Complete field report coming soon

I'm working on the field report from Tuckermans. My camera crapped out, and the spare battery was nowhere to be found. Waiting on footage from JC and Connie. Check back again soon.
This shot was taken up on left gully.

Getting under way

We should be rolling out late tonight for our adventure. I'm headed over to meet Burnsie at Mcneill's for a few pints, and then off to bed for a few hours before a day of big mountain fun.

Putting Tuckermans in Perspective

I dug this off the T4T forum, and thought it might be helpful in putting the pitch at Tuckerman Ravine in perspective. Ha, burly at best is what comes to mind. Ripcord's pitch is around 38 degrees, while White Heat at Sunday River is around 36. It's as steep as it gets in the East.

Beautiful Spring Weather, Hajj coming together.

The avalanche advisory for Tuckerman Ravine indicates it has has MODERATE avalanche danger. With that said things are looking up, and we may actually move up the trip a few hours and leave early Sunday morning. Lot's of sunshine is expected this weekend before the rain moves in again next week

Chickenpox

The girls are presently enjoying the chickenpox. I'm working remotely today while I stay home with the girls so Iz can go to work today. We don't need no stinkin sunshine, we'll make some fun outside even it if it is raining.
Looks like it is drying up outside. We may be able to get that bike ride in after all.

Chickenpox quarantine

The girls are presently enjoying the chickenpox. I'm working remotely today while I stay home with the girls so Iz can go to work today. We don't need no stinkin sunshine, we'll make some fun outside even it if it is raining.
Looks like it is drying up outside. We may be able to get that bike ride in after all.

My mill arrived today

My new mill arrived today. I am totally stoked to use this bad boy, and see what I can do to improve my brewing efficiency. Know I'll be able to make all those high gravity beers that I have been designing for the past three months. Yum, Russian Imperial Stout.

Weather conditions continue to look favorable for Tuckermans. On the other hand, the avalanche danger is still very high. I'll be watching the avalanche bulletins thru the rest of the week before a decision is made concerning our departure. Oh well, I guess there is always next week.

Haiku Wednesday

Moist April showers
Washing away all the snow.
-Bring on the sunshine.

Mother nature is not playing nice!

While the weather is looking primo for a trip to Tuckermans next week, the avalanche warnings are not looking so hot after the variable precipitation that has fallen on Mt. Washington in the past few days. There were two human triggered avalanches this past weekend up in ravine area. So with avalanche warnings remaining high, we'll just have to wait this one out and see what the weekend brings.

Tuckermans

Tuckerman Ravine and Huntington Ravine have HIGH avalanche danger today. It's a good thing we didn't make the trek up North Sunday night. It does look like weather conditions may be shaping up for next week. Here is the extended forecast for this week.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 54.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 34.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 56.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57.

The only downside to this is that Son of Inferno is taking place this coming weekend and that means there may be stragglers hanging out for some skiing a few days after the race so who know how crowded it may remain on Monday and Tuesday next week.

Sunday Riding finale at Mt. Snow.

Sunday's riding was like riding in the cream you find on top of Brown Cow yogurt. Since we got a nice dose of snow late last week, and a Nor'Easter was going to be blowing through New England for the next few days Mt. Snow had decided to reopen for the weekend. I met Hank in the parking lot at noon, and we made our way to the lifts for some of the best riding all season. I enjoyed a two hour window with Hank and some ski patrol pals on the north face. We rode all the natural trails we could on the Face before I hit one more run front side to get to my car so I could head home
Wow, Sunday was amazing!

It started raining sideways Sunday afternoon, and doesn't look to be letting up until Wednesday. Flood and wind watch in effect for Windham county Monday.

Chickenpox and Birthday Cake

I slept in until 8:30 am Saturday morning. This was the first in a long time. It was nice to awaken on my own for once, instead of the usually morning pounces, and bounces that I am used to receiving causing me to emerge from my slumber sooner then I desire. Grace dropped her diaper off in the bathroom and on her way to get dressed we noticed a few red spots on her little body. Oh-boy could it be, the pox? Now what? We ares supposed to go to a birthday party, and brunch today

Iz confirmed that Spencer, one of the children from Grace's daycare had chicken pox about two weeks ago. Things started to fall into place with Grace complaining earlier in the week that her belly hurt. She was also acting somewhat peculiar, nothing I could put my finger on, but Iz had noticed it too. So I called Suzanne to advise of the impending quarantine. Unfortunately we had to cancel brunch with the Darlingtons. Iz then called Eve with the heads up about Grace's pox. Eve insisted that Winter come since she was symptom free.

Winty and I attended the party, and enjoyed the better par of the morning munching on Birthday cake, Fruit Salad, and slediding up at Louise's house. I even got to practice my social skills with some of the familiar adult faces at the party.

