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.  

The wonders of nature

As I was stalking through the woods while deer hunting I came across this wild grape vine growing on a scrub apple tree. The host tree has been dwarfed by the the vine with the circumference of the vine easily 4-6" bigger than the apple tree supporting it. It looked like an anaconda snaking its way up the tree. Pretty cool what nature can do. I would like to try to find it again with a better camera because the phone cam just doesn't do it justice.  

Indian summer and a November canoe sail

On Sunday the temperature was predicted to be in the seventies and the wind from the south at 10-13 mph. A last chance to pull out the sailing canoes and head to Canandaigua Lake. It was pretty light when I arrived but I rigged and was almost ready to go when Ron and Wendi arrived. The first hour was a slow ghost to the south for maybe a mile and then a down wind drift with the two canoes and Wendi's kayak in between while we munched chips, salsa, dried apples and walnut bread. Thanks for the snacks Wendi. When we got back to the north end the wind started picking up and as Wendi paddled in to head home Ron and I sailed for another couple hours, till dusk and made it quickly from the east side and back and a mile or more south again. As the wind died again at dusk we drifted downwind with smiles on our faces to the beach. 

There she blows!!!

To windy to hang glide? Then pursue other wind related sports.
Today the wind was blowing hard with gusts to 36 mph at Canandaigua, I met Ron at CMac parking and we tore it up while I racked up seven plus miles and a max speed of 21 mph. At 4 pm it started dropping off so we headed to Kershaw park to test my new sailing canoe. Well not exactly new, almost entirely made of scrounged and reused materials. The Wenona canoe I have had for close to 30 years, the sail was sewn from an old hang glider sail, the mast is an old leading edge from a HG, the yard and boom are temporary flag poles for a grand opening that never got used and were going to scrap. The only new parts are the pulleys, ropes, cleats and other assorted hardware.

The test was a success, it worked quite well and other than my lack of sailing skills resulting in me running over a couple RC sailboats it all went well. Ron tried it first as the wind was a little brisk for me to try when we first got there and then I took over when the wind dropped off. Ron set up his boat and we sailed till sunset. Here are a few pics of the maiden voyage. Oh yeah and no RC sailboats were injured in the test!!

Another great day at Southwick

The forecast called for 15-21knots out of the west for Sunday, there was a chance of showers and t-storms but not enough to worry about. It turned out to be almost as good as predicted with a stiff west wind and threats of rain but nothing where we were. There were 2 kite buggies, myself and Bobalooie, Ron with his land sailor and 4 kite boarders all tearing it up in the awesome conditions. Here is a link to a video on youtube from Sunday.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCJIAy50dyg&feature=plcp

Kiting Southwick State Park

The wind was up and predicted to be W so I felt the need to take the kites and the buggy and head for the beach. It was a little more south crossed than predicted but still doable. you could cruise N but had to work hard to make and progress south. Bob was there already laying down tracks and we were soon joined by a couple kite boarders and later by two more that were up on North pond. As the wind tapered off the kite boarders had to quit but everyone got to try the buggy using Bob M's 5m NPW9. Great amount of fun was had by all.