May 31st

Tough Mudder - A year in the works, I had everyone I love from CT with me for my first go on Mount Snow. I have hiked Mount Snow before several times, and the miles, I was not worried about what so ever. To me this was a 10 mile hike with family, and some mini events thrown in the mix. The weather was a touch on the cold, and grey skies at some points. Our 9:30 start time ended up at 10:20 due the massive amount of people running on saturday. I can't exactly remember the order of each obstacle, I know the ones that as a non swimmer were going to bother me were the Arctic Enema and Walk the Plank.  Both in this weather were brutal to me, but neither would make me feel I could not do it. Everyone i was with said the same simple thing, don't think just jump. And that's exactly what i did.

Holy Crap cold batman.

To be honest the only one I really felt I couldn't do was a simple climb a rope over a wall, it was mid way point, we had been waiting for 40 mins to get to the obstacle and in that cold I so lacked the upper body strenght and the desire to mark a trail over climb a wall was killing me ha. What I did enjoy about the entire event was the course went up down all around the mountain it was not one steady climb to the top, in fact it never reached the summit. The weather made the mountain extra muddy, over knee deep. It seriously was like walking in sludge, but super fun.

Keep on trucking.

Honestly this one was of the greatest experiences to date, and I plan on doing the one in Maine at the end of August as well. It pushes you to, dig deep, focus on each step, and climb over everything they throw in your way.With my family by myside out there, there was not even one hint of this is to tough, I will say after all was said and done, we got back to the hotel we all were staying at, I took a hot shower, and boom out like a light. Demanding on the body, and dehydration beat me, but I totally beat tough mudder, and will do so again. But this is what a year in the works, the legs were fine, the spirit was high, and I know i need to work on my upper body strenght.

Burns,Myk,Ian,Me,Bryan,Jessy,Tarik.

 

And the best tough mudder team out there to date..Looking forward to Mount Snow again next year, and Maine in a few months.
Keep on walking folks.

Mount Bear 5-24 (Tough Mudder warm up)

Forecast was for rain, but we all decided to go ahead on the 10 mile loop. We decided in advance to go at at slow pace, just for a warm up. The weather was perfect at start, not to hot not to cold. We advanced up the base to the AT trail that would lead direct to Bear Mountain peak. Everyone was in great spirits, and we all shared alot of laughs.

Here we go..

The majority of the trail was green from the last time i was here, alot of new cool plants and trees had sprung up. We saw lots of wildlife today, turkey vultures, deer, woodpeckers, froggies, even a Bear. Plus the Eye of Sauron, you think I kid, never says Doot. This trail had it all today.

Eye of Sauron Tree. 

Overall, we made 10 miles, in about 5 hours including a good long lunch break, lots of pictures, and my favorite staring over the peak. Sage's right now is pretty amazing, the water running from the long winter, has made the water falls flood from the sides, it's really pretty. Now is the time to get out there and about. Take good friends, lots of water the climate changes all various levels, at one point it was cold, then super muggy, I didn't really feel any heat till about the last mile, then it decided to rain. Pretty fun and cool down at the same time.

Sage's water falls.

Finally what everyone has been waiting for a picture of the peak, not alot of words today, I'm exhausted still after yesterday's hike. It was with great friends and good weather, next week Tough Mudder at Mount Snow. Now that will be a story to tell.....

And goodbye from Bear Peak.

Until next adventure..

Sleeping giant 4/27

A little north of New Haven CT, is this little gem of a hill. It's not overly challenging but there are several loop trails that are up to 10 miles. Sunday morning myself and my friend Susan, took the easier route, since it was her first time hiking in years. Still a good 3.5 mile walk around the tower trail was nice. We took the red trail back which is a little more rocky still you could see signs of spring, and the rainfall from the night before. I really enjoy sleeping giant because when I'm up in CT, its always there and a fast drive from where most of my friends live. It's one of those, I can't get out to NH or VT, but i still can hike. Normally this time of year, you have all the college kids out there training jogging the tower trail but we got out early.

Sleeping Giant Head rock 

The tower trail doesn't have a giant incline but it does have some really nice views you pass what consists of the quarry and the "giant's" head. The rest of the giant takes up there entire hill area, and on these trails you pass the arm section as well. What was nice about this walk, was the rain was coming through the rocks from the night before. Several small streams formed flowing down the hill side. As you all know, running water is one of my favorite things to taker pictures of.

This picture doesn't give it justice, but this was steady water.

Once you get up to the tower, you get a nice view of all the surrounding area, the sun was breaking through the clouds today, so we got a good view. Mostly it was just nice to be out, and about with friends. We talked the entire time, mostly planned on how to get Susan's husband Glen out on the trails, he's one of my great friends. One of these days, for now enjoy this view from the top. And keep on walking.

You can see the end of the storm, i love this tower.

