From KZone: Guerilla Trailblazers Arrested

[riverc0il]

Last two years, I skied in late October and that trend goes back a few additional years for other AZ members such as Salida. 2.5 months is perhaps more realistic

Adiron, I don't think it is being blown out of proportion at all. No one ever wrote "Destroyed a ski area" but that cut will certainly negatively effect the atmosphere of that area somewhat, especially for those of us that enjoy as close as a backcountry experience as can be had over there. As DM previously mentioned, the ridge cut already reduced some of that backcountry atmosphere. You are totally right that it will grow back but it won't happen soon enough. And it isn't just about Big Jay. With all the attention this thing is getting, you can bet there is going to be a crack down on more reasonable activities which might result in some changes across the region regarding maintainable lines. This is not just some Summer "to do" issue (believe me, I know this board and others are full of "much ado about nothings" and I will admit to occasionally getting involved, far more often than I think I probably should). This is a big issue and it should be made a big deal out of. Maybe next time it will be your favorite tree shot that someone thinks would be better off as an open slope. That is what we are up against here, copy cats, bad publicity, and crack downs on those that do things with concern and approach the forest with some respect.

 

[Greg]

Last two years, I skied in late October and that trend goes back a few additional years for other AZ members such as Salida. 2.5 months is perhaps more realistic

I know. I'm speaking of lift-serviced which is when most of us get out...

 

[skibum1321]

There was something somewhat similar that happened at Smuggs years ago. Off the side of Robyn's Run there is an open gash from someone clearing a swath down the side of the mountain. It is awful and never fills in because it is so steep and just doesn't hold snow. From what I've heard Smuggs will confiscate your pass if they catch you on it - this from a mountain that lets you ski virtually anywhere. FWIW, I have never actually seen anyone on it.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

I know. I'm speaking of lift-serviced which is when most of us get out...

He knows what you meant, but Oil has to be Oil. ;-) Which is a good thing IMO.

 

[from_the_NEK]

[

Your telling me, that because of a 20 foot wide scar on Big Jay, that the area is ruined? Puhlease. Time will allow that to grow back, it has before and will do so again.

The last time The forest on Big Jay grew back it was 80 years ago before people were skiing down it. I'm not sure the boreal forest of short stunted spruce and fir (above 3000 ft) was ever even cut during the 19th century. Skier traffic makes it extremely hard for trees to grow back since their tops are runover/cutoff by skiers every winter. Trees have a hard enough time growing at 3000 feet without skier traffic.
The great thing about skiing Big Jay was the way the skiable lines were broken up. 50 yards here, 40 yards there. You had to pick your way down. That is another reason why this gash down the side of Big Jay is horrible. This chute would only be good for a couple of runs (IF it didn't avalanche) before it turned into a Luge run (for those of you that have skied the Deliverance chutes at Jay Peak ski area you know what I mean). And if anyone doesn't think there can be avalanches on Big Jay, Riverc0il, NHski, and I have witness a mini slide first hand this spring that was started by Riverc0il as he made this turn

.
In the video I took of Riverc0il skiing the line I actually comment on the slide.
The sluff slid down around me and came to a stop. Luckily we were in one of the 30 yard lines so the slide could not pick up momentum.
What those guys did is just ridiculous and it appears that they cut this line directly down the main face, effectively wrecking the prime area of BC skiing. Please do not ski this line, and beat the crap out of anyone who does!

 

[from_the_NEK]

I wonder if the scar will look anything like this PhotoChopped image? :evil:
Big Jay was plenty open without having to plow a blvd down the face.

According to the Freepress pictures, I think I have the top section in there pretty accurately. However, it looks as though the trail they cut goes skier's right toward the cliff band rather than to the left into the main bowl as I hypothesized.

 

[Chute]

Why didn't they just clip their ticket?

 

[from_the_NEK]

I modified the winter image chop to reflect what I can gather from the BFP pictures...

Still not pretty:???:

 

[SnowRider]

When tourist see the trail it may give them a motive to hike over and do it. not only will this kill some of the natural glade skiing at big jay it may make it more crowded.

 

[riverc0il]

I think this or this is what from_the_NEK was going for, of me coming down a chute and triggering a small slide. from_the_NEK had hit the same chute before me and it didn't slough that much. I am just thinking of going through those random lines as from_the_NEK describes and popping out onto a trail while treading my way through the trees. I am going to not be a happy camper when that happens.

