Look for the 2012 Grand Mesa Classic 10K results under the Events tab. Thanks for great tracks, Doug! Thanks for great enthusiasm and skill, all you collegiate racers! Thanks for great snacks, Clif Bar and Justins Nut Butters! And, wow, thanks again for great weather whoever is responsible! Hope to see you all again at the Meltdown in March.

Tom, GMNC Race Director

Three things we all can do to improve our Nordic experience in a low snow year…

Try something new by venturing out on different gear. I learned to telemark in a horrid snow year.   Never stopped and have only donned the alpine skis once since.   Put on a pair of skate skis if you haven’t already.  Low snow means excellent skating.    Enjoy a day in the backcountry via snowshoe.    Try that pair of classic technique waxable skis.  Ice fishing anyone?

Get involved with one of the many volunteer opportunities.   Witness a “day one” of the Glider’s program and you’ll see what I’m talking about.   SFK outfitted 60 kids Saturday morning in 35 minutes or less.   How many did Powderhorn do in that time in their indoor rental shop?    Record numbers, record number of Coaches.   Steward the hut a little, on your own as you ski by, or by joining in as a scheduled host for a day.   Park some cars at a race.

Enjoy the resource beyond the skiing by looking up and around. Stop for a moment and perhaps hear nothing.   Or maybe the owl.   You’ll be surprised at what your senses can show you.  Happened at Skyway Sunday,  owl siting did.  Snowshoe hare in abundance this year also although nearly impossible to spot during the day.

Yours in skiing-snow or not.

dc

Skyway Skuffle results have been posted. Look under the Events & Programs tab above. What a great way to end the year! Looking forward to lots more terrific skiing in 2012 and our next big race weekend at the end of January that will feature the Colorado Mesa Sprints and the Grand Mesa Classic 10K. Keep training!

Tom, GMNC Race Director

Look for WinterStart results under the Events & Programs tab at the top of the site. Thanks to all who participated, to all the volunteers who made it happen and to sponsors ClifBar and Honey Stinger! The racing season has officially begun.

Next up is the Skyway Skuffle Freestyle 10K on New Years Eve. Take advantage of our excellent early season grooming and train for this one!

Tom, GMNC Race Director

Here’s and update from Annie on the Glider’s program.  She is really onto something here, saw a need and filled it.  Please consider involvement to give these kids the experience they deserve!

Yes, 7 days and counting until the WinterStart race on Sunday December 4th. Skiing has been great for awhile so if you haven’t been on snow yet by race day, it’s your own darn fault this year. Our race series starts with a merciful 5K. You can do it! There’s a classic style 5K at 11 AM followed by a freestyle 5K at 12:30. Do either or both. Register on race day only in the Skyway parking lot.

Not up for racing but like to be involved? I need help timing the race. You can help out, enjoy the excitement of the race but not have to do it. What a deal! Give me a call: 434-9753.

We’re pleased to announce that a new race sponsor has jumped on board: Honey Stinger! These folks based in Steamboat make great fuel for active people. If you haven’t tried their waffles yet, check ‘em out. They are locally available at another race sponsor, REI.

Tom, GMNC Race Director

11/21/11

First off, a hearty thanks to all who have donated funding, time, skills and resources to the Hut project at this point, and we can now look forward with anticipated completion early in December.   Here’s a brief timeline on the happenings going on in the construction side with a listing of Volunteer needs:

Saturday, November 26, Sunday November 27   Completed.  A special thanks to members Rick Clark, Jean-Jacques d ‘Aquin, Chris Depuy, and Jon Canty for donating there time, tools, and fuel to haul.  Thanks to the CMU team members and coach Christina Stark for unloading and staging at the Skyway trail head.

Floor Hauling from Cedaredge to Skyway, unloading and transport to site, leveling and fastening of panels, closing in with final sheets of OSB.   Volunteers needed:  4 each day.

Thursday, December 1

Hut unloading at Skyway lot, assisting with hauling of parts down to Hut site.   A lead crew has been put together for assembly, all have been copied on the manual.  We’ll use snowmobiles and rollers as our hauling method.  Will need folks on both ends to load, unload and shuttle.   Volunteers needed:  4 minimum.  This date is tentative as it relies on our vendor’s completion of the structure.  Again, a very special GMNC thanks to Brad Burritt, Dave Aschwanden, Nathan Moreng, Steve Lyons, Rooster Barnhardt, Dave Knutson and Steve Ela for completing this phase.

And Onward…..

The Warming Hut’s success will depend on the level of stewardship put forth by all members and trail users. The Council Board is working to implement a rotating plan of scheduled volunteers for sweeping, snow removal, fire starting, wood stocking and such.  The Colorado Mesa University team has already stepped up to aid in snow removal (good training)

Schedules are great, but not often practical, and there will be limited coverage due to the limited resources.  Our volunteer Trail Hosts will surely be involved, but we’re asking each and every member to take a moment when they are up to enjoy the Mesa and check the posted chore list in the hut.   If you can’t get in the hut, that probably means the entrance needs shoveling!

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator Doug at gmnordic@gmail.com.