Friday, August 3rd 2007
Franconia Notch in New Hampshire is known for it’s high winds, brutal cold and fast changing weather. However, our first-ever filming trip to Cannon Mountain on March 1st dawned calm, warm and bluebird. A welcome surprise.
We’d brought along tele-master Dave Watson and the plan was to meet up with Stacey Rachdorf, a Cannon local, to test his movie-worthy skills. It had snowed about 8 inches the night before so everyone was stoked to get out and explore the glades and natural drainages that Cannon is famous for. Stacey showed up a bit late in his 4x4 conversion van, but at least we made 2nd tram ride.
After taking off on a half-hour hike over stunted pines, rocks, ice and more rocks, we finally dropped into some amazing terrain. Conditions were less than ideal (punchy styrofoam - perfect for wrenching knees) but Stacey and Dave managed to slay the goods all day long. Stacey was ripping especially hard on his home territory, flying through the thick trees and across the thin snowpack.
By afternoon, the sun and calm of the morning turned to winds and snow squalls and the sun baked styrafoam snow turned even worse. Instead of heading in we just hit the groomers for some fun runs. Cannon has wide open and steep racing trails and it was kind of nice not to be dodging tight trees.
By 3:00 it was time to head into the Notch View Lodge and have some nachos and Tuckerman’s Beer. After little discussion, it was decided that Stacey should become a full-fledged Meathead and he continued to slay the backcountry for the rest of the season with us at Stowe, Jay Peak, and Newfoundland.
We’d brought along tele-master Dave Watson and the plan was to meet up with Stacey Rachdorf, a Cannon local, to test his movie-worthy skills. It had snowed about 8 inches the night before so everyone was stoked to get out and explore the glades and natural drainages that Cannon is famous for. Stacey showed up a bit late in his 4x4 conversion van, but at least we made 2nd tram ride.
After taking off on a half-hour hike over stunted pines, rocks, ice and more rocks, we finally dropped into some amazing terrain. Conditions were less than ideal (punchy styrofoam - perfect for wrenching knees) but Stacey and Dave managed to slay the goods all day long. Stacey was ripping especially hard on his home territory, flying through the thick trees and across the thin snowpack.
By afternoon, the sun and calm of the morning turned to winds and snow squalls and the sun baked styrafoam snow turned even worse. Instead of heading in we just hit the groomers for some fun runs. Cannon has wide open and steep racing trails and it was kind of nice not to be dodging tight trees.
By 3:00 it was time to head into the Notch View Lodge and have some nachos and Tuckerman’s Beer. After little discussion, it was decided that Stacey should become a full-fledged Meathead and he continued to slay the backcountry for the rest of the season with us at Stowe, Jay Peak, and Newfoundland.
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11/26/2007 Nate said:
One word Gunsite
08/14/2007 mike said:
cannons got some sick glades if you know where to go.
08/13/2007 Abu Bobbledo said:
Off piste at Cannon - yikes! Some their groomers scare me. I'll take Mittersill any day. Is this in the full length? I'm psyched!
08/09/2007 dave said:
Nice cat Stacey!!
08/08/2007 Jim Cyrs said:
Sounds just like home, good ol' cannon Mtn, Im glad i have skied there since i was 2 or 3
Monday, June 30th 2008
One Last Weekend
Thursday, June 19th 2008
Gettin' Down with Sundown
Tuesday, June 10th 2008
The K2 Tall Mountain Expedition
Tuesday, June 3rd 2008
Trees, Rails, and a Big Pile of Poop
