"Frankenstorm" coming
November 5, 2012
94 posts
30 users
25k+ views
could this be a repeat of last years big October snow event, or maybe even bigger?
"It's looking like a very serious storm that could be historic," said Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the forecasting service Weather Underground. "Mother Nature is not saying 'trick-or-treat.' It's just going to give tricks."
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster Jim Cisco, who coined the nickname Frankenstorm, said: "We don't have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting."
Government forecasters said there is a 90 percent chance - up from 60 percent two days earlier - that the East will get pounded starting Sunday and stretching past Halloween on Wednesday. Things are expected to get messier once Sandy, a very late hurricane in what has been a remarkably quiet season, comes ashore, probably in New Jersey.
Coastal areas from Florida to Maine will feel some effects, but the storm is expected to vent the worst of its fury on New Jersey and the New York City area, which could see around 5 inches of rain and gale-force winds close to 40 mph. Eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, western Virginia and the Shenandoah Mountains could get snow.
And the storm will take its time leaving. The weather may not start clearing in the mid-Atlantic until the day after Halloween and Nov. 2 in the upper Northeast, Cisco said.
"It's almost a weeklong, five-day, six-day event," he said from a NOAA forecast center in College Park, Md. "It's going to be a widespread, serious storm."?
"
Thanks Bob, but the most important part of the article is.....
"Cisco said he could see the equivalent of several inches of snow or rain in the mid-Atlantic, depending on where the storm ends up. In the mountains, snow may be measured in feet instead of inches."
The GFS model is already predicting 8-10" thru Monday. Probably be be 0" by morning.
Let the hype begin!!!
Somewhere in MD-PA is likely going to end up with 18 inches of a damp white mess
Bah this thing could be serious fun for WV... Could be some amazing totals by Thursday!
Somewhere between snowshoe and the sods will likely end up with 18-30+ if the storm comes inland between VA and NJ
I will miss this one. My wife broke her arm last week and needs me at home. I have abandoned her many times to ski but now she needs me.
Over the years I have chased many early and late season storms in WV and have noticed a pattern. I have often gone a day too early. The best snows in WV tend to be wraparound, carrying lake effect from Erie on strong northwest
winds as the storm itself clears out to the northeast. So if you are thinking about chasing this one, I think Wed or even Thurs will offer the best skiing.
If it hits the valley will we have to earn turns or will the lifts open?
If it hits the valley will we have to earn turns or will the lifts open?
Hah! Shirley you must be joking.
i am not joking. and dont call me shirely.
when are people from dc leaving? thinking of going.
Go for it. But bring yer skins. I need to keep my powder dry on this one.
Snowshoe may be a better option than the valley? Mr. Fish? Mr. Langley?
I really hope everyone in the valley and other areas above 3000 ft in elevation are taking this seriously. This storm has the potential to dump 3 ft+ of wet snow with winds 50 MPH and gusting to 60 or more over the ridges.
If tonight's run of the NAM was taken seriously, Davis would end up with somewhere between 4-8 inches of QPF by Thursday with 90% of it falling as snow (40-80 inches at 10:1 ratios).
That said, some models are quite a bit warmer and suggest there will be more mixing. But please please make sure you are ready for this sucker... think the devastation post derecho with feet of snow to deal with and temps in the 20s.
After saying that.... I really want to go up there and weather the storm. There is the potential for this to be epic beyond all belief. What are the realistic chances that Tline or Shoe grooms and spins the lifts if we really do get smashed?
And John - Shoe has a better chance of remaining all snow given it will be farther south and away from the warmer core of this system.
Also note I suggest grooming only if the snow is wet and sloppy... Grooming powder is a sin
And John - Shoe has a better chance of remaining all snow given it will be farther south and away from the warmer core of this system.
L-ski beat me to the punch-line...originally with the storm making landfall further north I was thinking the natty nord above the valley would b the sweet spot.
Now that it looks to be heading in further south and combining the facts that its still oct with the Atlantic still warm & a tropical system heading in Im echoing L-ski on the SS comment...going to need elevation and the colder air wrapping in.
