One week ago today, began the week that we'll never forget.  I had been watching the situation for nearly a week before that.  Bumper on Powderhound.org had issued the call.  You would not believe this happened at Hunter Mountain if we were not there.  It has rivaled all the other storms, Dec 92, March 93, Jan 96, April 97, Jan 2001, Feb and March 2007.

You can now read my story or just look at the pictures and video.

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/HunterMountainBigSnow2010#

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/ZLIFTDEATHMARCH2272010#

Slowly, the pieces were coning together for a colossal storm.  The mother of all storms;  A triple phaser, where all three branches of the jet stream get together and play for days.

I knew it was going to be good when Robin said she wanted some time with my mistress.  I stayed back Tuesday night to take care of my Shea in case there was school.  He's getting too old to miss a day so we can ski the powder. Wednesday dawned with 20 plus inches of new snow at Hunter, but little at home.  Shea had school and I immersed myself in work trying not to look at the webcams or the videos that were coming off all the I-Phones on the mountaintop. I was smart; I was saving myself for the good stuff to come.

I told Robin not to come home, that schools would be canceled on Thursday. I drove up in a mist.  It misted right to the base of Hunter Wednesday night.  I had to convince my self that it would snow and school would be canceled as I predicted. Fortunately, I was not alone.  I ran into other hopefuls driving up.  I barely slept, awaking at 5 am to see if I had receive the text message signaling schools closure.  There was none.  At 7am I told Robin, the weathers coming, but right now school is on.  It began to snow. She left in a huff and headed back down the mountain only to get the call an hour later that they had now closed school.  Now she was really pissed at my mistress.

I was already slaying the powder.  Shea and I were on second chair. 2 - 3" of creamy snow and it was snowing hard.  I hit Crossover right side and it was way deep.  Then we opened the West side and it was now snowing really hard. Robin made it back and we kept up the fun.  We were now skiing under the lifts and hitting our old lines in the woods.  The last run of the day right under the Quad and then D lift.

And it continued to snow.  Friday dawned with 20" more and I was on first chair again. Cliff Racers as always and then 42 to Ike.   We were pigs looking for another fresh line and we found them.  People were going crazy, launching off everything. Robin I were one of the first on Clairs, then Taylors.  But the line was too crazy and spent the rest of the day in the woods of K 27.  At 3:20 we hit 44 Woods which was unbelievable.  We got to the top and they let us go again.  44 Woods from even higher.  Robin of course had to take it right to Y lift and find the stream.

We were spent, drained and hurting.  But mother nature wasn't done yet.  It would keep snowing. Word got out.  The masses were getting ready to descend on Hunter, but there was nowhere to put them or the snow.  Saturday morning dawned with 6 or 8" more snow, but no power.  Panic ensued.  Belleayre, Windham, Plattekill?  They all are open. Then Central Hudson came through.  We headed out into the maelstrom.  The line was big, but not huge.  But only 2 chairs were open.  They had to dig the others out. Robin dropped the fence on the Cliff (see the video)

Robin took a shovel and started to dig out D lift.  Then Russ Colton joined her and I joined him, just like old friends.  We built the corral and waited for the start.  Real managers showed up and spoiled the fun, so we fell back in line.  By now, F was open and we all waited for Z lift. 

We got to the top and saw that it had just opened.  The girls took a break and  I zoomed down to the top of Clairs, but I paused and looked at the line.  Forget about it, there is plenty of powder on the front side and I hiked up to the Belt. 

I got text from Shea.  "Don't ski the west side". Then I saw the 2 lift mechanics zooming up the belt.  I knew there was trouble.  Everyone had to walk back from the West Side.  No buses were available. I called Robin.  She said she would continue to ski the pow and I should take care of Shea.  I shoveled the truck out, found someone to hold my spot and I drove around and shoved 20 kids in the pickup truck.  I was scared I would be mobbed. The pictures say it all:

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/ZLIFTDEATHMARCH2272010#

I heard that Lift ops did not want to run everyone out of there, but management said they must.  Our chief snowmaker arrived with a can of gas to keep Z lift running and promptly poured it on the manifold causing a fire.  No more Z lift start walking.

