CTA Newsletter_V28-02_Winter 2011

T h e L e n g t h o f Ve r m o n t o n S k i s
­­Volume XXVIII Number 2
WINTER 2011-2012
A Lifetime Experience—End-to-End on the Catamount Trail
By JoAnn Hanowski
n the winter of 1984, three college
students, Steve Bushey, Paul Jarris,
and Ben Rose routed and then skied the
length of the State from Readsboro, VT
on the MA border to Jay, VT on the
Canadian border. This was, in essence,
the birth of the Catamount Trail, as
well as the first batch of CTA End-toEnders. These founders took about
four weeks to ski the trail, navigating
the route as they went and providing
much of their own vehicle support and
car transfers. Their days were filled with
skiing, car shuttling and public relations
activities along the way.
In the 28 years since the three
initial End-to-Enders skied the entire
Catamount Trail, 48 skiers have joined
the prestigious ranks of CT End-toEnders. Not many End-to-Enders have
completed the route in the more or
less self-supported manner of the three
pioneers, or in consecutive days. The
last end-to-end tour on the CT was in
JIM FREDERICKS
I
Phil Kivlin crosses Sargent Brook Bridge,
which was destroyed by Irene.
2003 when 16 skiers skied the entire
trail in 29 days.
Is becoming a CT End-to-Ender on
your bucket list? If it is, the CTA makes
it quite convenient to accomplish this
goal. Not many folks can take an entire
month off to ski the trail, but many
can manage a week or two each winter.
With the current schedule of week -long
tours (two each year), you could knock
off the entire trail in two winters. You
can even supplement your trail section
checklist with the two 3-day tours,
which also are scheduled each winter.
Although, the week-long tour
schedule makes it convenient time-wise
to become an End-to-Ender, you still
have to ski the trail. As my husband Jim
likes to remind me, “Vermont ain’t flat”
(and neither is the CT). The actual
distance that you need to ski each day is
not nearly as challenging as the terrain
and the wide variety of snow conditions
that you may face along the way. Skiing
with a group makes both of these challenges a bit less daunting and the guided
tours makes it less likely that you will get
(continued on page 5)
Inside This Issue
Taming a Catamount-sized Appetite. . . . . 12
Would You Prefer to Receive an Electronic
Catamount Tales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Wanted: Trail Chief. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Copy of the CTA Newsletter?. . . . . . . . . . . 20
On the Trail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
CTA Elects Five New Board Members. . . . 15
Local Retailers Raise Dollars
Why Cross Country Skis Don’t Turn
Life on the Catamount Trail and
The Return of the Catamount Ski Cubs. . . . 2
and What You Can Do About It. . . . . . . . . 6
Equipment Review Part II—
Visions for the Future . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Special Winter Events to
Gear for Making Turns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mark on Your Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Winter 2012 Volunteer Opportunities. . . . . 10
CTA Volunteer of the Year: Jill Aspinall. . . 19
for the CTA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
An Annual Celebration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Catamount Trail Stocking Stuffers! . . . . . . 22
Printed on recycled paper with soy-based ink
JIM FREDERICKS
The Catamount Trail News is published
by the Catamount Trail Association,
a member-supported, non-profit
organization dedicated to developing,
maintaining, and protecting the 300-mile
Catamount Trail and promoting
backcountry skiing in Vermont.
by Jim Fredericks –
Executive Director
Who is a Catamount Trail
Member?
CTA Board of Directors
Tony Amenta, Waitsfiled
Moira Durnin Anderson, Stowe
Jill Aspinall, Montpelier
Paul Demers, South Burlington
Steve Fernandes, Rutland
Lynn Fisher, Bridgewater
Trina Hosmer, Stowe
Bob Jordan, Saxtons River
Paul Kendall, Braintree
Pete Lane, Marlboro, MA
Rich Larsen, Essex Junction
Bill Michels, Plymouth
Ed Miller, Stowe
Tyler Miller, Burlington
Kris Roomet, Burlington
Jan Rozendaal, South Burlington
Dagny St. John, So. Londonderry
Jason Wyman, Burlington
Arnold Ziegel, Stowe
CTA Staff
Jim Fredericks, Executive Director
Amy Kelsey, Trail Director
Diana Vachon, Admin. Coordinator
Lauren Fereshetian, AmeriCorps
Member
CTA Office
1 Mill Street • Suite 350
Burlington, VT 05401
802-864-5794
email: [email protected]
Visit our Web Site at:
www.catamounttrail.org
I
Participants in the 2011 Ski Cubs Program enjoying the snow.
The Return of the Catamount Ski Cubs
L
ast year, Emily Wheeler, the Outreach and Youth Programs Coordinator, piloted
a program where youths from various after school programs were taught to crosscountry ski for free. She met with each program once a week for 6 to 9 weeks at different locations throughout Burlington, providing instruction on how to Nordic ski.
With ski equipment for about 30 kids, sponsored by Rossignol, the students
of diverse cultures embarked upon a sport that was new to about 75% of them.
Throughout the program 60 kids, ages 8 to 14, participated and by the end, 100%
reported that they wanted to keep skiing!
After the success of the first year, the CTA has committed to offering this
opportunity again for kids who might not otherwise have the chance to cross-country ski in Chittenden County.
This year, some of the same after school programs will be participating as well as
some YMCA after school programs. The structure will be similar to last year, but the
Ski Cubs will also be incorporating a stronger environmental education curriculum.
This will provide hands-on learning about Vermont winter ecology in addition to
the ski instruction.
The CTA is very much looking forward to the prospect of developing young
skiers who will have an appreciation for healthy living and the outdoors of Vermont.
If you are interested in volunteering with the Ski Cubs or learning more about the
program, please email Lauren at [email protected] The Catamount Trail News is published as
a benefit for CTA members. The Catamount
Trail Association encourages interested parties
to submit manuscripts, photos, and illustrations
for publication in the Newsletter. The opinions
expressed by contributors are not necessarily
those of the CTA. The CTA reserves the right
to refuse materials and advertising deemed
inappropriate for publication.
2
Catamount Tales
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
often hear of the stereotypes people use to describe Catamount Trail
Association members. While there
are perhaps some elements of truth
to these stereotypes (yes, a few of our
members probably still do wear wool
knickers!), they generally represent
only a small segment of our organization. I started working as Executive
Director of the Catamount Trail
Association five years ago this January
and one of my goals from the beginning was to attract more members
from various lifestyles, age groups,
and commitments to the Trail.
Over the past years, the most
active, or should I say collective group
of members are those who have time
on their hands to devote to leading
tours, participating on the Board of
Directors, and maintaining the Trail
as Trail Chiefs. These are the people
who rise to the surface in their visible devotion to the Trail. Most of
this group is 50+ years old, many are
retired, and most have time to give
back to the organization and the
sport in general. There is no question
that the camaraderie of group tours
among these people is contagious and
thus has been an influence to attract
similar types of people.
Since younger members are often
busy with work and families, the
opportunity to take an active role in
CTA organization is somewhat limited. This group of members believes
in the concept of the Trail and likes
what the organization accomplishes,
but has much less time to take advantage of the organized events. They are
often more accomplished skiers who
like to ski the Trail or other backcountry terrain on their own terms or
with small groups of friends or family
members.
More and more members are
joining the organization due to their
introduction to the CTA through
the various events it organizes. The
Ladies Nordic Ski Expo, the Get Out
and Backcountry Ski Festival, the
Romance Half Marathon, and the
Race To The Top Of Vermont. These
events are a catalyst to attract new
members from beginner telemark or
backcountry skiers to elite athletes of
all ages and lifestyles.
