Swampy off trail exploration…think inside the box. And outside the blue diamonds.
Where: See the map. We will explore the off-trail areas inside the pink box. Probably stray outside of it and sometimes ski on trails.
Meeting place/time: 10:00am Near the kiosk at Swampy trailhead.
Distance/hours: Ski 2-3 hours, depending on what the group wants to do.
Brief Trail Description: This is an intermediate tour. The terrain is mostly rolling; nothing very steep. Ungroomed and off trail. I don’t have a route planned as we will wander about the “box” as the group sees fit. This is a good time to practice apps like Avenza with the free Swampy Trails Map.
What to bring:
Ten Essentials.
Proper winter clothing for insulation and protection from wind and rain. Dress in layers. No cotton!
Water, snack/lunch.
Ski Equipment: Skis should be designed for backcountry use, and be adequate for the type of trip and terrain likely to be encountered. In general, skis should have a no-wax pattern for grip and metal edges for control on ice or hard pack conditions. Minimum width at the waist of the ski should be greater than 52mm. Wider skis will provide better stability in more difficult conditions.
Boots should be over the ankle for support and control, and compatible with the bindings on the skis.
Poles should have large baskets so they don’t sink up the handle in soft snow. Adjustable poles give you flexibility based on conditions or terrain.
Skis, boots and poles designed exclusively for skiing on machine groomed tracks are not recommended.
Number of skiers: 6
Reservation Contact: Dennis Krakow
The Central Oregon Nordic Club, PO Box 744, Bend, OR 97709, is chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.Email: conordicclub@gmail.com