The Shakespeare (and Steinbeck) phrase “Now is the winter of our discontent” seems to be very applicable to the past few months. I usually fill the pages of this blog with new discoveries on my cross country skis during the deep winter months, and although the Rikert ski touring area has managed to stay mostly […]…Continue Reading Early Spring at Texas Falls
Tag: Hill Climb
Mad River Glen- Don’t Ski it if You Can’t
Now, of course, we have all seen these bumper stickers all over the state of VT – In fact my previous vehicle bore this bumper sticker proudly. That said, given the lack of much in the way of snowmaking at this great old ski hill, the “Ski it if you can” moniker sometimes takes on […]…Continue Reading Mad River Glen- Don’t Ski it if You Can’t
A Running Hike on Haystack
Once again, I decided to venture out of Addison County for a trail run. I have been an avid Adirondack hiker since I began my employment in Middlebury in the mid-80’s, but never really thought seriously about them as a running destination, given the muddy, rocky and generally gnarly condition of most Adirondack trails. In […]…Continue Reading A Running Hike on Haystack
Worth Mountain and Bailey Falls
For direct, easily accessible mountain runs, ski areas are hard to beat. While most of the ski trails are far to steep to run, almost all ski areas offer one easier route down the mountain. In part, trails of this sort can be motivational for less skilled skiers, giving them a chance to experience the […]…Continue Reading Worth Mountain and Bailey Falls
Return to Abbey Pond
One of my posts, almost 5 years ago, involved a run up the Abbey Pond Trail. Much to my surprise, this has proven to be the most frequently accessed post on this blog, speaking to the popularity of the Abbey Pond Trail. This trail, the closest and most convenient trailhead leading into the National Forest […]…Continue Reading Return to Abbey Pond
Microspikes to Silver Lake
Once again, it is a beautiful Saturday, so I thought it would be a great day for a ski or trail run. A few days ago, I was talking to my colleague Joe the Geographer, and he mentioned how nice the running up to Silver Lake had been recently, and I realized then that despite […]…Continue Reading Microspikes to Silver Lake
Beating The Blerch on Snake Mountain
Ok, so some of you must be asking “What the heck is The Blerch?” The Blerch is a character, created by the author and cartoonist known as “The Oatmeal”, who has described The Blerch in the following words: “Marathon runners often describe a phenomenon known as “hitting the wall.” They refer to ‘the […]…Continue Reading Beating The Blerch on Snake Mountain