--It was a busy winter at the Sub Sig cabin, with lots of trips and happy participants.
--On Nov. 10, Mark led a group to Mt. Martha and Owl's Head. It was a straightforward hike with a few tricky ledges, and a light dusting of snow higher up. They were rewarded with a tremendous view of the entire presidential range. On their return to the cabin, Cho Li cooked his usual great meal.
--On Nov. 20th, Brian and Silvia led 14 happy hikers to Cabot. It was a dry day, with temperatures in the 40's, but some mud on the trail caused a few falls and minor injuries. They planned to climb Waumbeck on Sunday.
--The next weekend, Mark Levine led the season's first snowshoe, on the Dry River Trail past the new bridge. They had a good workout, and were rewarded with interesting views of Washington.
--Mark also organized an impromptu New Year's trip, greeting the new year with toasts and bubbles Thursday night. On Friday, participants snowshoed the Saco River Trail. Bill & Mark tried bushwhacking to an obvious ledge, but it proved to be elusive and was never found. Saturday, some skied from Crawford Notch to the cabin via the railroad track. Others hiked to Arethusa and Ripley Falls and Frankenstein Cliff, or skied at Bear Notch.
--The next weekend, Dave Roy found the Slippery Brook Rd. plowed for logging and so switched to Rocky Branch, where they had lunch at Shelter 1. In spite of the 8 degree temperature, they enjoyed brilliant sun, clear blue sky, and no wind.
--There's no entry in the log for Jan. 16-17, but rumor has it that Brian Glenn led a huge trip, joint with the AMC, with several people sleeping in tents outside.
--On Jan. 24, Mark Levine led a group to Mt. Webster. The trail not broken, but was easy to bare boot with creepers. However, with blowdowns and snow holes to navigate, there was no time to continue on the lollipop loop to Jackson. They descended rapidly on snowshoes, with a side trip to Elephant's Head. Others skied at Bretton Woods.
--At the end of January, Joe Cours led a group up Mt. Resolution, starting in a minus 2 degree temperature with a strong wind. Clear skies made for a great view from Mt. Resolution, and from Crawford on the way back. Others had a great day skiing at Bear Notch. Sunday was warmer. Some skied around Zealand, while others snowshoed around the cabin, seeing tracks in the snow -- probably coyote, weasel, and mouse.
--On Lenny and Anne's trip the next weekend, in an unusual show of unity, all 9 opted to ski at Bear Notch. They were worried by the lack of snow on the way up to the cabin, but the conditions were good at the touring center and it was not nearly as cold as had been forecast. Chris, Sarah, and Anne did the Bartlett Loop. They found new Bartlett Deli a good place for lunch. They had delicious self-serve soup, which they ate along with their own lunch in a comfortable room. The only disadvantage was the need for a short walk down the road. The others made forays into Experimental Forest. Strong winds and frigid temperatures on Sunday offered no incentive to stick around, and all headed for home.
--On Tony and Loretta's trip, Feb. 11-15, there were a variety of activities -- cross-country skiing, walking along the brook in back of the cabin, and, yes, shopping. On Sunday, new members Mary & Carla walked around the lake behind Highland Center, and to Arethusa Falls. In the afternoon, Mary, Elaine, and Carla went for a sleigh ride and hung out at the Mt. Washington Hotel.
--All but four dropped out of Steve and Marilyn's Feb. 20-21 trip when predicted snow did not happen. There had been no significant new snow for almost a month. However, they found excellent conditions at Bretton Woods on Saturday, with plenty of snow and well-groomed trails. Dinner at the church supper in Bartlett was a great deal and lots of fun. Sunday, they skied Bear Notch, which also had excellent conditions.
--For Mark & Dianne Levine's trip at the end of February, heavy snow fell during the week, continuing Friday night and into Saturday. On Saturday, Jack, Cho, Bob & Mark snowshoed to Nancy Cascade, breaking trail, with spruce holes and drifts to navigate. With passages through snow bent branches, the route was elusive. They returned to the cabin in time for lunch. Meanwhile, Sergei & Ellen downhill skied at Bretton Woods, Lenny and Anne at Bear Notch and Marlene in the Jackson area.
--We know that Silvia led a trip the first weekend in March, but with no entry in the log, it must remain a mystery.
--The next weekend, Eva and Joe led a trip to Kearsage North with Southeastern Mass. AMC hikers. They found bare ground and 40 degree temperatures at the bottom, ice on trail, and rather deep snow on top. They followed a large flock of turkeys up the hill. They were grateful for shelter in the fire tower on the cold and windy summit. The view was clear to Franconia Ridge, while the snow-covered Presidential Ridge sparkled. It was a fun day, with occasional sunshine, in spite of a forecast that kept others at home. On Sunday, Eva, Catherine, and Megan hiked Mt. Willard. On the trail they were sheltered from the strong wind. There were spectacular views to the south from the top, but a wind strong enough to blow them away prevented a peak at Mt. Washington to the left.
--On March 19, Anya Krasik and Chris Curtiss led a group spring skiing at Bear Notch. The conditions were good, but with the temperature at 60 degrees the snow was fast disappearing.
--At the end of March, Silvia Dubinsky and Judy Dillman led a winter hike with the AMC. They had great weather Saturday, sunny and 20 degrees. Some summitted Eisenhower, while others did a couple of hour-long hikes near the Highland Center.
--Loren Cole, and Ruth and Geoff Lull switched their Schoolhouse Easter trip to Sub Sig and enjoyed a glorious weekend. At Wildcat they found an amazing view and still plenty of snow for spring skiing, with 80 degree temperatures under a bright blue sky. Easter was celebrated with mimosas for breakfast and an Easter egg hunt for the kids.
--Winter returned for George Hovorka and Joe Gagne's April 16-18 trip, with a brutal ice and snow storm for the drive up Friday night. Saturday, they hiked up the Davis Path, needing snowshoes from half way up Mt. Crawford. It snowed off and on all day. They made it to Resolution by 2:30 and back to the cabin by 6:30. It was a long hard day but a lot of fun was had by all. Sunday, George & Jack walked up to Nancy Falls, another long, hard slog. They visited the Nancy gravesite on the way back, an interesting piece of history right near the cabin.
--And now on to spring and summer---