Go ski!

We have now "opened" the entire system.  S, H, B and C are still very roly-poly, as usual for first grooming.  Rocks do not seem to be a problem, but this is not a guarantee.

CAUTION: there are still ice-covered branches AT FACE-LEVEL on B-loop.  DO NOT ski fast down the hills and expect not to hit anything.  About half of B-loop is clear of the worst obstructions, but this is very slow, tedious work.  We cut 30 or 40 saplings and small trees today alone -- .  Please help if at all possible.

Got snow, got tracks, still need help clearing brush.

We set a classic track on D, R, X and C last evening (Thursday).  C is pretty rough, but contacts with the ground were not serious.  If you venture into deep snow anywhere, but especially off C, expect ski and/or skier damage. 

We will be driving on M, S, H and B all morning, Friday, Dec 28,  Little-M and K are basically done and available. 

Brush clearing is slow -- there is a lot of wood in the way.  Help is still needed, see the previous post.

First grooming on all trails; Help wanted with trail clearing

Here is the report on trail grooming done Dec 23, between 9 AM and about 4:30 PM.

In the morning we track-set D, R, X, and C loops (one levelling pass with a track tenderizer followed by the track-setter). Over most of these trails the snow cover seemed to be quite good. There are, as usual, parts of C where the snow cover is thin and the trail is rough. At the time of grooming the large fallen trees from snow and wind on Friday and Saturday had been removed, leaving some smaller debris on the trail at these sites. Overhanging brush and small trees were no longer a major impediment but there were still opportunities for volunteers to refine the clean-up.

We then flattened the snow on the M and S loops as widely as feasible for the snow depth and set a track on the right hand side. The snow seemed markedly deeper on the S loop than on most of the M loop. At the time of grooming there was still quite lot of overhanging brush to be trimmed back, more on S than on M.

We also did one double wide pass with track tenderizers on H and B loops. This was mainly to provide a solid base and traction for future grooming. The snow was deep enough on these loops that it was hard to keep the snowmobiles upright at times. Volunteers had been around the H loop ahead of us and removed major obstructions but there were still many small trees hanging over the trail from the weight of ice and snow. The H loop is currently suitable for the more determined skier who doesn't need a track and can deal with skiing in a less than eight foot packed width.

No one had been ahead of us on the B loop. It was heavily obstructed by small trees overhanging the trails and some larger ones that had fallen. We cleared what was needed to get the grooming machines through and as of sundown Dec. 23 the B loop was suitable only for skiers packing brush clearing equipment and a desire to be helpful.

Cheers, George

(posted by Cheryl)

More patience

The heavy crust and damp snow are ungroomable this morning.  If present forecasts come true, we will groom something on Friday morning.

Patience

The trails are white, but the snow is very thin.  Just look at any roof edge to see how thin it is.  One or two "skiers" have ventured out, but the ground is visible in many places in their tracks.  Perhaps it is more fun than walking, but scraping the ground is not fun for the skis!