Summer Cabin

The Dark Side

For a long time I've wanted to put together a photo collection from the Dark Side, that I (or you!) can go to ... at work...or anytime we need to fantasize about the goods over there. Most of my time over there has been spent solo...so I need actions shots.

* * * GUEST PHOTOS * * *

photo by Raymo

photo by SKIdds

photo by Adk Keith

If you've got a photo I can use, email it to harveyblogger@gmail.com.

Summer Aerial

First Time Up Top

Do you remember your first time skiing the summit?

If you came to Gore as an advanced skier, it was probably your first time at the mountain. If, like me, you developer as a skier at Gore...you probably remember your first time.

I was on leather boots and long skinny skis when I started skiing Gore. All I could really handle was Sunway. As I "upgraded" my gear, I started to hit Showcase.

For years my ski buddy was Rand. Rand started to get better and one day he told me he'd "been up top." I was in awe. He said to me..."you know dude...you could totally handle Chatiemac or Hawkeye." He couldn't convince me to go...and I spent my time convincing him to stay at the bottom with me.

The next year, at the end of March, it dumped over 2 feet....I can't remember the year... but it was mid to late 90s. The mountain was almost deserted. However... there was this GANG that formed...all ages...from 10 to 50 and varying abilities. Rand says to me...IF YOU CAN'T SKI HAWKEYE TODAY - YOU NEVER WILL.

The finality of it all....I went. In those days...it was a commitment to go up top. All the way to the bottom...load the old red Gondi...and take the slow ride up. You didn't want to make that trip more than once a day.

By the time we got up there...HUGE cutup bumps were forming and we were basically LEAPING over them. It was so much fun that we were laughing as we skied. We kept a group of 10 SKIERS together for over 2 hours. I'd never skied snow so soft that I'd lost all fear of falling.

It's a great feeling to overcome a long held fear. I'll never forget it.

Would love to hear your story. Post a comment below.

Aerial of Bear Mtn

Who Likes It Cold?

I do.

It's been really nice here in downtown NJ...I don't think we've had temps into the 90s yet. This week the highs are going to be in the 60s and 70s. Sweet.

If I could have record cold in every season...I'd take it.

Record Cold in the Summer - Highs in the 70s, no humidity.
Record Cold in the Fall - Nice days and cold nights by the fire.
Record Cold in the Winter - no meltdowns, and great snow preservation.
Record Cold in the Spring - A long season of spring skiing.

Check.
Check.
Check.
Check.

The Goal

I hadn't skied every MARKED TRAIL at Gore until 3 years ago. Gore is still a big challenge for me. At 50...there's a decent chance that I'll never ski all of Gore if you include all of the named off the map runs.

That's my goal...learn and ski every NAMED run at Gore. I realize that's a moving target. Chucky and the boys are very industrious.