Monday, December 10, 2012

Another Thin Cover Winter?

Whiner.
It's mid December.  Do you know where your snowpack is?
So far this year is looking a lot like last year's thin cover disaster.  Although the resorts have shown strong starts, this is largely do to some excellent snowmaking.

Unfortunately, the glades and backcountry trails are still waiting for their share.

The Burlington Free Press recently reported that Burlington, VT has gone nearly two years without a snowstorm of more than 6".

This can't last.  I guarantee there's a powder reckoning coming to the North Country.  That's right.  You heard it here first.  It is going to snow in New England this winter.

If I'm wrong I'll eat this MRE from across the pond.  (Seriously, I wonder how many of these our friends at e-Outdoor sell here in the US.)

When you're done looking up what the heck is "spotted dick and custard", have a look at last year's piece on what to do when Old Man Winter is playing hard to get.

11 comments:

  1. Some even more depressing reading on the subject of NO SNOW:

    http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2012/12/as-the-world-warms-the-future-of-skiing-looks-bleak/

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    1. I actually read somewhere that global warming may lead to colder winters in our neck of the woods (in the short term). It's still waaaaay too early to give up on this winter. I just looked and confirmed Mt. Mansfield is at average for snow depth (about one foot). With the shorter days it seems like we should already be in the thick of winter, but really that doesn't come until mid-February. I go through this every December. We all just need to take a deep breath and go watch some ski porn.

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  2. I have already watched Warren Miller's Flow State and I am to excited for there to not be any snow again. I trust your wisdom and will wait for the snow that I know is coming!

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    1. You'll be hearing from me as soon as y'all get a decent snowpack in Western MA this winter. Like I said, I've got something planned that involves a short approach, crampons, skis, and a 40 degree 800 foot descent. I'm not at liberty to say more at the moment.

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  3. You certainly have my undivided attention. I am puzzled as to where there could be an 800 foot descent on a 40 degree slope here in Western MA. I have one idea of a place that might meet all of this criteria and that place is just 2 miles from my house.

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  4. Mt Graylock power lines west side did them many times in the 80s look out for the 2 mandatory airs. On the way up use left side trees to pull your self up and over the air spots. Oh by the way the trail is called Face shots & rooster tails.

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    1. Not where I was thinking, but that is on my list!

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  5. praying for snow in this wet pattern

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  6. i am totally inept at this socail media thing so may be posting all sorts of stupid comments till i get it figured out.
    no idea what google circle is.
    sounds like someone here lives near Nobscot Mtn. in framingham/sudubury. Great verticle there if you dont know already.
    just need snow.

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    1. Thanks Tom. I might have to check out Nobscot one of these snowy mornings. Mostly ice here in the MetroWest last night though.

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