First Helmet Cam Video - Fort Rock, Exeter, NH - 6 November 2011

This may take a while to buffer - if you get impatient, here is the direct link to You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Lue1YbD6R4&feature=channel_video_title

Enjoy!

Mt. Washington Hike - Gulf of Slides & Tuckerman

Headed up to Mt. Washington on Sunday, September 18 for a 8 mile hike to check out some of the skiing terrain for later this winter.  Scott Osgood, Nikki Roux and I headed up the Boot Spur Trail around 9 a.m.  The trail is pretty steep in places and wanders up along side the Gulf of Slides, one of the places I most would like to ski this winter.   We then hiked along a ridge past the top of Hillman's Highway and over to the Tuckerman Ravine trail, which we descended down to the Lunch Rocks.  After a quick lunch, we made are way back to the parking lot around 4 p.m. and headed to the Muddy Moose for a beer and dinner.  Great way to spend a Sunday!  Here are some pictures:

Tuckerman's Ravine - this picture is of some of the rocks that make up the head wall. 

Stay hydrated!

Picture of Tuckerman's Ravine from a look out point on the Boot Spur Trail. 

Hillman's highway.

Probably the worst picture out of the bunch.

Gulf of Slides - picture #1 of 2. 

Gulf of Slides - Picture #2 of 2.

Boot Spur Trail, leading up to the intersection with the Davis Path. 

Top of the Boot Spur Trail.  Success!

Looking down in to Tuckerman's Ravine from the top of the Chute. 

Great picture capturing how steep Tuckerman's really is.  This is taken from the middle of the Lip looking over at the Chute.

Labor Day Weekend Hike - Franconia Ridge

Took advantage of the long weekend to hike Franconia Ridge with Erin and Jon Anderman.  The trail is one of the more well known routes in the White Mountains, but we were all first timers.  The trail starts at the Lafayette Place Campground just before Cannon Mountain, and works its way up to the summit of Mt. Lafayette.  At roughly 5,200 feet, Mt. Lafayette is the sixth highest peak in NH.  From their, we crossed a ridge line that allowed us to also summit Mt. Lincoln and Little Haystack before descending back to the parking lot.  Total distance was just shy of 9 miles.  The hike itself was great, but fog issues kept us from seeing some of the great views along the ridge, including a view of the slide coming down from Mt. Lincoln that I hope to ski this winter.

In addition to the hike, I was able to spend some time surfing with Ryan and Scott on Friday night, and also some time at Lake Winnepasauke on Sunday with Ryan and Justin.  Not too shabby for one weekend!

Enjoy the pictures!

This is a picture of the biggest waterfall on Falling Waters Trail near the end of the descent.  Not sure who the folks are that popped up in the photo.

Summit of Mt. Lafayette - great views!

On the ridge approaching the summit of Mt. Lincoln. 

Pretty cool shot (luck, not skill) - this is the ridge leading up to the summit of Little Haystack.

Same picture, but the clouds are less cool and it is tainted by our ugly mugs. 

The infamous Shining Rock.

Kingdom 2011

As promised, check out the video below from the trip Scott and I took to Kingdom Trails last weekend with a friend from work and a few others.  Most of my fairly limited mountain bike riding this year has taken place on pretty rocky and technical terrain, so Kingdom was really a revelation - one of the best cross country networks in New England.  The trails were much faster and the scenery was beautiful.  It would be awesome to head back up later this fall when the leaves start to change.  We also got a chance to ride a chairlift and do some downhill on Burke Mountain.  I wasn't exactly tearing it up, but it was fun to give it a try.

Anyway, enjoy the video. 

Ladies Night SUP Demo

Admittedly, I haven't been very good about documenting our summer outdoor activities.  But that doesn't mean we've been sitting around being lazy!  To the contrary, we've been out boating, biking, open water swimming, surfing, and water skiing.  Even Mexican Night and mid-week drinking made a brief comeback before Gene killed it by refusing to host.

One of the highlights of the summer so far (I say so far because summer doesn't end until I drink my first Pumpkin Head of the season) was our accidental discovery of the Ladies Night SUP demo in Rye, and the fact we could try the boards out free after the ladies were done.  SUP is lots of fun in the ocean, and I look forward to trying it out on a lake sometime soon.  In the mean time, here are a few pictures to show you what its all about.

Later this week, I'll post some pictures and video from the trip Scott and I took up to the Kingdom Trails in Vermont this weekend - my first downhill mountain biking experience along with one of the best cross country mountain biking networks in New England.  Just an awesome experience, hopefully we can get Ryan and Gene on board for a second trip later this fall when the leaves start to turn.

Tuckerman Time!

Headed up to Tuckerman Ravine on Saturday, 9 April 2011.  Every year there are one or two perfect Saturdays for skiing at Tuckerman, and we hit the jackpot. 

60+ Degrees at the Base, Approximately 40 Degrees in the Ravine, a Blue Bird Sky,  a Bowl Full of Corn, 2000 People in the Audience, and One Glorious Nude man who Charged the Head Wall.

Tried to capture the perfect day with this video.  Happy viewing.

2011 April Fools Nor' Easter!

Despite the appearance of a rock or two in the photo above, the 2011 April Fools Day Nor' Easter was no joke in New England, dumping 12 unexpected inches on Cannon Mountain and breathing new life into the ski season.  Need proof?  Check out Osgood getting after it on DJ's Tramline!  Musical Credit to Unwritten Law.
                                         

That's probably it for the lift-serviced season this year, but Tucks season is about to start, and the Mantras are coming!  Oh yes, the Mantras are coming!

New Marker Baron Bindings

The perfect sleeping companion!

Fresh Pow Pow!

A common myth about east coast skiing is that it is devoid of powder.

Thanks to this misconception, however, there are massive powder stashes waiting for those who are willing to take the road less traveled.


Watch and learn on the slopes of Killington from the man, the myth, and the legend himself: Justin Zeimetz.