BLAST FROM THE PAST… Mark and Hock in Alaska

Recently, I was down at the Fossil Cabin drinking some whiskey with Larry, and was reminded of this photo on the wall. An article My son wrote when he was working for the local newspaper.

I know you have heard the story but thought you might want to read it again!

Another book from Hock’s Alpine Library

A dozen years ago, I bought this in Chamonix for its historical value, as the author, Anselme Baud, is considered the father of modern extreme skiing. Most of the terrain and descents covered are way out of my league.

On a different note, as a former nordic racer, my training year ends tomorrow on April 30th. I believe this is the first week since November where my log does not include some form of skiing!

My training week was a good one, indicating the successful change-over to this new season. Last week I logged just under 16 hours, on 136k (105k exercise bike and 31k run), with 3750' vertical ascent. I also managed 4 PT stretching sessions and one strength session.

The Caretaker … a video about the Harvard Cabin

Back in 1978 when I was a caretaker, there was no social media, no iPhones, or drones to make a digital film; but in most ways the job, and the place, is pretty much unchanged.  The one major cabin improvement is propane lights and a propane stove.

https://vimeo.com/902061803

Best cross country ski movie ever????

Who knew?  I skied in biathlon races with Raimond Dombrovskis  in the mid-1980s.  I remember my buddy Tracy Lamb - then an assistant coach with the U.S. Team - telling me that Raimond was going to do this epic rollerski, but I never heard anymore about it. I am planning to watch it, some rainy day, when I am on my exercise bike. I do remember those crappy roller skis though! 

https://fasterskier.com/2024/04/fasterskier-at-the-movies-the-best-cross-country-ski-movie-ever/

First Owl’s Head hike of 2024

A beautiful spring-like day, although it was 14 degrees yesterday morning!

The ski history of the Jackson Hole Air Force

An interesting full length documentary video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=ydUI_gMmbNWd-8UL&v=n8t3o0sssGE&feature=youtu.be

Important part of my knee PT

Easy to do, with or without, implements.  I often do it on one leg for five rotations in each direction, before switching to the other leg.  I check her Instagram account every so often, as she always has great stretches and exercises to do.

Another book from Hock’s Alpine Library

The United Nations declared 2002 to be the International Year of Mountains. This collection of essays grew out of the summit that Banff Center convened called "Extreme Landscape: challenge and celebration." Dipping into a few, I was particularly impressed with Edwin Bernbaum's "Mountains of Inspiration." An essay that ranges from the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhist Milarepa to the Lakota medicine man Black Elk; passages from the Bible give way to the poetry of Li Po and Yeats; the paintings of Hokusai and Cezanne, lead to the stories of Rousseau, Hemingway, and Mann, as well as the mountaineering struggles of Mallory and Herzog.

Well worth the time if you can find a copy.

At the Yankee game with Lenny

A long day, but great to catch up with my long time buddy, eat an amazing amount of delicious food (no stadium franks today), and watch the Bronx bombers. 

On a different note, I had a pretty good week of training, as I transition out of winter. I logged 14.5 hours, on 120k (86 bike, 28k run, 6k ski), and 4250' vertical.  I also managed three sessions of PT stretching, and one strength session … I do wish I had added one more ski in this week. 

Union lacrosse game

I went down to Schenectady to meet up with Harry, Klink, and Sue to watch Union (9-3) annihilate Vassar 19-9. Fun time, and good weather, although it was snowing by the time I got home.

The memories of all those soaks in hot springs out West

No mention of the Travertine Queen though! 

