Sandia Peak skking

Fredrik groomed and set a track on the upper part of the UNM loop including the service rd the loop above the road and the small loop just below it. He used new grooming equipment so it's quite an impressive improvement.

Ron

sandia peak skiing

Sandia Peak received several inches of new snow last couple days.  The service rd was groomed by the alpine area today.  Trails are 'packed' by other skiers for classic.  Expect more snow tonite.

Ron

XC Ski Olympic TV and web coverage links on SWNSC facebook page

We've been posting as much info as we can find to make XC Skiing in Sochi easy to find and follow. Check out out facebook page for links. You do not need to have a facebook account or to log in. 
Just view here and click what you want to see (if a login screen does popup, just close it, facebook can't miss a chance to get you to log in, but you DO NOT HAVE TO LOG IN to view all of our posts and be able to click any of the links we post). 

https://www.facebook.com/swnordicskiclub

Hope everyone is as excited as we are!!! :)))

GO TEAM USA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandia peak skiing

Fredrik set a classic track on the service road and upper loop and made the road better for skating.

Ron

Skate and classic ski package for sale (in Santa Fe)

skate boots

1) Rosignol World Cup Series Xium Skate Skis with Fischer Xcelerator World Cup Bindings 2011  $350.00

2) Fischer RCS Skate Boots Size 39 women $200.00

3)Carbon Poles $125.00

or the whole package for $650.00  Really great, fast, light, fun equipment...well maintained

skate skis

classic boots

1) Pro-Classic Atomic G-2 Densolite Skis with Fischer NNN Racing Classic R3 Bindigs 2011  $200.00

2)Rosignol X7 Boots size 41 women $90.00

3)Carbon Poles 125.00

or the whole package for $400.00

If interested, contact Karen karencurtin88 at yahoo dot com 

classic skis

Jan 25-26 NM Cup/Low O2 xc ski, kids and snowshoe events!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Low O2 Challenge - New Mexico Cup winter events are this weekend at Enchanted Forest.  There are xc ski races, USSSA snow shoe races, and the most fun of all, the LITTLE KIDS' PRIZE GRAB!  (you gotta be a kid to go grab the prizes =)  

We could always use some adults to help out with the kids' events, so let me know if you're able to help out with the prize stations, course patrol (cheering and encouraging is a big help), etc.

They also added a 10 km classic race to the agenda, so in addition to the 5 km classic, there is now also a 10 km, on Saturday at 10am.  The plan right now is to have it run on the UNM NCAA course (2 laps), but that may change.  The "10 km" skate will actually be a little long, probably more like 12 km, as we'll use all the nice gliding inner trails, along with a run out to the UNM loop to finish.

The kids' prize grab (~1 km and ~ 3 km) is on Saturday, after the 5 & 10 km events.  Also on Saturday afternoon, I'll be hosting the FREE "race" clinic.  I'll cover a number of topics, mainly on technique, but also equipment choice, training, wax, nutrition, and secret tricks =)  It will be very helpful if you're planning on racing the Mt. Taylor Quadrathlon too.

Event flyer (not updated to reflect the additional 10 km classic) is here. 

Registration for the events is here.

The snow is still great and there is actually some new in the forecast for Thursday!  Weather looks beautiful for the weekend, though.  See you there!

NM Cup/Low O2 Challenge events Jan 25-26 at Enchanted Forest!

Mark your calendars...the New Mexico Cup - Low O2 Challenge Nordic and Snowshoe weekend at Enchanted Forest is set for January 25 and 26.

Jan. 25 - Saturday will be the 5km "classic style" (no skating) xc ski race, using the UNM NCAA 5km course, followed by the kids' events (likely a 1km fun event, and a longer 3km event, involving both skiing and picking up prizes along the way), and then a free to all registered participants xc skiing and racing clinic that will cover technique, equipment, clothing, and waxing.

Jan. 26 - Sunday will be the longer ~10 to 12 kms xc skate race, the USSSA 5km and 10km snowshoe races, and the citizen's 5km snowshoe fun race.  Both of these events will be challenging, fun and exciting courses.  

