Large Scale Central

My other hobbie

Other Hobbies
#1

When it snows I like to get out and on snowshoe or cross country skiing. Tjhese two hobbies I enjoy because its just me out in the woods and once you have the gear the hobbie is free. I have been out everyday since we got snow after Christmas. Today I took my adventure and skiied Stokes SF, about 20 min drive from my house. The starting temp was 9 degrees F. (Ken would have loved it out their lol). I know Hans would have apperciated it. Start with my sports car

I took the Stoll trail up towards the ridge. This proved to be a challenge as there was a hudge stretch where the trees were knocked down from Hurricane Sandy. A lot of bushwacking.

On the Stoll Tr.

Nice creek that had not frozen over yet.

Old Beaver swamp (shut up Rooster)

Took a break at the Brink shelter by the Appalachain Tr. (water bottled had froze ugh.)

You know its cold when the Rhododendron leaves curl up ike this.

Nice path through the Hemlocks

By the time got done the temp went up to 13 degrees.

#2

Shawn,

Awesome country you live in! Thanks for posting photos.:slight_smile:

#3

I enjoy a nice XC ski through the woods as well too! :slight_smile: Been there with the frozen water bottle. I learned quickly to fill up the water bottle with warm (not boiling) water. By the time you drink the water it’s cold. I also put the bottle upside down in my pack so that when it freezes it freezes at the bottle bottom instead of the top so when you go for a drink it’s not a solid chunk of ice. :wink:

Craig

#4
Craig Townsend said:
I enjoy a nice XC ski through the woods as well too! :) Been there with the frozen water bottle. I learned quickly to fill up the water bottle with warm (not boiling) water. By the time you drink the water it's cold. I also put the bottle upside down in my pack so that when it freezes it freezes at the bottle bottom instead of the top so when you go for a drink it's not a solid chunk of ice. ;)

Craig


I made the mistake and used a bladder for my water. The hose iced up. Should have used the traditional waterbottle upside down in the pack. Tomorrow.

#5

Shawn,
I applaude your youth and enthusiasm. Is the bride and kids off to school or are you leaving them at home to hike through the wood? Good you be on the yob? Thanks for sharing, yes, you made me feel older than dirt.

#6
Shawn said:
I made the mistake and used a bladder for my water. The hose iced up. Should have used the traditional waterbottle upside down in the pack. Tomorrow.
Good to know not to use a bladder, never tried it, but now I don't need too! :) Visiting my parents over the holidays my mom reminded me of when my two sisters and I were little, Mom would take a big baked potato and cover in foil, and by lunch time the potato was still hot for us to eat, and in the mean time it gave us a warm pack :) Skier tracked trail? Looked a little narrow for a groomed trail?
#7
Craig Townsend said:
Shawn said:
I made the mistake and used a bladder for my water. The hose iced up. Should have used the traditional waterbottle upside down in the pack. Tomorrow.
Good to know not to use a bladder, never tried it, but now I don't need too! :) Visiting my parents over the holidays my mom reminded me of when my two sisters and I were little, Mom would take a big baked potato and cover in foil, and by lunch time the potato was still hot for us to eat, and in the mean time it gave us a warm pack :) Skier tracked trail? Looked a little narrow for a groomed trail?
I like the baked potato idea. Ill have to try that. The tracks were set by other skiers and snowshoers. The first part of the ski has a lot of foot traffic. It drives me nuts when people walk all over a nice set of ski tracks. After a mile or so you see less and less use to the point where Im breaking trail.
#8
Ric Golding said:
Shawn, I applaude your youth and enthusiasm. Is the bride and kids off to school or are you leaving them at home to hike through the wood? Good you be on the yob? Thanks for sharing, yes, you made me feel older than dirt.
Lol thanks Ric. The Wife was at work and the kids were at school. Thursday, friday and saturday are my days off from work so I like to use thursday and fridays to wonder the woods and get lost for a few hours. When the kids are off Ill take them to my shelter out back or we will do some of the shorter trails (watrfalls etc....) I have been hitting the skis and snowshoes at work as well, although its been in the dark since I work the 1400-0000 shift. I will throw my headlamp on and ski patrol the area. Its nice getting paid to do that, although the duty belt adds weight lol.
#9
Ric Golding said:
Thanks for sharing, yes, you made me feel older than dirt.
If it just happened now, you're doing great, Ric. Shawn's been making me feel older than dirt for a long time now ;) Ralph
#10

Looks like a good day, but what’s this nonsense about traveling horizontal (or uphill, even) with skis? :slight_smile:

Later,

K

#11
Kevin Strong said:
Looks like a good day, but what's this nonsense about traveling horizontal (or uphill, even) with skis? :)

Later,

K


It’s so you can go downhill eventually… It’s cheating to take a lift :wink:

#12
Kevin Strong said:
Looks like a good day, but what's this nonsense about traveling horizontal (or uphill, even) with skis? :)

Later,

K


Kevin,

It’s strictly for those who are actually in good enough shape for such exercise. :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue: BTW going downhill on XC skiis - full tilt and staying in the track - has scared enough downhill skier in my circle of acquaintances, they usually miss “the edge”. :lol: :lol:

#13
Hans-Joerg Mueller said:
Kevin Strong said:
Looks like a good day, but what's this nonsense about traveling horizontal (or uphill, even) with skis? :)

Later,

K


Kevin,

It’s strictly for those who are actually in good enough shape for such exercise. :stuck_out_tongue: :stuck_out_tongue: BTW going downhill on XC skiis - full tilt and staying in the track - has scared enough downhill skier in my circle of acquaintances, they usually miss “the edge”. :lol: :lol:


Lol it is different going downhill on XC skis. At least I used my backcountry skis with metal edges. Makes it a little easier.

#14
Shawn said:
Ric Golding said:
Shawn, I applaude your youth and enthusiasm. Is the bride and kids off to school or are you leaving them at home to hike through the wood? Good you be on the yob? Thanks for sharing, yes, you made me feel older than dirt.
Lol thanks Ric. The Wife was at work and the kids were at school. Thursday, friday and saturday are my days off from work so I like to use thursday and fridays to wonder the woods and get lost for a few hours. When the kids are off Ill take them to my shelter out back or we will do some of the shorter trails (watrfalls etc....) I have been hitting the skis and snowshoes at work as well, although its been in the dark since I work the 1400-0000 shift. I will throw my headlamp on and ski patrol the area. Its nice getting paid to do that, although the duty belt adds weight lol.
After seeing your place and area, I can certainly get a good picture of what you are talking about. That's fantastic that you get the kids into your World. They will always remember it. We utilize all of the facilities of the lake where our marina is located. This is the time of year, you see the real World and Mother Nature at its best.
#15

Todays adventure took me to High Point State Parks Lusscruft Farm section. This is less then a mile from my house. Its a little more teckniical for skis so I did some snowshoeing. View from the start

(http://i47.tinypic.com/2vm7dr8.jpg)

Frozen pond

(http://i45.tinypic.com/33kd9xs.jpg)

Old farm fields

(http://i46.tinypic.com/28kmtdy.jpg)

Maple Syrup Shack still used buy voluteers

(http://i45.tinypic.com/fjj9z7.jpg)

Making my way to the top of the ridge

(http://i46.tinypic.com/17ttnc.jpg)

Bear track

(http://i48.tinypic.com/2qlwt4y.jpg)

Almost to the top

(http://i47.tinypic.com/24bqnb9.jpg)

Seasonal views on top

(http://i45.tinypic.com/ig917q.jpg)

Old spring house

(http://i50.tinypic.com/1zfn62w.jpg)

(http://i49.tinypic.com/2m7mp.jpg)