A goo toll road ski “with” Lucy

Except for the very beginning she skated several kilometers ahead of me, while I was slowly skinning up the road. Brilliant day, and excellent conditions.

Ice climbs are forming in Cascade Pass

It looks like "Three Flows" will be ready in another two weeks; of course the larger question is when will the lake be frozen?

BLAST FROM THE PAST … best mountain boot I ever owned

From the famous 1972 Chouinard mail order catalog, they lasted for over a decade of intense wear. 

Good week with temperatures more winter-like

After last week's recovery week, I was back at full tilt logging just under 17 hours, just over 5600', and 127k (77k exercise bike, 29k ski, and 21k run). I also managed two strength sessions, and some good flexibility work in my "tai chi for skiers" class.

Things looking up …

With colder weather, and a dusting of more snow, skiing on the toll road continues!

Fallback site until they start making snow at Mint Van Hoevenberg

Despite another good toll road ski this morning, I am not sure we will have reliable skiing until Thanksgiving. Not sure I am up for the drive to Labrador City, but Quebec is looking more hopeful, and a more manageable drive. This is the nordic center webcam at Mont Sainte Anne … only a five hour drive. 

 

BLAST FROM THE PAST … bagging a peak on 2013 silvretta traverse

Guillaume, Hock, with Harry just around the corner, while Dick and Ted were making some turns.

Another good toll road ski tour

BLAST FROM THE PAST … bagging a peak on 2013 silvretta traverse

Guillaume, Hock, with Harry just around the corner, while Dick and Ted were making some turns.

Ice climbing recon

On the north side of Pitchoff, ice climbs - like "Central Pillar Of Pitchoff - are starting to form. It won't be long now!

North American Snow Cover At This Moment

The big picture view.  The Menihek Nordic Center in Labrador City is tracked and open for business. Frozen Thunder in Canmore is hosting races right now, and Mont Sainte Anne in Quebec is not open, but is covered (top to bottom) with a 3-4 inch layer of natural snow. 

Get psyched for skimo

 https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=virM14yzhmZQUt_w&v=E7uL80rDFsM&feature=youtu.be

Anniversary present arrived - a robot vacuum cleaner - which we named Rosie

The 1962 animated show the Jetsons, about a sitcom about a family in 2062 had an android cleaning maid named Rosie.

On a different note, I had a good recovery week. (Usually after three or four high volume weeks, I take a casual week, with a 10-15%  volume reduction.)  So this week I logged: just over 14 hours, 4100' vertical, on 125k (87k exercise bike, 21k run, 17k ski), two yoga sessions, and a single strength workout.  A new training block starts tomorrow. 

BLAST FROM THE PAST … ski mountaineering in the Alps

Selden was looking through her old blog posts and found this entry about me which she passed along.

Pretty scratchy …

Nothing pretty, but still skiable. Yesterday, was my third ski tour of the season on the Whiteface toll road.

First days ski touring on Whiteface toll road

The past couple of days I had two excellent tours, with 2.5 inches of snow … just barely enough. Fun start to the season.

Hoping to make a pre-Thanksgiving trip to check on ice in the ravines

Halfway through my training year … are my goals in reach?

At the six month mark, it's time to assess if I am on track with my goals. My training goals for this 2023-24 were:
- maintain an overall volume of 725 to 775 hours
- continue with yearly accumulated vertical between 200,000' and 250,000'
- increase balance and flexibility work with more yoga sessions (100-120 this year)
- mitigate knee issues with cross training, strength sessions, and limit running to 40k
- continue with 110-130 overall days on snow
- do more nordic skate sessions
- increase days riding lifts to 30-35 sessions and work on technique

Given that I put up the biggest numbers in the year during the winter, I look to be on track, with current figures pointing to just over 700 hours, around 240,000' vertical, if increase in yoga, and incrementally more strength sessions than the previous years. Moreover, I have more spring/summer on snow days than ever before. All of this should enable me to do more mountain trail racing, more nordic and skimo racing, as well as adding more overall climbing, adventure, and big mountain days.

100 Years of Scottish Mountaineering (part 1 of 6)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=RayznZfgDp8 



Chomping at the bit for ski season

However, it was another good training week: 17 training hours, 4800' vertical ascent, 133k (93 exercise bike, 40k run), 2 strength and 2 yoga sessions. But, I am ready to transition to a new season.

