Brake Hill (NELSAP) MA 1/3/09

[polski]

I figured the steep woods lines on the face of this lost ski area would need at least a foot of base and I was right. We only had around 7" new on top of 1-2" from Thursday and some spots were blown thinner than that, but I gave in to temptation and tried it anyway. Did not feel confident in ability to make the necessary quick turns with what was lurking beneath the snow so it was one and done. Perhaps if the prospective storm next weekend pans out ...

Wanted to hit some real nice-looking moderate-angle woods around the side of this hill but missed the entrance somehow, got turned around and by the time I realized my error it was getting too late to give it a go. D'OH. Some other time. Good exercise at least, and some practice skinning on challenging terrain.

No time for pics now, gotta get ready to head north very early a.m.

 

[polski]

Some pix to give you an idea of the terrain. Didn't have my still camera with me; these are all framegrabs from the Flip so the resolution isn't so great.

First, four shots from the same spot, moving from looking straight up the hill, down the side and then toward the bottom of the steepest part

Near the summit local kids have built elaborate tree houses. This captures only part of the structures

You can see from my track here that the cover was a little too thin to get very aggressive

Need a big dump, or a moderate accumulation on top of this base, to really make it skiable.

 

[snowmonster]

Nice! It looks tasty though a few more inches on that base would make it even better. Nice codes. You're fast becoming the king of NELSAP areas.

 

[polski]

Thanks, it's a fun pursuit.

I will say I don't think the pics do justice to how steep the steepest part of Brake Hill is. Also could use some more clearing to widen/open up more lines.

 

[JD]

Looks like some potential. Delimb everything and take out anything you can with big loppers and she'll be blown right open...Just got back from some back yard dog walk/machette work myself. Really get's you jonesin' when you do some recreational forrestry.