Cross Country Ski!

Winter has been upon us here in the Ohio Valley.  I've not been on my bike for a few weeks but I've been getting my exercise in other ways like shoveling the white stuff and doing more walking around town.  One of my favorite ways to recreate outside in the winter is on my cross country skis.  Earlier this month the wave of single digit cold temperatures keep me inside but finally things began to shape up weather wise and I've gotten out a couple times.  

Today I headed out to the city park where the local high school has a one mile circuit they run cross country events during the fall season.  With a blanket of snow the loop makes a perfect course for strapping on the old boards for some Nordic style ski fun.

The RoadQueen turned me onto an interesting fitness tracker I've been messing with on my smart phone.  This app is called Endomundo.  What I like most about it is that is very easy for a non-savvy computer and smart phone guy like me to use.  Simply turn it on and hit go when you start; pause if you stop, and the square red stop button when you're done.

Here's what the information looks like once an adventure or workout is loaded.  All kinds of interesting statistics are recorded for later review and Google Maps is utilized to show the route:

Unfortunately the embed is not working that good with my old school Blogger template and the right edge is being cut off.  Here's the link to the page which should display the thing in proper form.

Here's a couple really good sunset pictures I took while out on my first cross country ski outing a week ago.  Being out at the gloaming in the winter is one of my favorites.

Cross Country Ski!

When the temperature climbed to nearly 15 degrees F yesterday afternoon I decided to go for it and get out on my cross country skis.  Just a mile or two from my house is a park that has a one mile circuit that is used by the local school's cross country team.  I can remember running the course in competition many years ago and I have to say I much prefer skiing along the loop rather than hoofing it.

Occasionally another skier will cut tracks but I guess this year nobody has been crazy enough to do it so I took it upon myself.  Lately we've had sub zero temps into the double digits and relentless winds here in Ohio so it has not been much fun going outside for any length of time.  

The fierce winds have carved and eroded the surface of the snow into strange patterns and textures much like what happens with desert sand.  In in lower depressions where the snow has drifted a crusty shell developed and this slowed me down considerably on my first lap as I broke through and sunk into the deeper snow.  On my second and third lap travel was much easier skiing in my tracks.  

I've done a few winter hikes so far this year which is an activity I really enjoy but the extreme cold has kept me inside for much of the time.  I've been keeping fit by sporadically working out in my basement gym but I admit that gets old quick. It was wonderful to finally get out and do some skiing and enjoy a sunset.      

Making Tracks

 

 

Yesterday after work I shovelled half a foot of snow off the driveway and walk. After a break for a cup of coffee and something to eat I laced up my cross country ski boots for my first trip out this season.  When a big snow storm hits I like to just leave right from my back door and take advantage of the fresh clean snow.

 

I ski a two mile loop that at one point takes me completely away from the city lights and into the quiet countryside on the edge of town.  I make my way around an up ground reservoir skiing along the top or staying around the bottom if it is very windy and cold.  At the front corner of the reservoir the bank is nicely sloped for sledding and is a popular gathering spot where neighborhood kids enjoy the timeless thrill of slipping down a icy hill.

 

As I continue my loop I cross a set of railroad tracks and make my way back into town now skiing over snow covered sidewalks lining quiet residential streets.  A good snowfall really changes the appearance of even the most familiar surroundings and going out after dark makes for a bit of adventure close to home without having to use the car to get someplace.  

 

As crazy as I am about riding my bikes I welcome the winter and the opportunity to get out and recreate in different ways.  The image of a cross country skier gracefully gliding along a groomed path may be what most people picture when they think of cross county but that's pretty far from the truth concerning my little outings.  I'm usually blazing trails through fresh snow in the woods getting my ski tips tangled up in downed branches; losing my balance and falling down.  It's a full body workout and I usually always end up sweaty and tired but fully satisfied.  

 

Winters around my circle of latitude just above 40 degrees are usually fairly mild but occasionally temperatures can really dip or we receive a big load of snowfall.  It rarely gets colder than the teens F. and most of the time the mercury hovers around the freezing mark.  This makes it ideal for most outdoor recreation and matching up clothing to the activity is not too hard.  I've found that by getting outside and doing something to generate some body heat can add some great cross training opportunities and fun as well as improving my mood during the shortened days of winter.  Most people I know mumble and complain about the cold. Not me. 