I am trying to get the Enchanted Forest ski area to get the correct flyer on their website (www.efxc.com) but there have been some technical issues.  I'll let you know where the link to the proper flyer is when it is ironed out.

Also, don't forget that the Chama Chile Classic is the weekend BEFORE, on (January 18-19).  Find more info atwww.chamaski.com.  This is an awesome set of events at the famous Chile Classic course on Cumbres Pass.  There is a 15km & 7.5km skate race on Saturday, followed by the big event on Sunday, the 10km and 5km classic events, plus the snowshoe.  Combine everything for the King or Queen of the Mountain competition.

Despite the dry conditions south of the Sangres, the winter conditions are great up north.  It snowed on Sunday, which made for some great ski conditions.  Go check it out...

We'll be posting more info and photos on the Southwest Nordic Ski Club's Facebook page (swnordicskiclub).  Also, there are pics of all the years' events past at the SWNSC picasa album

...if these kids can do it, so can you! 

(photo taken this past Sunday at EFXC)

Conditions Hanging In There 12-26-2013

I got up to the trails to ski just after noon today.  As usual, I ran the first parts through the burn / south-facing stuff, put the boots and skis on at Point B (the new one, closer to Point C), then was able to ski continuously up the upper tree trails, back down to Pt-M, and back into the trees.

At Pt-B, it's thin with some spots here and there, but not too bad.  The conditions generally range from "poor" to "good," depending on the stretch.  There are six bad spots, but I was able to pole through all of them, most of which are only a few feet long.  The "Rock" section is sketchy and I actually made it through on just one ski touching the snow.  There are also a few of the icy/dirty spots, but they're not long and easily passed through.  Otherwise, most of the skiing is surprisingly nice.

It hasn't been groomed, so it is what it is.  I thought it was pretty good stuff, considering.  The far upper part of the trail and inner meadow down to M is actually nice with some soft new snow still on top.

Here are two pictures.  The first one is at the lowest part of the "snow zone" at Pt-B, and the second one is the top of the meadow at the Caldera Fence.  Everything looks about like this, with some +/- sections throughout.

It would take only a modest storm, or even some easy shoveling in those 5 or 6 rough spots to really improve things.

I forgot to mention that I did leave two sleds at the rock (but need to leave a shovel with them) to haul snow to the thin spots.  It really works -- we need an "adopt-a-bare-spot" program!  I'll take care of the section around the Rock myself... =)

Be careful if you do get out, but generally, it's nice where it's nice and I think it's still worth the trip up.  Plus, I've been able to stay in uphill/downhill jogging shape!

Happy Holidays.
Clay

At Pt-B (or so) just where the snow gets contiuous (at "Clay's Cutoff")

Looking east down the meadow from the top - the meadow trail is really nice still

More on Sandia Peak ski tracks

re: some photos courtesy of Rich Besser

Sandia Peak skiing (very good classic)

Dec 23rd email from Fredrik: 

"

Hi Sandia Peak Skiers,

This morning I groomed and set a classical track on all trails on the map attached.  Around 5 inches of powder and cold snow.  Great skiing up there so have fun.   If you enjoy the tracks and like the grooming, please consider donating a small amount to the UNM Ski Team on www.unmskiteamfanclub.com 

I have received one very generous donation so far and I am in the process of ordering some grooming equipment that will make the trails even better.  I also put up some signs so maybe a couple of people will walk on the side, instead of right in the track.

I will post updates on my grooming on the University of New Mexico Facebook site in the future.  Today’s grooming will be the last for a while.  I am taking the team to Utah and Montana in early January and I will not be back until the 19^th.  After that we will put in some hours again to get the trails better.  The best way you can help to make the grooming easier for me when I get back is to shovel snow from the upper side to the lower side of the trail.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Fredrik Landstedt

Head Coach UNM Ski Team

landsted@unm.edu"

see map below for trails groomed:  

(to get to the groomed trails either take the Sandia Peak tram to the top and enter on the tram service road (sw corner of loop) or take the crest hwy to either the 10K  or Ellis
trailhead.

