Vanderwhacker Ski and Climb plus Goodnow 2-7-15
Some pics
http://ift.tt/1IxnCVw
I've wanted to do this trip since the first day of winter when Claudia and I did a ski and climb to Pillsbury.
We mixed things up compared to what's probably typical by skiing the RR tracks to 1/2 way point on the road instead of easier route totally by the road. The RR route adds about 3 miles making the round trip 13 to 14 miles.
The RR route was a bit on the slow side. There was about 2 ft of soft snow to break through. As a result there's time to take in the details. On the way I thought about what a huge earth moving project this was. Many places the RR bed was 10 feet or more above the natural terrain.
From the RR crossing the road was tracked by snow machines and it goes gently and generally uphill.
A pleasant surprise on signing in was to see that two large groups out of Speculator climbed Vanderwhacker on the 4th setting up a climb much easier than it could be. The snow was still giving, not firm, and there was 2-4" of new powder.
At the observers cabin we found the door wide open hardware broken beyond our ability to repair. This was my 4th trip here and I'd never seen the inside of the cabin. Surprise, it has a rather nice interior. Before leaving we decided we should secure the door closed. Improvising we found a hanger inside and used is as a fastener inbetween an eyebolt in the door and a long wire wrapped around a column on the porch. This should keep out the small varmits and the snow.
At the tower there were no views to speak of and not much breeze either. The cab was open and steps clear. We had a look from on high, a quick snack and then returned. From 28N to summit it had taken about 4 hrs and 1:45 from the register. On the return trip one hour to the register and another 2 to 28N.
From the register to the RR crossing there were some nice hills to glide down.
The return on the RR tracks didn't seem the 0:30 faster than it was compared to the approach. The snow was too soft to get any glide going and the deep snow alongside our track made it impossible to establish any useful poling. Almost back to 28N we were overtaken by four snow machines. We had a quick chat with the leader who said they were out clearing blowdown.
We filled out the daylight hours climbing Goodnow. The route there is in good shape and we passed a group of 3 descending. The views were better from the cab than it was at Vanderwhacker. Visibility to Rich Lake and beyond at all compass points. We looked down on snow machines in the valley looking the size of ants.
This was a great snow weekend. Peak snow conditions. Hope it stays this way awhile.
Don
Some pics
http://ift.tt/1IxnCVw
I've wanted to do this trip since the first day of winter when Claudia and I did a ski and climb to Pillsbury.
We mixed things up compared to what's probably typical by skiing the RR tracks to 1/2 way point on the road instead of easier route totally by the road. The RR route adds about 3 miles making the round trip 13 to 14 miles.
The RR route was a bit on the slow side. There was about 2 ft of soft snow to break through. As a result there's time to take in the details. On the way I thought about what a huge earth moving project this was. Many places the RR bed was 10 feet or more above the natural terrain.
From the RR crossing the road was tracked by snow machines and it goes gently and generally uphill.
A pleasant surprise on signing in was to see that two large groups out of Speculator climbed Vanderwhacker on the 4th setting up a climb much easier than it could be. The snow was still giving, not firm, and there was 2-4" of new powder.
At the observers cabin we found the door wide open hardware broken beyond our ability to repair. This was my 4th trip here and I'd never seen the inside of the cabin. Surprise, it has a rather nice interior. Before leaving we decided we should secure the door closed. Improvising we found a hanger inside and used is as a fastener inbetween an eyebolt in the door and a long wire wrapped around a column on the porch. This should keep out the small varmits and the snow.
At the tower there were no views to speak of and not much breeze either. The cab was open and steps clear. We had a look from on high, a quick snack and then returned. From 28N to summit it had taken about 4 hrs and 1:45 from the register. On the return trip one hour to the register and another 2 to 28N.
From the register to the RR crossing there were some nice hills to glide down.
The return on the RR tracks didn't seem the 0:30 faster than it was compared to the approach. The snow was too soft to get any glide going and the deep snow alongside our track made it impossible to establish any useful poling. Almost back to 28N we were overtaken by four snow machines. We had a quick chat with the leader who said they were out clearing blowdown.
We filled out the daylight hours climbing Goodnow. The route there is in good shape and we passed a group of 3 descending. The views were better from the cab than it was at Vanderwhacker. Visibility to Rich Lake and beyond at all compass points. We looked down on snow machines in the valley looking the size of ants.
This was a great snow weekend. Peak snow conditions. Hope it stays this way awhile.
Don
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