The Northern Week Long Tour (NWLT) started off at Widows Clearing in Ripton on Section 16 with 20 intrepid skiers under cloudy skies and temperatures in the 20’s. This years’ group is a nice mix of ‘the regulars’ along with an influx of new skiers to the Catamount. There was a fresh layer of powder on all the trails, so there was excellent conditions. The tour was really impressed with how the trail experience on this section had dramatically improved wit h the relocations off the snow mobile trails. Thanks to the trail chiefs and helpers for the great work in maintaining this trail during this tough winter.
There is a lot of activity on the trails, maybe more than we have ever seen in this area. The NWLT group encountered 2 different CTA day tours, a former trail chief, and a lot of local residents using the trail.
The majority of the tour participants met at Rosie’s in Middlebury for an early dinner. After a 10 mile ski, nothing was left on any plates.
Temperatures drop Sunday and for the rest of the week, so tour members are preparing for a fast ski to Lincoln Gap on Sunday.