Pizza and beer

There is never a dull moment around here. The Darlingtons came over Friday night for some homemade pizza and beer. I whipped up several pizza's in the kitchen while catching up with Louise, and Henry, and the rest of the Darlington family while small children ran about, and played nicely with one another. In all I came up with five pizza creations, plus a skin for Pam's crunchy, Freaky, Celiac's pizza. The hit of the evening was the Grape and Gorgonzola Pizza that oddly enough emerged first from the oven as our forerunner. Instead of using the Vin Santo that the recipe called for I simply substituted it for the white we had on hand. For the beer portion of the evening I was pouring my American Pilsner and Altbier. Josh liked the americna Pilsner, while Henry ,Hank, and myself stuck with the altbier.

Luckily the children had napped, so this made for a most pleasant evening. Around 8:45 The kiddo's were showing sign of losing their momentum. A quick exit was prescribed, and we all went to bed.

Friday excitement

The weekend is once again upon us. The whole Darlington family minus Cidney & Dave will be descending upon our house tonight for a Pizza party. Birthday cake on Saturday morning to celebrate our friend Louise's Birthday, Brunch at the Darlington's, skiing Sunday, Noreaster' on Sunday night. What more do we need?

Tuckermans postponed one week

So we got this great storm going on here in Southern Vermont. The falling flakes are quite huge. I checked out the latest extended forecast for Mount Washington, and it looks like nothing but Cold, Rain, and Snow. As a result this upcoming Monday is out, and we'll be bumping the departure back to April 22nd for now.
On a side note Mount Snow will be re-opening for the weekend. I may get some turns in this weekend after all. Heck I might even go with Josh and Hank.
The Michigan Darlingtons are visiting this week, that means all kinds of family filled fun with the old neighbors.

Haiku Wednesday

Winter won't let go
More snow will be falling soon
It ain't over yet!

Tuckermans on the Horizon

Do you have your ticket yet? The window for the annual Tuckermans Hajj is opening. Are you going to be joining us for the most extreme skiing in the East? Presently we have an expedition team of seven people comprised of skiers, pinheads, snowboarders, and one sherpa who has agreed to schlep up the beer and an inflatable for riding over the headwall.

Our first opportunity for departure is Sunday April 15th. With present weather conditions this departure date may pass us due to a combination of moderate/high avalanche warnings, snow or rain in the forecast, and possible rain next Monday-Tuesday. I'll be watching the Hydrometeorological discussions as well as checking in with Trout for weather updates.
Stay posted for additional information and reports here. Some really great news is that the Sherburne trail is open from top to bottom!

Easter, a birthday, and one casualty.

The Easter Bunny paid a visit this weekend and stashed some eggs about the house and neighborhood. What a delight to see Bud, Winty, and Gracer scampering about searching for eggs in the snow. This squirrel also got in on the actions and secured a few eggs for his nest.

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner on Sunday complete with a ham. My sister Pammy and Carl showed up along with most of the Rose Family. Hank missed the train, so he was left behind.
I baked a flour-less chocolate cake complete with raspberry sauce to celebrate Pam's Birthday. Happy Birthday Pammy!
After everyone left I retreated to the basement to rack beer. I narrowly escaped injury when I dropped a six gallon carbouy full of water and sanitizing solution on the floor in the basement. The carbouy shattered into a million pieces. At least the basement floor is sanitized. Why, yes I did have my swerve on just in case anyone was wondering.

Saturday at the Mountain & Saturday night at the pint

I wrapped up my last day of ski patrol for the season on Saturday. Woah, talk about going out with a bang. We were still enjoying mid-Winter conditions today. It was an extraordinary day on the Mountain today.
Despite the mediocre beers and overpriced food Iz and I enjoyed a terrific date at the Peoples Pint Saturday night. I must say that I was quite disappointed this timer around, and will likely not go back for awhile.
It's so sad that the season has ended. Next up is the Tucks trip. Stay Posted.

Friday Morning Riding with Thomas

Some difficult decisions needed to be made Thursday night. Was I going to join my ski patrol pals Thursday night or stay in and get some work done so I could spend some QT with Hank and my Brother Thomas? Family time won out, and I abstained from the party only to enjoy some fantastic mid-winter conditions at Mt. Snow. It was a stellar morning of riding, which was complete with some fresh pow. I also managed to make it into the office by 1:00 pm to finish out my work week. Life is good

Haiku Wednesday

Prevailing Snow showers
It's the first week of April
-Four to eight inches tonight!

More Beer

I blew off the ski patrol party, and blew off making beer Saturday night. Heck I even blew off working ski Patrol Sunday. I enjoyed the entire weekend with the family. I'll be brewing up some beer tonight. Tonights brewing session will consist of a new beer. I'm going to be brewing Warrior Red Ale. As it turns out I ran out of Crystal malt, so I'm going to use 1% chocolate malt in hopes to get the color I'm looking for. We'll see what happens. after tonight's brew I'll have 30 gallons of beer in fermenters, and another 10-15 gallons on tap. The American Pilsner I brewed in February has turned out quite nicely despite my initial hesitations about the taste of this beer. I think I'm going to try and save a keg of this for later on in the summer.

On a side note, Iz and I had a fabulous date last night at the Sierra Grille which hosted the Rogue beer dinner. The food was sumptuous and the beer heavenly.