Saddleback - Pre AZ summit 3/26/10

[WoodCore]

See you all @ 11! Most likely I'll be out on the hill around 9:30 or so so if your arriving early give a shout.

 

[riverc0il]

Great, see you then!

If for any reason the Kennebago is on wind hold, bottom of the double at 11a instead.

 

[roark]

I'm out, work keeps piling up... enjoy!

 

[Terry]

They are reporting 6 inches of new snow. I will be there tomorrow with a group from Shawnee Peak. Might run into you guys!

 

[dropKickMurphy]

Would be a bummer if the summit is off line on Friday due to winds but there is still plenty of good runs off the Double to warrant a solid half day. I will be there regardless of winds as I have a voucher to use.

I will be bringing skins in the event that the summit is off line due to wind. Not that I anticipate conditions on the summit being any better if the winds are blowing but because why the heck not and I will be disappointed if I don't at least see how the top of Casablanca and Muleskinner look... let alone go there and not make the attempt to ski them if possible.

Both the Kennebago and the Rangeley Double were down due to wind on Wednesday.



Good news is another 1-3" of new snow predicted tonight. Worst case, we're limited to the T-bar. But there are some fun trails over there.

Never skinned before. But I recently picked up a pair of skins for my Gotamas (mounted w/ Dukes) . I'm thinking that skinning from the top of the double (or even the T-bar) to get to the top of Saddleback is pretty much the situation what Dukes were designed for. So I might give it a go.

I'm 54, and my conditioning isn't exactly where I want it to be. But, last October I climbed Saddleback; picked up the AT at the summit; and continued over the Horn, Saddleback Jr; and several other peaks with about 40 lbs on my back. Continued N on the AT and 3 days later made it to the summit of Sugarloaf and descended via the ski trails.

So I should be able to handle skinning a couple hundred feet of vert without dropping dead. (If I do drop dead....well, I'm planning on being at Sarge's in Rangeley by around 9:00 tonight. First one to buy me a beer gets dibs on the Gotamas)

From the Saddleback blog (Wednesday):
------------------------------
I am breaking from tradition, and will post a quick blog here on my day off. I feel it necessary as I have just had one the most fun mornings off skiing here at Saddleback. I have not had a powder day in a while so it was a real treat when I found up to six inches of fresh powder snow on the mountain this morning. My early morning report was 2 to 3 inches at 4:30 AM. However snow intensified and we ended with 6. We still have some flurries but it should clear tonight and be a bluebird day for tomorrow.

The upper mountain was closed today, so we skied mostly off of the T-bar. The snow had some real body to it and although only 6 inches deep, it skied as though it was much deeper. We were able to be the first tracks on Red Devil and that was dreamy! My last run was Lower Professor where the snow was ;deeper from wind drift and was a real pleasure to ski. Tomorrow we will have the upper lifts open and those trails have not been;touched by any skier or rider. Those of you who get here first thing tomorrow morning will be able to make lots of first tracks. Happy skiing!
---------------------------------------------------------

 

[BackLoafRiver]

I am psyched!!! I should be there around 8ish. If you are in the lodge, look me up.

 

[from_the_NEK]

If I can get out of the house by 6:30 I should be there between 9 and 10:00. Look for the guy in a bright yellow coat and a Burke sticker on his forehead. Here's hoping the upper mtn isn't on wind hold :beer:

 

[wa-loaf]

Should be there 9-9:30. Look for the guy in the avatar.

 

[BackLoafRiver]

On my way!

 

[salsgang]

Hi Guys - have fun today. Wish I could join you but work calls today. Looks like a "rip the groomer" day as everything is freezing up. :-/. Have fun and let us know how it goes!