FYI … another episode just dropped in the 90 pound rucksack podcast

If you listen to podcasts, this series is awesome. It will eventually encompass 18 episodes and a book release. 

I have listened to the first seven episodes of The 90 Pound Rucksack podcast and they are riveting. It's a history of WWII, history of the 10th Mountain, and the history of skiing and climbing in America, all rolled into one. It is co-sponsored by the American Alpine Club. Well worth a listen; the production quality is excellent; and it is available on google-Spotify-Apple podcasts.

https://christianbeckwith.com/

Keeping fingers crossed

Maybe if the storm over performs, I'll be able to ski the upper 3-4K of the toll road tomorrow. 

Slapstick, hilarious 14 minute video about Pierra Menta skimo race

Good race footage, humorous cameos with Kilian, and of course, spectacular scenery.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=nB5JPh5yja0c3W61&v=IzG3YIM-QLI&feature=youtu.be

Almost November and we are having 60 degree days

Next week temperatures will drop to more seasonable levels, but it has made for good hiking weather.

Some strength training for ski season

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/26/well/move/skiing-injuries-workouts.html

First books on loan from AAC Library arrived

I have two novels by Roger Frison-Roche, and North Face In Winter by Toni Hiebler, about his first winter ascent of the 1938 north face route of them Eiger. 

Another AI generated mountain scene

Needless to say, I am looking forward to getting back to the Alps. Selden and I just made reservations for a week in Chamonix next fall for our 40th anniversary.




AAC video: Ice Climbing in a Changing Climate

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=G_aNuzAi8ioalFco&v=O2Uc4o8y2Ng&feature=youtu.be

Weekend snow did not materialize, however the forecast …

Looking like the next ten days will bring below normal temperatures; so I assume snow making will begin, and if we get precipitation at least some of it should come as snow!

Last week was another good training week: I logged just under 17 hours, 4450' vertical ascent, on 146k (106k exercise bike and 40k run). I also managed two yoga sessions, and one strength session using the Chamonix Mountain Physio model.

History of Mount Van Hoevenberg

To read the remainder of the article, and to get to this fabulous website use the enclosed link.

https://nyskiblog.com/directory/ski-area-history/mount-van-hoevenburg/

BIT OF A BUMMER …

Selden has our car to make a trip to see grandkids, and then do some historical research in southern Connecticut.  So, it looks like I will miss out on an early season ski on Monday, up the Whiteface Toll Road. 

Walter Breeman Performing Arts Center at NCS …

On December second will host the Mountaineer Backcountry Ski Film evening.

Jay Peak Off In The Distance

On the drive towards Jay Mountain Road, where a did a couple of laps with a 15 pound pack for a muscular endurance workout.

Skiing the Catamount Trail in Vermont

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=ajHc8Al5F_gGuYJm&v=SDWeKa-VKEQ&feature=youtu.be

Lucy gets a shoutout from the Washington Post

Lucy and her Pine Tree Power Campaign are entering the final weeks before the election.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/19/maine-ballot-question-with-big-climate-implications/

Women in the White Mountains

Great photos and interesting stories, especially concerning hiking and climbing. Also, some great photos of mountain landscapes by female artists. 

https://www.plymouth.edu/mwm/wp-content/uploads/sites/170/2017/12/Taking_the_Lead_Catalog-FINAL.pdf

So, when will be the first Whiteface Toll Road ski this season?

Great text and video … A Short History Of The Stonemasters

https://www.climbing.com/people/stonemasters/

THE NEXT FIVE YEARS … part 3… tactical considerations

TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Given that we are old geezers, I would argue two old farts, out for a long day in the mountains do not really have much of a margin for error. Spending a full day scrambling a third class route, with maybe a few short pitches as a rope of two, means that a sprained ankle, tweaked knee, or bum shoulder could have serious consequences. After all, what can the u injured geriatric mountaineer really do? So, I have three tactical suggestions to increase our safety factor.

First, in our sunset years, let's go as a rope of three.  Ideally, that rope of three might include someone who could be one-part guide, one-part rope gun, and one-part muscle to carry a heavier pack. As an associated suggestion, could we pay their way, and get Tori, or Larry, or Mickey to do a few routes with us in the Tetons, Chamonix, or the Cordillera Blanca? They get a free trip, in return for 2-3 days with us, and then they arrange for their real partners to meet them. (I believe that Fred Beckey did something like this through his 80s.)

