#EarnYourTurns: Okemo Attempt via Nor’easter (March 3, 2018)

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Since moving from from California to NH, it’s been difficult to find the time to hike and exercise. With the 10+ hours I spend commuting every week and trying to keep up with two young boys, time and energy are hard to come by. When I have found the time to get out for a significant hike, my conditioning has been so poor that my time outside hasn’t been as enjoyable as it should be. Lately, it has been much more enjoyable to hit the slopes with my wife and oldest son (Ethan). Spending the time outside with the family has been fun, but I’ve been missing that physical and mental challenge that comes with a difficult hike. 

I’m not sure why I didn’t think of doing this sooner, but I now realize that I’ve actually had my ideal situation for training and exercising sitting in front of me for the last year. I’ve always enjoyed the ascent more than the descent. As a result, Skyline Trail was one of my favorites while living in CA … climbing 8,000′ over 11 miles, then descending via the PS Tram was perfect. I’d get a great workout without beating up my knees and ankles on the descent.

 

 

I have a similar situation in VT. I work at the ski resort with the best uphill policy in the area …  meaning I can use my Tubbs Snowshoes to climb, then hop on my snowboard to get back to my office. Using my snowshoes on the ascent gives my hips and legs the conditioning needed to take on major hikes when I have the time, riding down saves my knees and ankles from ta beating and with the short descent time, I’d be able to spend more of my workout climbing. 

March 3rd was my first attempt. Not knowing how much time I would need to summit, my plan was to use this trip as a way to plan future hikes in terms of timing and gear selection. Due to time and needing to get back to my office for work, I turned around about 10 minutes from the summit, climbing approximately 1600′ of elevation over 1.6 miles. It was very strenuous and difficult, but by the time I rode into base lodge, I was already trying to figure out when I’d get to hike it again.

Geek Stats

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Here’s a (poor) video and a few photos. I’m hoping to purchase a gimbal before next season. 

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Gear

• Trew BeWild Jacket
  • My go to weatherproof shell, whether I’m hiking in the rain, in a snowstorm, or just need something to break the wind. Over the last year it’s also gotten tons of use on the ski slopes, worn over a down sweater. Despite being thing and lightweight, it’s proven to be durable.  
• Hillsound Armadillo LT Gaiter
  • Hands down, the best gaiters I have used. They are soft, breathable, and keep the snow out. 
• Baffin Zone Softshell Boots
  • These are my favorite boots winter hiking hiking as well as everyday boots during the winter months. I will update my review soon.  
• Seek Outside Divide 4500
  • The capacity of this pack is overkill, but the support and attachment points provided by the external frame are great. 
• WoolX Layers
  • I was a little too warm on this hike and will likely leave the Heavyweight Longsleeve Merino Wool Shirt at home or carry it in my pack next time. Wearing the WoolX T-shirt and lightweight hoodie
    with my Trew Gear BeWild Jacket provided plenty of warmth while moving. 
• Tubbs Flex VRT Snowshoes
  • By the time I got around to writing this trip report (March 30), I had been out with my snowshoes 5 more times and helped out with kid’s snowshoe trip. Back in December, I also helped out with two snowshoe hikes at Okemo with a total of approximately 40 snowshoers with varying brands and models of snowshoes. The Flex VRTs are still the best all-around snowshoe I’ve seen and it’s not even close.