I took another trip to the local conservation lands, which are replete with perfect, light, fluffy powder that is about to be ruined by the imminent forecast promising warm rain followed by another deep-freeze. I roused at my natural weekend waking time of 6am (yes, that’s a full 8 hours and I consider it sleeping in!) and readied my gear while sipping a coffee.
First, I tried out my new snowshoes in the hilly, woodsy section of the conservation lands. It was 7am and 18 degrees. I warmed up quickly trotting up the roughly 400 ft hill in semi-packed snow, my snowshoes comfortable on my feet.
Like Giant Flipflops
At top of the hill, the sunrise (in the distance) made me contemplative and grateful.
Sunday Sunrise
I went about 3 miles on the snowshoes — mostly running, some walking. I could have done more but I was mindful that it’s a new activity placing new stresses on my lower legs. It took about 1 hour — obviously running on snowshoes isn’t much faster than walking when you’re plowing through 6 inches of powder.
I headed back to the car, retrieved my backcountry XC skis, and set out for the 4-mile, 1 hour loop through the flat part of the conservation lands.
I returned home to find Mr. P (who had some scheduled geek work to attend to) waiting for me to go XC skiing at the Weston Ski Track with him and Little Boy. Sure, it’s ridiculous, but why not? I’m already dressed!
A Small Downhill
Zoom!
XC Skiers in Repose
A lot of ski in one day, but in New England, good snow is all-too-fleeting.