I needed the rest anyway.  I ate 2 power bars and headed back out.  Lines were a little more manageable now. I was now skiing over and behind every fence on the hill. I hit lines that I cut 10 years ago.  I never thought we'd get in the Annex again because of the logging, but now it's unbelievable. I showed the next generation some of my private lines and I swore them to secrecy. I brought friends to my private lines and they thanked me for taking them to Utah.  I was dropping cliffs with the 15 year olds, taking 50 year olds way into the woods and asking them why you don't own a pair of fat skis.  Everyone should have a pair of fat skis.  They never go bad, you'll have them forever.

Sunday morning, I lay in bed once again at 6am wondering if the body would make it up.  My lower back was toast, but the Vitamin I was down in the kitchen.  I looked out and it was still snowing lightly.  All the lifts were ready now and the powder was still deep.  I was out for first chair again.  We skied right down the face of Hunter Mountain. 

Heuga to Heuga

Heuga to Drop Off

Drop Off to the Belt

The Belt to the Hotel

Some turns were hip deep. We did it again and again and then we went over to some other secret lines on Hunter One.  Everyone talks about the Ravine, but who needs to hike.

My wife was amazing, riding the elliptical of powder over and over again.  Her new ACL of only 10 months was screaming to stop, but she couldn't help herself.  She was determined just like me to take every line she could.  She hucked and jumped and squeezed through trees.  Finally, at 2pm Sunday, she said no more.  It was okay, she had skied a whole day more.

They kept the lifts open until 4:30 PM and I crawled home.  It was over.  It was time to go make the doughnuts again.  We had lived in Lake Tahoe for 5 days.  We have one more weekend to seek out the goods in the back country before some warm air comes in.  But don't worry, I hear Bumper is coking up some late season fun.

 Storm totals from the NWS:

Greene County (NY)
Hunter, NY 72.5

The Ski center @ Hunter 84.5
E. Windham (Tower) 90"/Village 72"
E. Jewett 84"
Tannersville 60"

Plattekill 98" 

69 and 70 were great years around these parts, Mets, Jets, Knicks and lot's of snow.  I remember the 10 foot drift in my parents driveway.  It was the year they thought I got plowed under.

  THE storm of the winter so far for many areas further north and amounts of 3-5 feet by Saturday may be common above 1500 feet form the Catskills northeast into western New England and then back west. 

Let's see what shakes.  What day do we take off?

Axis of heaviest snows is coming closer, but still not close enough for me.  Look for some nortward adjustments.

Next storm is way south, like Atlanta.  After that, more storms and cold. Through the beginning of March.

Major storm to bear down on NYC are this Wednesday.  1 - 2 feet are possible with local amounts to 30" again.  (Can I talk about global warming again?)

Axis of storm runs froms Northeast PA to Cape Cod.  Hunter is in a great spot to get at least  6-12". 

Look for another update Monday.

WHICH WAY DOES IT GO?

I said 5 months ago that we would get big storm on January 25^th.  Too bad it was 5" of rain. 

We have another nor'easter bearing down on us, but the line between a lot of snow and no snow is sharp.  There is still some potential for this thing to come further north so stay tuned. The future is bright with a train of low pressure systems across the Pacific.  One of them will get us.  It's going to be a fun ride into spring.

A WASTE OF A GOOD PATERN

Other than the annual Christmas hiccup, we have had perfect cold weather since December 5, 2009.  Unfortunately we have missed out on the synoptic snows that might have provided us a great season.  There is a good base in the woods and the continued cold weather has kept the trails intact.  We actually could use a good old rain storm, so they'll turn the guns on again.  Repeated grooming of Purna and Clairs do not strike my fancy. 

A recent foray into the Ravine revealed incredible damage to the canopy around 3500' elevation.  I won't be going back there soon.

It has been cold across the nation and I won't go into any anti global warming issues, but these facts are true according to NOAA.

December was the 14^th coldest ever for the nation

Houston has set records for the earliest snow 2 years in a row.

Record was set in Iowa at 37 below.

Florida is decimated by a top 3 cold spell ever.

Dallas had snow 3 times in December, never happened before.

Burlington, VT set an all time record snowfall last week at 33" for one storm.

Calgary Canada set records for cold at almost 40 below zero.

Europe is getting slammed with record snow and cold.

China is getting slammed with record cold and snow

What does our future hold?

Storm this weekend goes mostly south followed by a 7 - 10 day warm up. No major thaw, but a relaxation of the cold. February and March bring the cold back.  Storm track may stay south as well.  We'll see how it plays out.

