fcksummer
Member
Higby Mountain 2.27.15 (CT Backcountry - The Rest Stop Chute)
I've been driving back and forth between Boston and NJ quite a bit this winter and every time I've gotten off the Merritt Parkway and onto 91 North these cliff faces have caught my eye.
After 3 or 4 trips past this epic terrain I began to wonder if we've gotten enough snow to possibly conduct a first descent down this steep and exposed beast. I spotted a tiny chute that led into an open sustained steep. I visualized tearing down through the chute and laying down some massive sweeping carves at 50mph+
Here's the line
I parked in the 91 rest stop and quickly hopped over the fence to begin the ascent in a race against the sun. The snow had a light crust on top and was knee high for most of the climb. There was a cross country ski path that I was able to follow most of the way up. The path provided some minor relief from sinking through the snow. Three quarters of the way up the trail ended and the snow became waist high in a few windblown areas. This slowed me down significantly as the sun began to set.
I finally reached the chute I had spotted from the highway.
The waist deep snow apparently had given way to thin cover. I figured once I made it through this section it would open up into a deep powdery field. I strapped in and dodged the rocks as I made my way through the rocky chute. No scrapes! I'm thinking I'm home free with no damage to my board when suddenly I realize I'm riding over a stream. The snow is rapidly turning into a rocky run-off. My board is sinking quickly as I try to dodge rocks and get away from the (water)fall line. A few bumps and scrapes later I'm back on powder topped with a layer of hard crust. I make a couple of turns but now I'm dealing with sluff as it races down the hard surface threatening to take my board out from under me and possibly carry me all the way to the highway. I've had about enough of Higby at this point. I slip into the trees and out of danger but not before I can snap one last picture looking back up at what I conquered.
I wouldn't recommend this one until we get another storm :lol:
I've been driving back and forth between Boston and NJ quite a bit this winter and every time I've gotten off the Merritt Parkway and onto 91 North these cliff faces have caught my eye.
After 3 or 4 trips past this epic terrain I began to wonder if we've gotten enough snow to possibly conduct a first descent down this steep and exposed beast. I spotted a tiny chute that led into an open sustained steep. I visualized tearing down through the chute and laying down some massive sweeping carves at 50mph+
Here's the line
I parked in the 91 rest stop and quickly hopped over the fence to begin the ascent in a race against the sun. The snow had a light crust on top and was knee high for most of the climb. There was a cross country ski path that I was able to follow most of the way up. The path provided some minor relief from sinking through the snow. Three quarters of the way up the trail ended and the snow became waist high in a few windblown areas. This slowed me down significantly as the sun began to set.
I finally reached the chute I had spotted from the highway.
The waist deep snow apparently had given way to thin cover. I figured once I made it through this section it would open up into a deep powdery field. I strapped in and dodged the rocks as I made my way through the rocky chute. No scrapes! I'm thinking I'm home free with no damage to my board when suddenly I realize I'm riding over a stream. The snow is rapidly turning into a rocky run-off. My board is sinking quickly as I try to dodge rocks and get away from the (water)fall line. A few bumps and scrapes later I'm back on powder topped with a layer of hard crust. I make a couple of turns but now I'm dealing with sluff as it races down the hard surface threatening to take my board out from under me and possibly carry me all the way to the highway. I've had about enough of Higby at this point. I slip into the trees and out of danger but not before I can snap one last picture looking back up at what I conquered.
I wouldn't recommend this one until we get another storm :lol:
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