More fun in the Notch

Smuggler's Notch is a 2.5 mile pass that connects the Smuggler's Notch and Stowe ski areas gets closed in the winter due to its snowfall and narrow, winding road. It is one of the first places in the season to get enough snow to ski, so this time of year it gets lots of traffic from cross country skiers, hikers, and snow mobiles. There is a lot of great ice climbing in the Notch, so it gets some traffic from climbers as well.

Both Saturday and Sunday were very similar for Isaac & me. Each day, Isaac got up around 6AM with his friends Ross & Kevin and hit the road to start climbing. I waited until 9AM and then headed off to the Notch for a ski. While the guys climbed, I skied back and forth along the closed stretch of road, and occasionally hiked up to where the guys were climbing to say hello. Once we were tired and satisfied, we headed home, ate, and collapsed for the evening. What a great weekend.

The feature shown above is Elephant Head, and Isaac tells me there is a fun gully climb nearby that I might enjoy.



This is the closed road. I thought the trees were really pretty with the ice on the branches.

Isaac on Territory

Close-up of Isaac on Territory

Happy Thanksgiving

Before heading out for Thanksgiving dinner, Isaac and I decided to ski into Smuggler's Notch to check out the ice climbing. Rumor has it that some of the climbs are in pretty fat.

Deb skiing in the notch

We skied along the section of road that gets closed in the winter, and once we got near the climb we took off our skis and hiked up the remaining 200' to the base of the climb. Normally it would have been post-holing, but the snow isn't deep here yet. Although a couple of the climbs were rumored to be in good shape, the one we checked out was not. Isaac checked it out from various angles, and then decided the smart thing was to back off.

Isaac checking out the ice

By the time we hiked back to our skis, the light mist we encountered on the way up had turned to heavy mist or light rain. This made the ski back to the car very wet.

Deb on the way out

Later on that afternoon, we went to Parima restaurant, which is owned and operated by our next door neighbors Jip & Darryl. They were planning a meal for family & friends at the restaurant (which was closed for the day), and they invited us when they learned we were losers without plans *smile*. They are the most wonderful, kind, friendly, and down-to-earth neighbors a person could ask for, and I am certainly lucky that they live right next door.

The meal was fantastic - all the good turkey, sides, and pie that makes the day Thanksgiving. The company & conversations were great as well, and the next thing we knew, 4 hours had passed. With distended bellies, we waddled back to the car and drove home.

Chocolate mousse in white chocolate cups
(yup, Deb made these and brought a bunch to the dinner)

Now, it is time to get some sleep before we head of to northern New Hampshire to play in the White Mountains for the rest of the weekend.

Snow!

The first snow (more like slush) of the season has hit Williston.