Mark Renson
New member
<I>(Note from the Administrator: This report was originally posted on 2/27/00. Due to our move to new servers, the date and time attributed to this post is incorrect.)</I> <BR> <BR>The Thaw .... <sigh> ..... <BR>Patrol Director Pardy informed us that we were to open all trails, but to be prepared to close them when the coverage fades/snow rots. I was assigned to open Waterfall. I ascended via Fox/Bunny and found heavy packed snow. No grooming was done the prior night due to the snow conditions. I took a run down Lower Glade and found very difficult soft snow. I opened Waterfall and then headed back up to the top of Slalom Hill to help remove a large fallen branch. Snow was unbearably difficult and I feared blowing out both knees at once. <BR>The sun came on strong and temps skyrocketed. Snow became rotten. I was assigned to close Lower Antelope. As I pulled a rope across the top, I <BR>explained to a few of "The Paying Public" the science of soft snow - "Corn", I explained is when you have a thaw followed by a hard freeze that firms up the base followed by a thaw which gives us a soft surface on a <BR>firm base and makes for great "Spring Skiing" conditions. What we had today, I explained, was rotten snow - soft snow on a soft base which made <BR>for difficult turning and skiing. <BR>I still had to "sweep" Lower Antelope and found extremely difficult skiing in the smashed pataters'. Towards the bottom, I was able to forget my <BR>struggle and learned to just be happy to have some solitude in the forest. <BR>During the late morning, I ran into semi-lurker Gary Crofton. We found some firmer bumps on Chute and Fall Line and had some good moments. <BR>I had to practice some rescue scenarios in the afternoon, which I was glad to do. For end of day sweep, I swept Quacky and then headed to The Single <BR>which was left running 'til 4:30PM. I "swept" off of The Single and actually found the best skiing of the day on Upper Antelope and Loon thanx to the cooling temps because of the sun setting behind Stark Mountain which caused the snow to firm up. <BR>At day's end, the patrol consoled me by assuring me that March could get big dumps and that things will get better. <BR>Is there any hope on the horizon?