NHpowderhound
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CARROLL, N.H. (AP) — For the first time, New Hampshire’s Cog Railway is staying open on Mount Washington through the end of November. But the owners have even bigger plans for next year. <BR> <BR>If all goes well, the cog will be the first ski train in North America, says its president, Wayne Presby said. <BR> <BR>Under the plan, skiers would buy half-day or full-day tickets and heated train cars would let them off at two points for runs down Mount Washington. <BR> <BR>Presby says more work is needed before skiers ride the rails. They’ll run the train in the dead of winter this season to make sure the engines can handle it. Also, the land along the tracks will have to be cleared of boulders, logs and old water pipes. <BR> <BR>Last winter, workers successfully tested the ability to clear the tracks using a custom-made snow blower. They also groomed the snow next to the tracks with a groomer machine borrowed from the Bretton Woods Mountain Resort. <BR> <BR>"We’ll make history," said Doug Waites, the railway’s marketing manager. "It’ll be the first and only ski train in North America." <BR> <BR>Presby envisions the Cog Railway’s newest attraction as being "run just like you would a normal ski area," complete with ski patrollers and a base area open for food and drinks. <BR> <BR>"We think the novelty will be something that will drive tourists to New Hampshire," Presby said. <BR> <BR>For now, the Snow Flake Express, running through the end of this month, is reserved for tourists bridging the gap between leaf-peeping season and ski season. <BR> <BR>The train takes passengers to the Waumbek tank, one-third of the way up the mountain, in a one-hour round trip. At the tank, passengers are able to get off the train and check out the views from a platform. <BR> <BR>"It gives you a whole new perspective of what the White Mountains are," Waites said. "You’re leaving fall conditions in the valley and going into winter conditions. You’re seeing Mount Washington like no other way you’ve seen it before." <BR> <BR>The above is an Associated Press story. <BR>Bad idea,period.Dropping off tourists on the flanks of Mt. Washington in winter will result in lost/dead skiers and it will put more stress on an already fragile environment.More Clog trains means more carcinogens and less ozone.More Powerbar wrappers on the ground and less alpine flowers.I know lots of people look at the Cog as a staple of the NH tourism industry but I look at it as an antiquated end to a means.A scar running around the Ammonusic Ravine.There are better ways to get tourists to the summit with less of an impact.People will also use the Clog to access terrain not owned by the Cog,ie;Great Gulf,Tucks ,Oakes Gulf,Snowfields etc.Skiing these areas you will need knowledge of snowpack stability and coverage and route finding.Most of these variables are addressed as one climbs up through the desired run.The physical condition of the skier also dictates which run they do.If they just drop in from the top,they will have no idea where they are going or if they can even handle it,unless they have local knowledge.Some chutes are so steep,you cant see much more than 10 feet below your skis.A fall in one of those chutes will turn a skier into a 50mph bowling ball,taking out unsuspecting skiers climbing up from below.I can also forsee tourists leaving the track area and getting lost in whiteouts.The cog better have a good rescue team at the ready if they decide to go ahead with this venture.I dont want my tax dollar used to rescue thier patrons(that doesnt mean I want people left on the mountain).They put them in a dangerous situation,they should be prepared to get them out. <BR>The best way up and down Mt. Washington remains foot/ski travel IMO.It filters out the people who arent qualified to be in the area.Education and conservation is in the best interest of MW.Not overloading the mountain just to make a buck.Just because you CAN do something doesnt mean you should. <BR>((* <BR>*))NHPH