Another group of people we see
becoming members of the CTA are
younger backcountry and track skiers who are beginning to realize the
value of the organization and the
advantages it offers. Some join for the
extremely popular Rewards Booklet,
while some see the value of the CTA’s
work as an organized advocate for
their sport. With more and more of
Vermont’s rural private landscape
off limits to recreation, the CTA
has become a sounding board for all
backcountry skiers, both young and
old. These skiers might spend most
of their skiable time skinning up the
sides of mountainous areas to catch
some fresh powder on the descent,
but access to many of these areas is via
the Catamount Trail.
Support of our organization
comes in many ways. Some people
have the time and physical ability to
spend countless hours working on
the Trail while others take an active
role in the direction of the CTA by
joining the Board of Directors. As
members get older and their physical ability or proximity to the trail
limits their use of this valuable asset,
the spirit of what the Catamount
Trail is and the dedication to preserve it for future generations lives
on. Every year, countless numbers of
monetary donations are received for
our Annual and Trail Funds by just
these members. They are the invisible
heroes of the organization. Many of
these people live out of state and have
not stepped a ski or snowshoe on the
Trail for years or maybe not at all, but
their sense of what is being accomplished by the CTA still remains high
on their priority list.
There are many ways to be
involved with the Catamount Trail
Association and there are just as
many types of people who are members. Remember, members and volunteers are the backbone of our organization, so take a few minutes of your
time and convince your fellow backcountry skier to join this important
organization.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
3
On The Trail
by Amy Kelsey–
Trail Director
T
4
ate a number of Trail improvements.
Although we are still in the planning
stages, we anticipate addressing drainage
issues and challenging stream crossings
along Section 18, between Lincoln Gap
and Route 17, and also on Section 19
as the trail climbs north from the Phen
Basin to Huntington Gap.
Until the big projects begin again
next summer, you can still help us maintain the trail, even as you enjoy it. Stash
a light-weight, inexpensive folding saw
in your pack so you are prepared to
remove the occasional downed tree or
limb. A quick sawing session will warm
you up, your friends will thank you, and
it’s quite satisfying to know you’ve just
cleared an obstacle for many other skiers. Please call the office to report major
obstacles and/or use the CTA forum
(on the CTA website) to post trail conditions and tour reports. The forum is
a quick and convenient way to share
your experience with others who may be
planning a trip on the same terrain, chat
about equipment choices, find skiers
who might want to join you for a tour,
or discuss other backcountry ski topics.
See you on the Trail!
A Backcountry Skier’s Dream
Real Estate Opportunity
$35,000
2.2 acre approved building lot directly on the Catamount Trail and
the historic Bayley Hazen Military Road in Lowell, VT.
Build your Northeast Kingdom get away on this lot, which features:
• Stateapprovednewsepticsystem
• State approved Spring water
• Power on site
• Justoffhardtoproad
• 20 minutes to Jay Peak and 10 minutes to the Long Trail
• Vintage apple trees
• Small brook
• Direct Access to VAST trails
I would like to sell to a Catamount Trail enthusiast and will donate 10% of the
purchase price to the CTA. Contact Jan Rozendaal at: [email protected]
A Lifetime Experience
(continued from page 1)
amy kelsey
he community effort to restore
the Catamount Trail following
tropical storm Irene is one to celebrate.
Our Trail Chiefs, partners at the
Green Mountain National Forest, The
Vermont Youth Conservation Corp,
Vermont Forests Parks and Recreation,
TransCanada, the nordic centers along
the trail, students from the University
of Vermont, CTA members and friends,
and numerous mystery helpers have all
pitched in to restore the trail. We are
fortunate to have such a dedicated team
of volunteers and partners. It is why the
Catamount Trail exists, and it is why the
CT is a better, more skiable, more enjoyable and more protected trail with each
year that passes.
I’m happy to report that the trail is
generally in good condition and ready
for winter. There will be a few extra
stream crossings to negotiate where
bridges are out, and minor detours to
dodge washouts and damaged culverts.
Please check the Trail Sections portion
of the CTA website for the most up to
date information on a particular trail
section when planning your outings.
Despite Irene’s impact on the trail, there
are 10 new miles of backcountry trail to
enjoy this winter (Sections 10, 15, and
16), several new bridges (Sections 2, 16,
and 19), and new signs at over ten of
our Trailheads. We hope you enjoy all of
these trail improvements.
Of course the Trail work doesn’t
necessarily stop when the snow comes.
While we wait for the temps to drop
and the snow to fall, we are well into the
planning for next year. Here is a quick
preview of some of the projects we will
be focused on in the coming year.
Section 11 and 12 Bridges: We will
be adding 1 new bridge and restoring
3 bridges damaged by Irene this coming summer. Most are within Coolidge
State Forest. We will be working with
Vermont Forests Parks and Recreation,
Timber and Stone, LLC, VYCC, and
volunteers to complete the bridges.
We will again host Volunteer Work
Weekends in the Summer and Fall to
help complete these larger projects.
Section 11 Relocation. We will be
moving a short portion of trail that is currently on private land near Round Top
Mountain in Plymouth into Coolidge
State Forest , just to the west. This will
protect approximately 1.5 miles of the
CT, and reduce conflicts with future
development on Round Top Mountain.
Mad River Valley Trails
Collaborative: In cooperation with a
number of organizations with whom
we share trails in the Mad River Valley
(Mad River Path Association, Mad
River Riders Mtn. Bike Club, and the
local VAST snowmobile club), we
will be working with VYCC to initi-
VYCC Crew Members replacing sills under the Cemetery Run Bridge on Section 10 in
October. (After clearing debris and pulling the bridge 20 yds back onto the trail from
where Irene deposited it.)
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
lost and go out of your way. Skiing with
a group after a three-foot snowfall is
much easier than going it alone. Group
car shuttles actually provide time for
evening relaxation, camaraderie, and
recovery. In addition, the tour guide can
recommend appropriate ski equipment
required for each leg of the trip.
In order to become an official Endto-Ender, you must keep a journal of
each section of Trail you ski. Document
your day’s ski in a journal. Include the
date, the name of the section, the ski
conditions, and your experience on the
trail. Visit http://www.catamounttrail.
org/trail/end-to-enders/ for a journal
example and template. After you have
succeeded in your mission of skiing all
sections, you present your journal (pref
erably in electronic form) to the CTA.
They will send you an official certificate
of accomplishment and you will have
the option of buying one of our hand
made, End-to-Ender commemorative,
pottery coffee mugs for $15.00 plus
shipping.
Becoming an End-to-Ender is a
tremendous accomplishment, which will
fill your mind with many fond memories for the rest of your life and designate
you as one of the prestigious CTA Endto-Enders. For more information on skiing end-to-end on the Catamount Trail,
go to www.CatamountTrail.org w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
5
Why Cross Country Skis Don’t Turn and What You Can Do About It
by John Tidd
S
o many experienced alpine skiers try cross country only to be
shocked at the loss of control when
attempting to turn the skinny skis.
There are several factors working
against you — so don’t blame yourself
for not being an Alberto Tomba on the
downhills. It’s not your fault. There are,
however, a few things you can do to
make your skiing easier.
Cross country skis are built to
glide in a straight line. The skis are
longer and narrower than their alpine
or telemark counterparts. The tracking
groove is more pronounced relative
to the surface area of the base. The
flex pattern is designed to distribute
your weight out towards the tip and
tail to achieve an even pressure along
the length of the ski when you glide.
