TR: Dodge's, Empress, Dutchess, Sluice 4-8-08

[gpetrics]

This is a crosspost of something I put on another forum, but figured it would be appreciated here as well. Sorry if anyone has to look at it twice.

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As Sam of UVM et. al. had a hankering to knock a big one off their hit list on Monday, so too did us at Dartmouth (backcountryBen and myself) have a few things to take care of on Tuesday. Ever since racing the Toni Matt downhill at Big Mountain a good 6 or 7 years ago, when I finally opened my eyes and learned about all the history people like Mr. Matt and Brooks Dodge put into my backyard, I've had a hankering to do some of the big lines that these guys pioneered. Tuesday April 8th was that day.

Dutchess, Empress, Dodge's and Sluice all finally got hit. My numero uno objective however was (and always has been) to get up and down Dodge's. I have no idea why I haven't done it yet... it usually is in play for a good period of time (unlike Central which is so difficult to get because of, among other things, the small timeframe you have to work with), and isn't the hardest line in the world (again unlike Central), but for some reason this one has always eluded my schedule. So pumped to get that one done, and maybe be able to say to myself that I can appreciate the history of the mountain just a little bit more.

Anyway, enough nostalgia, and on with the TR. After some miscommunication, Ben and I met in Pinkham at 8ish. I even mailed my taxes in from Gorham before the meetup.

I saw this going up the road, and as always, was reminded how true it is:


Heading up the Tux Trail I spied this obligatory shot of the objective:


At HoJo's however we were surprised by the colder-then-expected temps, and so after assessing what was getting the most solar gain, we decided to do a warmup with these two deadly ladies:


We took a moment to enjoy the view from the top of the gals
Ben


Myself (note open fly. that's for...um...venting...[?])


Then Ben began the slaystival by having his way with the Dutchess


Then I enjoyed the Empress like a hot knife in warm butter



Now onto the primary objective. Being the more physically fit between us, Ben agreed to lead. Ice pebbles rained down as higher than forecast SE winds whipped over the top


Nevertheless I still found time to stop dodging Dodge's droplets and smile for the camera (came up with that alliteration on the way up ;- )


After topping out, we quickly changed over to alpine gear, and followed Brooks' ski tracks. Me taking The Drop


Ben following up in style


yeah... it was steep... (i honestly tried to keep it level from my perch)


...and sustained...


We hit the Sluice too, it was getting pretty late, and whatever had gone into the shade, had also gone into the ice.

Over the edge!



Then from below, Ben comes into the light:


In all honesty, not the perfect Dodge's day with the SE wind at the top to keep things firm. It probably would have been a better day to reenact Sam et. al.'s trip of Monday, because Huntington was surely more protected from the winds. But what we did was surely not bad either. Now I just can't wait to get back up there with the monkey off my back.

[RR]

Wow!
Skimosteum of the fittest!

Amazing effort! Wonderfull TR and Pics too

[Affix Snow]

I said it on TGR, but ill say again.....Godamn Right!!!!!

Good form fellas.

[Rider.Steve]

Gorgeous! Larger than life!

[2plankerider]

Great to see someone "gettin it"

[ATP]

Me taking The Drop

Looks like a burly entry, especially on firm snow. How many turns in is that?

[DMC]

Wow... i wish I had the energy to do that many classics in one day...

[NtrentT]

You did a great job photographing the steeps of those runs.

We did Sluice last weekend, and the photos dont do it justice, but your photos are great !

Dodges looks amazing.

Great work!

[gpetrics]

it was indeed pretty durn furm, and so we made a bunch of turns till we got off the steepest part at the top. i'd estimate it at 6-7 until you can get to a safe spot. it goes on for awhile.

thanks for the compliments guys!

[BladeGirl]

Those are some of the best shots of those runs I have seen. Excellent day!

-BG

[davidhowland14]

killer TR
this is one for the ski magazines

[boardman]

geezus, Mary and friggin' Joseph -- are you sh*ttin' me?! THAT is one bad-a$$ day, fellas. Sick, sick photos. And yeah, your pics of Sluice are better indicators of it than the ones in our recent TR posts.

Really, really jealous of how good Duchess looked. Been wanting that one for a while.

congrats on a really amazing tour de force.

[pulverschwein]

Finest work in all disciplines: route selection and timing, Herculian endurance, stunning photography. You guys SUCK - doing in a day what I (and other mere mortals) would be delighted to accomplish in a couple of seasons or more. Reptacular.

[danimal]

Wow, you guys are machines! Sick pics... they really show how narly those descents are.

[Seeker]

Fantastic! Amazing pics, well done!

I am almost not worthy to rep you. But I will anyway.