I'm thinking that after the original onslaught and the storm starts to pull north the higher elevations near the valley will start to get the better snows with the upslope wraparounds....40 to 60 MPH winds and heavy glopping snow flying sideways plastering onto everything aint no picnic!...might want to wait till wed/thur to sample the goods...Ive let my work know that I am on Hookie watch..
Unfortunately, we don't have Chris Bailey anymore... but here is an excellent blog post from WSAZ meteorologist Brandon Butcher:
http://www.wsaz.com/blogs/brandonsblog/b..._176162291.htmlWow, what a storm!
I'd love to make it over to CV for some early season turns, but my work schedule is crazy this week. I'm definitely looking forward to some first hand accounts on how this storm develops over there!
Frankenstorm?..Thats the Lowlander term..Its a BLIZZACANE!..I mispelled it when I added the term earlier..
Ck this out from the Nam...I think the Nam tends to exaggerate..but here it is..
http://wxcaster4.com/nam/CONUS1_NAM212_SFC_ACCUM-SNOWFALL_PLOTS_84HR.gifLooking like the highest Elevations that WV has to offer could see some amazing amounts...Id just like to snowshoe around...drink some brandy..and take Pics!!...I meant Gatorade...
Yep - NWS issued an official blizzard warning for Snowshoe. I am sooooo tempted to sneak down there just for the "heck" of it.
I'd supply the .... Gatorade
I was there in Dec 2010 when they got 24". It snowed for almost 36 hrs straight.
31 degrees and just starting to snow way up high in the NC Mtns..Like we said ..Cold air wrapping around the Southside then moving on up.
36 up at the shoe...been dropping very slowly all day..
Free Gatorade!!!
snowshoe..pfft, they measure at the top of the mountain. If the base of all the canaan ski areas were at the top of the mountain we would have 2" already too by snowshoe reporting methods. that snow stake is on chip chase's deck which is out of the wind and should show a decent representation of snowfall at that location. may be a little under actual though because of picnic table
hey abe, that nws projection stops at tucker county..guess we get nothing!?
Total guess for canaan: 35 inches
we have probably gotten about 6-8 inches of wet sloppy snow already and they weren't calling it to start until 6 pm this evening...we buttoned down a job site in the valley less than 8 miles from my house and I drove over 2 down trees/limbs to get home...it is just starting to get windy here....this is going to be no joke...don't even consider driving up here from any distance...it could be a deadly mistake...I live in the valley and would not even consider trying to drive over Canaan Heights in the next 24 hours atleast...just heard from neighbor that 32 is almost impassible at heights...
at the Gangplank Marina here where I live it was ok up to 4 pm the Harbor Police/Cop buoy data is reading gusts to 46 knots (about 50 mph) and constant winds 25 knots (27 mph) out of the NW 320 degrees which is a good thing my depth-finder says only 1 foot above normal tidal height b/c the winds are blowing the water out of the Washington Channel where we are docked.
Never the less the marina crew just went to life jackets for operations and they will bail when we get to 50 mph sustained. I am bailing to a hotel next to the marina where I can monitor VHF marine channel 72 and if my boat breaks free I can wave goodbye to it - gonna hit the bar now lol.
E-
E,
Segment on gangplank marina just on NBC 4. Thought of you and M. Stay safe but not sober. I'm gonna lose power soon. Plus w flooding, I'm on a houseboat myself.
Tucker, you guys stay safe up there.
I may head up there for Thurs. my wife says she will be OK and would like for me to get in on it, if it is epic. If we have power outage or flooded basement I'll be staying here. So far we are OK. I think it is foolish to go before they have a day or more to clear the roads and I also expect a gradual tapering off of the snow with colder and dryer snow at the end.
Snowshoe getting some national rep. ABC News with Diane Sawyer. They had several shots of the resort.
..this is going to be no joke...don't even consider driving up here from any distance...it could be a deadly mistake...