 

[ccskier]

I heard about this a few weeks ago when it all happened, seen all the pictures, read all the articles, etc..... Sure it sucks, shat happens, but what has been done is done. There is much worse things going on all around us. People going up there and trying to rebuild/replace the damage is going to do just as much damage. At least the stumps were left there, that will help with erosion and possible slides. There are other areas up there that are just was wide open, but not as long, so maybe I am just not taking the length into consideration

This is nothing new, just more blatant, it happens every year all across Vermont and beyond. Everyone is complaining that there is going to be more traffic over there, well if you have not been before do not even think about it. Big Jay/any back country area is not a place for novice skiers nor anyone who does not have any outdoor skills. Things can go from bad to worse with the run out/heading down the wrong chute- losing your sight of the horizon, it is long post holing walk back to 242. I have been a season pass holder at Jay for a while and have fallen in love with the area and the mountain. There are not any secrets anymore, Joe tourist can talk to someone at the lift and find out where to go these days. Sure, I will take some heat for saying this, but in all honesty if there is not a government warning not to ski it, I probably will check it out.

 

[VTpowder]

:argue:

lets fight, you can just try to kick some *ss, just don't let me see you there,
and rivercoil, steve, your an idiot. i don't know what else to say, you are being ridiculous and don't know the first thing about cutting glades and what any of the terrain of big jay looks like without snow, just stop posting about it.
the particular area where the most trees were cut down is right at the top and alot of the trees that were removed were already damaged and or dieing from people skiing out there with not enough snow or from pulling and fight your through spaces that were too tight to ski to get to the more open spaces.
i know i will see you out there skiing it and that is why all this hypocritical nonsense needs to stop.

the old saying goes"good or bad , any publicity is good publicity" and the more that this is made an issue the more people it will appeal to. the whole matter needs to be dropped . let it be.

 

[tjf67]

:argue:

lets fight, you can just try to kick some *ss, just don't let me see you there,
and rivercoil, steve, your an idiot. i don't know what else to say, you are being ridiculous and don't know the first thing about cutting glades and what any of the terrain of big jay looks like without snow, just stop posting about it.
the particular area where the most trees were cut down is right at the top and alot of the trees that were removed were already damaged and or dieing from people skiing out there with not enough snow or from pulling and fight your through spaces that were too tight to ski to get to the more open spaces.
i know i will see you out there skiing it and that is why all this hypocritical nonsense needs to stop.

the old saying goes"good or bad , any publicity is good publicity" and the more that this is made an issue the more people it will appeal to. the whole matter needs to be dropped . let it be.

Its about time someone said it.

 

[kingdom-tele]

theres no question selective trimming and cutting has been done throughout the forests of new england to make skiing more enjoyable, however, there is a big difference between a limb clip / prune and complete removal of a tree, there is also is the knowledge that comes with doing the job, which is to some degree the adventure of woods skiing, finding the "open" glade, linking the the zones and putting to memory which tree and rock to turn left or right at, this cut removes all of that, it now offers a desent more like teardrop, which is great in its own right, but not "woods skiing" its a trail, with little adventure or cause for awareness - an invite for way to many, you talk about how hammered the trees were from skiers already, what cna be expected now

 

[David Metsky]

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. Having skied up there I find this to be an unneeded, poorly thought out, horrendously executed clusterfuck. It will change the nature of that area for the worse for years to come. I hope the two idiots get the book thrown at them. This is the second major illegal trail cut in that area where none was needed; it seems no one learned from the first one.

 

[Tin Woodsman]

:argue:

lets fight, you can just try to kick some *ss, just don't let me see you there,
and rivercoil, steve, your an idiot. i don't know what else to say, you are being ridiculous and don't know the first thing about cutting glades and what any of the terrain of big jay looks like without snow, just stop posting about it.
the particular area where the most trees were cut down is right at the top and alot of the trees that were removed were already damaged and or dieing from people skiing out there with not enough snow or from pulling and fight your through spaces that were too tight to ski to get to the more open spaces.
i know i will see you out there skiing it and that is why all this hypocritical nonsense needs to stop.

the old saying goes"good or bad , any publicity is good publicity" and the more that this is made an issue the more people it will appeal to. the whole matter needs to be dropped . let it be.

Dude - talk about the pot calling the kettle black. You're a clown. Even worse, a clown who can't write.

 

[awf170]

your an idiot.

http://www.bustedtees.com/shirt/yourretarded

 

[JimG.]

http://www.bustedtees.com/shirt/yourretarded

Austin, you make me laugh.

 

[nhski]

I'm interested in hearing peoples thoughts on this question.

Are people being a hypocrite for saying they won't ski this illegaly cut "trail", but use the illegaly cut trail to get to big jay from jay peak?

 

[tjf67]

I'm interested in hearing peoples thoughts on this question.

Are people being a hypocrite for saying they won't ski this illegaly cut "trail", but use the illegaly cut trail to get to big jay from jay peak?

Of course they are. It just a matter of how illegal it was to suit there personal wants.