Pico Mountain (About a month ago)

A delay in writing, had massive writers block lately.But today back to bussiness. Pico Mountain, VT.
First off, I stayed at Salt Ash Inn, in Plymouth Vt, If you plan on spending time in VT for a week or even a weekend, stop spending a million dollars at all those crazy ass hotels, Salt Ash Inn is owned by one person, his prices are amazing, and to be honest, He's a snowboarder himself. Someone who supports the outdoors, this is the second time I've spent a weekend here and well Al's one of the coolest people around. Stay at the Salt Ash, trust me, you will not regret it.

Tell Al, Derek sent you.

Pico Mountain, this weekend was very icy, and I mean giant chunks of Ice sitting right in the middle of trails. Discouraging, not one big, rocking it out. Damn right. I met up with Ian, Michelle and one of Michelle's friends Nicole. Bill and Gina we met up with later on, who are teleskiers and pretty bad ass themselves. But let's get to the trails, Pico is not a giant mountain but it has alot of fun trails. I started off on there Blue's but found myself wanting more, some of the Blue's there are steep but nothing really crazy, just lots of ice for power slides. I wanted to try Glades there, Ian was kind enough to try to teach me, and while I made it through every trail as best I could, there was much to learn. I am not fast enough (Just right at this time I'll get there) for fast turns between ruts and trees, it was a step above me, did i try it damn right I did. I learned alot, and having someone who well is a good teacher, I didn't feel bad at any falls. Its something I will need to work on as much as I can. On the top, I want to say far right there is a Black and A double black named A Slope, My first attempt on the single black I feel I did ok, I made it down, granted slow, even with a tree across the trail. The single leads into the double after its giant cliffs. Made me feel great. So I said I wanted to try the double black, I fell, and when I mean I fell, it hurt, pride and ego aside, I felt I could do it. It gives me again something to work to. I took a good one trapped a ski into my pants had to have Ian come untangle me, I was embarrassed. I thought I could handle it but I would do it again in a heart beat. Even though this trail defeated me at the top, I managed to make it down it, slowly but surely following my friends turns. By no means fast, think turtle, but I got down it. And they made sure I looked back and said "You just went down a double black after two seasons, you should feel damn good about yourself" I did, and I will remember Slope A, you are my arch enemy, I will come back, I will defeat you. Because I believe I can.

Comrades in arms.

With Ski seasons pretty much over, I'll be back on the trails, hiking more often, thanks to having weekends off. Intrested in walking with Doot, feel free to contact me.

Future.

There is alot more in store folks, Tough Mudder in may, Seak the Peak in July (Help support me, visit SeakThePeak.org support a hiker Derek Bell) and the rest of the 48 peaks of NH. Hopefully Flags in sept, and so many more adventures, thank you for sticking around to read and feel free to add any constructive advice.
Doot
aka
Derek Bell.
There are still so many trails to walk..

Whislter Blackcomb British Col. Oh Canada!

Feb 9 to the 15th 2014 AE Ski Club Trip
Words will not describe this trip properly, this is a must for all ski fans. Whistler Blackcomb is the place to go, with my new england style skinny skies, great friends by my side, and a good attitude .
Whistler was a dream come true, I saved all year long for this, and it was worth every penny.
To start off, not one but to of the most amazing mountains in the world. My plan for the trip was to reach at least one of the summits and go down it.  Arrived sunday evening fairly late, had a fast dinner, prepped my gear and off to bed.
Day one for me consisted of Greens and Kimmy helping me work on my form, spent half the day listening to great advice, trying to learn how to cut on my edges better and stop sking flat. Spent the majority of the day on Blackcomb lots of long winding greens that you can cut, only did i find at the very end was Ice on any trail and that was very bare min.

Wide open greens, I have no idea who that is in front of me.

 

 

We met at mid day, shared some stories, and had lunch, back to the mountain, rocked that out till around 4. Day one for sking was over, I was worn out but no body hurt at all. I would love to go into more detail but put it this way, there isn't one bad trail on Blackcomb, all of them kept me on the toes from mid mountain down, where is what I stayed on day one.
Day Two : Started off on Blackcomb again, took myself far left, where there was a couple good blue's i wanted to try. Neil joined me this day, and saw what i was doing wrong. Took some time explaining, instead of leaning back on my heels to lean forward on my toes. Instant carve. Did I do something right, no more greens today for me, Rocked out every blue with confidence. Yeah I still fell once but I felt really in charge and aggressive.  I still stuck mostly mid mountain this day but i found myself drifting off both sides because they had some decent rides that took most of the day, probelly got in 10 runs but i was pumped.

It snowed pretty much every day.

