Come Ski With Us!

Well folks, the word is out. After getting up high and checking out the snowpack, this years Camel's Hump Challenge (CHC) is set for this coming Sunday, March 3rd.  If you haven't checked out this BC tour yet, this year would certainly be a good one. The stream crossings are good with a little negotiation, and the snow is deep and stable. Did I forget to mention it's absolutely beautiful up there as well? Come on out and see the surrounding forests amidst the Camel's Hump and see a new and different side of this iconic mountain.  

2013 Camels Hump Challenge

Clearing the Way

This past Friday, Tristan, Odin and I set out into the woods with hammer and saw, headed to prep the route for the upcoming Camel's Hump Challenge, a fundraiser backcountry ski tour (just a tour with friends, not a race) to benefit the Vermont Alzheimer's Association.


Tristan and I share the Camel as our favorite Vermont peak - we find ourselves often dreaming of its pointy undeveloped summit, and scheming for our next chance to get there. There is a mystic for us in the Huntington approach, particularly the longer Forest City route, which brings the hiker up from beneath the sheer face of the couching lion (or Camel, as it were). This is a long route, prefaced with a long drive, but it is always worth the trip. Even the shorter Burrow's Trail approach from the western Huntington side is worth the drive. But on this day we approached from the eastern side via the Monroe Trail. And it was not the summit we were after this time: We were planning to take a left off the Monroe Trail somewhere past the junction with the Dean Trail, and head into the woods for terrain seen only by the skier of the Camel's Hump Challenge, or the volunteers who prep the trail for this fabulous once-a-year ski day. (Please note, we are very familiar with this area and the route we were taking, we planned our route ahead, and also carried a map and compass, which we know how to use. Additionally, we carried headlamps, matches, bright clothing, and emergency supplies. If you are inexperienced with hiking or are unfamiliar with the terrain, please leave this type of off-trail adventure for experienced hikers - there is plenty to see and do on the many beautiful marked routes up and around the mountains of the Northeast.)

The plan for the day was to clear the trail and mark it periodically with Forest Service-approved trail markers for the Camel's Hump Challenge. The plan was also to see some beautiful terrain reserved only for those roughing it on this 13-mile backcountry ski loop, which is open for skiing only on the day of the Camel's Hump Challenge (February 10, 2013). There are unusual vantage points of the summit, beaver ponds-aplenty, and fabulous birch glades that go on for as far as the eye can see.

There were several big blowdowns to clear along the way, and many, many downed branches and debris from recent storms.The scenery along our trip was outstanding. In particular, the backcountry ice was like art work.

The trail winds through mature hardwood stands, dark evergreen forests, birch glades, and meadows. Every now and then, we would pop out of the woods on to the edge of a high-country beaver pond. These were tricky to navigate in early-winter conditions, but the views these openings afforded were stunning and made the rough-going worth it.

Happily, our faithful and trusty trail companion accompanied us the whole way.

Our turn-around point was Wind Gap, from where we planned to loop back to the Monroe Trail via the Dean Trail. We popped out of the woods on the Dean Trail and took a break and drank warm tea as we listened to the wind howl through the Gap just above us. Wind Gap is one of our favorites, and is one of only a few named "Gaps" in the Greens - it always reminds me of the many southern "Gaps" on the Appalachian Trail: Woody Gap, Neals Gap, Stecoah Gap, Newfound Gap. They marked our progress for us on that 1,200-mile hike.

We crested the sag to Wind Gap, where we stood and took it in. The view to the west showed an almost-setting sun, painting  the sky with pastel colors through the naked tree stems. A raven soared on a wind current overhead. There was total silence, save for the rushing wind and the trademark caw-ing of an on-wind Corvid.

The Trail North beckoned, as it always does - but not this day. Today, we were headed back down the mountain for a friend's art show, and some warm supper. In the end, we cleared and marked the section of the Camel's Hump Challenge route from the Monroe Trail west towards Wind Gap. Tristan tells me I saw only about one-sixth of the trail, and I am looking forward to seeing the rest of it on skis later this winter.

It is a good feeling to see the Vermont wilds, climb mountains, and give to a good cause.

Through Snow, Sleet or Rain?....Sure!

When we set out Tuesday morning, the new fallen snow to say the least was: amazing. However
half way into our ski tour out our backyard, which was an indeterminable distance, it was well: a bit soggy.

If there's one thing I've learned and profited from a little, it's this: It pays to carry F4 in your XC or BC pack when on any ski-tour-slash-BC-ski-adventure. F4 comes in many different applications but any and all will do.  They make wet, soft snow stop from sticking on the bottom of your ski and give you back that glide.

F4, if you've never heard of it, is universal glide wax.  Most days you never need F4.  Unless that is you're a glide junky who just can't seem to get enough glide out of his waxless skis the way he used to get it from those trusty wax-able skis. Now a little F4 never hurts, even before your ski tour; but on a day like this Tuesday, this is where F4 truly shines. You just never know when an hour into your day off, when that tele turn can do no wrong, and when 30 seconds in your friend says  "Hey is it raining?" - all of a sudden that snow that could "do no wrong" turns on you.  When you have a 20lb cinder block attached to the bottom of your wax less BC ski and your kick and glide has about as much oomph as a late night rerun of Chips.....  This is when someone in your ski party has to eventually say "Uh I think it's time to drop the skis and give em a little F4?..."   That of course is only if someone happens to have some.....awkward pause..   This is where I let everyone squirm a little and manage to procure that beautiful bottle of blue gold; F4.

Now back in the day I used to have my F4 handy quicker than folks could ask for it and proudly have skis back up and running quicker than you could say mashed potatoes.  But of late I like to make my friends squirm a little.  I do in fact work in a ski shop and on occasion could be made to look bad by being ill prepared in a BC ski situation.  But after three years, I know better and I like the fact that I can make the likes of cinder blocks turn into grease lighting in a matter of 30 seconds or less, and that just feels pretty darn good. 

So next time that ski shop employee suggests a little F4 when buying that brand new BC ski setup, think of it as a worthy and life changing experience.  Try not to think that poor guy is just trying to get another $15.00 out of you. You might, on the other hand, just be that guy on a long BC ski tour that manages to make those cinder blocks turn into skis again, and have his beer tab all settled up even before you get to the bar.

Now go and get it and I mean powder snow; not rain. 

But hey what ever floats your boat.

T.

Breaking the camels back; CHC

A job well done and it's always nice when its fun.  I spent the day with a great group of BC skiers on the Camel breaking trail for this Sunday's Camels Hump Challenge.  If you haven't done it yet, this will be a tremendous year as all snow has really filled in the trail.  You can register the day of for $125 that goes to the Alzheimer's association, a good cause. This tour allows one to see aspects of the forest in and around Camels Hump not  usually accessible or seen as it traverses around the summit.  A must do for any BC skier.

T.

Camel's Hump Challenge - behind the scenes!

After my solo hike, and while Tristan was out skiing, I came back and met some of the organizers of the CHC, and then helped to get the soup going.

Enter the couching lion.

Feb 7'th is the Camels Hump Challenge wich takes place in some of Vermonts most beautiful forests located in and around Camels hump. One of the only four thousand foot peaks that has no ski resort or facility atop or around its summit, it truly is BC skiing at its finest. I have to agree this is one of my favorite places to hike or ski after work and watch the sunset and moon rise in the Green mountains. Wicked excited to take part in this event as I wanted to last year. Bring the snow, god knows we need it!