Second that. Heavy wet snow isn't that fun to ski anyway (unless it's XC skiing)
There was a fatal accident in front of tuscan ridge outside davis this afternoon. Watched an EMS van spin out on 219 by the high school. Fire truck in a ditch near northpointe an hour ago. I have studded snow tires and it's still sketchball driving above 20mph.
That White pup looks real happy, the shepherd mix not so much lol. I am going the wrong way this week, so hopefully this will just be the beginning!
Hidden valley reporting 10" thus far so it has to be much better to the south
Holy smokes... WG is reporting 28" as of 7am!
Seven Spring said 13" as of this AM.
Maybe Bob Nutting will have the Pirates pitchers and catchers report for duty and man the lifts.
Sugar Mtn, NC is openning for skiing tomorrow am. Any other ski areas besides Sugar and WG going to open up?
Sugar Mtn, NC is openning for skiing tomorrow am. Any other ski areas besides Sugar and WG going to open up?
Maybe Wisp or Snowshoe? With the Weather Channel broadcasting from the Shoe, I think they'd take a hit publicity-wise if they didn't open for at least a day.
I think a Thursday opening is more likely than Wednesday, given the power outages, road conditions, etc.
I doubt T-Line or Canaan Valley would open, but they do love to surprise us (for better or worse.)
With the Fed Gov shut down Mon/Tues, no road trips possible for me this week.
[quote]With the Weather Channel broadcasting from the Shoe, I think they'd take a hit publicity-wise if they didn't open for at least a day.
I think a Thursday opening is more likely than Wednesday, given the power outages, road conditions, etc.
Agree 100%. I would think they could throw together a skeleton crew to run ballhooter, open the ticket booth in the village and open the Junction for lunch + dinner.
Whitegrass Conditions Page Some snippets:
Excited to begin our thirty third consecutive winter season where all sights are focused on deep snow, having fun while we work, and the steady flow of ski friends. We are trying to get open and still have this sat/sun planned for the initial Trail Weekend. Be clearing trees on skis. The most recorded snowfall from a single storm in West Virginia was 57 inches in Pickens in post-Thanksgiving 1950. Twenty Nine THICK inches @ 11AM, another foot forecasted.
roads are SUPER closed, helicopter access only * Blizzard Warning *
Frankenstorm?..Thats the Lowlander term..Its a BLIZZACANE!..I mispelled it when I added the term earlier..
And you live at what, 2 feet of elevation? Mr. Lowlander.
We may have to remove that statue of yers if you keep this up.
Frankenstorm?..Thats the Lowlander term..Its a BLIZZACANE!..I mispelled it when I added the term earlier..
And you live at what, 2 feet of elevation? Mr. Lowlander.
We may have to remove that statue of yers if you keep this up.
I live at an elevation of about 15 feet...just above any storm surge!...easy bike ride down hill to ck on my boat anchored at the end of the street...bitch getting back...need a carpet lift...speaking of which..
U all were talkin of early openings but I think with all the Construction equip that I see getting buried thru the Canaan Cam they might not b able to finish as soon as hoped. This storm might screw things up for the whole season...
I was really looking forward to seeing the new stuff...Friggin Snow
..
Did they not get my heads up that a cold front was going to swoop down and colide with a hurricane..a match made in "almost Heaven"...back in july??
PS...I will personally stomp on and demolish my statue if it needs to b cleared for West Virginia's finest ski area!...Id grab one of those Dews that U snorted thru ur nose when u all were having a good chuckle at my expense..guzzle it down and then I would p all over the carcass!...
Looks like all power is out throughout the valley? None of the webcams are updating as far as I can tell
Chip updated his page at 11 AM
Looks like Snowshoe is reporting 24" of snow... I'm surprised to see that CV picked up more considering their lower elevation!
0h oh be prepared to be lectured ad nauseam on the WV alps
!
