John Sherburne Ski Trail, NH: 01/09/05

[riverc0il]

skinned up TRT to hojo's for my first ever backcountry descent, woo! not that the sherburne is that backcountry-ish, but it provided a safe and well travelled trail for my to get used to the gear while travelling solo. it's amazing how much you learn within the first 10 minutes, both things you did very right and that you did very wrong. thankfully, i did nothing too wrong, but i could have made things easier on myself in the clothing department by opting for more layers. couldn't beleive how much and how quickly i was sweating at 13 degrees!!

blue bird day began the morning with the summit cone in sight from the trial without a cloud in sight. amazing. got to hojo's and cloud cover came down and tucks was in and out of it. as i began my descent, the cloud cover opened up for the last time. whoa, mama. hiked tucks during the summer but never been up close and personal during the winter, it's something else. signed in at hojo's guest book "first skin up, it's all downhill from here."

sherburne was fantastic! what a classic trail, loved the design. up top was packed powder with two inches of fluff mostly skied through by my descent. lower down, occasional scrapes were heard from the cat tracks. water bars were still visible, fun hops up top but leg tiring obstacles down low. great coverage overall though, skied right to my car.

i knew i'd love getting into the B/C on a touring rig, but i had no idea how much i'd love it. and i had no idea how out of shape i am! pics to follow!

 

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a morning of fun, Riv. Glad you got to enjoy it.

My planned two days of skiing got interupted by car trouble, out of the shop Friday, back in tomorrow for something different ](*,)

 

[riverc0il]

sorry for the delay, man it's a busy time of year...

 

[Ryan]

What a great set of pics. Some of my buddies and I have been talking about heading up to tucks in the spring but I think that this seals it. I have never made it there before so I have been doing some research on the topic. If it is even half as good as everyone tells me it is I think we are in for one heck of an adventure and a ton of fun.

 

[From_the_NEK]

Great Pics! Beautiful day.
Last year when I ski Tucks it was too late in the season to ski down the Sherburne Trail. I will have to ge there earlier this year to take advantage of not having to hike all the way back down. I may have to get out there more this year.

 

[Chromer]

Nice pics, and thanks for the idea. I'd been looking from something to do this weekend while my pass is blacked-out.

Depending on what the storm does on Friday, I may be at the Pinkham Notch lot Saturday or Sunday for a lap or two on the trail. Not if it's been all rain though...

 

[Patrick]

Last year when I ski Tucks it was too late in the season to ski down the Sherburne Trail. I will have to ge there earlier this year to take advantage of not having to hike all the way back down. I may have to get out there more this year.

The last time I was at Tuckerman, we were able to ski it all the way down to Pinkham Notch (with some miminal walking required at some spot). The next week they had close the bottom part off.

It was in the last weekend of April 2001 (not sure for the year). Unfortunately Tuck never really soften up, but JST was great.