 

      

 



Family Ski Trip

For weeks now we kept pushing back the date of our family ski trip in the hopes that winter might make a late appearance here in the Eastern U.S.  Because gambling on snow conditions is quite a trial this winter we decided to return to a ski hill we were familiar with.  LeeAnn and I first skied at Seven Springs last year.  I took a few good pictures then in the Allegheny mountains of Western PA and posted them to this blog.  This year we took Wyatt with us and had a great time skiing together as a family.

Of course we took a bunch of photos and it was tough to narrow it down to just a few.  Monday was another perfect day with a clear blue skies.

   

On the mountain top we met this cool skiing bird.  He's from Pittsburgh.

This picture by LeeAnn shows the reservoir at the summit that holds water for the snow making machines. 

The North Face of the resort is only accesible by riding the chair lift up from the ski lodge and dropping in on this side of the moutain.  The area has longer runs and is our favorite.

I really like the above photographs.  The skiers remind me of the little little green army men I was discussing the other day.  I suppose I would be remiss if I didn't report something on the snow conditions we encountered.  Sugar.  Lighter and a bit forgiving early in the morning but heavy and sluggish later in the day as the sun warmed temperatures into the 30's.  After a break for some rest and dinner Wyatt and I headed back out for some night skiing and found the sugar had loosened back up and was again fun to ride.  You'll not hear a complaint from me at all.  I'm just happy to have a chance to carve a few turns, breath the fresh air and get a sunburn in February.

The part I liked best about this trip is after the math is done the fine dining and room with a view are on the house with the purchase of lift tickets for three people for three days.

Late afternoon view from the sixth floor.

 On the last morning of our stay we rode a short lift that ran through the village at the summit.  The trail led us down between the condos passing under a couple short concrete tunnels.

Ski Report

Friday into Saturday four inches of new snow fell.  Temperatures dropped into the teens and the wind blew during the daylight hours.  Around sundown Saturday evening the family and I arrived at the local hill for some night skiing.  Luckily what little loose snow that was to be found wasn't clumpy at all because of the colder temperatures.  Lift lines amounted to one or two chairs so we spent 3 solid hours going up and down.  Wyatt is doing great on skis and now his speed has raised mom's anxiety level a notch or two.

Sunday afternoon I stayed close to home and went out to try some cross country skiing.  While an inch or two of snow on the surface is all that's needed for cross country the problem is the ground is not frozen and the result is wet snow that just sticks to the bottom of the ski as soon as forward motion ceases.  To say its been a mild winter is the understatement of the year.  This was my first attempt at cross country this year and after a disappointing 3/4 miles I gave up and headed home.  I'm not putting my gear away just yet though.  Heavy snowstorms aren't uncommon through the month of March so there is still a chance for some good flat ground skiing here in Ohio.

        

Skiing with Wyatt

We had about five inches of fresh snow on the ground a week ago but it all melted away in the last few days.  Everyone I talk to says this is the mildest winter they can remember.  I've been around 41 years and this is the highest average temperatures I've seen in winter in Ohio.  Saturday was crisp and clear but very windy so we decided to stay close to home and go for a winter hike and save the skiing for Sunday.  Skies were clear and sunny again on our way to the ski area and while we were on the hill we watched a snow squall move in from the West.   

Down in the valley you can see grass.  Not the typical January in North Central Ohio.

Today was Wyatt's third time out and I am very proud of him.  He rode the highest lift in the ski area and skied down the main run "Mt Mansfield" named after the nearby town.  Sharing this time with my son and watching him learn a new skill has been awesome and something I won't soon forget.

We have a family trip planned in a few weeks to Pennsylvania to ski on a bigger hill yet so after today I think Wyatt is right on track to take it to the next level.

 

Wyatt's First Ski Trip

Here in Ohio we have ski hills.  I've come to the conclusion that a ski "hill" is better than no hill. And to an eleven year old out for the first time on skis it may as well be a mountain.  Now that winter has finally decided to show it's face we geared up and took a short half hour drive east to Snow Trails for some family fun on the slopes.

