Got
snow?!?
Got
gear?!?
This year, take stock of winter ...
at
Winterstock!
It's hard to believe that almost
a year has passed since Winterstock 2011. However,
Winterstock 2012 is just around the corner, so make your plans now!
If you're like me, you're itching to get out in the deep winter
woods again, on snowshoes, cross country skis, dog sleds, or even
just good winter boots! And what better excuse than to join
half-a-hundred like-minded souls almost a mile out in the pristine
winter woods, enjoying great camraderie, drinking your favorite hot
drink, spinning tall tales, and passing a totally fun morning with
great people in a beautiful, unspoiled winter paradise!
So...join us deep in the Harold
Parker woods, from 10-11 AM on Saturday, February 4,
2012! Winterstock 2012 will be at the same place as
last year, on a pretty little knoll overlooking a huge expanse of
frozen beaver pond. Depending on snow conditions, you can snowshoe,
cross country ski, hike (if not too deep), or even dog sled in as
one adventurous family did last year. Even if you haven't done any
of those things before, no problem! Try snowshoeing, it's easy!
There were many first-time snowshoers
among the 45 or so attendees last year---so don't let that
discourage you! Plus, there will be plenty of people heading in
from the trailhead at about the same time, so you won't be
alone---give it a shot!
Be sure to wear
plenty of warm clothes, especially on your
feet, and bring a thermos of your
favorite hot beverage plus whatever munchies you'll
want. We'll have a raffle about
10:30---I'll provide some swag for sure, and if
anyone else wants to add to that, so much the better. Winterstock
will also be a great opportunity for TB
swapping, so bring all those TBs, coins and
trackables that have been wintering over in your desk
drawer!
There are 4
parking locations of varying distance and "winter parking
reliability" in the table below. The shortest route in is about
0.75 miles (Stearns Pond Road Trailhead SOUTH), but last year most
people came in from Harold Parker Ranger Station, which is more
like a mile from the Winterstock site. The Ranger Station should be
plowed out no matter what the snow conditions; the others may or
may not be available depending on snow depth, size of roadside plow
piles, and this winter's local plowing policies; see comments in
the table below.
Finally, two serious
comments:
*Crossing frozen
ponds: Please be extremely cautious if you choose to cross any
frozen water!
No matter how you go in, you'll pass by frozen
ponds, which may or may not be snow covered. Don't assume that snow
cover necessarily means strong ice! Matter of fact, snow covered
ice is often thinner than open ice since snow provides insulation
from the cold, preventing ice thickening. Also, don't assume that
the water under any ice is shallow---even the most benign-looking
beaver pond could easily be over your head! Plus, death by
hypothermia or getting caught under the ice would not be fun! Let's
make sure Winterstock is as safe as it is fun!
**Winter Storm
Emergency: The only reason
Winterstock would not be held would be if there is a serious
life-threatening winter storm emergency. I don't want Winterstock
to be the cause of anyone getting hurt driving on roads when they
should really be hunkered down at home. If there is a serious
winter storm emergency on 2/4/2012 and you have any question about
whether Winterstock will be held, please check this webpage for any
last-minute announcements, which I will attempt to post---as long
I've got power and my internet connection remains
intact!
See you at
Winterstock!
