EAST COAST ROLL CALL #8 14/15 A NEW HOPE

[BigDaddy]

Binkey, if you are driving up 100, you'll pass "JD's Beer Cave" which is in beautiful Hancock inside the Sunoco (just after Bettis Auto World and junkyard).

They have a pretty good selection of local stuff, but no Heady or Lawson's.

You can get Foley Bros and Bent Hill though, both worth drinking.

Foley Bros: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/30542/

Bent Hill: http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/36100/

I just picked up some BH Blood Orange IPA... wasn't bad, but friends preferred the FB Session. Look for the Fair Maiden, too.


Also, if you want to drink and eat something amazing, stop at the Mad Taco in Waitsfield. Pork Belly tacos are f'n out of this world, washed down with most all VT top brews on tap. You may even see VT-F there flirting with the waitresses...

[Vt-Freeheel]

Ha ha

Wine Shoppe in Waitsfield has some decent beers as does the beer store in Waterbury on the side street next to Prohibition Pig. Down a bit now but two weeks ago the Blackback Pub had 9 Hill Farmsteads on tap, try to pick two only.

[MMP]

Anders shreds Jay.

Binky, call me tomorrow on your way home. I have a spot in Brattleboro you can get 14th Star.

If I'm home you can swing by. I'd like to see the baby and can give you a few good beers if you have limited success in VT.

[Binky]

Anders shreds Jay.

Binky, call me tomorrow on your way home. I have a spot in Brattleboro you can get 14th Star.

If I'm home you can swing by. I'd like to see the baby and can give you a few good beers if you have limited success in VT.

You're the man! Will do!

[JMO]

Spent last weekend up in Burlington, VT (brewfest, wifey hockey tourney, mtb) and got a chance to ride the Sunny Hollow MTB trails. Don't expect anything extreme here - just a good time. And the beer was fantastic. But I broke my front tooth veneer on some seriously crispy fried chicken at Nectar's. it was Fried Chicken Friday. Seemed like the right thing to do.

[FussyDutchman]

Spent last weekend up in Burlington, VT (brewfest, wifey hockey tourney, mtb) and got a chance to ride the Sunny Hollow MTB trails. Don't expect anything extreme here - just a good time. And the beer was fantastic. But I broke my front tooth veneer on some seriously crispy fried chicken at Nectar's. it was Fried Chicken Friday. Seemed like the right thing to do.

That's a full weekend, sucks about the fried chicken scar!

Sunny H is nothing extreme for sure but does well as my go to local trails. Nice little multiple loop system that has some good flow (provided it's not underwater) and a couple of climbs that always kick my aged arse. Hope you caught it on a day when the flying vampires weren't too thick...they can be ugly on the back side of the outer loop.

Next time you are up this way check out Saxon Hill or Mobbs Valley, both fairly local to downtown and a bit more extensive.

[robrox]

It's that time of year again: MRG Mountain Work Days

Date at 9 AM Transport Task
Saturday, August 1 Hike Regeneration Zone and Line Maintenance (EDIT: rumor has it there could be a spin up to Starks Nest in the AM, do not be late)
Saturday, August 15 Hike Regeneration Zone and Line Maintenance
Saturday, September 12 Hike Line Maintenance
Saturday, September 19 Hike Line Maintenance
Saturday, October 3 Lift Line Maintenance (Green and Gold Weekend)
Report at 9 am at the Cricket Club picnic table.
We're back down at 3:30 - 4 pm.
Most of the time we hike from the base, so be prepared to hike.
We always go, rain or shine. If it is raining, it is more of an adventure.

Loppers and handsaws...pole saws do come in handy from time to time. Axes not permitted.

BYO for the after.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I wish we had some of that Sunny Hollow style[flat] riding around here, would be a nice change of pace.
Saturdays tour of the hill was up through the woods then across to Gate House where I spotted a new lift shack



And some grip refurb. in progress, safety first!



Then across to Castlerock, up to Heavens Gate and down one of the MM bermed out downhill trails, this is so much fun I am going to activate my free summer pass and do some lift laps soon.
Picked up Surface Whore in the Village and road across to Ridgie then Bitches Brew, Race, Guyers, #2 and Sweady Balls back to the house, ride ride ride, climb climb climb.

NWS alert on the tube yapping about 2"+ of rain that had fallen on Warren with more to come. They were about 5 miles off as I had starry skies. And a nice light show, so I gave lightning photography a shot.




How was that OCMS show?

[cat in january]

That is a pretty fantastic shot there.

[robrox]

That is a pretty fantastic shot there.

Truly! Nice shooting.

[Peruvian]

How was that OCMS show?

They have certainly come a long way from when I first saw them in 2004 when they were still an acoustic string band. The first 2 songs had me feeling like I was at the county fairgrounds listening to Tim McGraw or Brad Paisley. I guess being members of the Grand Ole Opry will do that to a group.

They were wildly entertaining though and eventually played some of the more 'old timey' style that I started listening to them for.

[Peruvian]

So I just got an email from the CTA in partnership with RASTA with this map:



What do you guys think of this sort of thing? I know it's been discussed a bit in the past but I have to admit I'm torn between the prospect of more legit skiable backcountry terrain and it being presented for public consumption in this way.

