Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

I wonder if Eddie Cochran was a skier? Doubt it.

Although it's technically not summer yet, it seems in my part of the world it's acting very much like it... also a lot of people consider Memorial day the beginning of 'summer'. In the North country of NY, it's generally considered the start of black fly season, which unofficially goes from Memorial Day to Independence Day. It sometimes starts much earlier and lasts longer, but it's a rough guide.

The flies are out, I can assure you this. I was out this weekend, and they weren't that bad. I did a short overnight canoe trip up to some remote backcountry ponds. I had a great time but realized how bad of shape I'm in. Nothing that I do during the winter really prepares you for carrying 60 lbs of boat and gear uphill for a mile. I always forget how much it hurts That said, it was really worth it. Beer, smoked ham, brats, cheddar cheese all enjoyed with a fire and plunks around remote ponds. Not another human in sight... ducks, loons, heron, beavers and even a goose were our hosts. I drank a beer slowly circumnavigating the first pond we visited... that beer tasted the best it ever has. Out on the water a slight breeze kept me hidden from the biting bastards (they hunt you down by your CO2). On Saturday the sky was hazy with breaks of sun, no rain though. Sunday was bright and sunny and we made it back down to the big lake and back to the car before it got too hot or windy.

Anyway, I hope everyone is getting out and doing fun stuff... feel free to share your stories.

I just took my first paddle of the season yesterday, a 12 lake loop with short easy portages. Even though it was a perfect day and we had a great time I don't get the same stoke from a day paddle as I do from a good day skiing. It seems I need at least an ovenight or preferably two to get the same level of stoke as from skiing.

As far as being out of shape the good thing is, IMO there are no better forms of exersize than xcD skiing and wilderness canoe tripping. If you can do enough of these two things you won't need anything else to stay in shape.

Yeah I don't know what it is about doing multi-day trips that makes it more fun, but I agree I don't get as excited and I'm generally not as interested in day tripping with the boat. Thing is I can move much faster and cover way more ground without my overnight gear, especially pond hopping - all the in and out with gear really slugs you down.

MikeK wrote:Although it's technically not summer yet, it seems in my part of the world it's acting very much like it... also a lot of people consider Memorial day the beginning of 'summer'.

It snowed almost an inch in town and a couple inches up in the hills last night. NOT SUMMER

WOW - well I guess GW doesn't apply to the UGL. Down on the lower end we've got to be breaking some records for temps. A couple days in the 90's last week, and yesterday was damn near 90. It's finally cooled a bit to low 70's, but it's the same temp now as when I drove into work... some weird weather going on lately.

Another heat wave this week. Temps in the low to mid 80s. Still way warmer than it should be for May.

I did an overnight with some friends Sat to Sunday. We had more seasonable weather... seemed everyone I talked to was complaining about it. 60s and 70s are the new 'cold'.