Stowe Nordic Outing Club BKL
NOTCHATHON
Unfortunately, due to current conditions and
a very warm and rainy forecast, we are canceling the SNOC BKL Mini-Marathon (and
the SNOC BKL Notchaton) for this year.
Due
to the vagaries of this winter’s weather, the SNOC BKL Mini-Marathon has been
retrofitted into the SNOC BKL NOTCHATHON. Since this involves going above and beyond a
mere mortal’s efforts NOT to
cancel, the event is different. The
mission is to offer an adventure cross country ski event for the Bill Koch
League set that is safe and fun, some snow to ski on (a hard-to-come-by
commodity this year), yummy foodstops, and a reason for camaraderie. The distance is shorter than originally
conceived and rather than chili, it’s blueberry soup at the end. This will be an untimed ski tour excursion
that will be shared at your own risk with other users of the Smuggler’s Notch
public byway such as walkers, dogs, sledders and snowmobilers. Most likely there will be no ski
grooming. All BKL participants must be
under adult supervision and upon completion will receive a souvenir memento. Come and share this unique experience with
others!
“Out and Back Courses”
with approximate distances
1.
4K To
2.
8K To the Top of the Notch at
3.
12K Over to the other side at the
Jeffersonville Barricade
Skiers can skate or classic. Beyond the lollypop course there is steep up and down with curves around big glacial erratic bolders that is not beginner terrain (could opt to walk it…)
Here’s the deal:
$10 per participant
(kids and adults).
Checks made payable
to “Stowe Nordic Outing Club”
No late fee.
Skiers must be a
NENSA Bill Koch member for appropriate liability coverage.
(Please try to have your number.)
To qualify for a food
stop, you must wear a bib number.
No formal start time;
begin anytime between 10AM - 11AM.
Food stops will be
open from 10AM to Noon.
Registration: is by the barricade at the end of Route 108 next to Barnes
Camp and just past the entrance to Stowe Mountain Resort Mansfield Base.
Note: As of Thursday,
January 4th, we are going ahead with plans, but given the forecast,
we could cancel at short notice. We will
make a final decision on conditions at 4PM on Friday, but if the weather
totally goes to you-know-where with rain on Saturday, then we will cancel the
morning of the event. Check the NENSA
website and www.stowenordic.org. Or if you are really desperate on Saturday
morning, call Carol Van Dyke:
802-253-4500 or
Special Request to
Participants who plan to come: Please email me by Friday morn with how many
so that we may anticipate food amounts accordingly. Cavandyke@aol.com
The Lore of the Area:
Smuggler's Notch name comes from the smugglers almost
200 years ago, who used the thick forest on the mountain range and the caves
and caverns along the Long Trail to transport illegal or embargoed goods across
the Canadian border. The notch was most likely involved
in bootlegging during the prohibition-era of the 1920's, using the
same caves as a cache for smuggled canadian whiskey, rum, and other liquors.
Scenic Smuggler's Notch proper is comprised of the
Sterling Mountain/Spruce Peak ridgeline to the east, and
The
road is closed to cars November-April, but open to winter sports enthusiasts.