[ex-powderbroker]

So I just got an email from the CTA in partnership with RASTA with this map:



What do you guys think of this sort of thing? I know it's been discussed a bit in the past but I have to admit I'm torn between the prospect of more legit skiable backcountry terrain and it being presented for public consumption in this way.

Works for me.

[ex-powderbroker]

NWS alert on the tube yapping about 2"+ of rain that had fallen on Warren with more to come. They were about 5 miles off as I had starry skies. And a nice light show, so I gave lightning photography a shot.
?

⚡️🌌👊

Good stuff, keep clicking that shutter.

[cat in january]

Agree with ml242 that it works for me. Above board gladding to open new areas. Certainly the pressure is there for this sort of thing. Secret places will remain.

[ex-powderbroker]

Anyone headed to Jay Peak this weekend?

How are conditions?

We're headed up.

I would say keep driving north if you really want to get after it. Like, far far north.

[Gepeto]

⚡️

Good stuff, keep clicking that shutter.

Coming from the guy who doesn't share well

[ex-powderbroker]

I post stoke all the time.

[Gepeto]

Yes, yes you give wonderful stoke, I agree and your table manners are above the norm too.

It's the pictures in your camera you have trouble sharing

[FussyDutchman]

Lame non-skiing question:

The family and I will be escaping the beach traffic and nonsense surrounding us tomorrow to travel north. Where would I stand the best chance to pick up some decent beers between the Mad River Valley and Stowe ? JONG me all you want. I just don't want to leave empty handed, and, yes, I realize that Sunday sucks because most places have been pillaged.

Per BD's advice, Bent Hill has some great beers and anything Foley Bros. is a homerun...the best sleeper brewery in VT that very few know about imo. Pieces of 8 is in a class with any HF and Lawson's (maybe 2x galaxy and 2x sunshine excluded) or any other you want to compare it to and Fair Maiden is a very good 1a. Plenty of 14th Star up here lately so I'm guessing production has been ramped up enough that it is making it down to the MRV and over to Stowe area also. Frost Beer Works is a relative new comer that has not disappointed (Another IPA is excellent) and Simple Roots is another one to check out and should be out in Stowe.


Nice shootin' there VTF, great catch! Some serious electricity around in the last week or so. We were out on the lake just north of Shelburne Farms yesterday when I saw the storms blowing up on radar over Willsboro Bay, hauled ass up to just south of Mallet's Bay to outrun them, barely!

You mountain riders, us flatlanders have no chance of keeping up so I won't even try. Next time you are up here in the lake valley let me know, I'll bring you one of these!



Damn TGR's upload format sucks donkey dick, I give up...it's supposed to be a King of the Mountain jersey so use your imagination.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Thanks all. That pizza on pizza looks tasty!

Fixed Grip gave me a CD of OCMS 5 or 6 years ago when he was working with me and I liked that "old timey" sound, too lazy to go anywhere for a show these days.

That "BC" glading stuff south of here will be ok for folks who can't change their own diaper and like bumps in the BC. Might be a bit far, but the Cotton Brook crowd should feel safe their.

Another lightning shot, tree kept getting in the way although the emerald ash boarers are going to fix that in a couple of more years.



Fresh crop of Whistlepigs in the backyard



Pretty harmless for a rodent




No KOM here, just a steady pace.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Going to share this. First heard this on the Jam On sat radio channel, dig the sound

[yardsale2]

So I just got an email from the CTA in partnership with RASTA with this map:



What do you guys think of this sort of thing? I know it's been discussed a bit in the past but I have to admit I'm torn between the prospect of more legit skiable backcountry terrain and it being presented for public consumption in this way.

My feedback to RASTA and Amy at the CTA was they should develop more areas concurrently with the Braintree site to create more dispersal of the demand, limiting overuse of the Braintree site. So far they haven't listened.

[robrox]

My feedback to RASTA and Amy at the CTA was they should develop more areas concurrently with the Braintree site to create more dispersal of the demand, limiting overuse of the Braintree site. So far they haven't listened.

That's a pity, overflowing parking areas on little roads will surely piss people off.

....
That "BC" glading stuff south of here will be ok for folks who can't change their own diaper and like bumps in the BC. Might be a bit far, but the ....snip...... crowd should feel safe......

Then again, the 'core will continue to be core and the understory will continue to be managed in diverse locations.

There are more people getting into AT and tele-touring. Bringing them up through steward-managed terrain is probably the best-face on the situation. They are coming anyway.

[Peruvian]

My feedback to RASTA and Amy at the CTA was they should develop more areas concurrently with the Braintree site to create more dispersal of the demand, limiting overuse of the Braintree site. So far they haven't listened.

Amy and the CTA are listening. Keep in mind that their focus is the CT. They are partnering with other orgs to promote other BC skiing, but they have their primary objective to consider.

There are other projects in the works - mostly on public lands so the agencies that manage them can be slow to respond.

I guess my issue is who actually benefits from this type of project? The locals already know and ski the areas near them. Those in the ski 'community' can usually track someone down to show them the goods. By mapping and promoting these areas, it's just asking for less experienced or knowledgeable skiers to come out, potentially causing more problems due to lack of consideration, courtesy, respect, and thoughtfulness.

Maybe I'm being a curmudgeon.