Waxless base patterns often get hung
up when you try to break them loose
in a turn. Finally, track or touring skis
have very little, if any, side cut (broad
tip and tail, narrow waist). Side cut
helps a great deal in turning.
One other equipment factor is
a major contributor to your turning
troubles. Control of the ski has to be
transferred from the body through the
boots and bindings. Picture your cross
country boots next to a pair of alpine
or telemark plastic monsters. Enough
said? Actually, some skating and back
country boots offer plenty of support
and transfer of force, but the majority
of light touring boots are wimpy for
control.
Snowshoe
Festival
With the equipment stacked
against you, what can you do to overcome the design disadvantages? First,
minimize these factors. Buy sturdier
boots with a modern binding system
(e.g. Salomon SNS Profil, NNN or
NNN BC). Your skis should have some
side cut. Avoid skis that are overly long
or stiff. You need to flex the skis into
a round arc to make them turn. (See
Kip Robert’s Equipment Review on
Page 8 for more on current equipment
options.)
From the point of technique, there
are several things you can learn that
will improve your control and power
in making turns on almost any crosscountry skis. An understanding of just
what makes the ski turn is the first step.
and
WinterParty
!
February 4
8:30 - 3:00
Snowshoe Hikes & Nature Walks
Workshops & Demonstrations
Kids Activities, S’mores, & Cocoa
3:00 - 5:00
Winter Party!
with live Irish music by
Dave Day and Friends
refreshments, raffle, and prizes
$8 members, $10 non-members (join the club at the event and receive free admission)
Green Mountain Club • 4711 Waterbury-Stowe Rd, Vermont • ph: (802) 244-7037 • www.greenmountainclub.org
6
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
The old school of turning said
“Put more weight on the outside ski,
edge and a miracle will happen — the
skis will turn!” Well..... it might work,
sometimes… in good snow. Modern
turning theory involves steering or
guiding the skis throughout the turn
using a combination of pressure, edging
and rotary control. Let’s look at each
of these with a skiable example to bring
the point home.
Pressure control comes in two flavors — sinking your weight onto the
ski, or using your leg muscles to push
on the ski. To feel “skeletal pressure” ski
in a wedge (snowplow) straight down
a gentle slope and simply drop your
hips down toward one foot. Your body
weight will create more pressure on
that ski. To feel active pressure, ski the
same wedge, but push out on one foot
then the other, like pushing bicycle
pedals. This should make you zig-zag
down the slope. Each of these pressure
types is used separately, or in combination, in all varieties of turns.
Edge control is also best developed
by skiing the wedge on a gentle slope.
Before you start moving, play with
varying degrees of edge by rolling your
ankles and knees inward and outward.
Too little edge gives no purchase on the
snow and no speed control. Too much
edge makes the skis track causing your
tips to cross in the wedge. The ability to feather the edges just enough is
developed by training the muscles in
the ankles. Edging on cross-country skis
requires more ankle control than alpine
skiing due to the softer boots. Ski down
the hill increasing and decreasing the
amount of edge without changing the
shape of the wedge. This exercise will
strengthen your ankles rapidly.
Rotary control is a new concept
for most skiers, even those who have
skied for years. You use it all the time,
but it is generally an unconscious
move. It involves “foot steering”, pivoting, lateral torque, or just plain crank
Pam Darling carves some sweet turns on Section 19. Photo by Jim Fredericks.
ing out a turn. A pure, but exaggerated
form of this is a jump turn where you
pivot your skis in the air. A more gentle
example is the “magical mystery turn.”
In the same old wedge (snowplow)
position, ski down the hill doing nothing except turning both your feet in
one direction then the other inside
your boots. You’ll feel some tension in
your lower legs as they work to develop
the rotary torque that makes the skis
turn. Develop control of this rotary
foot and leg tension and you will have
a much better understanding of how to
steer the skis throughout any turn.
A combination of better equipment and the exploration of these
turning forces will allow you to make
all kinds of turns on your cross country
skis — and help your alpine or telemark skiing to boot. John Tidd is a clinic leader for
the Professional Ski Instructors of
America—Eastern Division. He is
a former member of the Nordic
Demonstration Ski Team.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
7
Equipment Review Part II—Gear for Making Turns
By Kip Roberts
A
8
hinged) plastic cuff adds to the sideto-side torsional stiffness. Other boots
in this backcountry 3-pin category
include the Alpina 1575 (a softer,
more BC-touring oriented boot),
the Rossignol BC X5 75mm and the
two plastic heavy-hitters: Garmont’s
Excursion and the newly re-released
Scarpa T4. Nope, plastic boots aren’t
solely intended for Telemark skiers
ripping up the groomed trails at Mad
River Glen or Sugarbush; both the
Excursion and the attractively-priced
T4 provide supple forward flex (the
Excursion having a slightly softer, more
“leather-like” feel), offer double-boot
warmth, while most importantly, providing rigid lateral control capable of
muscling the widest waxless skis down
the hill. What options are available
for skis that turn any hilly Catamount
for long winter outing of fun! Want to
turn it up a notch on the downhills?
The Annum bumps up tip-waist-tail
dimensions by 10mm each for more
floatation when the going gets deep. To
stay on top of the ski and keep it from
skiing you (never a pleasant experience!), I’d recommend stepping up to
the Scarpa T4 for torsional control and
adding the optional spring included
with the Voile 3-pin Cable binding for
snappier downhill turns and increased
turning power (the cable drives your
ball-of-foot into the ski with more
forward pressure for quicker tip
engagement and more overall control
when the heel is raised off the ski in a
Telemark turn).
Whereas the Karhu/Madshus
Cross Country Downhill (XCD) ski
lineup used to dominate the wide waxless backcountry ski category, Fischer,
Rossignol and Voile (whose Vector BC
model we’ll discuss next time) offer
models that’ll go tip-to-tip with any
other BC ski. Fischer’s S-Bound series
uniquely features sintered tip and tail
base sections for improved wax permeability and glide performance, mated
with an extruded Offtrack Crown waxless pattern for greatly-enhanced steepterrain traction over previous generations. The S-Bound 88 and 98 models
(so-named for their tip dimensions)
offer excellent all-around performance
with a lighter weight and “poppier”
flex than the Madshus models and
the S-Bound 112 equals the Annum
in soft snow downhill performance.
Rossignol’s BC 125 and BC 90 models
remain unchanged for this season, with
the addition of the new BC 110 to fill
the dimensional gap and go head-tohead with the Annum and S-Bound
112. To gloss over the Rossignol BC
125 would be doing this ski an injustice, however. With monstrous dimensions for a “Nordic ski” of 123-90-120
millimeters, the BC 125 brings former
powder-ski proportions to the table
KIP ROBERTS
s I sit down to write this second
installment of ski equipment used
on the Catamount Trail, sore from last
night’s mountain bike ride for which
no more than a t-shirt was needed,
Mother Nature seems to be of the
opinion that this November should be
a catch-up month for delayed summer
activities rather than early season turns.
With all of the, ahem, dynamic weather
we’ve endured since skis were put away
from last season, I suppose that’s not
necessarily a bad thing. If you’re like
me, however, you’d probably rather be
kicking through a foot of fresh snow
than a foot of dried leaves by now. As
the saying goes, hopefully good things
come to those who wait.
