Training Log Archive: bl

Sat, -3F to start, sun came over rims to east, calm so temp was not much of an issue. Different psychology & lots of layering when there. Mark, Bailey & I went out back on snowshoes. Plan was to climb to top of Chase Mt. Maybe 2' of snow in woods which was fine. A lot of the woods were crappy and/or close together trees. Got to the saddle where Mark announced he'd had enough & was going down the valley to the trail we'd planned to get to but later. I was fine with that - was steeper ahead & the top appeared to be largely close together conifer. Easy hike to the packed snow mob trail & ski back on 4 Mile Brook Tr & Swift Diamond.

2.6 wax ski at end of day to see it off. Not as much flexibility as in past 2 years as the logging ops had made for plowed roads where were previously snow covered. Down to field at turn & back and then to Mark's truck & return to cabin. Flakes floating down.

Fri, 1/14 Second Grant for third time. Decent snow in Gorham & Berlin (maybe 10" new), maybe 5-6" at destination, JBC. Were able to drive w/in 0.3 mi of cabin as road was plowed for the logging trucks. Mark, Paul, Paul's son Nate (Ernst Linder's stepson), Pete, Bailey & me. 13-15F. Got stuff to cabin in easy order, moved cars down the road. Went out at 3:30 along Four Mile Brook Road on waxless for a 4 mi ski. Didn't work up a sweat, not really wanting to as no running water. A bit over cast, moon visible later.

Didn't figure out resetting 305 fiddling & catching up with Mark. 3 hr incl Sat showshoe/ski.

Fri 4.12 mi waxless ski (to #1)

"The First Snowfall" (c. '68)
It wasn't the first snowfall.The first that counted was a blizzard, nothing "soft" about it - not the easy fall of downy flake. Yesterday's was different.


This this morning:



This about as old as the writing:

AM DP on short side. Felt a bit guilty coming back this my early-person Thursday. Dogs "swimming" in a few places but too self-respecting to follow. Bright, blue & "the cold, uncaring wind" already at work.

C • And they are luvin it! 2

At SPS, figured I'd find tracks but more snowshoe & dog version. Bright white & blue day. Used waxless but they're a drag.

Off to Second Grant tomorrow for a weekend of XC skiing, snow shoeing, eating & drinking.

Woke up to about 8" of light white. Quite surprised, expected a lot less, at first anyway.

To SPS at noon for get-out-the-door policy as well as look-see at the weather. Lots of snow & snowing hard - jogged 1/3rd the distance on SPS XC which was more than a foot of powder. Didn't mind getting back to the road. No cars of course. Wind had picked up but was mostly in woods. Don't recall this much snow in recent winters but forget so easily.

Some 20" has fallen. Drive not plowed but days of shoveling it are behind largely due to lack of interest as in been there....

AM DP, 8F but calm. Before sun's rays could make any difference. PL looking attractive with a SVT ribbon of white thru shades of brown, hoar frost on the vegetation. Dogs were into something (silently), Mocha with hair up at one point. Snow tomorrow.

Went out after the Med Suite holiday party with all its good food. Thought it would be possible to run but gave up & walked/jogged away (only) a few calories. Was calm & mild. Passed up gym as I was tired. Came home & ate peppermint ice cream....

AM DP, felt colder than 20F. More of frozen January. Full moon Fri, I think.

Little Pond-Fisk CCW. Bright, with NW breeze. Had to go back to office for
windbreaker. Encountered LM who pointed out it was quasi-mandatory MSO at noon (90'). Had failed to note & had mind set on some fresh air at lunch and not sitting in a windowless space listening to psychiatrists discuss various (some days ok but need mental preparation). Was interesting that I was tying up my new Brooks Defyance running shoes 10' later. Had already defied the periodic fire drill earlier - which is always a cry wolf alarm set off by a crazy.

Got a bit animated but January is not May. Was even hot running south on
Fisk for maybe 5' when the sun was out from one big cloud in the blue sky.
For some reason, harked back to January, '77 when I ran most days
mid-morning in Newton & Weston, Ma. - maybe cold but not windy and what always seems like a very bright sun. What a world of difference compared to the one waiting at 4:15.

Faraway series, photos from elsewhere, #48

Winter camping in the Whites with Steve Tarry, January, 1980

In East Woods, nice winter day.