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Thunderbolt 12/20
Decent coverage on lower sections. An easy skin up to the little bridge. Not far after first steep section (while ascending), you'll run into a series of major falldowns that stretch all the way across the wide trail. It's not very easy to negotiate around them. At least there was still ice on the small branches, so sliding over some of them is possible.
Damage on higher sections of trail is not nearly as bad. The only problem there was coverage, with lots of shoots poking up through the snow, and they affect turning big-time. The upper steeps were a little wind scoured.
Overall, a great day to be on Greylock.
We stopped at Berkshire Outfitters in Adams afterwards and talked to Josh, who said a crew was scheduled to go out again today (Sunday) for some more work. Perhaps they can just clear a few feet of smaller upper branches on falldowns making it possible to ski continuously. This trail needs some major help, though. Josh mentioined the huge amount of work performed recently on the T-bolt, especially many new water bars. Kinda disheartening that all that work was overshadowed by the ice damage. But, as true fans of this great trail, they'll keep up the hard work.
Josh also mentioned a new site coming after January 1st called ThunderboltSkiRunners, which will have info on trail conditions, trail work, history, and other facts about the trail.
With a snowy day and a full pack, I decided against the camera. Pics of the damage are not a lot of fun anyways.
Ice damage is part of BC skiing. Don't let it stop you!
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