When we left off last time, we had
just waded through murky industryspeak to settle in on metal-edged,
light backcountry touring skis as the
optimal Catamount Trail ski for efficiently covering distance from point A
to B. With minimal weight and sidecut, these moderately cambered skis
excel in pre-set tracks, on firmer, snow
machine-groomed trails and in situations where “the tour” takes precedent
over “the turn”. As the trail takes a
turn for the better and the methodical
sound of your pounding heart gives
way to the silent shush of skis slipping
through a fresh downhill coating of
snow, I’d go so far as to trade my favorite BC snack—S’mores Pop-Tarts—to
be on a ski and binding setup that
more appropriately lends itself to “the
turn”. Let me reintroduce you to the
3-pin binding.
During my illustrious career as a
retail expert at Onion River Sports,
I can tell you the mere mention of
“3-pin bindings”, more often than not,
elicits gasps, snorts, sideways glances of
indignation and comments along the
lines of “I can’t believe they still make
those and that you’re trying to sell
them to me. I skied on those things 25
years ago they were terrible!” Yes, they
were terrible…when matched with an
uninsulated, slipper-like shoe and 215
centimeter wooden Bonna skis for anything other than straight-line kicking
and gliding in a set track that did all
the turning for you. The current 3-pin
backcountry binding is a far cry from
this older, lighter, wire-bailed touring
3-pin cousin. Voile and Rottefella both
make solid BC 3-pin bindings that
have stouter aluminum, a thicker, more
robust toe bail and spring and best
of all, they’ll only set you back about
$50. That’s a stomachable price-toplay for just about anyone! And what
you get from the current iteration of
this ancient binding is a boot/binding
interface that maximizes contact surface area for improved control, much
more-so than NNN or SNC BC system boots and bindings.
To put this much-improved BC
3-pin binding to use, we need a 3-pin
boot that’s up to the challenge of coaxing a wider backcountry ski over onto
its edge. The Fischer BCX 675 is an
excellent example of just such a boot.
The 3-pin “duckbill” is much thicker
than the aforementioned 3-pin touring boot of old, the midsole of the
boot is built up to provide adequate
forward flex with increased lateral
control and an articulating (read:
Trail section into your own winter
playground? Luckily, many!
Madshus returns this year with its
rebranded and repainted Karhu XCD
lineup: the Eon (formerly the Karhu
GT), the Epoch (Karhu’s 10th Mtn)
and the widest offering from Madshus,
the Annum (the Karhu Guide). With
dimensions of 99 millimeters at the
tip, 68 millimeters at the waist and 84
millimeters at the tail, the Epoch (and
its former “10th Mtn” iteration) has
long been a best-seller at Onion River
Sports for its all-a-rounder capabilities.
The Epoch’s moderate sidecut allows
the ski to track straight-enough for longer excursions, while being adequately
shaped to turn with ease. The waistwidth provides stability and floatation
in soft snow and the progressive Omni
waxless pattern provides traction that’s
hard to beat. Match this ski up with the
Fischer BCX 675 boot and US-made
Voile 3-pin binding and you’ll be ready
Jen Lamphere enjoying some powder
on the Catamount Trail.
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
at half the price of most equally-sized
Telemark skis. Match these orange
beasts up with a Garmont Excursion or
Scarpa T4 (or perhaps an even stiffer,
taller Telemark boot, such as the Scarpa
T2 Eco or Garmont Kenai) and Voile’s
3-pin Hardwire binding with 20 millimeter riser (for edging leverage), G3’s
Targa, Black Diamond’s O3 or Voile’s
free-pivoting Switchback binding
(stop in an ask me about “free-pivot”
bindings!) and you have the ultimate
Bolton-to-Trapps tool after a midFebruary nor’easter!
With all the excellent choices for
backcountry touring-for-turns skis,
boots and bindings, it can be tough to
decide which setup will suit your needs
best. That’s why I’d recommend swinging in to your local Nordic retailer—
my unbiased choice being Onion River
Sports—to personally feel the flex differences in the ski models, try on a few
boots to find the most comfortable one
that will fit your uniquely-shaped foot
and chat with a knowledgeable sales
staff member about what you’d like to
get out of your backcountry experience.
Renting or demoing equipment is also
an excellent option for differentiating
seemingly ubiquitous marketing speak
with actual testing, something your
local retailer should be able to help you
with, as well. In the meantime, enjoy
the early-season turns and join me next
time for a final look at Telemark and
AT equipment that’ll make quick work
of the deepest and steepest terrain
found in the Greens! Kip Roberts is the General Manager
of Onion River Sports in Montpelier,
where he’s been happily employed
for nearly 10 winter seasons, a veritable lifetime in retail years. You’ll find
him biking and skiing in the Greens
when he’s not holding down the fort
or teaching his 2-year-old daughter
dangerous activities.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
9
❆❅
T
hough the fall trail-work days
have come to a close, there are
still many ways to help the CTA as
the winter season approaches. If you
are interested in volunteering for
any of the following opportunities,
please contact Lauren Fereshetian at
[email protected] or call the
office at (802) 864-5794.
skier or two for a night during the
tour, CTA would love to hear from
you. Skiers will responsible for their
own food and transportation. Your
hospitality will be much appreciated!
Shuttle Drivers
A constant challenge for thru-skiers
of the Catamount Trail is the issue of
transportation to and from the trail.
The Catamount Trail is compiling
a list of contacts who live or work
near the trail that would be willing
to shuttle ambitious skiers to and
from trail access points.
❄
Housing Needed For 2012
Weeklong Ski Tours
The Catamount Trail Association is
hosting two Weeklong Ski Tours and
two Three-day Ski Tours this winter.
(Please see the attached calendar for
the dates and details for these tours.)
Many of these skiers will be looking
for a warm bed, couch, or futon to
sleep on each night along the way. If
you live close to these trail sections
of the CT and are willing to host a
10
Office Help
The CTA’s small staff would love
occasional volunteers who could
help with mailing distributions,
proofreading, filing, and a variety of
other office tasks. C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
SHERI LARSEN
Winter 2012
Volunteer Opportunities
Catamount Ski Cubs Program
Love to ski? Love working with
kids? Love environmental education? The CTA will be running a
Nordic program again this winter for
kids in Burlington, Shelburne, and
Huntington. We would love to have
enthusiastic skiers to help with
Nordic coaching and hands-on
environmental education.
Outreach Opportunities
The CTA has a number of outreach
opportunities planned for the winter
season. Tasks may include, helping with youth activities, giving ski
instruction, issuing equipment, and/
or event set-up/take-down. If you’re
looking for a fun way to spend a
weekend, meet new people, and help
the CTA, we would love to have you
on-board! Volunteers Eric Bishop and Rich Larsen pose with the new CTA Trailhead Sign they recently installed at Bolton Valley Resort.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
11
jim fredericks
Taming a Catamount-sized Appetite
in the stomach and made for some
dehydrated, if not tipsy, snow travelers.
Cost
Before choosing a menu
for the outing, let’s consider
a few of the factors:
Modern travelers often rely on energy
bars, succumbing to their makers’ slick
marketing. Claims by the manufacturers include performance and health
benefits but these are often exaggerated. Their main advantage is convenience. While they are expensive, some
brands provide reasonable nutrition in
an easy to carry form.
Effects of cold, cold temperatures.
Some energy bar become rock hard
in the cold, which can lead to broken
teeth and famished skiers. Make sure
to test your favorite bar by putting it
outside or in the freezer for a few hours
and attempt to eat it cold. In mild
weather, fruit or sandwiches may stay
unfrozen for a couple of hours in the
pack if they are placed close to your
body. However, fresh fruit can resemble a rock after sitting in a pack for any
length of time in very cold weather.
Even breads and bagels can become frozen into unusable pucks.