Looks like all power is out throughout the valley? None of the webcams are updating as far as I can tell
I just checked the MonPower website, and they are saying that 95% of the people in Tucker County are without power, sheesh! I'd love to know what's going on over there right now...
http://outages.firstenergycorp.com/mdwv.html
Looks like all power is out throughout the valley? None of the webcams are updating as far as I can tell
I lost power for 20 hours in Falls Church. Not fun, and no snow, just 2 inches of soggy leaves coating everything
Wow... check out
this article on the Huffington Post:
"We got snow, sure, but the roads are closed," said Chip Chase, founder and co-owner of the White Grass Nordic ski resort near Davis, W.Va. "Only people here came in by helicopter -- just kidding! It'll take a road grader to get these roads open," he said. Outside, 35 inches of dry, powdery show made for great snowshoeing, but the skiing was a tad difficult, Chase allowed. "It's pretty good if you stay on top of it."
Not to mention the
NWS is calling for 4-8" overnight, 6-10" tomorrow and 3-5" more tomorrow night! I'm wondering if they'll break the all-time WV snowfall record from a single storm of 57"...
Just got my Firestone WinterForce dedicated snow tires on the Grand Cherokee...but I'm afraid for Snowshoe: you just can't get there from here!
It doesn't look like Snowshoe is going to open until Thanksgiving. From the Huffington Post article that Abe linked to above.
"Over at the Snowshoe resort, in the Monongahela National Forest west of Charlottesville, Va., Sandy's snow was considered so premature that the snow-making machines were still going full tilt. "We got a full-on blizzard," said David Dekema, Snowshoe's marketing director, who was hunkered down indoors.
Snowshoe aims to open for Thanksgiving, and it needs to lay down a good base for skiers. The 18 inches of Sandy's snow on the ground isn't enough. "We go out to groom that, we'd be churning up dirt," Dekema said.
"We love to see the snow, but it gets people thinking they can come on Saturday while we're still weeks away from opening," he said.
In the meantime, Dekema said, "with the conditions here, people have more things on their mind than coming out for a day of skiing. We got a state of emergency here."
"
I just got a text from Canaan Heights confirming there's no power in the Valley.
So is anywhere in WV going to open? I'm not making a 7 hour trek to Sugar Mountain...
I just talked to someone in reservations at Snowshoe. Some workers made it in today but it was tough sledding. They are based in Silver Creek and running on generator power.
She believes all of Pocahontas Co is without power.
I called our main office at Mountain Lodge and got no answer, which is very unusual as it's manned 24 / 7.
No power is tough to overcome.
Whitegrass is open. They'll be open through the weekend. Go enjoy some snow up there. Any sliding is good sliding this time of the year.
From the WG Facebook page:
Chip, just called to say power is out in Canaan Valley. Over 34" of snow on his deck. Whitegrass is open for skiing. The road in and parking lot are plowed. No phone, no internet, no music, no lights, just skiing. There will be lots of snow left this weekend for trail work on skis. Be careful, many of the bridges may not be in place yet. Go get some if you can. Be safe, have fun, and ski some for me.
Doesnt sound as sweet as Canaan, I couldnt get to RT 219 yesterday- got stuck on a closed Rt 68.- and was worried about taking the Mt Snow pass. Made it up to Blue Knob- I had to climb for them, but I took 3 excellent trips down Blue Knob this AM. Heavy snow. There was 8-10" at least. Ran down Mambo, Expressway and Deer Run. Worried about rocks on the rest, but managed to get away without a scratch. It was fun!
. Apparently they will not be taking advantage of this huge snow dump. November 21? They have been EXTREMELY slow to update their website. Maybe this is why....News release about Snowshoe:
"West Virginia's Snowshoe Mountain Resort is also gearing up for an early opening in November. According to spokesperson Krysty Ronchetti, Snowshoe Mountain received over two feet of snow on Tuesday night. Due to power outages, however, the resort is unable to make any additional snow right now, but is hoping to open their slopes as early as Nov. 21. Snowshoe Mountain continues to remain under a blizzard warning until later Wednesday."
7 springs could open, it's wet but my buddies got a decent ride yesterday and they got another 8 inches over night. Nutting needs to green light the groomers.