HERE WE GO AGAIN (NOT ABOUT SKIING)

The leaders of the world are gathering in Denmark this week to talk about global warming.  It is unconceivable to me the amount of money being spent on this.  The cap and trade tax plan will stifle this countrie's business for years to come.  The environmental cost to produce hybrid batteries is astounding.

Let me be clear, I am an ardent environmentalist, but the focus should be on pollution of our oceans and soils. CO2 is not a pollutant. It is part of the air just like H2O which also traps heat.  CO2 is a miniscule part of our atmosphere.  The world has been warmer and it has been colder, long before you and I were around.  Has anyone noticed that the sun has been asleep?  The solar minimum is below levels rarely seen.  How do you think that affects our weather?

What about rising seas?  Is there one island that has gone under water yet?  Wasn't that supposed to happen a long time ago?

What about the fudging of the data at the UK climate institute because temperatures were not continuing to go higher?

Some people complain about ski areas using our tax dollars to make snow.  I'd rather it go there where I can use it, than go to combat global warming.  At least I might get to use the snow.

You see all this recent warming and the coming cool down are part of a cycle.  The major cycle in the Pacific Ocean, the largest heat sink in the world. The PDO.  Check it out online. The PDO drives our climate, plus volcanoes.  One volcano can wipe any reduction in "greenhouse" gases.

What is killing our planet; air pollution from China (not CO2), fertilizer runoff, chemicals in our water supplies, invasive species, clear cutting, and mountain top mining?  These are the problems that should be tackled.  Money should be spent to help oil, gas and coal companies make their production cleaner and more efficient.  I am all for increasing car fuel efficiency, but not because of a battery that use more energy to make than it ever saves.

2 years in a row Houston has set records for the earliest snow ever and Hunter wasn't open for Thanksgiving for the first time ever.  You see it all evens out.  This winter will turn out great.  We have many chances at storms this year and I'll be looking out for them.

Enough of this however, in 20 years we'll see if I am right.

READ THIS:

http://sppiblog.org/news/climate-science-qa-has-40-of-all-arctic-ice-melted

Not much time tonight.

Sorry to say this is my fault as I tried to push the start of winter beyond December 5^th.  Unfortunately, I never expected it to not have any snow at all and now it looks like first weekend of the season will be 12/5.  I don't remember not skiing at all on Thanksgiving.

First winter storm of the season will occur Thursday thru Saturday.  Good possibility of 6" or more.

Second storm next Tuesday and then the fun really begins s we step down into a very stormy (snowy) pattern. Notice I don't say cold.  We are still at risk of the cold being temporary, but we're moving in the right direction.

Happy Holiday, we are thankful for all we have no matter what the weather.

Winter Forecast 2009/ 2010

I have been holding off on this forecast because there are many interesting factors that could affect our weather this winter.  We have all seen the terms historic, cold and snowy, below normal bantered about.

I usually like to see what can go wrong and work from there.

1. El Nino was forecasted to be mild to moderate, peaking in early November.  When this pattern occurs the "pineapple express" stays suppressed and the United States is not flooded with warm Pacific air. Intrusions of Arctic air are plentiful and the storm track stays south.  Storms tend to stay south of us and keep us on the cold and snowy side. 

Unfortunately, El Nino seems to be bordering on strong.  The lingering effects of this event could lead to extended early season warmth.

2. Storm track.  The storm track has been active, and we were on the cold side for most of the summer, but recent events have gone north of us putting the Catskills on the warm side.

3. Moisture.  Plenty of moisture seems to be available for storms

4. Siberia.  Most of our cold air is generated in Siberia.  Siberia is experiencing the least snow in recent memory.

5. Arctic Sea Ice is thicker and larger coverage than years past.

6. PDO.  We are in a -PDO which is great for cold air, especially in the Rockies and Northern Plains.

7. We are due.  It's been a while since we spent more than one weekend in the trees.

Bottom line.  Looks like a slow start and good to great finish.  Possible major storm at the end of January.

Potential exists for a "refreshing" snow this Friday into the weekend.  Killington has started to make snow and they could be open within days.

Good luckwith CPR Jane, I'll be making turns or doing the Hora with Zak Benedek.

