Original lyrics by Eric Troyer.
Dan Johnson (far left) wears the SCUM yellow hat designed by Frank Soos, that Eric mentions in his lyrics. Now most days, the SCUM are unable to find where they last placed theirs.
I’ll be back—-skiing with one pole in the not-so-distant future.
**Over 9 km of newly groomed and set tracks on lighted loops, which were groomed overnight.
**Temperatures at 10 a.m. AST of +2 deg F after temperatures at Fairbanks International Airport reached -29 deg F at 10:01 a.m. yesterday. Thanks to the inversion, Birch Hill only dropped to about -14 deg F.
**The friendship and company of 10 SCUM enjoying well-groomed trails and balmy temperatures.
**All the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks staff and volunteers who help our community enjoy winter outdoors with lessons, tours, training groups, races, and other fun events. They keep us healthy, happy, and at times, slightly sore or tired–but motivated for more.
P.S. Although SCUM may not be fast, two of the skiers in the photo above are skiing on skis that once belonged to World Cup nordic skiers!
After spending a day removing downed trees, the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks groomers transformed the 2024 Slushmageddon (Rick Thoman’s moniker for the record precipitation event of October 21, 2024):
https://fm.kuac.org/KUAC%20Newscasts/2024-10-23/10-23-24-kuac-morning-news
into skiable trails with set classical tracks on October 24. This allowed the SCUM to begin their 29th season, with ski workouts on Friday, October 25.
We joined many eager skiers on Sunday, October 27, preparing for the 38th Denali State Bank Sonot Kkaazoot.
Remember that NSCF grooming is supported solely by donations.
Here’s the URL to make donations that support trail grooming and maintenance year-round:
https://nordicskicluboffairbanks.wildapricot.org/Donate
And if you want to have company for your slow ski workouts, consider joining us on Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday at 10 a.m.
Today, Mike Schmoker, Sonot Kkaazoot woodel guru was back in town after several weeks spent high altitude trekking in Peru. As he was the only SCUM showing up for our Wednesday Ester Dome ascent, I let him choose the route. Given that temperatures were around 30 deg with 12 to 18 mph SW winds, we opted to take the single-track trail up Ester Dome to Henderson Road.
The wind protection was marvelous, but Mike’s high elevation acclimation made his pace rival that of Bernardo.
And unlike the SCUM mother, who is geographically challenged, Mike had a map in his head that mirrored those posted on the trail.
Mike and I were both smiling through out hike:
Mike’s fitness was again demonstrated when he fell but was too quick getting up for me to get a photo of his tumble:
If the National Weather Service is correct, we should be skiing soon. However, in the meantime, some of the trails less traveled will make for fun SCUM adventure workouts.
If temperatures drop, FWW will be ready to make snow with two sets of snow guns aimed at their alpine hill.
You meet the best people on ski trails (summer and winter).
Where were these guys when we were ski walking up Ester Dome today? It looks like Robert thought they were skiing (hence, his SCUM ski hat) but Bill had other ideas (wearing shorts and a t-shirt). They were BUMs (Bill’s Uncoachable Men) again today–leaving early and changing the course. However, we all agreed that it was a lovely autumn day.
Other wayward SCUM are hiking or biking in Germany, Peru, Erie Canal, NY, and other locations in the Lower 48.
Eleven SCUM, all over 70 years old (except for newly retired Dave in center front) with at least one physical or mental handicap, made it up 5 km with 460 m of climb and an equal distance of elevation loss today. Like Alaska Senior Games, we allow youngsters who are at least 50 years old to play with us.
Most of the SCUM aren’t discouraged by a little rain, or cold temperatures, or heat. However, today one of our regulars opted for Planet Fitness over Birch Hill Recreational Area. Here’s what he missed:
Unlike the Seine, water quality remained high on the Birch Bakken in spite of steady rain.
No SCUM took the mud wallowing challenge, but our most gullible member was not with us. No marmots were observed on the trails although some blooming lupines remained. It was the day for seeing and stepping upon the fungus among us.
Today the SCUM opted out of doing the Fort Wainwright alpine hill ascents since several of us plan to do the Golden Heart Trail Run tomorrow. Instead, we ski walked the black and blue loops and finished with some disc golf. However, in honor of the Plastic Free July Challenge, we used a wooden disc. Here is a close up of the disc and Bernardo who ended up tossing the disc the closest to the goal:
Sonot Kkaazoot 