Nice find JL..
Watch out for banjo playing cops?...How dare they..
Even though its still snowing up there the base has to be settling and even melting near the still warm...but getting colder ground.
Temps dont look like they will dramatically warm up any time soon...snow might last till the snow guns turn on for real. SS hinted that they might run them but they dont have electric..b interesting to see how everything keeps unfolding.
JL knows the Internets.
Kicking myself for not having bought AT gear this past fall.
[quote=JohnL]JL knows the Internets.
Kicking myself for not having bought AT gear this past fall. [/quote
Hmm, ever since Denis showed off his set up last year at your party I've been thinking about getting me some too. Any ideas on where to find some used AT gear?
A shoutout and braggin rights for my adopted NC Mtns..
Mt Leconte at 6,600' has recieved 36 inches..or 3 feet out of this..long live the southern Alpps.
Gonna add a little Nauseum to Bumps post..Its ALPPS dude..not Alps...Alpps!..get er right or just call em the "Highlands"..
PS..29 degrees at 3800' Canaan and the energizer snow bunny is still playin..Locals too busy surviving too post..
Here's a quick video of some buddies at tline yesterday... they said the roads were pretty much clear the whole way there (from Harrisonburg) until they hit the Valley.
http://vimeo.com/52578133I'm hoping to get over there on Friday!
Way to get after it Abe. Congrats.
[quote=JohnL]JL knows the Internets.
Kicking myself for not having bought AT gear this past fall. [/quote
Hmm, ever since Denis showed off his set up last year at your party I've been thinking about getting me some too. Any ideas on where to find some used AT gear?
Rob,
Saw this just after sending a reply to JohnL. I trust it is OK to share this,
"That was AT, Dynafit, lightest, priciest and also the best AT bindings. You do need boots with "Tech" fittings. Lots of good info on Lou Dawson's Wild Snow site. With AT you don't have to go thru a learning curve all over again. It is rapidly growing in popularity, I'd guess 25 - 50% annually for the last 5 years."
That said, there are no bargains on used AT gear right now. You'd have a much better chance to get good deals on used tele gear. Tele growth is flat or even in decline. That said, nothing on snow feels as good as tele turns in deep pow. I learned tele when my kids were little and I was bored with mid Atlantic skiing. It was a very fortuitous thing. Now I can experience tele in pow when available and just free heel parallel on firm snow or when tired.
Watch out for banjo playing cops?...How dare they..
The Internets can have a scary life of its own. The site I linked to (never heard of until a few hours ago) just mentioned yer comment fish. Little do they know (or maybe they do), that most of the folks that post here and ski in West Virginia prolly grew up in New England or at least north of the Mason Dixon. With one notable hillbilly redneck exception who is likely a horror movie in real life.
Here's a quick video of some buddies at tline yesterday... they said the roads were pretty much clear the whole way there (from Harrisonburg) until they hit the Valley.
Abe, did they say how many were at T-Line that day? I'm guessing CV and WG had as many, if not more locals.
Abe, did they say how many were at T-Line that day? I'm guessing CV and WG had as many, if not more locals.
I'm not actually sure... they didn't say anything about seeing anyone else out there.
I'm bummed to see freezing drizzle in the forecast for CV... hopefully there won't be a crust on the snow by the time I get there tomorrow!
Just to be clear: they hiked for turns at t-line?
Yeah, that's what it sounded like...
As someone said earlier, they don't care if you hike for turns when they are open, why would they care when they're closed?
Go get sum!
Abe, glad you posted the vimeo evidence of your friends getting some of the WV Alpps Halloween Blizzard skiing. Would hate to be shown up by those NY State Ski Blog boys. I think some of them drove down for the late April one-day wonder skiing at Seven Springs too!?!
7 springs could open, it's wet but my buddies got a decent ride yesterday and they got another 8 inches over night. Nutting needs to green light the groomers.
They have that Mud on the Mountain already scheduled for this weekend or they may have opened.
[quote=JohnL]JL knows the Internets.
