Sunday, January 07, 2007

Go, National Weather Service, Go!

According to the latest National Weather Service forecast for Jackson, NH, the aproaching storm could deliver as much as six inches, followed by almost seasonable cold for a couple of days.

If we get the 2 from "1-2" and the 4 from "2-4", that's 6. If we only get the 1 and the 2, we end up with 3 of snow and more in rain. But even the chance of a storm total of 6 is better than what we've seen so far.

Just 30 miles to the south, the predicted totals are more like an inch or less from each part of the storm.

Left alone here, I have to provide public relations for both the shop and the touring center. This amuses me, and the few people who know why it should be particularly amusing, to be left as the public face of this prestigious facility.

I don't mind being the spinmeister. My own inclination when things aren't going well is to find a dark, quiet room or a remote, wild place in which to meditate on the cosmos and my place in it. But if people will pierce my reverie, I will find something nice to say about the chances that things could improve. They really could. Leave it at that.

2 comments:

EcoRover said...

Hi Cafiend. Enjoy reading your X ski posts.

Any tips on sharpening back country edges? I ususally just give them a once over with a medium Arkansas stone--a few strokes sort of parallel to the base, and a few sort of at right angles. Make's 'em bite minimally OK--probably could be better?

EcoRover.blogspot.com

cafiend said...

I commend your initiative in doing that much. Since I walked away from the lifts several years ago, I haven't touched an edge on my own skis. When I did, I used the edge machine at work. We have a Grind Rite belt sander that makes it quick and --if I keep my hands out of it-- painless.

To explore New England snow I've been using a couple of different Karhu/Trak models with waxless grip patterns, unless I'm going for some serious turn hunting. The full-edge version doesn't have enough miles on it to need sharpening. The older, partial edge skis have been through so much abuse that sharpening is hardly relevant. On either ski, the pattern sticks up above the edge, so filing would cut into it. Another good excuse to neglect that chore!

Since heavy crud is more of a problem than ice, the metal edges are usually just along for the ride.

For hand tuning I would use the standard number 10 file. You can get groovy file guides if you want, to assure a 90-degree edge or set a fancier bevel.

It is a good idea to do a light job at frequent intervals to avoid having to do heavy restoration. If the edge stays square enough and you have a sensitive hand you might be able to feel the tilt of the file or stone well enough to avoid needing a guide.

A friend who just got a medium-high level job at a lift served area has dangled the notion of some free skiing. That might coax me back to the lifts for a time or two. That may get me motivated to sharpen things up again.

Glad you like the blog. It's always good to find out someone's reading it.