We don't need to rehash the summer weather.  Rainy June, cold July, more of the same in August save for a week of warm weather.  This week is cool and some record lows have or will occur.

September looks to be on the warmish side.  Signs continue to point to a good winter.  If it stays warm through September, all the better.

Looks like a significant snowstorm could impact us the last week of January.

There are pictures and video.  Click slowly.

Friday Night

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/MountainJam2009FRIDAYNIGHT?authkey=Gv1sRgCKPAxbS15fKQFA#

Hellgate Hike

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/JUNE12009HELLGATEHIKE?authkey=Gv1sRgCITxptLL8qT5Ew#

Saturday/ Sunday music

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/MountainJam2009SATURDAYSUNDAY?authkey=Gv1sRgCK69_Lf3qMTuEQ#

9 year old adventure

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/MountainJam20099YEAROLDADVENTURES?authkey=Gv1sRgCPSgq5De18eO-AE#

Well, as Mrs Bumper said "if it doesn't rain a little it's not Mt Jam." Looks like we'll begin the weekend with showers and cool weather, especially at night.  Lows will be in the 30's if it clears up.  Otherwise, the weather should improve as the weekend goes on.

We are following the development of a low off the Carolina coast which could impact this forecast.  More updates will be provide if necessary.

Everyone is of course invited to come say hello and party with us over the weekend.  The Liftside block party will be in full swing.

We'll be departing for our annual Hellgate ski adventure from the back of the condos around 10am Saturday.

Last year's skiing and music was memorable.  Make sure you watch Flynnstone's grass ski video and picture, the last two.

http://picasaweb.google.com/drrmkr/MountainJam#5207404269966472642

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/HunterMtHellgatgeHikeJune12008?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDHjsH0gvj5IQ#

http://picasaweb.google.com/drrmkr/MountainJam#5207393476713657394

http://picasaweb.google.com/drrmkr/MountainJam#5207396723708933266

http://picasaweb.google.com/drrmkr/MountainJam#5207400889827210434

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/HunterMtHellgatgeHikeJune12008?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDHjsH0gvj5IQ#5340313717405233186

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/HunterMtHellgatgeHikeJune12008?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDHjsH0gvj5IQ#5340316549640533474

http://picasaweb.google.com/huntermt2/HunterMtHellgatgeHikeJune12008?authkey=Gv1sRgCIDHjsH0gvj5IQ#5340316560355394754

The next week will feature spring like temps, but the rest of the month we are back to winter.  Maybe some fun around my Birthday again.

This article really shows how I feel.  The amount of money we are spending to combat something that is not proven is astrounding.

"I think we should do everything we can to clean our air and water but it makes absolutely no sense to add to the cost of energy in this country in the process," DeMint told CNSNews.com. "If we look at the facts, there is no suggestion that we need to panic and do something that is going to further hurt our economy and the standard of living in our country."

Full article here:

http://cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=44431

I am close to pulling the trigger on the storm Sunday into Monday.  Looks like 12 plus inches is coming and we are in the favored area for a change.  Of course, the storm track has not favored the northern Catskills this year so I will be updating again tomorrow.  One thing looks certain, plenty of moisture is available, but will it snow?

The most recent big snows fell everywhere, but Hunter Mountain as I see Plattekill is claiming 27" new. http://www.plattekill.com/winter/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=120&Itemid=69

End of the week looks messy, but March 1 holds the chance for another big amplification along the Atlantic coast.  After that a taste of Spring before more fun and games.

Lookl like another chance for the big one in about a week.  Stay tuned.

http://www.tmgnow.com/repository/solar/lassen1.html

Continuing evidence that global warming is all hype.

January thaw coming followed by renewed cold and stormy pattern.  Will we get our big one?  The pros think so, but the fiasco last week showed that nobody really has a clue this winter.

California, will be getting a winters worth of rain in the next 2 weeks.  Chaicago did not get above 40 for the month of January, New York did not get above 50 and DC did not get above 60.

If you think this year was cold, wait till next year.

Two posts ago I spoke about the pattern being more favorable, but still a chance that the storms turn "wet".  In weather the trend is your friend.  Most systems have moved to our west this year and unfortunately that will continue.  There will be a huge storm on Monday or Tuesday next week.  It will be mostly rain for us, but huge snows north and especially west of Hunter.

 It's going to be a fun month.