Kicking myself for not having bought AT gear this past fall. [/quote
JohnL you just need some skins, an extra IQ plate and dynafits or dukes for those BlizzieOnes and you are good to go; as I am in the same boat i'm wondering if there is a boot pack to hike or if it's skin only to get to the top.
Sounds a little deep to be hiking. That'd have to be miserable. I'd still probably try though if I wasn't stuck in a hospital in the beautiful WV state Capitol.
JohnL you just need some skins, an extra IQ plate and dynafits or dukes for those BlizzieOnes and you are good to go; as I am in the same boat i'm wondering if there is a boot pack to hike or if it's skin only to get to the top.
Dynafits on rails icksnayed by Denis and ScottyB.
http://www.dcski.com/ubbthreads33/ubbthr...64425#Post64425Getting hit by an SUV does wonders for yer memory.
I had completely forgotten about Denis showing off his Dynafits and our previous AT discussions from last fall.
I just called a number that was on the CV state park web page to find out if the lodge has power and is open. Believe it or not I got a guy in the Philippines! He had no idea where I was talking about much less any idea about what is happening in Tucker County right now.
I just received an update from Canaan Valley - Hello Friends,
Update from Canaan Valley. We are in emergency mode. There is NO POWER and very limited telephone service (both landlines and cellular) in Tucker County. Main roads are open and clear however NO side roads or driveways have been opened and we have no idea when this will occur. If you are planning a trip to CV please reconsider, supplies, groceries, and gasoline are VERY limited. . The national guard has arrived in very small numbers and the amount of gasoline they have available is not going far. Snow plow contractors who are receiving gasoline from the National guard are not allowed at this time to open driveways unless it is an emergency situation. Driveways have about 3-4 feet of WET snow laying in them now and the roads do not have room enough to park on the side. Expected amount of time the power outage is going to last according to Mon Power is 7-10 days. We will keep you updated as much as possible.
I think 7 springs is going to open, they have had they're webcams shut off since 4am.... I believe they are hiding the groomers on the slopes for a surprise opening, it hasn't stopped snowing there for 4-5 days now... fingers crossed...
Looks Like the Valley is getting power back, Chip is up and going so is Timberlines Webcam
Looks Like the Valley is getting power back, Chip is up and going so is Timberlines Webcam
Power is back up? I checked MONPOWER and they still show outage. Also Timberline webcam whee are you seeing this?
Thanks!
Just text with Matt at Mt Top and some power is back up. Most of Davis and Yoakum Run. He is going to check on Northface.
Also Timberline webcam whee are you seeing this?
T-Line's webcam (link on their home page) was up yesterday for a bit. Now it's back to the normal spotty unreliable service. Hmmm, things are getting back to normal in the valley.
Came back from Davis yesterday, power is partly on mostly off. They be working on it as they are snow removal. Unless you go for a day trip to WG or Tline you should wait. If you do go bring your own gas, food, water, sleeping bags, shovels, ect.
From Timberline's Facebook. Does a good job putting things into perspective.
"Many of our employees are still without power and a means of heat. The access to information through the Internet been very intermittent at the resort and non existent in outlying areas. Although the towns and stores have received priority the people it takes to make things work are still suffering greatly from this storm. It's difficult to respond to the many calls regarding why the ski area isn't open. The EMS services have been working non stop as it is deals with this emergency serving as a coordination center for emergency relief. At this point I am glad we are not adding to the potential strain on that system. The snow we do have we will do our best to make use of for our planned opening. Cross country skiing, the restaurant, and hotel and many of our homes and condos are available to customers who want to enjoy the snow and beauty of an early fall snow storm. In general the storm has interfered with scheduled and routine maintenance. Even though we are ahead of schedule in this regard, we have some important maintenance issues to perform and we look forward to our employees recovery and getting them back to work. Tom Blanzy"
A couple of t-givings ago they had so much base that we couldnt even walk to some big snow piles..yeh snow piles from blowin snow on top of massive amounts of natural..to go sled on...
