Winter’s Half Gone – Plenty Of Fun Left!

by Amy Patenaude
Outdoor/Ski Writer

Groundhog Day is thought of as the traditional halfway point of the winter season but it actually falls a couple of days short. Winter’s official midpoint occurred this year on February 4th. I can’t believe winter is half over. I love Spring skiing too but there never seems to be enough weekends in Winter!
This past weekend I decided to go snowshoeing up North and South Kinsman but when I arrived at the Mt. Kinsman Trailhead the parking lot was nearly full and the trail was well packed. All I needed to wear on my feet were my microspikes. I left my snowshoes in the car.
It was a cloudy day and I didn’t have much hope the clouds would defy the forecast and just go away. It wasn’t too cold either just above freezing. Along the trail I was surrounded by a snowy pretty winter scene. The trees had a soft white coating of snow. I passed a couple of ladies just before the stone stairway that the Trailwrights built. The steps were mostly covered with snow and they were still helpful.

The brook crossings were snow bridged and I walked across easily. When I reached the intersection of the spur to Bald Peak it felt colder but it still was pleasant. I passed a few more people before I reached the Kinsman Ridge. I was pleasantly surprised to cross paths once again with Arlette and her husband, Rich. Rich was oh so close to completing some big hiking goals, a double winter single season, all 48 this winter, twice and the Grid, all 48 in all 12 months. (Yes he now has completed these feats). We chatted a little while but all of us had to get moving soon to stay warm.
The ridge was just barely in the clouds and I could look north and see that Cannon’s summit was in the clouds. The snow was still packed nice and the usual icy steep scrambles were still covered with packed snow making it a whole lot less trouble getting up and over. Two men that had come up from Lonesome Lake zoomed past me.

I met a lady standing right next to the actual high point of North Kinsman, a large pointed boulder next to the trail. I pointed it out to her as I went by. A moment later I could hear her yelling to her husband that he had to come back since he had missed it. I thought most people don’t read the guide book.
I continued straight over to South Kinsman tagged its north bump and then met the men that passed me by at the summit cairn at the south end of the peak. They asked me what I was working on and I said fun, no lists. We chatted about their mountain lists and I ate my sandwich quickly. It wasn’t windy but it was chilly and there were no views because we were still in the clouds.
On the return I stopped at the North Kinsman view ledge and then I made my way down to the lower ledges so I could at least enjoy one view. I post-holed in the deep snow and fought my way to where I was pleased to see Kinsman Pond down below.
My return trip was fast and I met a lot of people on the Ridge headed up but saw no one else until I was nearly back to the car.

I took the spur trail out and back to the summit of Bald Peak. The view of the Easton Valley was nice and this peak is a super day hike on its own. I noticed the footprints had little black specks and I realized they were full of Snowfleas! I guess recent spring-like weather woke them up.
It was a tough decision not to go skiing but the good hike made me happy. And I knew I was going to ski Mount Cranmore the next day.
I signed up for an open Masters race, anyone could enter the fundraiser for the Ian Meserve Foundation Scholarship Fund and it was a good reason to head over to Mount Cranmore. The only ski race practice I have had is racing on Monday nights in the adult corporate race league at Pats Peak. Friends would be there from the league and from Loonatics–the adult league at Loon Mountain where many are regular masters racers. I knew it would be fun to ski with them.
What a difference a day makes, the visibility was great, no clouds. The view of the distant mountains and of nearby Whitehorse and Cathedral Ledge were indeed grand. I hit the slopes as soon as the lifts opened and I skied many of Cranmore’s trails–Kandahar to Artist Falls the snow was well groomed and fun to ski.
Our dual slalom race was held on the competition slope. Dual slalom, two courses set side by side, as identical as possible so two skiers can race against one another at the same time. Cranmore’s race crew did an excellent job preparing the course and they were able to run all the racer’s quickly through the course.
Between runs I skied as many of Cranmore’s trails as I could squeeze. It was a warm sunny day and lots of people thought it was a great day to be outside. The easier trails were full of small children with their families. There was a good crowd of skiers and snowboarders but they were well dispersed all over the mountain so it never felt too busy.
After the race everyone met on the third floor of the lodge for results, awards and a raffle. I got lucky and won some ski wax and a new scraper in the raffle. I also learned that the Waffle Cabin sells a boat of waffles and chicken tenders, yummy.

Mount Cranmore offers more than skiing and snowboarding. Their Tubing and Mountain Adventure Park is popular and fun for everyone. Snow tubing park is lift serviced and has 10 lanes!
The Mountain Adventure Park offers a mountain coaster, a giant swing ride and a 700 foot side by side seat zip line.
They even sell single ride tickets for the mountain coaster and the giant swing. These are exciting rides and I have ridden them in the summer. But I confess since the skiing was so good that I stayed on the slopes.
Take advantage of the second half of winter, don’t miss out. Winter can be fun for everyone!
Have fun.

Amy Patenaude is an avid skier/outdoor enthusiast from Henniker, N.H. Readers are welcome to send comments or suggestions to her at: amy@weirs.com.