Training Log Archive: bl

Nottingcook wander with Z&M. Started at S. Bow Road kiosk, had a map & compass. Went over Great Hill, then yesterday's vantages and then the small view that had been restored, presumably by Bob D. Wandered around off trail, too, taking in the loveliness & good terrain available in Nottingcook. Mappin' as an itchn' came to mind - it's been 6 years, time for a redo or maybe Knox Rd TF from scratch.

Event: NEOC: High Rock
 

Event: WCOC - Ansonia Nature Center
 

Bear Brook, green Y 2. Gray, low 40s. Lots of mountain bikers and hunters but saw nothing on course. Pretty good at times, so so at others. Hardest terrain around given coutours, boulder quantity & low visibility.

to 1 - straightforward, path on L, knoll on right

to 2 - went to #9 & got on ride but failed to stay on correct one! Maybe 15 deg difference.

to 3 - thought I'd crossed all three rides but came upon the third, surprise....was too far right too

to 4 - OK, white woods & came out on ride about 100m N

to 5 - straightforward but not always in contact tho short leg

to 6 - easily hardest leg - went by marsh 40% of way - could not stay in close contact. Then had trouble staying in contact period. Was going straight, came upon 2 large boulders in NE-SW relationship; spent too much time puzzling, finally, finally figured it out with assoc boulders as well - looked up & knoll was not 25m ahead.

to 7 - could read these contours & also green marsh midway. Came upon a knoll & more marshy stuff, maybe not mapped but could see feature a ways away

to 8 - ends of rides & big green marsh made this fairly straightforward

to 9 - made my way to large green marsh then got on ride halfway along NW edge & managed to stay in north-going ride; had passed an hour earlier. Looked SO different w/o leaves!

to 10 - long way around, thru start, got on correct rides but wall was less distinct than mapped & maybe more green. Coming fm SW about near impossible....

to 11 - straight, did not see ruined wall but second was not too miss & 'green wall' to left made it secure but did not immediately recognize (had been there)

to 12- pretty much straight -was surprised to see I came out opposite marsh

QR

Green Y2 - Splits

Brush clearing & hauling on spur adjacent Great Hill with Beth & a few BOS people. I seldom find enthusiasm for such work but the end result is pleasing.

Monadnock & Crotched Mt. to the west


Looking NE over Nottingcook - a portion of Bow's best view (NNE to ESE)


Scared Mocha. A tree crashed to the ground which put her on high anxiety. Shortly after, she walked back to the car 1/4 mile away.

Purgatory loop, ccw. T low 40s, initially sunny, west wind - by finish, it was mostly gray with some hail. Beat - flat at 5mi, not a particularly positive attitude - long time since I last did this. Written log says 4/13/13, then 11/22 & 11/6/12, 103-109'. Chilly the last 3 mi into the modest wind. Drive home, eat, drink sugary coke & be merry cause the 'work' is over for the day. Maybe now to help Beth plant daffodil bulbs. As I write, a cricket chirps from a potted plant base - its been doing that episodically for about 5 weeks, ever since we brought plants inside.

C • Training time 3

Not much to this day. Went to SPS after work but it started raining as I stepped out of car. Warm enough anyway but not enthused. Considered the Y but instead drove toward home & BHS possibilities.

Wind sprints on BHS soccer field - got out of breath anyway, walked between. Something better tomorrow. Such a gray, uninspired day.
But recall My November Guest.

Bower loop with Z&M, just turned dark. Had a headlamp which I finally turned on. Could have done w/o on the trail I was on but a toy's a toy & a bright light toy needs playing with. Pleased that the battery lasted the 25' (& maybe more?) - had not used in several months & don't regard these made-in-China battery packs as paradigms of quality. Encountered several reflective "buttons" on trunks - not enough for a pattern, more a puzzle as to why there and why not more. Warm day, 52F at sunset which was one of those stunning mackerel skies (sp checker says "erel", doesn't look right).

QR

BB, Saturday Brown X retry. Warmer & no falls/blood to distract. Accurate, constant contact - went different ways when I could. Saw no one - had Hayes Field to myself. Will try a Sunday green next chance I get.

Found another French Creek map - this time USOC '92 on French Creek East, still 1/15, much more detail and difficult.

C • Good for 2nd place overall 3

Brown X - Splits