Tradition
Weight
Many generations of ski tourists have
been fueled by the old standbys of
salami, cheese, bread, and wine with
chocolate for dessert. Water might
have been an after-thought or not
brought at all. This fatty fare sat heavy
Dense foods that have a low water
content, such as dried fruit and nuts,
have high energy density and are an
efficient way to pack energy. They also
have the advantage of not freezing in
cold weather.
By Dr. George
Terwilliger
Y
ou’re heading out on the
Catamount Trail and you need
fuel. What are the best foods to pack
for this multi-hour snow sojourn?
There are many different factors to
consider in choosing the day’s menu:
tradition, cost, weight, effects of cold
on food, convenience, energy density,
digestibility, taste, athletic performance, dietary restrictions, ethics,
medical ramifications, and environmental concerns. Who knew that such
a seemingly simple task could be, for
those so inclined, complicated?
12
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
Skiers enjoy a lunch break on a weeklong tour.
Hydration
You need liquids to avoid dehydration.
While many people pack sports drinks,
the performance claims made by the
companies that sell them, frankly, don’t
hold water. When combined with food,
water, is the best beverage in most settings for most people. (See the past
Catamount article at http://www.drterwilliger.com/hydration-on-the-trail.html
for more information on hydration)
Be sure to put whatever liquid you do
bring in an insulated case (such as the
Water Bottle Parka made by Outdoor
Research) when it’s cold out to prevent
freeze up. Do no rely on alcoholic
beverages: they will all dehydrate you,
impair performance, make you much
more likely to become hypothermic,
and drastically increase your risk of
accidents. There are even case reports of
esophageal freezing when very cold high
proof liquors (which do not freeze) are
swallowed.
Dietary restrictions
There are many people who have food
allergies, gluten sensitivity, or lactose
intolerance. Be aware of any restrictions that members of your ski party
may have and plan accordingly.
Medical
The traditional Nordic fare of greasy
salami and cheese is not healthy. Do
not fool yourself into believing that
you are protected by the exertion of
the day. The cardio-protective effects
of exercise are, unfortunately, greatly
exaggerated. There is ample evidence
that meals high in animal fat content
can trigger heart attacks. Even shortterm use can be toxic. The healthiest
foods are whole and plant-based. The
less animal-sourced foods (meat, fish,
chicken, cheese, milk, butter) you
eat the better. Some energy bars are
healthier than others. Many contain
industrial chemicals while others
are made entirely of whole ingredients. There are bars that are vegan or
gluten-free. While you’re perusing the
label for protein, fiber and carbs, don’t
forget to check out the sugar grams.
Many energy bars have very high levels
of sugar.
Ethics and environmental
Most commercially available meat and
dairy products involve questionable
practices. Livestock and chickens are
often raised in confined operations
that crowd the animals in unspeakable
conditions, often requiring that antibiotics be fed to them just so they can
survive to slaughter. Feeding antibiotics
to billions of animals breeds resistant
bacteria. These resistant bacteria contaminate our whole food chain and are
very dangerous to people. These practices keep prices low and profits high
without regard to their larger impact.
The ethics are suspect, the environmental effects are dire, and the price we
pay from the overuse of antibiotics in
animals is irresponsible.
Well, what the heck do I
pack on my trip tomorrow?
Some reasonable, healthy
choices on the trail include:
■
Dried fruit
■
Nuts
■
Crackers
■
Granola
■
GORP (good old raisins and
peanuts) and variants thereof
■
Chocolate
■
Energy bars such as Sun
Valley, Pure Bar, and Larabar,
all of which are plant-based
and don’t freeze.
■
In moderate weather, peanut
butter and jelly sandwiches and
whole fruit and cut-up vegetables are good choices.
Don’t forget to bring lots of
water. A nice treat would be hot
tea or coffee in a thermos.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
13
d
e
t
n
a
W
!
f
e
i
h
C
l
i
a
r
T
Section 31
Jay Country Store to the Quebec Border
(Jay/North Troy)
T
he CTA’s Trail Chiefs make the Trail possible.
Here in the office, we rely on their expertise
gained by acting as the liaisons between their local
communities, landowners, and the CTA. Right now,
the CTA is in need of a new Trail Chief for Section
31 of the Catamount Trail, between the Jay Country
Store and the Quebec Border. If you are looking for a
way to support the Catamount Trail, get to know your
local trails, and work with your community, this is the
perfect opportunity. We also welcome Co-Trail Chiefs
– this is a great way to share the fun and responsibility
of maintaining the Trail.
As a Trail Chief, you would be responsible for
working with the landowners, posting blazes, scouting re-routes, brushing, and removing deadfall on this
6-mile portion of the Trail that is entirely on private
lands. You don’t need to know how to do all these
things, but you do need to be interested in recruiting
and working with people who do. The CTA staff and
past Trail Chiefs will help you get started by walking
or skiing the trail with you. We also provide resources
such as landowner information, maps, a list of local
volunteers, and tools for trail maintenance.
In the fall, Trail Chiefs organize one or more trail
workdays to get the CT in shape for the upcoming ski
season. In the winter, most Trail Chiefs plan and lead
tours of their section or other events along the Trail.
They help us keep our landowner database up to date,
secure landowner permission for the Trail, monitor trail
easements, and send an annual thank you to landowners. They are an energetic and enthusiastic bunch, and
the trail could not be maintained without their effort!
If you are interested in learning more about
this opportunity, please contact Amy Kelsey at
[email protected], or 802-864-5794.
14
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
CTA Elects Five New Board Members
Tony Amenta
Tony works in sales at Small
Dog Electronics. He’s a resident
of the Mad River Valley and
in past years was very involved
with the local snowmobile club
there. More recently, he’s been
hooked by skiing, particularly
backcountry and telemark skiing. He joined the CTA as a Trail Chief in the fall of
2010 and looks after the section of trail from Route 17/
Battlegrounds, up to Huntington Gap, with co-chief Mark
Schwabe. Tony brings a good relationship with the local
snowmobile club, enthusiasm for the trail, and computer/
technical expertise to his new role on the CTA Board.
Steve Fernandes
Steve works as a Computer
Systems Analyst and Programmer
and lives in Killington, VT with
his wife Bernadette and their
Bernese Mountain Dog Byouty.
He has been the Trail Chief the
past two years for Section 13
(Route 4 to Mountain Top).
Steve has a passion for backcountry skiing and has skied
most of the CT. Steve also enjoys kayaking, alpine skiing,
and cycling.
Ed Miller
Ed works for Telcordia
Technologies in New Jersey as
a remote employee from his
home in Vermont. Ed and his
family are very active in the
Nordic community and he is
currently an officer and board
member of the Stowe Nordic
Outing Club where he runs the club’s Wednesday race
series, manages the club’s web site, heads up their electronic timing system and acts as a liason to the area’s backcountry enthusiasts for the club. Ed is currently a Trail
Chief for section 23 (Trapp Family Lodge to Edson Hill
Manor) and is also very active in the back--country ski
trails in the Stowe and Bolton area. Tyler Miller
Tyler is Director of Field
Stewardship for the Vermont
Land Trust, based in
Richmond. He has several
years of experience with land
conservation and will be a
great help to CTA in furthering its protection efforts
through the purchase of Trail
Access Easements. Tyler grew up in Vermont, currently
resides in Burlington, and plans on skiing more of the
Catamount Trail this winter. Jason Wyman
Jason is a Vice President and
Quantitative Analyst at Dwight
Asset Management and a member of the investment team
which manages over $50 billion
in assets for institutional investors. Prior to joining Dwight,
Jason was a physicist at the
University of Chicago. Jason is an avid alpine-touring skier
who utilizies a waxless Nordic ski with ultra-light randonée
bindings. He is a regular user of the Catamount trail and
enjoys mountain biking in the off-season.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
15
Life on the Catamount Trail and Visions for the Future
By Lauren Fereshetian
N
estled into the scenic hills of Huntington, at the end of a
long and gradual dirt road ascent, lies one of Vermont’s
many treasures – a quaint lodging business called Windekind
Farms, owned and operated by Mark and Marjike Smith.
Upon arrival at the farm, I was immediately awe-struck by
the sheer beauty of the establishment. The cozy country cottages overlooking the rolling fields. The farm animals grazing
in their wooden-fenced pastures. The fall foliage blanketing
the prominent Green Mountains. A small, still pond, reflecting the scenery and emanating a sense of peace and tranquility. I took a deep and refreshing breath, knowing that I was
just one of many who have experienced the same calming
effect when stepping foot or ski onto Windekind Farms.
Mark and Marjike, who met in Brazil as members of the
first ever group of Peace Corps volunteers, have owned this
charming 120-acres of land since 1968. “Our first day on
the farm,” Mark explained, with a twinkle in his eyes, “was
in the winter. So, we strapped on some old skis and went
bushwhacking around the property because that is how skiing
existed back then.”
Their property has evolved significantly from its early
16
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
days as a farm and home. It now supports a growing lodging business and a plethora of recreational opportunities.
Specifically, in the winter, Mark and Marjike’s property is frequented by skiers of the Catamount Trail, which has a section,
¾-mile long, passing through their property. Additionally, it is
one of many properties in the area that hosts the trails of the
Camel’s Hump Nordic Ski Area (CHNSA). The couple not
only welcomes this activity, but has also structured their business around it.
“We have the ability to be sustainable because of recreationally driven tourism,” Mark informed me. In the year
2000, the farm’s existence was threatened. Their response was
to invest in lodging, in large part because of their confidence
that the trails would bring business. “We are dependent on
the activity that naturally happens in the area. The two go
together, the trails and lodging industry, and I find this very
significant.”
A man who avidly promotes recreation, Mark was one
of the board members who helped establish the CHNSA, a
30-mile system of trails, back in the late 1970’s. In 2001, he
and his wife granted a Right-of-Way Easement to the CTA.
“Granting an easement was easy for us, really a no-brainer,”
said Mark with assurance. “We love to have people using the
trails on our property for recreation. It is a wonderful thing to
contribute to the community and to people.”
Involved and passionate about the presence of trails on
his land, he feels that “the CHNSA has had an enormous
impact on the Huntington area because it links everyone’s
land.” This idea of connectivity, of linking land and businesses, and of working together is something he feels the
Catamount Trail is a part of inherently.
“The Catamount Trail is significant because it links up
all of these similar organizations, like Blueberry Hill, Mad
River Glen, Bolton Valley Resort, Trapp Family Lodge, and
Craftsbury Outdoor Center. The Catamount Trail establishes this line of activity that supports economic entities in
Vermont, much like the way an interstate supports gas stations,” says Mark.
Mark and Marjike envision this link becoming more
prominent in the coming years as a way of enriching the
winter lodging industry in Vermont and making end-to-end
skiing more accessible for skiers of the Catamount Trail. Mark
notices that, “a link has yet to be formed between all these
centers. This could be the next era of the Catamount Trail, for
ski and lodging centers, and for skiing in Vermont.
“Humans seek connectivity. They enjoy going from one
place to another, but it becomes logistically challenging to
make this really happen.” This is where little inns, bed and
breakfasts, and larger resorts become a crucial aspect of the
Catamount Trail. The linkage of these businesses is a new
direction that Mark believes the CTA could and should pursue in the future.
However, it is a movement that requires the collaboration and time commitment that few lodging owners or small
non-profits, like the CTA, possess. “Our focus and energy at
Windekind Farms,” Mark admits, “has gone into our homefort out of necessity. But it is time to come up for air and
determine the next act.”
The evolution of cross-country skiing and recreationally
driven tourism in Vermont is a topic of relevance and interest
for many. It is an issue that necessitates further discussion with
open-minded and passionate landowners, like Mark and Marjike
who “would love to help facilitate more end-to-end skiing.”
“It is a vision,” said Mark in closing.
And as I crossed the lawn back to my car, pondering this
vision, I took note of the leaves falling gently from the trees,
a symbol of change. The Catamount Trail Association is ever
changing and evolving as people become more aware and supportive of our mission. Mark’s vision is certainly supported
by the CTA as it would aid the ambitious skiers who venture
long hours on the trail.
Unfortunately, it is an undertaking that the CTA does
not have the capacity to take on right now. In the meantime,
we are compiling a list of volunteer shuttle drivers to help
make transportation to and from the trail more accessible. It is
a small step, but it is progress. Hopefully in the years to come,
Mark’s vision can take root and facilitate more end-to-end skiing on the Catamount Trail.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
17
jim fredericks
Special Winter Events to Mark on Your Calendar
Our Solar Goal:
Romance Half Marathon Tour and Race
Rikert Ski Touring Center (Ripton)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
4th Annual Ladies Nordic Ski Expo
Trapp Family Lodge and Touring Center
Saturday, January 7, 2012
This women’s only event is a great opportunity for both
beginner to intermediate Nordic skiers to improve or learn
new techniques. Participants will have the option to be
instructed in classic, skating, and backcountry techniques.
The day’s events include two on snow sessions, lunch,
post lunch presentation by adventure photographers
Brian Mohr and Emily Johnson, and an après ski wine
and cheese social. Clinic fee is $90.00 for non-CTA
members and $65.00 for members. Plan to register early
since the event will sell-out soon. For more info, go to
www.catamounttrail.org
4th Annual
Get Out and Backcountry Ski Festival
Bolton Valley Nordic Center
Sunday, January 22, 2012
CTA’s Get Out and Backcountry Festival is a fun and informative day of backcountry skiing for beginner to intermediate backcountry skiers on some of Vermont’s best terrain.
Learn from expert instructors who will help you improve
your telemark technique or teach you the basics of backcountry skiing with the help of video analysis. Area ski shops
will provide the latest backcountry skis and boots for demo,
but participants should bring their own equipment as well.
Lessons and tours will take place throughout the day. Cost
is $40 for CTA members and $60 for non-members and
includes instruction, trail pass, equipment demo, complementary apres’ ski snacks/beverages and video review. Lunch
may be purchased at the Bolton Valley Deli or cafeteria.
Pre-registration by January 19th is required and space is limited to 65 people. This event sold out last year so enter early.
For more info, go to www.catamounttrail.org
18
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
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Stowe Tour de Snow
Stowe Rec Path
Sunday, January 15, 2012
There is something fun for everyone as kids and families are
invited to ski or snowshoe down the public recreation path for
a day filled with activities. Register at either the Nordic Barn at
Topnotch Resort or the Farmer’s Market field at Red Barn Shops,
then tour down any length of the 5.3-mile long Rec Path making smores, adventuring through a Nordic terrain park, shooting
paintballs, pulling sleds, stretching out with some yoga, and
a host of other activities to benefit the Skiing Kids In School
program (SKIS). Ambitious backcountry skiers can start with a
CTA guided tour from the Trapp Family Lodge to the Rec Path.
As a part of the nation-wide Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month
in January, volunteers from the CTA will be available to issue
free-of-cost demo Nordic equipment and provide Nordic ski
instruction for beginners. This event is organized by the
Friends of the Rec Path and more information can be found at
To learn more visit www.greenmountainpower.com
CTA Volunteer of the Year
Jill Aspinall
jim fredericks
Amy Kelsey demonstrates a telemark turn at the GOBCSF.
Enjoy a Valentine Week, classic technique, half marathon in
Moosalamoo National Recreation Area on the Catamount Trail.
The course will depart from the Rikert Ski Touring Center and
will accommodate both competitive racers and non-competitive
tourists. All participants will have the option to ski the 15km or
25km loops. Following the race, all participants will enjoy a post
race awards party with plenty of food from local vendors, a large
raffle, and age group awards for the competitive racers. This event
is a collaborative effort organized by the Moosalamo Association,
the Catamount Trail Association, and the Rikert Ski Touring
Center. This will surely become one of the premier citizen race/
tour events in the East. The event will be limited to the first 300
participants. For more info go to www.catamounttrail.org
W
e are pleased to announce that Jill Aspinall is the 2011 recipient of the
CTA Volunteer of the Year Award.
Jill has dabbled in many things since leaving Montreal and a career in
project and financial management ten years ago, and we are very fortunate the
CTA is one of those things. Jill has been a CTA member since about 1995, and
a Trail Chief between Morrisville and Wolcott since 2005. In 2009, she became
an End-to-Ender and also joined the CTA Board of Directors. Jill continues
to be active on the CTA Board, and has played a leading role in the development of CTA’s Multi-Day Tours. Jill works hard as a part of the “Tours Team”
to coordinate the annual Tour and Events Calendar (as seen in this issue of the
newsletter), and the impact of her efforts is apparent in the continual growth
of participation on CTA tours for the past 3 winters. In recognition of her tireless volunteer efforts, Jill was presented with the “Golden Loppers,” a new pair
of Fiskars telescoping loppers, at the Annual Meeting in November.
A resident of Montpelier, Jill has ridden all the paved roads (that are legal
riding) in Vermont. Her other interests include running, gardening, attending
theatre & modern dance performances, and spending quality time with her
husband Rick and their cats.
http://www.stowetourdesnow.com/
25th Annual
Camel’s Hump Challenge
Camel’s Hump Skiers’ Association, Huntington, VT
Sunday, February 5, 2012
This year will mark the 25th year of this wilderness backcountry ski
event, which raises money to support educational programs of the
Vermont Alzheimer’s Association. All information and advanced
registration is available on line at www.camelshumpchallenge.com.
This is not a CTA organized event.
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
19
THE LENG
T H O F VE R
MO NT
Would You Prefer to Receive
an Electronic Copy of the
CTA Newsletter?
TA will continue to produce and mail a paper newsletter, but we are happy to save on paper and on
postage by sending you an email and link to the newsletter when it is published, if that is your preference. If you
would like to receive an electronic copy rather than a
print copy, please call the office at 802-864-5794, or
email [email protected] with “electronic” in the
subject line to let us know.
T
VOLUME XXV
III NUMBER
2
A Lifetime Expe
By JoAnn Hanows
ki
rience—End-to
I
-End on the Ca
n the winter of 198
4, three college
students, Steve Bus
hey, Paul Jarris,
and Ben Rose rou
ted and then skie
d the
length of the Stat
e from Readsboro,
VT
on the MA border
to Jay, VT on the
Canadian border.
This was, in esse
nce,
the birth of the
Catamount Trai
l, as
well as the first batc
h of CTA End-toEnders. These foun
ders took about
four weeks to ski
the trail, navigat
ing
the route as they
went and providi
ng
much of their own
vehicle support
and
car transfers. The
ir days were fille
d with
skiing, car shuttlin
g and public rela
tions
activities along the
way.
In the 28 years
since the three
initial End-to-End
ers skied the enti
re
Catamount Tra
Phil Kivlin cros
il, 48 skiers hav
s Sargent Bro
e joined
ok Bridge,
the prestigious
which was des
troyed by Iren
ranks of CT End
e.
-toEnders. Not man
y End-to-Enders
hav
completed the rou
e
2003 when 16 skie
te in the more or
rs skied the enti
less self-supported
re
trai
l
in
29 days.
manner of the thre
pioneers, or in con
e
Is becoming a CT
secutive days. The
End-to-Ender on
last end-to-end
your bucket list?
tour on the CT
If it is, the CTA
was in
makes
it quite convenient
to accomplish this
INSIDE THIS ISS
WINTER 2011
-2012
tamount Trail
JIM FREDERIC
KS
C
Local Retailers Raise Dollars for the CTA
ON SKIS
goal. Not many
folks can take an
entire
month off to ski
the trail, but man
y
can manage a wee
k or two each win
ter.
With the current
schedule of wee
k -long
tours (two each
year), you could
knock
off the entire trail
in two winters. You
can even supplem
ent your trail sect
ion
checklist with the
two 3-day tours,
which also are sche
duled each winter.
Although, the wee
k -long tour
schedule makes
it convenient tim
e-wise
to become an End
-to-Ender, you still
have to ski the trail
. As my husband
Jim
likes to remind me,
“Vermont ain’t flat”
(and neither is the
CT ). The actual
distance that you
need to ski each
day is
not nearly as cha
llenging as the terr
ain
and the wide vari
ety of snow con
ditions
that you may face
along the way. Skii
ng
with a group mak
es both of these
challenges a bit less dau
nting and the guid
ed
tours makes it less
likely that you will
get
(continued on page
8)
UE
2012 Multi-Da
y Tours . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 2
Catamount Tale
s . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. 3
On the Trail .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 4
Fall Trail Wor
k and Events
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . 6
Why Wilderne
ss First Aid?
. . . . . . . . . . .
. .10
Wanted: Trail
Chief . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . .10
Equipment Revi
ew—An Opti
on for
Everyone . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. 12
Sign Up Earl
y for the 4th
Annual
Ladies Nordic
Ski Expo . . .
. . . . . . . . . . 15
How Hard Sho
uld You Go?
. . . . . . . . . . .
. 16
Farewell to Emi
ly Wheeler . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
18
A Note of Intro
duction from
Lauren Fereshet
ian . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . 18
CTA 2011 Fall
Events . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . .
. 19
Kara’s Great
Bicycling Sojo
urn . . . . . . .
. 20
Printed on recycle
d paper
with soy-based ink
he Catamount Trail Association has been the beneficiary of three different
events in the past two months, organized by area retailers.
On October 13
Onion River Sports of Montpelier, VT
presented Powderwhore Productions newest backcountry movie “Breaking Trail” at the Savoy theatre.
The event was booked to capacity and all proceeds
from the event went directly to the CTA. A big
thanks goes out to Andrew Brewer and all the staff
at ORS for their 2nd year of hosting this benefit for
the CTA.
On October 17
The North Face Store
@KL Sport of Burlington, VT
in cooperation with The North Face
Corporation, presented mountaineering adventurer Kit Deslauriers at
Higher Ground. Kit gave an inspirational multi-media presentation describing
her record setting feats as the first women to summit and ski down the highest
peak on each continent. All the proceeds from the VIP event were donated to
the CTA. Thanks Will Vinci for all your support of the Catamount Trail.
On December 1
Outdoor Gear Exchange (OGE)
in Burlington, VT also presented the
Powderwhore Productions Film
“Breaking Trail” as a benefit for CTA.
The movie was shown at OGE’s new store on Church Street in Burlington, with
food and beverages available from local purveyors Pirogi Union and Skinny
Pancake. Proceeds from ticket sales and a great raffle were donated to the CTA.