Ron

Grooming Report, December 19, 2013

We had some new guys volunteer up for grooming, so last night we went out for grooming lessons.  I forget how tough it can be at first, but all of them seemed to catch on pretty well, and actually enjoy it...I think.

Probably to their dismay, they were also wrangled into doing a little bit of shoveling in a few very thin spots.  The weather isn't cooperating very well, so a few short sections (all on the skiable loop above the burn) of the trail have taken a beating this week.  So, we shoveled quite a bit in those short sections, mostly around the "Rock."

While it is not a very pretty "groom" job, parts are still probably pretty nice.  We have maybe one more week of decent skiing if it doesn't snow.  If it doesn't snow, then it'll be back to rock-bottom, even on the upper loop.  Lots of the classic track got wiped out, so don't expect much there if you go classic ski.

Of course, the burn area is full of bare ground, so you'll have to hike through all that until past point "B" or so.  The lower road is only skiable past the burn (past that big hill), and then only to about Point "O".  The steep "bypass trail" from Pt. "O" to the lower meadow is barely skiable, and then that only dumps you out to the cooked-out lower meadow.  I suggest skiing back and forth on the skiable part of the lower road, then taking the "Clay's Cut-off" trail back up to the upper trail.  There is also skiable trail from Pt. "O" to "F," which is the end of the lower road up to the switchback on TJ's.

Get it while it lasts, and pray for snow!

Clay

Sandia Peak skiing

Fredrik (UNM) groomed quite a long loop up near Ellis and 10K.  Primarily groomed for classic but skatable in sections.  We still need help on some sections of trails with shoveling.

Ron

Sandia Peak skiing

UNM has groomed the tram service rd. & the UNM loops for classic skiing.  The road is skatable.

Ron

More Sandia skiing

Fredrik intends to groom again on Monday.  Again need help shoveling to level trails for grooming. So far haven't had any.  Fredrik will be encouraged to maintain better trails if he can get help, both trail work and  monetary wise; so please help or donate at www.unmskiteamfanclub.com web site if you're interested in better grooming at Sandia. Fredrik has to transport his equipment all the way up the mountain from UNM each time he grooms since USFS and Sandia Peak aren't willing to let UNM have a safe place (any place actually) to keep a snow machine up there ( there is dismal lack of support from Cibola National Forest for nordic skiing). 

Ron

Sandia Peak skiing

Fredrik groomed the service road and the UNM loops Tuesday Dec 2 and now we have additional several inches, very cold.

sandia peak skiing & help needed

Fredrik (UNM ski coach) is planning on grooming once the team gets back from Yellowstone.  There's nearly 2' of snow on the trails.  It would be a great help to Fredrik's grooming efforts if some levelling of the trails could be done; in this case shoveling snow to level out the trails (side to side) due to slope of mountain and snowshoeing to prepack are both needed.  The upper UNM loop has 1st priority I think, then the lower trail (below the service road).  Please contact me if you can help (ronmccurley@comcast.net).

Trail work & SNOW(!) update 11-22-2013

I had to go up to pull down the Ditch Witch last night, but unfortunately found a number of new trees down (again!).  One pretty big one fell onto the fencing on the front hill and sort of crushed it.  It was blocking the path for the Ditch Witch, so I attempted to move it, but it being dark and all, ran into a little problem with the slick (lack of) traction.  I twisted a track off the side and it did another slow topple with the tree still in the bucket.

I'm learning my lesson with how that thing can do this with an uneven load pushing up high.  I don't think this would have happened in the day time, but am not so sure.  I shouldn't have pushed it out so far, but the main problem was the lack of traction.

Also, there was quite a bit of new snow, all very heavy and wet.  That was before it really began to snow, which was about when I left around 7:30pm.  Lots of the trails were already skiable!  I'm sure they're quite skiable now, but some sections will still be very thin with the big rocks.

