but still lots of newbies out standing in the middle of the trail, or skiing two abreast. Did manage to get in a solid workout though! Great to see Crankin and her DH out yesterday, if only briefly! I am pretty beat now - 3 days of nordic in a row, using muscles I didn't know I had.

SheFly

[Crankin]

Windblown was awesome today, albeit, a bit icy in spots. Now I know why I go here to prepare for trips further north. Climbing like crazy. Some of the descents had moguls and it was slick. No falling on those, but 2 stupid falls sort of trying to be coordinated .
I am also feeling like SheFly, after 2 days of nordic and one of snow shoeing. Tired, but happy. DH and I left before our friends, as he was starting to fall a bit and had a blister. I did not fight this decision. There's an AMC ski at Windblown on Wednesday, but I will have to check on the conditions. Don't want to drive an hour for ice.

[Crankin]

Skied yesterday at Great Brook, after a "surprise" 6-8 inches when a "dusting" had been predicted. Went at 9:15 AM, by myself, with no expectations of conditions. They had stated it was a bit dicey in the woods, but I have actually seen worse, much worse. Was debating on whether to go down the steep, but short descent on one trail, as this is where I once had to take my skies off when there were rocks and roots poking through the snow! But, I like the climb, so I ditched the alternative route and up I went. The conditions were getting a bit slick and mushy, with snow piles on the sides of the descent (which curves). My edge caught and down I went. No one saw, but my back was already hurting, and I do feel the fall today.
I feel like I haven't had a really perfect ski day yet, except maybe the first one. Hoping for some snow for next Sunday, maybe, but I hope I get to ski somewhere more challenging before my trip to Stowe!