Throughout the week, the seemingly-endless precipitation changed from rain to sleet to snow…a few brave Juniors were shivering through classic intervals up Greystone on Tuesday morning, but were rewarded on Sunday when a pretty big crew got together for the first SNOW ski of the season.
First, a few clips from Greystone where some tough Pugs got out early to stride it out:
It only takes a few days, and a few degrees on the right side of 32, to make accumulation happen…and the mountains were capped in white by the end of the week. That meant it was time for our annual pilgrimage to Mt Mansfield for the first tracks of the season. We hiked up the Toll Rd, essentially doing the Stowe Derby backwards.
Stowe Derby, going UP!
After about half an hour of hiking, we reached the snow line and booted-up. Most were on fishscales, but for those that weren’t, coach of course had klister on-hand because nothing brings the excitement like applying klister for the first time this season! I say that literally: I was very pumped.
It was up, up, up through the switchbacks of the Toll Road…
Approaching the final turns
At the mid-station, we reached some flatter terrain. We did a few passes for the video camera, before setting up a short course for some mass start practices and relay races. After doing a lot of short speeds on rollerskis this week it was a good transition to hit the snow and remember how different some things can feel. Of course, we got enough footage to make an edit of the whole adventure from the hike at the bottom to the relay at the top, and the harrowing descent down in some icy crust conditions. Oh yeah, and Piecasso for lunch. East Coast skiing at its finest!
MNC Juniors and parents…don’t forget about the Apparel orders for this year (many due Oct 31st) and the Silent Auction! Links below:
