The Prep team had their end of the season ski trip this past weekend. This year we opted to stay about 30 miles outside of town at Twin Bears Camp and head for a couple of day trips. The lodging was nice and rustic with just a propane range and wood stoves for heat - no electricity or running water. Sometimes that simplicity can create a great environment for this sort of thing. Instead of plopping in front of the TV, the athletes interact with each other during their down time, whether it is playing soccer in rubber boots, infection (a great version of tag that I was introduced to this weekend), eating meals, toasting s'mores or playing cards.
Saturday we hiked in about a mile and then did a 14-mile ski to and from the Stiles Creek Cabin. Despite low-snow and open patches near the trail head and on certain uphills and downhills, the conditions were the best skiing I've ever had on the trail with consistent kick from top to bottom on firm corn snow that gradually softened through the day. The two highlights of the day were navigating downhills with open patches and seeing Grizzly tracks on top of our ski tracks from the morning as we made our way back to the trailhead! Spring is here!
Sunday we met up with the Jr. Devo Team for an abortive ski up Angel Creek trail. We skied at most 200 meters from the trailhead until the snow ran out, put on our rubber boots and then went for a hike. On the bright side, it was great practice with klister (applying AND cleaning) for all the Prep teamers, and great to see them pitching in and helping the Jr. Devo kids with their boards. After our short hike up the ridge we all went to Chena Hot Springs for a soak - quite a relaxing way to end the season!
Pictures from the trip:
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| The dark interior, wood tables and Nick's thoughtful look makes me feel like this picture could be from a mountain hut somewhere in Europe. |
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| The approach on Saturday |
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| Klistering up |
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| Deriene and Nick reach the top of the ridge |
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| It looks like something is calling Deriene |
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| Checking out Joe's GPS |
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| Nick went old school for the trip |
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| The crew after seven miles of the Stiles Creek trail |
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| Grizzly Tracks! |
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| At the trail head with the Jr. Devo and Prep Teams Saturday morning. 30 min of waxing practice before 200 meters of skiing. |
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| The end of the ski, and beginning of the hike. |
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| Rocky IV has nothing on Eric and Ti |
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| Ryan B and Emma J |
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| Alex A-A |
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| Pretty tired after a long weekend: Ti on the drive back to Fairbanks. |
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