November 29, 2019 Grooming Report
This is what the trails looked like before Andy and crew brushed, rolled groomed and tracked Noque’ and Animoosh to 14k while the rest of us were goofing off. They are still working diligently to open the rest of the trail system but as you can see, this is slow going. I would add, rifle deer season regulation prohibit operating machinery during the day until December 1st. I would also add, remember to wear your orange Noque’ hat (extra credit if anyone can tell me what year we got the “hunter” hat).
Equipment and Facilities Update: If you have been to Forestville for the early November skiing you will have seen lots going on. We are expanding the trail head and will be done soon. We plan to be open before Christmas. New grooming equipment has been purchased for both skiing and snow bike grooming. We will detail equipment and trail head facilities over the next few weeks.
Way Too Long Grooming Report: I am not sure yesterday qualified as a triathlon given Frisbee is not an Olympic event. However, yesterday started with surfing and it was grand; head high glassy surf is hard to beat. When god invented 7 mill botties and top enter wet suits he/she got it right. I know yesterday’s report indicated I was on my way to fire up the sauna but there was no electricity at camp so it is a good thing we had 6/5/4 suites handy. Then, at the trail head I joined an energetic gang of Frisbee enthusiasts before a most enjoyable ski. The surface was groomed but still a little uneven. Classic tracks were in place and looked good to very good. Pole plants were only just a little soft. Expect very good to excellent skiing today.
A word on surfing: After watching Dan jump off the cliff Wednesday I realized I am but a piker. Surf etiquette prohibits identifying the exact spot but, when going off this is one of the best. Most often it is too small or way too big. Of course, adrenaline is hard to titrate. You know, it is kind of like wasabi; a little more… a little more, way too much. I remember an interview with Gerry Lopez; the king of the pipeline. You look at the biggest set and if you can take three on the head and be ok, you go out.
I know you all look askance at the NOAA site marine forecast wave heights. Wednesday’s buoy measurements were pegged at 19’. In theory then, the face should be over 35’ and surfers always look at how much will be coming down on your head. There are only a few spots where you can see the surf in such a way as to gauge size. You need to find a spot where it is deep all the way to the first time it breaks; the re-form is always is always quite a bit smaller. Then, you need to find a spot where you are near the same elevation as the lake on a calm day. Lastly, you need to find a spot where you can look along the swell sideways as it is just ready to break.
The above picture is taken from such a spot. At the take off spot, faces looked to be way more than double overhead surf. I don’t mind the double overhead thing so much as the bone yard down range. Some surf spots ease up so you don’t need to worry about getting dragged into pinnacle rocks. This is not one of those spots. So, we are looking at a steep take off, waves every 12 seconds and an exit point that is at best a bolder field. You need to nail the takeoff. When I arrived for the photo session Dan had just blown the take off and went over the falls. He had dragged himself on to the grass and was letting his adrenal gland settle. Then he went to jump off for another lap! The advantage of such a jump off spot is its location outside of the break. One could never get out through this surf without such a jump off. Many surf spots are thus. You time the jump between waves so you are not pushed back into the cliff. Dan was just off in the mechanics and had a real test getting away from the rocks. By the time he got out he was inside of the ideal wave take off spot. You should have been there to watch if nothing else. Even with gear and time, I may have chickened out. Head high glass yesterday was great but, again, you never get just the right amount of adrenaline.
Sondo
Mission and Sponsorship: I like to start with the trunk followed by an ear. Then one typically takes on a shoulder and next a leg. Before you know it you have eaten an elephant. So, don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done. A couple of decades ago a small group of young people set about to make Marquette County a year round silent sports destination. Mountain biking was only on old two tracks or deer trails and cross country skiing was ungroomed. One put on ski boots in the car and trail access was in jeopardy because there was no organized silent sport voice.
Fast forward 20 years to find over 65 miles of single track, 35 miles of snow bike125k of Nordic ski trails. NTN works with land owners, governmental units and the community to license, build, sign, insure and groom these trails. We have grooming equipment, trail head facilities and an organization that is a positive force in the community.
Members, sponsors, volunteers and staff should be proud of what has been accomplished and what you are doing.
To learn more about the NTN, to join, volunteer, become a sponsor or make a comment, please visit www.noquetrails.org .
Sondo