OWL HEAD LOOKOUT ski

 

Mar 22, 2004 - OWL HEAD LOOKOUT ski, from Rt.9N near Elizabethtown. At trailhead (el. 1,300') less than 1' powder snow; just below the 2,500' summit 2'-3' of dry powder - nice!!! Skinned up in under 1.5 hrs. Could have used just a little bit more grip than my 48mm skins offered. Walked the last 200 yds on narrow trail to the rocky summit, a few small trees cut the wind enough for a comfortable break. On this clear sunny day (temp in low 20s), stunning views of Vermont's major peaks, Lake Champlain, Rocky Peak Ridge, Giant Mtn.'s eastern slides, Whiteface Mt., Hurricane Mt. & more. The first 600' drop was heavenly - perfect powder for making turns in the open woods. Trail then passes thru a ravine with some rocks showing - had to go easy here. Things get better for a while to a stream crossing on a good bridge. Trail levels out for bit (not so good with no grip) then drops moderately thru a beautiful hemlock woods - room here for more tele turns in & off-trail - holy sweetness, this is good! This would be a great way to end the season but I think I've got a couple more ski trips in me - still weeks before wilderness waters start beckoning (expect ice-out in the Adks. to be late April). Route is still generally considered intermediate - I would rate it advanced or intermediate+ in perfect conditions (2'+ powder). 1,250' el., 5.5 miles, 3 hrs. Karhu Rox tele skis, Rottefella Cobra R4 bindings , Garmont Excursion plastic touring boots - no grip, very good grip with climbing skins, superior turning & downhill control, excellent glide, some glide with skins on. It is hard to quantify the turning ability of these skis - my quiver of turny bc skis (Dorado, Ottabounds, Rebound) all turn very well - the Rox, in my estimation, turn 3 times better - not just better but a whole lot better. Thought the R4 bindings toured well, possibly better than the Chilis. Have been thinking about what width climbing skins to get. There are 2 ways to size skins: 1. slightly narrower than narrowest part of ski; 2. slightly narrower than widest part of ski & trim to shape of ski allowing for maximum grip, a shaped skin would be a problem to fold away neatly without exposing glue which will then attract lint, dirt, etc. but now G3 solves this problem by including "skin savers" - figure I will get 80 or 90mm skins & shape them for use with Outtabounds, Dorado & tele skis.

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