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/destinations/north-america/cult-hot-springs-west/?utm_term=ool&utm_campaign=ool-longreads&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_fIc0NchSZhK6BQsk3_I69Uq_Nl6dnEXQTIwaimD6Lgpi78zNKbWwJzV48cw63RstpjQQUK4kBPqa-hNmco9bZs-hN6g&_hsmi=301098114&utm_source=newsletter

Zermatt wasn’t always a premier winter resort

It's hard to imagine, but until 1927 Zermatt and traffic up the valley from Visp, was pretty much was shutdown all winter. An interesting short article, on the first "tourist trip" up the Gornergrat during the winter. 

https://www.gornergrat.ch/en/stories/geschichte-first-winter-expedition-gornergrat

Another illustration from Summits Of Samivel



Looks like spring is finally coming our way



Another episode of the Ninety Pound Rucksack has dropped

a well produced, extensively researched, and very entertaining look at the origin and rise of the 10th Mountain Division, it's impact on the war, and subsequent impact on the outdoor industry. 

https://christianbeckwith.com/

A crappy winter, and a decent week in April

At the the moment my total stands at 117 days on snow this season, however I suspect I might log a day or two more before May 1st. Both Mount Van Hoevenberg and Whiteface closed this weekend, but both still have lingering snow … not to mention Killington or Tuckermans Ravine.

This week I logged just over 15 hours, with 115k (63k bike, 35k ski, 17k run), and 5100' vertical ascent. I also managed three PT stretching sessions and one PT strength session for my shoulder.

Core Strength Training from The Uphill Athlete



Yesterday was a nice spring ski … but MVH just closed for the season

Hopefully, I'll get another day or two somewhere on snow before my season ends. 

Just before totality when we took the glasses off

The Edge Of Never … superb video on history of extreme skiing in Chamonix

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=R6SKpjjg5UU

I am also re-reading the book by Willam Kerig, which is also worth your time,and available on Internet Archive. (The quote below is featured at the start of the book.)

The Grand Traverse … still on my bucket list

But, I am not getting any younger, so I better get after it!

BLAST FROM THE PAST … 2008 Union alumni lacrosse game



Beautiful ski this morning

The awesome total eclipse was followed up by a wonderful, warm, and spring-like day.

OH, AND LAST WEEK WAS MY 110th DAY ON SNOW THIS SEASON

Samivel … the first ascent drawings

Samivel has a delightful and funny way of uncovering some of the foibles in the alpine sports we love.  Here, he exposes a key truth in many sporting endeavors: how hard it was to hook the big fish; how many tackles you broke to score the winning touchdown; or how tough that first ascent was versus how the tale was told.

Great week, even before winter returned

I think this was the biggest storm of the winter; I know it was the first time I have been on nordic racing skis three days in a row! Also, a great 36 hours at Killington, logging laps, seeing college buddies, and watching NCAA and NIT basketball.

I logged just over 14.5 hours, on 112k (63k bike, 43k ski, 6k run), with just under 5200' vertical. I also managed four PT stretching sessions and one strength session.

Tomorrow is the total solar eclipse; keeping fingers crossed for clear viewing.

Another book from the Alpine Library

Beautiful, insightful, and humorous, Samivel's line drawings and watercolors speak to alpinists and ski mountaineers. And should you be over in the Chamonix region, go visit the Samivel Garden in Les Contamines.

65 words for different types of snow

https://skimo.co/words-for-snow

A bit of humor about skimo by a big time ultrarunner

https://runthealps.com/blog/dakota-jones-tight-skimo-pants?mc_cid=429ef2059f&mc_eid=c79c623384

One of my favorite stores

A stop on the way back from Killington yesterday, Sandy's bakery and used bookstore in Rochester Vermont is awesome. (It also has a clean, and delightfully decorated, public bathroom as well.)

Vitamin I … how much, is too much

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/13/well/advil-ibuprofen-health-risks.html

Lou Whittaker memorial

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/everest/lou-whittakers-son-remembers-the-legendary-mountaineer/

Well winter is coming again … snow predictions



Getting some Skimo vertical

A good morning skinning laps at Killington.

Lucy’s big month

 My daughter has had a good month … 20th in the Birkie (2:25); a week later she won the Rangely Marathon (shortened to 38k) beating out all the Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin gals; last week 4th in a skimo 24 hour event (skiing 18,000' in 16 hours as she wanted to get a good nights sleep); today she is backcountry skiing on the East side of the Sierras. Next week, she starts a new job on Portland.

BLAST FROM THE PAST: original chouinard ice hammer

It is hard to imagine climbing steep ice, with just a Chouinard piolet, this hammer, crappy salewa screws, and pound in warthogs!