Second, as I have mentioned before in this missive, I believe we need to utilize huts, ski lifts, mules, and a well placed bivy to break these potential mountain routes into bite sized pieces. For instance, I know that I can not do South Teton in a day from the valley. However, turn it into a three day trip … camp in the meadows, climb the peak the next day, then camp in the meadows, and hike out the final day.  I AM SURE I COULD DO THAT, especially if a stud like Larry or Tori carried much of the group gear. Of course, in Europe or Canada its even easier; take the Grand Montet ski lift and hike 90 minutes to the hut in Argentiere and spend the night.  Climb the standard route, and spend another night, then a short hike to the ski lift on the final day.  So, for an associated suggestion; join the American Alpine Club … reduced rates on huts, $5000 in rescue insurance, and $7500 in medical expenses,  it to mention library privileges. 

The third and final tactical suggestion: we all need to spend more time increasing our fitness. Easy for me to say, as - knock on wood - I have had four years of retirement with good health. My knees and one shoulder are crap, but I have basically been able to train uninterrupted. However, you guys know better than me, that could change tomorrow, if my health goes south.  That said, if we are going to have geriatric, big days in the mountains I think we need to build up to a routine of 9-10 hours of exercise a week, aiming at 3-4000' vertical a week, including some flexibility and strength work. Slow and steady; we don't need high intensity exercise at our age; make it fun. Hell, I hate riding an exercise bike, but if I am going to watch a football game, I might as well pedal through the first half!

WE CAN DO THIS.  

(I am not going to get up the 5.9 Irene's Arete ever again, but I can certainly climb Disappointment Peak in the Tetons, by the snow filled Spoon Couloir pictured below.) 

Dealing with shoulder pain

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/29/well/move/shoulder-injury-prevention.html

Weather and the seasons are changing

The foliage is well past its prime; chilly and raining mornings the norm, with occasional dustings of snow above 4200'. Likely, I'll be skiing in under a month. A good week of training: just over 17 hours, just over 4500' vertical, on 123k (83k exercise bike, 40k run), additionally 3 yoga and 2 strength sessions.

Performance limits in ultrarunning

https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/limits-of-ultrarunning-research/

Nordic World Cup Schedule

The season starts for the big boys and girls in just over one month.  This weekend the U.S. team finishes a two week camp, with a couple of rollerski races at Soldier Hollow, and then in early November head to Scandinavia to be on snow. 

American Alpine Club

Well earlier this week I joined the club - I was a member back in the late 1970s and early 1980s - but it seems that in my sunset years I ought to be joining again, and maybe giving something back to the alpine community. That said, as I read the 160+ pages of the members guide, I realize there are some great benefits to joining - not to mention AAJ, Accidents in North American Mountaineering, library privileges, rescue insurance and hut discounts - as well as all the advocacy, policy initiatives, and grants they give out. 

JOIN UP. 

As you can see below, the membership guide also functions as their fiscal report. 

https://www.flipsnack.com/americanalpineclub/guidebook-x.html?p=120&mc_cid=077ebc3a04&mc_eid=86a36fe15d

Nice short outing in between rain showers

ALPINE ROULETTE

A reminder that while climate change creates huge long term issues for civilization in the coming decades, it creates risk assessment issues for your next alpine climb tomorrow. 

https://publications.americanalpineclub.org/articles/13201215139

Sunset over Street and Nye tonight



Skinning 2.5 million vertical feet in a year

Hard to imagine anyone trying to break this record.  However, the video has some nice scenery and it gets you psyched for the winter to come, and maybe it motivates you to start checking if your gear is ready to go. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=3zdm2f-sOxzWjCdY&v=nKidiVrT_Uk&feature=youtu.be

The Black Dike on Cannon

when I climbed the Black Dike with Mike Brochu and Michael Franklin eight years after the first ascent, it was still considered a hard test piece then; it ranks as one of my favorite mountain memories, but I can not imagine doing it 50 year later.  Hats off to Bouchard, who must be a real stud at 70!

https://www.climbing.com/news/bouchard-black-dike/

First snow of the season

This morning, on the summit of Whiteface.