Ski pulk test

As part of ski patrol I have to take a class called Mountain Travel and Rescue, it covers basic winter camping, survival, building emergency shelters and first aid in the back country. As the final for the class we have a two day camp out in mid February. To get the gear needed for winter camping it is easier to pull it in on a sled versus carrying up to 100# on your back. There are two crossed fiberglass poles attached to a waist belt or pack frame ,as I did, to pull it and to keep it from hitting you from behind as you as you go down hill. I pulled Eammon around the yard with it over Christmas but had yet to ski with it so I threw some tools in a pack and went out back to pull in a tree stand in need of repair. It worked sweet, way easier than carrying the stuff back through a few feet of snow. Pictures are of the pulk and two of the view out my back door looking west towards Lima, the next three are looking east back up the hill towards the house.

The ski season has begun

It is not often that the nordic ski season starts before the alpine season but with the warm start to the winter Bristol Mountain had not opened when the natural snow awarded us with ski able conditions at Harriet Hollister State Park. I made arrangements to meet with Ron and headed up the hill after getting a report from a fellow patroler Deb that the conditions were reasonable and the trails had been groomed. The conditions were indeed good and I chatted with Deb who was just pulling out then did a quick lap while waiting for Ron. The timing was good and I met up with Ron just as I was almost back to the parking lot. We skied till dusk and left with smiles and a couple of sore muscles, when will I ever learn to go easy on the first day out. I returned today to stretch some tight muscles and work off Christmas dinner.