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):
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:
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.
Mike’s groomed track this morning
The wind protection was marvelous, but Mike’s high elevation acclimation made his pace rival that of Bernardo.
The clouds lifted and blue skies turned the trails magical
And unlike the SCUM mother, who is geographically challenged, Mike had a map in his head that mirrored those posted on the trail.
Mike finds the map
Unlike Bill’s maps that are sketched in the snow, Mike’s map was printed, sealed in plastic and posted on the trails.
Mike and I were both smiling through out hike:
Smiling Mike enjoying views of the valley
Mike’s fitness was again demonstrated when he fell but was too quick getting up for me to get a photo of his tumble:
Site of Mike’s first fall of the winter season.
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.
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.
No rain, no bugs, just SCUM headed up Ester Dome today–photo by Eric Buetow
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:
Goggles were suggested but optional on the Birch Bakken today
Carl looks skyward for inspiration and fresh water
Birch Bakken from lap 1 to 2 on map was 3.97 km with 195 m of climb
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:
Bernardo, was the champion disc golfer among the SCUM
Robert putts
Carl’s new orange Hoka shoes don’t assist his disc golf swing
Mike Mathers, professional photographer, disrupting my attempt at getting a group photo.
Bernardo getting a SCUM salute for his mastery of the Dan Johnson disc toss
In memory of Frank Soos and Tobben Spurkland, NSCF’s best tiny reindeers
A flashback of just 16 winters:
Because many of the SCUM are parents (and now grandparents), we are frequent volunteers, especially for events focusing on kids. So shortly before Christmas 2008, we were asked whether one of our skiers would be willing to dress up as Santa Claus and arrive with a sack full of candy canes to distribute to Junior Nordics skiers after their Candy Cane event. Not willing to let just one SCUM get all the adoration from the next generation of NCAA and Olympic crosscountry skiers, Bill Husby, one of the SCUM who also serves as a trail groomer at Birch Hill, volunteered the SCUM to deliver Santa pulled by eight (or more) tiny reindeer on skis.
SCUM are deemed “uncoachable” for a reason. Everyone wanted to be a “reindeer”, and no one wanted to be Santa until Dermot Cole was strong armed into donning the beard and red suit.
Dermot reluctantly dons the Santa suit that matches his ski boots
Frank Soos and Tobben Spurkland owned “antlers” of a sort, so they were voted to be our lead reindeer even though I felt that Frank’s antlers were moose like as he was. An additional problem was that our most nattily dressed reindeer were hardly tiny. Frank and Tobben both measured in at 6’5” but they would be in front to guide us. The rest of the SCUM were left with red holiday colored duct tape and whatever antlers they could find in the Birch Hill Recreation Area. Thus, two varieties of tiny reindeer were created with birch and spruce bough antlers, respectively. Hey, what we lack in speed and technique, we make up with adaptability.
Donovan’s red duct tape matches his beard and Bill’s jacket
Having to orchestrate multiple skis while tied together with a nylon climbing rope would be challenging enough without adding ski poles. So, we determined that Santa would be pulled by reindeer skiing without poles. Seeing as the trail from behind the main ski building, where we had assembled, to the stadium area was flat, even SCUM should be able to negotiate this modest distance. Think again. Eight giggling skiers pulling one resistant Santa wasn’t exactly what the coordinator of the Candy Cane Race had envisioned.
Bob and Dan are dejected after being deemed “not REAL reindeer”
One little guy who couldn’t have been older than 4 or 5, looked at us and then protested, “Those aren’t REAL reindeer!” Even the SCUM needing hearing aids clearly heard the disenchanted Junior Nordic skier and were devastated. We snuck away, leaving Santa with his bag of candy canes.
SCUM ski walked up Ester Dome on Wednesday when winds were gusting to 40 mph, and today a few SCUM tackled the FWW alpine hill after almost an inch of rain. The three Gramps (all over 71 years old) and Mother SCUM tackled the Fort Wainwright alpine hill that is currently involved in the installation of new snowmaking guns. The recent rains around the excavation on the chair lift trail made for some muddy steps that added as much as 5 pounds to one’s boot,
Mother SCUM and three Gramps (all over 70 years old) at bottom of the chair lift–all photos by Carl Hemming
but all four of us made it to the top intact.
Rain-soaked SCUM at the top of the FWW alpine hill
Although wet and muddy, we fared better than one birch tree that we found toppled on the Tower Loop.
SCUM move birch tree off the Tower loop
Bill Husby, a NSCF trail groomer, supervised us while we removed the tree from the trail. Here’s the after photo:
Toppled birch tree moved off the trail
So, we not only got our endurance workout today, but we also got some strength training, too.
Sonot Kkaazoot 