Angus

Made reference here in past that until recently work got me all over MI - UP and LP - throughout the year. Traveling by car, I can attest it is an interesting snow climate but one that the locals say is changing rapidly - much more variable according to locals. With that said, been in Gaylord in big snow years and the snow they get there is impressive. Stopped at a Bigby coffee shop in Gaylord early one morning driving from Traverse City in mid-January and there was a group of mother's there complaining that school had been essentially cancelled since Christmas break due to non-stop snow. I was on my up to the Sault which didn't have any real impressive depths, if I recall; but returned to Gaylord that evening and found the settled snow depths to in 5' range. It was only January but the snow was already reaching up to the roof lines. There is a town, west of Gaylord, called Mancelona that has a permanent snow stake along the train tracks downtown that stands about 10' tall.

Spent a week plus in Norway two summers ago, mostly in mountains and fjords. Absolutely spectacular. Would love to spend a winter ski touring there. Edit- would say the same for Iceland which I visited three summers ago.

Whenever I drive into Rangeley in the winter and maybe even the summer you get glimpses of the pond. There are a couple of homes on it that can be seen from the road and I always think that's a nice spot. The best thing is the road has been improved - it was bad until the improvements a decade plus ago. That is a long drive so you need to be committed if you are doing weekends or coming from out of state.

Have a friend who just bought a place out there. You have a place there?

Feeling late summer in NH Lakes region this morning. Steeped outside at 3 this AM to look at stars and it was cool!

Email from Cannon today discussing Covid and upcoming ski operations... Here are some plans we can share right now, all of which come with a *subject to change: - Opening Day is scheduled for Friday, November 27th; - Snowmaking will begin as usual in the weeks prior to Opening Day; - Base lodge spacing and seating will be very different as we will likely be directed to limit capacities and encourage only short-term use of inside facilities to follow social distancing guidelines... you should plan to spend a lot more time outside than you may have in past years; - We WILL be selling day passes (tickets)... and purchasing said tickets may move to an online-only system; - We do not plan to curtail season pass usage or require reservations at this time, but we may have to ask for the assistance of our passholders in helping us plan usage from week to week so that we know what our sales capacity may be in a particular week; - Snowmaking, grooming, and lift operations may be revised to reflect reduced capacities and revenue projections; - Lift schedules are being discussed, and there will likely be changes in line spacing and on-chair capacities; - The operation of the Aerial Tramway is certainly a question mark at this time, and there's no telling whether (or when) its operation will be approved relative to social distancing measures and both State of NH and CDC guidelines;

The house is referenced https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Neutra

I would really like to buy an AT setup. I have difficulty spending $2K for boots, bindings and skis. I've been thinking of purchasing the Epic Northeast pass and just skiing weekdays. I hope we get some persistent snow coverage in SNE because going around and around a man-made ski loop, Nordic skiing is probably not the best way to limit exposure.

Moose Pond has Shawnee Peak (aka Pleasant Mountain) located at the northern end. It is a pretty spot. My cousin went first as a camper and then as a counselor to a boys camp - Winona - for years. Watching a beautiful sunrise over our lake as I type...maybe I should put the phone down!

Looking at the snow arch in the pictures, the idea crossed my mind....yup, it collasped and luckily the person was only hurt not killed. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/19/metro/quincy-man-injured-when-arch-snow-falls-new-hampshire-mountain/ Been in Iceland and Norway and watched people stand under melting glaciers and just shook my head.

I think it is very good. There is a small brewery in Bristol who sells growlers and that's not bad either. A nice young man who grew up in our neighborhood now works at Schillings. It is an impressive operation. Coincidentally have gone to their Traverse City location many, many times when stayed there for work.

I agree. Winnisquam right now is silly warm. Hiked Tripyramid yesterday from the Kancamagus and cars were parked all along the road with people in the Swift River.

Got me thinking about the Tuckerman snow arch... which I googled and found an image from 1860's but no exact date but this came up... https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-glaciology/article/an-historical-survey-of-the-lateseason-snowbed-in-tuckerman-ravine-mount-washington-usa/9A5964D0AA6C9D6E9D5A2C55493F4F1C/core-reader?fbclid=IwAR2c9x1v3nZF8cBKxUKRa6TbLKUnEIfynqGnkRw48TQQ0-vkeiq2P0QS608

I have my skis up here in Meredith and have been eyeing the snow but won't make it up. Definitely on the high side for 4th of July. Snow is usually not visible from the wildcat cam by now - definitely not case this year.

In Meredith for past two weeks and the much needed rain over past few days didn't fall heavy enough to cause any beach erosion but last nite a band of intense rain and lightning came thru around 1am. The beach is a mess! On a side note, very much enjoying lake life - working from here but really only going out for groceries. Have noticed the mask wearing is in places pretty lax.

I grew up on the south shore - born 1963, the Worcester tornado was the Blizzard of '78 back when I was a child. Spoken about in awe. My father's side of family had relatives in Shrewsbury who experienced it first hand. Another similar event was the Hurricane of '38, my grandmother was literally spooked by thunder storms and high winds to the end of her life given the trauma of that event.

I hiked up from Pinkham Notch last Memorial Day to the summit and just compared my photos to the webcam. probably a good 400' of skiing in upper snowfield. I only took run before sliding and hiking over to left gully. it is a gentle slope and fun party atmosphere.

so you recommend the shift binding but went full tech binding (the dynafit beasts)? Can you elaborate. I would probably want a dedicated ski/boot/binding for ski touring. Along with downhill skiing, I'm a 50+ day a year nordic guy too. My big concern would be the boot. I'm a now middle-aged, broken down former competitive distance runner so fit and comfort of boot is super important to me.

What would be your binding recommendation? Giving some thought to a purchase of a AT setup

Today felt like labor day weekend with temps and winds but I did manage to swam across the lake yesterday several weeks earlier than I've ever done before.

20 minute swim in Winnisquam late this afternoon. Very rare for water to be this warm, first weekend of June. Beautiful evening here.

Was that Gary's? Wow, if yes, lots of snow disappeared in 24+ hours. And going op Gary's I was impressed by the depth. Anyway, nice to see you got up there.

Has anyone ever used a dowser to find water? My grandfather was big believer.

Wow. That will warm up lakes quick. I saw a post with water temps at newfound...warmest recorded in May in last 10 years.

Snow justs last longer in western Maine in the Spring. Wildcat had pretty good yesterday. Far better than this time of year normally...