After we got a pretty significant snowstorm yesterday (power outages all over the Upper Valley, 8ish inches in Hanover, 18ish inches at higher elevations), I felt sure I’d be able to start off the Cross Country ski season at Eastman. I had to go over there anyway to pick up my Eastman sweatshirt (won as part of the Ski-Season Kick-off Raffle). Unfortunately, when I arrived (1100) they told me they weren’t able to get the grooming done and suggested that I come back on Sunday. Not wanting to waste a trip, I drove over to Heath Forest to try some snowshoeing. I was the first person (idiot?) to break trail and every step was a lot of work. Encountered some big drifts and lots of wet snow but I still managed to hike a good portion of the trail system - it was slow going, though. I also had to contend with random drops of heavy/wet piles of snow off the evergreen trees. By the end of the snowy excursion (1300), I was exhausted and drenched. Still, I felt glad that we finally have some wintry weather and look forward to getting out on the ski trails tomorrow!
