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Post by patrick on Dec 16, 2018 17:50:30 GMT -9
We finally have some good cross country skiing. Today I skied at both the golf course and did a loop around the Upper Buskin. The golf course had a dusting of light snow on top of a soft crust. I tried skate skiing but it was a little deep and there were areas of unfrozen slush. So I grabbed my classic skis and went a little further down the road to the Upper Buskin. The upper buskin was quite good - excellent coverage and I did not hit one rock. BUT the rivers are all flowing pretty good. However only the first creek 1/10 of a mile from the car is a problem. I had to dash quickly through 3-4 inches of water and it actually did not get into my boots. At the main branch of the Buskin River there is a convenient fallen tree that was easy to cross on. Trails are a little brushy but not bad. and it was beautiful with no wind in the trees (it looked a little windy on the mountain tops!). Tomorrow I am taking my kids to the golf course. Patrick   |
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Post by patrick on Dec 17, 2018 16:46:01 GMT -9
I skied the upper buskin again today and the creeks are still open. 1/2 inch or so of new snow softens things up. The base is excellent and solid (no rocks). I think it was worth taking the skis on and off for the creek crossings. Patrick
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Post by patrick on Dec 19, 2018 7:19:25 GMT -9
Yesterday (Tuesday 18th) I skate skied at the golf course and it was a bit variable. Deep in places and icy in others. There is a dusting of snow that softens up the crusty areas. I beat in a 2K loop and plan to beat it in some more today. Grooming my my own skate ski loop!
The road past the golf course looks like it got graded - so road should be good to the pass.
Patrick
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Post by patrick on Dec 19, 2018 15:50:12 GMT -9
Wednesday 12/19 - the conditions at the golf course deteriorated badly in 24 hours. Basically the wind blew the dusting of snow away and it is now mostly ice. I still went around and around on my 2K loop but it is advanced intermediate or better skate ski conditions. Fast with icy spots!
If I was to go again I'd have gone to the Upper Buskin and that's where I am going tomorrow. I bet the wind blew snow down onto those trails, and maybe the rivers have frozen up.
Patrick
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Post by patrick on Dec 20, 2018 15:28:12 GMT -9
Thursday 12/20. Today I skied the upper Buskin and it was pretty good. The first creek crossing is still open and a bit of a bummer but there is a dusting of new snow and quite good coverage. The main river is starting it's overflow process of sort of building up the ice from the bottom. I think if we get a good snow this weekend and then it freezes again that there will be cross country skiing up the canyon. For now skiing is limited to the trails on land. No river trails are good. Patrick
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Post by patrick on Dec 20, 2018 18:19:27 GMT -9
12/20 Thursday. I went for a second ski with the dogs and checked the ice at Abercrombie. It is 4-5 inches thick black ice (checked with a hatchet in 3 different places - and ice fishermen were out there too). About an inch of poorly adhered snow on top and snowing hard! If the rain holds off it might be nice skiing in the morning! It certainly was fun skate skiing in the dark on the white lake with all the dark trees looming. Patrick
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Post by patrick on Dec 21, 2018 15:41:33 GMT -9
Friday 12/21. I drove up to the pass to go downhill skiing but forgot my boots and went XC instead. Road is not all that bad. 1-2 feet of snow at the parking lot and 2-3 feet 500 meters or so further down the road towards Antons. Snow gets much dryer too. I don't think it rained much up there at all and the snow is surprisingly dry. About 1 foot of new snow on the other side of the pass. I skied down the road and left at the built up berm where people used to shoot cans and stuff (mile 6 marker). After about a 1/4 mile of ups and downs and some brush you come to my 2K loop. I beat it in for classic skiing. It looked windy up high and I think there is significant avalanche danger. On the flats where I was skiing the snow was constantly settling with whumps around me and I even saw cracks around 2-3 feet from my skis. DEEP snow up there! But up high it looks largely blown off. But I bet the Jibber and and down to the beaver pond would be pretty good. But after it freezes tonight - probably breakable. The golf course looked VERY wet. a slush fest. Patrick
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