We ended the night at the Dublin, over some really great food, some cold beer, and lovely ladies in skirts. This was Kimmy's Birthday needless to say, I don't recall most of the night, all of us had alot of fun in the bars.
Day Three : Started late, a bit hung over, but ready to ride, solo day today for me. Started on Whistler, went mid there, got one run in before slowing down to merge on a trail, giving those above the right away, got creamed by a snowboarder. Took both of my legs right out from under me. Had that urge it was around noon, to just call it an early day. Wanted to be fresh for the last two days we had so I packed up and headed back to the hotel. Did some walking around, some laundry, sat in the hot tub for maybe 10 mins and then took a nap. Whistler has alot to do even for non-mountain folks , the village is always busy, and everyone I met the entire trip super friendly.

Plus Fire Moths (Yes, I was in love haha)

Thursday day four :  Another day with Neil, did a mixture of both mountains, Blue's and Greens, as well as the Peak to Peak. Neil was hurting from falling the earlier day on some of the stuff out of my level, and I was recovering from being hit, we went around the entire mid on both if i recall correctly, lots of fun, worked more on my carving, I totally felt great, confidence, yuppers. Plus having someone alot better than you, helps alot. I want to say we met everyone on mid mountain for lunch, and the second half of the day, I think around 1ish, I called it a day knowing friday was a full day from 6 am to 4:30. But I got some amazing pictures from the Peak to Peak.

This is 3 times the height of the statue of liberty.

There were little kids ripping through these.

Day Five Friday :  Up very early for Fresh Tracks, breakfest, then the first people on the trails.  This is a must to do if you go. 100 percent must. Our little band met up, took the ride up to the middle, had a giant breakfest. I decided to stick to Emerald area to start with, while the rest of the group headed up to the higher/harder trails. (Note to readers, my friends wanted me to come up with them to the harder stuff, I had snuck out before they all left) I started on what looked like a hard trail rated Blue, to find the Cats coming up to groom it, and the trail itself should have been rated less than a green, it was flat, and I mean like highway flat, not a blue at all. So back up the Emerald lift, as fast as I could, to the middle green Bowl, why a bowl, why not, I don't know why it said it was a bowl, I saw one jump but i did it anyways. Back up Emerald again to the far right side, where there were alot harder Blues, and I went down them like a champion, the snow throwing up in the air, I was having the time of my life. I can't exactly recall how many I did but I know around 1, we met up for lunch. So, my merry group of friends (Another note, I am blessed to have all of them on this trip, each and everyone of them made this the best trip of my lifetime, no joke) I was told, i was heading to the peak of Blackcomb with everyone 7th heaven. Knowing this was getting late in the day, I was excited. On the way up, Ian and Kimmy said they would ride with me the last run of the day. I mirrored Kim's turns as best as I could and let me tell you, that girl can rip. With her in front of me, I went down some of the steepest drops I have ever done but watching where she turned and how fast she did, butter this stuff was easy. We finally reached the top after riding one more lift and Ian said to everyone to go on there way he was gonna get to ride one last trail with me since they all pretty much had the week to each other. We dropped down 7th, I followed Kim as fast as I could, until they got ahead of me, I took a fall coming down, not because I was doing anything wrong, by the time I got down the first trail they had all vanished but Ian and he was like cut across, sadly New England ski's and deep snow don't mix but i sure as hell tried.

Fearless Blogger, 7th Heaven (Picture by Ian)

Taking our time rocking out the last run, we went down this winding blue from the top, till we ran into the long green, to say I felt amazing, understatement. I had learned so much from my friends this week how to better myself ski, how to have more confidence on harder trails, I had a blast. We ended up on the bottom shortly after last lift but total amazing. Again, This is the place you want/need to go in your lifetime for ski trips. I look forward to next years AE Ski club trip, and the friends that where there.
So thank you Ian, Kim, Neil, Chloe, Erin, Andrew , Michelle for making this the best trip ever, I am glad to have such amazing people to help me become a better skier, don't worry soon I'll catch up and keep up.!

Can't wait till next year.

Feb 2nd Ragged Mountain NH

Andover NH, A nice little mountain, myself and my friend Dan decided to hit up a day trip. First experience here, and to say the least, I really enjoyed myself. About an hour and a half from where I live, so the trip wasn't bad at all, woke up early and headed out. The weather conditions were not ideal from the cape but when we got there there was plenty of snow to go around.

Not a bad snow day for NH.

 

 

 

 First trail of the day, right smack in the middle blue, went down it, and fell on my arse the entire trail, brand new ski's my friend Jake gave to me, along with boots. I thought maybe it was learning error from the new equipment. Dan met up with me shortly after and said Man that middle trail was complete ice. Never second guess myself again, I ripped the entire rest of the day. I found the rest of the entire place, really comfortable, the blue's and the one black I did, really not challenging but alot of fun. Ragged is semi out of the way, no lines, the trails were wide open, and some of the glades I didn't do looked like straight forward. Next trip I swear.

Dan strapping in, top of the peak.

 

 

Ragged has some really small neat lifts, i totally say try them all, even the kiddie one went over some cool bridges, and small rivers. I would say If you are new to sking, or just want to get away from the crowds, well worth the ticket price. Worth the drive for me, maybe after a good powder day this place could be killer.