Here are some pics of what it looked like last night before the storm hit:

Good snow near the trailhead.  Several people still trying to ride bikes up there, plus some skiers

Fencing is working well already

Lots of the trails were quite well covered

Trees down on Dave's

Tree down on Dave's up near the steep hill and the big "rock" section

A live spruce down on TJ's

From the other angle

That infamous root ball

I still had a section of tree to remove on the trails that I had forgotten about, so I got to it before it was too late

The big tree down on the fence.  It was awkward

A little better shot

The aftermath of my struggle to get it over the fence.  Bad move!

The underside of the poor Ditch Witch.  Gotta head up today to pull back up and get it off the hill. 

TRAIL WORK REPORT & PHOTOS 11-9-2013

Here is a quick report on some trail work I got to on Saturday, November 9, 2013.  It was a nice day and there were quite a number of little "punchlist" items that hadn't been hit yet, so I just made a plan to go up with Kermit and hit a number of them all at once.  One thing I wasn't sure of was whether I'd be able to take the Ditch Witch up to one of the other sections of trail that needs a bit of a rebuild, as that type of work takes a lot of time and sort of consumes the entire work session.

So, I decided against starting with that, and just going out to cut the remaining areas that I know have bad aspen shoots.  I found some parts of the lower road still with a few, but then made up to the meadow, and that is where the fun really began.  We always seem to work just on the tree trails and skip working in the meadow, which is always not good because as soon as the snow flies, it is very hard to work on that stuff.

As you can see from the pics, there were still some trees down in the meadow sections, plus LOADS of aspen shoots.  Our new trail cutter blew out a bearing before we were able to hit it with that thing, so I had to do it "by hand."  By that, I mean that I used the clubs new motorized brush cutter (a Poulan trimmer thing).  It worked well, but is hard to start.  It did the job.

I also got the trees out of the meadow trail envelope.  When we did the tree cutting for the trailfest running races, we didn't get them cut the full width, so now was the time to do that.

Finally, I ran the tree trails and found a number of new trees down.  Some were large and I needed to wait for some help from Dave the next day.  Unfortunately, I also found a new HUGE tree down on TJ's that had just toppled over from the root ball.  It was large.  Luckily, it was right where the Ditch Witch was parked, so I didn't have to go far to move the carnage.

Unfortunately, it was a bit of overload for the Ditch Witch.  Once I got the root ball free from the ground (late in the day), it toppled out of the bucket and took the Ditch Witch down with it.  It is a "ride behind" version, so I just hopped off and had to watch it fall over.  It is too heavy to pull back up with Kermit, so Dave had to come with an arsenal of winches, chains and his tractor the next day.  It was a pretty big battle to get it back up on its tracks, but we were successful.  Here are some pics:

Already good snow in the meadow.  You can see the large number of large diameter aspen shoots!

A closer look at those aspen shoots

chopped down!

Still a lot of trees in the meadow trails

A few of these on the tree trails where the fire came through.  I have found these every time I've gone up there.

The big tree that came down on TJ's.  It consumed the big saw.

A closer look at the base near the root ball

This section of TJ's will look and ski completely differently now

Looking up the trail as we would ski toward the meadow

Luckily, I was able to use the Ditch Witch to move the big sections

Working on the root ball.

Back breaking work made a lot easier!

That was a big root ball

Root ball came out, Ditch Witch went down.  It was like pulling a very tough weed when the roots finally break free and sends you back on your butt!  Dave had to come up and help me get it back up.  It took some serious redneck engineering to get it back up.

Sandia peak skiing

As of Thursday (yesterday) there as about 4 to 6 inches of snow on the service road.  Did not hit a rock the entire length.  Must be significantly more than that today after the precip event last nite.
Fredrik plans to groom sometime soon after Dec 1.
Ron

Sandia peak skiing

Probably can ski classic on the service road tomorrow. I did today with about 2" (with slow accumulation continuing) using some rock nowax  skis  and enjoyed myself.  It continued to snow likely until the rain stopped in Albuquerque (to between 7 & 8 pm).

Ron