We’d like to extend our thanks to Marc Sherman and all the staff at OGE for
their ongoing support of the CTA and its mission.
Donate Today!
During this holiday season,
consider making a donation
in honor of your favorite skier.
For details, visit our website at:
http://www.catamounttrail.org/donate/
20
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
An Annual
Celebration
O
n Saturday, November 12th,
friends and supporters of the
CTA gathered at the Green Mountain
Club Headquarters in Waterbury to
hear about the progress made in the
past year and honor those who have
graciously given of their time, energy,
and money.
Chairman Jan Rozendaal happily
reported that the CTA is financially
stable and doing well. Five new board
members were nominated and elected
to the Class of 2014. These new members are Tyler Miller, Tony Amenta,
Steve Fernandes, Jason Wyman, and
Ed Miller. The CTA is excited to have
these new faces on board!
Jim Fredericks spoke about the
CTA’s promotion efforts and the success of our events; Amy Kelsey outlined
the different trail improvements and
conserved mileage as well as the status
of the trail after Tropical Storm Irene;
Lauren Fereshetian introduced the
2012 Ski Cubs schedule and objectives;
and Jill Aspinall was recognized as the
Volunteer of the Year.
The meeting concluded with an
intriguing reading from Jeff Foltz,
the author of Birkebeiner – A Story of
Motherhood and War. Jeff spoke about
what inspired him to write this story
and how his research led him to the
hills of Norway.
The CTA would like to thank all
those who came out for the meeting as
well as all those who support the trail
throughout the year. A special thanks
to the GMC for the use of their building, Jeff Foltz for making the trek from
Maine to join us, and Cabot Vermont
and Vermont Smoke and Cure for the
delicious refreshment snacks. Happy
skiing this winter!
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
21
Catamount Trail Stocking Stuffers!
For those of you who don’t know what to give your friends and loved ones for the holidays,
try one or more of these distinctive Catamount Trail gifts. The profits from these gifts go directly
to help fund the maintenance and conservation of Vermont’s Catamount Trail.
These two new Trails Illustrated maps for
Green Mountain National Forest offer the most
detailed and up-to-date map for the forest.
Each map contains easy to read trails, numbered forest service roads, campsites, access
points, scenic points-of-interests, and important
facilities. Together, these 2 maps provide a
good overview of the Catamount Trail from the
MA border to the Mad River Valley. Like all
Trails Illustrated maps the new Green Mountain
National Forest titles are both highly durable
and environmentally friendly.
What A Deal—
The 2010-11 CTA
Rewards Booklet!
Become a member of the CTA
for as little as $35. Have the
satisfaction of keeping this
valuable Vermont asset open
to the public for generations to
come while receiving coupons
worth over $1,000. The member
rewards booklet with 95 coupons
includes:
• Discounts at 30 cross-country centers and 8 alpine ski resort
• Ski shop and sport retailer discounts
• Coupons for other health-oriented businesses
• Lodging and restaurant discounts
$35.00 for individual, $50.00 for family
A Must Have Book for
the Avid Backcountry
Ski Adventurer
Two New Maps Covering the
Catamount Trail Through the
Green Mountain National Forest
TI747: Green Mountains National Forest: Moosamaloo National
Recreation Area / Rutland
TI748: Green Mountains National Forest: White Rocks National
Recreation Area / Manchester
Special edition 5”x 7” note
cards by beloved artist
Gardiner Lane depicting
a scene of a skier on the
Catamount Trail.
Pack of 10 cards: Members $12.50 / Non-members $14.50
Markie Moose, the
Catamount Trail crosscountry skiing moose
The talented moose pin is made of
pewter finish and will be the object
of affection by onlookers.
Members $8.00 /
Non-members $10.00
Members $9.95 / Non-member $11.95
Catamount Trail Note Cards
Mount Mansfield Ski &
Snowshoe Waterproof Trail
Map—Catamount Trail 25th
Anniversary Edition
by Edward Koren
Illustrated specifically for the CTA by world-renowned artist Ed Koren, these
humorous nordic ski-themed cards are an ideal gift for backcountry ski enthusiasts both young and old.
Pack of 10 cards (2 each of 5 different archived illustrations):
Produced by cartographer Steve Bushey
(Map Adventures), the map gives a comprehensive view of trails on Mt Mansfield
and the surrounding region from Route 2
to Sterling Valley.
Members $10.00 / Non-members $12.00
by David Goodman
This book features 50 trips through
New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine,
New York, and Massachusetts,
including extensive coverage of
Tuckerman Ravine, the Catamount
Trail, Jackrabbit Trail, the historic
Thunderbolt Ski Trail, as well as
backcountry huts and lodge-to-lodge
skiing in Maine’s 100-Mile Wilderness. You’ll learn how to prepare for
your adventure with helpful references on when to go, what to bring, and
must-have backcountry safety skills. Each trip is complete with a description, distance, elevation, topographic map, difficulty rating, directions,
and other tools to help plan your adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned
Nordic or telemark skier looking for a new challenge, or a resort skier
ready to take on the backcountry, this book will help you expertly navigate
the Northeast in winter.
Gardiner Lane
Note Cards
Members $7.95 / Non-members $8.95
The Catamount Trail
Guidebook—25th
Anniversary Edition
A complete resource for skiing and trip
planning on the Catamount Trail. The
newly revised and edited guidebook is a
necessity for any CT enthusiast.
Turtle Fur Hats for the Cold and Hot Headed
Two high-tech hats designed to wick water vapor away from the head and create
excellent insulation. Choose from the lightweight microfleece hat for the hot
headed or the Merino wool hat for the cool-headed person.
Members $21.95 / Non-members $24.95
Please visit
www.catamounttrail.org
for ordering details.
Members $17.95 /
Non-members $19.95
Birkebeiner: A Story of
Motherhood and War
Jeff Foltz’s Birkebeiner is the historical
fiction story describing the event that is
the impetus behind the famous Birkebeiner Marathon Ski Race.
Members/Non-members $17.95
Members: $17.95 / Non-members: $19.95
22
C a t a m o u n t Tr a i l N ew s • W i n t e r 2 011- 2012
w w w. c a t a m o u n tt r a i l . o r g
23
Non-Profit Rate
Catamount Trail Association
1 Mill Street, Suite 350
Burlington, VT 05401
U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #421
Burlington, VT
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW!
The Catamount Trail exists thanks to the generosity of ski enthusiasts like you. If you plan on skiing
on the Trail this winter or just want to know that it will be there waiting for you, renew your
membership today. We really can’t keep it going without you. THANK YOU!
❯ Membership Application for 6/1/11–5/31/12
Name (please print)
Membership categories
Address
City
State
Zip
Benefactor. . . . . . . . . . . . . $100*
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $350*
Patron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $75*
Protector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $250*
Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $50*
Lodging Membership. . . . . . $100*
Individual. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35
* Receive two (2) membership booklets and cards
Telephone ( )
E-mail
I am a new member.
I am willing to volunteer for events.
Membership Dues
Payment:
I am willing to help with trail maintenance.
Card No.
I am willing to help lead weekend ski tours.
Exp. Date
If you do not want us to share your name with other groups, please initial here. _____
Catamount Trail Association is a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization.
Questions? Please call us at 802.864.5794
$________
I want to support the CTA even more. Enclosed is my additional tax deductible
contribution for
Trail Conservation
Annual Operating Costs$________
Total Enclosed: $________
VISA
MasterCard
Check
3 Digit Code
Signature
Mail to ❯ T he Catamount Trail Association
1 Mill Street, Suite 350, Burlington, VT 05401