Sharing new experiences with a child is one of the greatest rewards in parenting.  Seeing the excitement in his face after making a few slow and easy turns and arriving at the bottom of the practice hill without crashing is something money can't buy.  

About four inches of snow recently fell and temperatures dropped sufficiently enough to allow the snow machines to make additional white stuff.  Here it is half way through January and all the runs are finally open.  The temperature topped out at 27 degrees F during our visit keeping conditions near perfect.

We rode up the ski carpet on the practice hill several times before venturing onto the lift. Wyatt was nervous but he made it to the top with a successful dismount by his mom's side.  Because LeeAnn has experience teaching I kept my mouth shut and let her play the part of ski instructor.  After a couple hours Wyatt mastered the snow plow and was starting to get a grasp on changing directions.  He took some spills of course but we all did when learning the ropes of this wintertime sport.  I look forward to watching his skills ramp up on our next trips to the hill.

Much bigger hills lie to the East in New York, West Virginia and PA all within a four hour drive. Traveling to those ski areas almost certainly requires an overnight stay and additional travel expenses so my wife and I consider ourselves lucky to have a place just a short drive from home where we can at least carve a few turns.

Downhill Skiing with LeeAnn

For Valentine's Day my wife took me on a romantic getaway to Seven Springs in southwest Pennsylvania.  (Yes, she is awesome!)

Although an avid cross country skier I wasn't to sure how I would fare on a real hill.  It's been fifteen years since I went alpine skiing and I am happy to report that it is much like riding a bike.  Within a few minutes I was gracefully carving turns like I had not missed a beat.

We arrived Monday afternoon at the resort to fierce wind and sideways blowing snow.  We made a quick mutual decision to skip the Valentine's dinner and proceeded directly to the lift after renting my equipment.  After a couple hours of night skiing in near blizzard conditions we retired to the lodge and had a well earned meal of gourmet burgers and fries.

  

Fate smiled upon us and the next day was sunny and perfect.  The air was clear and calm even at the summit 2,994 feet above sea level.  More than once we heard the locals commenting that "It doesn't get any better than this."  I have to agree.

Seven Springs terrain park with insane big air ramps and world class half pipe has been recognized "The Best in the East" by snowboarding publications.  And no, I didn't even think about it.  This is as close as I got and that was only to take the photograph.

Seven Springs Mountain Resort

XC Ski -- Mohican State Park

On Saturday I hung around the house playing video games with my son and made some contacts on amateur radio.  During the night we received a couple inches of fresh snow and by Sunday morning cabin fever was rearing its ugly head again so by my second cup of coffee I had my plans finalized to get out of Dodge.

I threw my skis and gear in the car and made the 45 minute drive to Mohican State Park for some back country ski fun.  I consider myself fortunate to have such a great park so close to home.  Mohican is also home to a killer mountain bike trail I highlighted in this post which is located in the northern part of the park.  For cross country skiing the ideal track is the bridle trail network detailed on the map south of State Route 97.  My route for the day was about half of the Blue Trail.  Starting at the staging area I traveled in a counter clockwise direction working my way south and basically skiing a big loop.  I paralleled County Road T-3286 for a short time then crossed C-3275 before swinging back north again.  After crossing the frozen Pine Run and continuing north for another half mile or so I used the new red-blue connector to put me on course back towards the bridal staging area and back to the car.  The connector is the faded red dashed line that parallels T-3234 on the right side of the map.

I estimate my total trip was about 8 miles and I was on the trail for a total of four hours.  Had I continued following the blue blazes I would have eventually crossed State Route 97 before turning west and ending up at the snowmobile trail head shown at the very top of the map.  

Pine Run

Eastern Hemlock

Snack break at C-3275 crossing

My Trusty CamelBack Mule.

The Mule is my four season adventure sports companion.  The little pack rides securely and comfortably on my back with plenty of room for a day out in the wild.  I've used this hiking, biking, skiing and even kayaking and like it's namesake it is always up to the task.

One important thing to remember this time of year is once you have gotten a drink hold the tube up in the air and squeeze the bite valve so the water runs back down into the reservoir.  When pressure is released from the valve a seal is created and the tube remains empty.  If this step is forgotten the whole thing freezes solid in short order.