2019 January 21, Grooming Report;
Thank you Trail Builders:
Today’s report is brought to you by Mommaerts Mahaney Financial Services . Without folks like Mommaerts Mahaney we would not be able to enjoy the great skiing we have come to expect. So, if you see them, say thanks. New pictures from anyone will be appreciated
If you have not done so, please renew your membership.
ALSO, there are K markers available. Your name and favorite picture can be here too.
Forestville Real Grooming Report: Andy was out after yesterday’s snow fall and groomed Noque and Animoosh to 17k and the Chiwagi bypass.
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TRAIL – Third Priority |
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| Noque to tracks at 5k – FV Groomed & Tracked 1/18/19 but new snow 1/20/19 |
As always, your feedback is appreciated via reply to this email or to FB. Send in pictures and you too can get your K marker moved to the front of the line. See the Nordic skiing FB page https://www.facebook.com/NTNNordic/
Saux Head: Trails groomed weekly
Last reported grooming 1/18/19
Fit Strip: All trails groomed and tracked Sunday of this week
Last grooming: Groomed & Tracked 1/10/19
Big Bay Pathway: Dennis groomed Meditation and Hidden Grin Thursday morning. Meditation is in great shape. Hidden Grin is fairly good in most areas. The leg that is about one kilometer for the end did not take a track but is ready for the next snow fall. If we can get 8 or more inches we can have everything groomed and in great shape including Bear Mountain.
Snow Bike Trails:
South Trails: South trails groomed today. With the cold dry grippy snow riding should be spectacular.
5-7 psi on single track.
3-5 psi on the panked trails.
North Trails: All North Trails groomed yesterday and are in great shape. Recommended tire pressure is 5-6 psi.
Of course you can also post your own information on the FB page and you are encouraged to do so. Here is the link:
https://www.facebook.com/ntnsingletrack/
Way Too Long to Read Report: Neil is the groomer extraordinaire at the Fit Strip trails and when he reported on grooming last night he noted “it is really cold out”. When it is in the single digits it is easy to forget the moderating effect of Lake Superior. As a weather weirdo, I will frequently check the micro climates around the U.P. At press time in Watersmeet it was -28f this morning so please enjoy our banana belt micro-clime.
Too Long To Read Report: In my post bonk delirium yesterday I failed to mention the trail section naming controversy raging in the guild hall. Not having given over to corporate interests, the NTN trail section naming follow a rather organic process.
The rules for naming surf spots has a rich history going back before this grooming report writer’s conscious memory. Mavericks, for example, was ridden by a lone surfer for decades before word got out. I remember being in his small surf shop, Maverick’s decades ago; long before it was a household name. I saw these fantastic pictures. As the employee was telling me how to return the rented surf board after hours he told me about the shop’s owner in these spectacular pictures at his secret spot, “Mavericks”. You see, the first surfer gets naming rights.
When NTN added a plethora of new trails including the Wagis and all of the other difficult to pronounce names we sourced a native speaker interested in keeping their tongue alive. We were all about it and now have these beautiful names such as Into the Wild, AKA, Bagwagi and The Owl, or Gookookoo. We have published full translations and can post them on the website if anyone is interested.
In any case, for over a decade we have had the rather boring trail section named, Mead Hills By-Pass. First of all, Mead hasn’t owned the “Mead Hills” for a decade at least. However, we did build a 5k section of trail to allow the short Noquemanon Ski Marathon skiers to avoid the normal race course to reduce congestion. This section of trail avoided the specular hills between 24k and 18k. I always felt badly for the short race skiers just as I feel for the golfers using the “red” tees. They never give the forward tees the “Fantasy Golf” tee boxes; they are always reserved for the back rack. So too for the short ski races. Well, not any more!
The Mead Hills are a series of ridges roughly oriented east to west. Trails running east-west climb and descend these beautiful hills with views to the lake beyond. The old Mead Hills by pass parallels the normal Noquemanon race trail about 1k to the south.
Each year race organizers work to optimize the trail. One such optimization is deeded access. This year we have made good on a plan to secure permanent access to another section of trail. Short race skiers will get to see this new section and it is spectacular. It climbs and descends a series of ridges through beautiful climax forest along sharp granite outcrops. My hats are off to the tireless and brilliant work of everyone involved.
Now, however, we are presented with the daunting task of trail section naming. It is clearly no longer the “Mead Hills By-Pass”. Mo offered his entry but this isn’t like surf spot naming; it is more organic. You too get a shot at helping create a moniker that will stick. Please ski it and weigh in with your entry.
See you out there.
Sondo