GMNC Ward Lake Trails Grooming report

No grooming at Ward Lake trail system today, but Al plans to work on those trails tomorrow afternoon to prepare for weekend traffic. Twilight parking area is currently plowed allowing access to some telemarking and the upper Ward trail head parking area has enough space for about six vehicles. Also, if you are planning a snowshoe trek, please try to avoid snowshoeing on the set parallel classic ski tracks, both to preserve the tracks and make for easier snowshoeing.

 

Jerry Evans

GMNC Skyway County Line Grooming report

Wed. 31Dec08

 

Kenton groomed for tomorrows race this afternoon on Vista Loop, Lyons, and Will's Hill with the snowcat. He also groomed Sunset and Winslow trails. Jon will be doing touch-up grooming with the snowmobile on the race course and County Line trails tomorrow morning. Skiing is good with 4.5 feet of base.

 

Jerry Evans

Sleds at Skyway and County Line Trailheads

In the event you encounter an ill or injured skier unable to ski back to the parking lot, sleds are available to assist. 

 

Give some thought to how you would react if you encountered an ill or injured skier.  Many of us who ski frequently have encountered other skiers in need of help.

Some considerations:

1.  Enlist help from other skiers.  Can you or someone else administer first aid?

2.  Call 911 if warranted (Need to get to parking lot for connectivity)

3.  Keep the person warm.  Use sleds to bring warming blankets from the survival kit in your car.

4.  If possible, enlist help from snowmachine operator.

5.  Strong skiers can use sled to evacuate injured to parking lot.

 

This year the kayak sled is located at Skyway.  It's next to our snowmobiles.  The homemade wood sled has been replaced with a plastic sled.  The plastic sled is lighter and more stable.  The wood sled has been retired.  The new plastic sled is located at the County Line trailhead.

 

Description and pictures at:  http://home.mesastate.edu/~jerry/gmnc/sled.htm

 

 

New Year's Race Weather

GMNCers,

 

If you are starting 2009 off right and will be up on the GMNC trails, expect another beautiful Colorado mountain day. Southwest winds will remain gusty that will likely cause some drifting snow in the open areas. I am not at work and hate to deviate from the NWS forecast, but a quick look at the latest model runs indicate that there will be little to no new snowfall for the race. Snow and air temperature will likely be in the 20s. I have found FastWax Blue non-flouro to work just fine in those conditions. Any non-fluoro cold to medium cold glide wax will likely work well for skating. As usual for waxing on the Grand Mesa, when in doubt go colder.

 

Happy New Year!

Mojo

All Hail the Trailmakers!

The GMNC and our grooming crew gets a shout-out today from Grand Junction Daily Sentinel writer DAVE BUCHANAN. The story made the front page of the Outside section.

Read it here: All Hail the Trailmakers

Ward Lake

Ward Lake has lots of snow and great trail conditions. Some snow angels visited Tuesday...

--Christie

This Week at GMNC

This week's happenings at GMNC:

Thurs, Jan 1

Celebrate the new year with the Skyway Skuffle 10km freestyle fun race

11am, Skyway

Registration begins at 10am and costs $10 for GMNC members, $15 for non-members.

More info: Tom Ela 434-9753

Sun, Jan 4

Skis, Not Skirts women's ski training group meets at Skyway at 11am for a skate outing.

Learn more and view video from our last meeting at http://skisnotskirts.blogspot.com

Ongoing:

Buy or sell gear at GMNC's Colorado Ski Swap

http://coloradoskiswap.blogspot.com/

Email your "for sale" or "wanted" ad to: coskiswap@gmail.com

To include a photo with your ad, attach photo to the email.

Ski Lessons

Renowned ski instructor Al Fournier offers skate and classic lessons for skiers of all ability levels. Call Al at 872-3868 to schedule a private or group ski lesson.

Grand Mesa Gliders

Registration is still open for the Gliders youth program. Get details at:

http://gmgliders.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year!

Christie