They wont open even if they recieve 100 inches of snow till Dec 13th...
Hello all. I have been sitting back reading every post on this thread and filled up my drool bucket. I finally made an account but took days to become approved. In other words, I'm new here. My name is Evan, nice to meet everyone. I am planning on hitting up Timberline on Tuesday.
I am a snowboarder. I am fairly experienced and have good stamina. I just have a couple questions since I've never been there/ never hiked up before. Is there an easier way up so I don't have to walk on the trail? I'm guessing skiers just keep their skis on and cross-country-style it up? Where do you park?
Last Tuesday after the storm I made it up to the Frostburg area to make some turns on a hill I knew about from when going to school there. It was rather uneventful, however I did get stoked to see the snow falling. I have the itch now. I'm dying to get on some snow. I would've driven somewhere more promising but I drive a mustang so it could've ended up bad for me. I live 2 hours from Frostburg in Montgomery County, MD.
I appreciate any pointers for hiking up Timberline an any other pointers or tips in general. Thanks guys.
...most all these pics, except for Abes video, are taken on the really mellow runs at timberline (skiers left)...if you want to get to the relatively "steeper" terrain on the mountain go to skiers right, but stay left of begnner trail...the no brainer is to hike from parking lot...you might be able to park up in one of the slope side neigborhoods, but everyone is clearing driveways with machinery right now so you may run the risk of having your vehicle moved with a skid steer...
You should ditch the sb for AT skis+skins or you could go with a splitboard but thats all compromise. You best last option is snowshoes and hump your board on your back.
Hello all. I have been sitting back reading every post on this thread and filled up my drool bucket. I finally made an account but took days to become approved. In other words, I'm new here. My name is Evan, nice to meet everyone. I am planning on hitting up Timberline on Tuesday.
I am a snowboarder. I am fairly experienced and have good stamina. I just have a couple questions since I've never been there/ never hiked up before. Is there an easier way up so I don't have to walk on the trail? I'm guessing skiers just keep their skis on and cross-country-style it up? Where do you park?
Last Tuesday after the storm I made it up to the Frostburg area to make some turns on a hill I knew about from when going to school there. It was rather uneventful, however I did get stoked to see the snow falling. I have the itch now. I'm dying to get on some snow. I would've driven somewhere more promising but I drive a mustang so it could've ended up bad for me. I live 2 hours from Frostburg in Montgomery County, MD.
I appreciate any pointers for hiking up Timberline an any other pointers or tips in general. Thanks guys.
Thank you guys, now contemplating going or not. My car got about 22 MPG on the way to Frostburg from my digital gauge on my dashboard. I'd probably need to fill up going both ways. Just spent a bit of money on new pants and goggles so I'm starting to question going or not. I'm thinking it will still be good considering Timberline, on my ski resort app, hasnt hit 32 or over since before Sandy. It could seriously be epic and me miss out on taking turns on a hurricane snowstorm, or I could not go and kick myself for years and years. It seems too cool to pass up. And it must have snowed the few days a bit afterwards too which would add drier snow. I'm torn. I really want to go. Is it a lot of work to hike up?
I kept seeing precip on top of the general area it's on on my radar app and I was drooling every time. I can't wait until winter. My season pass to the Wintertime resorts will pay for itself easy.
I was thinking about taking off work for the Nor'easter coming this week to catch the first good snow of the season at Killington, but now models are suggesting most of the snow could fall NNE of Frederick county up to NY (including Frederick county) and to the coast and leave Killington with just a couple inches. A day or two ago they were hinting to mainly a mountain New England storm but have changed course a bot since. Lots of variable tracks it could take. Definitely trying to take some road trips this season.
When I want the best information in the valley I check Chip's daily report at Whitegrass.com
Here's what he said today:
"SURFACE: powder up high and north faces with breakable crust over powder in other areas
3 mile is approaching granular as it is on the west side and it got sunny yesterday in the afternoon. We can not groom this trail as the wet spots are NOT machine crossable. (new scrabble word)"
