INTRODUCTION:
For this
time around, there isn’t much to write about that is fresh and new. Most of my recent outdoor activity has been limited
to the enjoyment of cross-country skiing (a.k.a. XC-skiing) here in my home
State of New Hampshire. And so, this
posting will consist merely of a few snapshots taken during those ski outings.
Oftentimes,
“cross-country skiing” and “Nordic skiing” and are used interchangeably. But technically, Nordic skiing is a term that
encompasses several skiing styles, i.e. cross-country, Telemark, and alpine
touring. And, cross-country skiing
itself can be further divided into four subcategories, i.e. classic, skate, light
touring, and backcountry touring. Click HERE for a detailed description of all
these skiing styles. Most of my skiing
is a combination of light touring and classic style, along with some occasional backcountry touring.
PHOTOS:
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| XC-Skiing along
the Saco River near Bartlett, NH |
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| Backcountry skiing near Bartlett, NH.
The view includes (L to R) Mt. Nancy, Mt. Bemis, and Hart Ledge |
 |
| Late evening XC-Ski in woodlands near
Bethlehem, NH. Have often thought that sunsets are sort of like “slight-of-hand”
magic . . . now you see them, now you don’t. |
 |
| XC-skiing
at USFS’s Beaver Brook trail system near Twin Mountain, NH |
 |
| Colorful
ice formation as seen when XC-skiing USFS’s Hayes-Copp trails near
Gorham, NH |
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| XC-skiing in an open meadow along USFS’s
Hayes-Copp trails near Gorham, NH.
This vista of the Carter Range extends from Imp Face (LEFT) to Carter Dome
(RIGHT) |
 |
| A view of Nelson Crag in the Presidential
Range as seen when XC-skiing USFS’s Hayes-Copp trails near Gorham, NH. |
 |
| In
late-winter the Mooseway XC-ski trail was used to access Pondicherry Wildlife Refuge. This photo features Cherry Mountain as viewed
across frozen Cherry pond. |
 |
| Photo taken while skiing along the
Mooseway XC-ski trail |
 |
| Was truly “wowed” by my first visit to the
Crescent Ridge Glade backcountry ski area!
The views from the wildlife clearing shown here are spectacular! Click HERE for more information about
Crescent Ridge Glade. |
 |
| Zooming in on King Ravine from the wildlife
clearing at the Crescent Ridge Glade backcountry ski area |
 |
| A slightly
zoomed view of The Nubble from USFS’s Beaver Brook XC-ski trails near
Twin Mountain, NH |
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| Delightful
combination of blue sky and white birch as viewed when XC-skiing USFS’s Beaver
Brook XC-ski trails near Twin Mountain, NH |
TO SUM IT UP:
Hopefully, this blog posting will contain
something of interest for those who share my enthusiasm for cross-country
skiing. But regardless of whether you
have no interest in this sport, or have yet to try it, perhaps you at least derived
some measure of pleasure from viewing the photos within this report. 😃
