How NOT to end your season early....

[Rich Heimlich]

My season came to a bit of an undesired ending recently. Hopefully
yours continues on for quite some time yet.

I posted all the details on my blog including comments about
Tremblant. It's at:

http://www.pcserenity.com

Let me know what you think.

JQ, if you see this, it looks like this will be another year we don't
get to hook up at Mountain Creek. My plans for getting up there ended
with this adventure.

[Mary Malmros]

Aw man. What an awful injury! Here's to a speedy and full recovery for
ya.

[Pops]

Wow Rich, I can feel the pain. Ended my season at the end of January three
years ago at Stratton.
big surgery, lots of hardware and meds.
Back to skiing but a whole lot more conservatively now.
Spent a whole lot of time alone at home watching the tube. But, I did have
that great invasion of Iraq 24/7 to keep me occupied.
Good luck with your recovery.
Pos
"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> My season came to a bit of an undesired ending recently. Hopefully
> yours continues on for quite some time yet.
>
> I posted all the details on my blog including comments about
> Tremblant. It's at:
>
> http://www.pcserenity.com
>
> Let me know what you think.
>
> JQ, if you see this, it looks like this will be another year we don't
> get to hook up at Mountain Creek. My plans for getting up there ended
> with this adventure.

[lal_truckee]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> My season came to a bit of an undesired ending recently. Hopefully
> yours continues on for quite some time yet.
>
> I posted all the details on my blog including comments about
> Tremblant. It's at:
>
> http://www.pcserenity.com

That's quite a blog story. If there's a Pulitzer Prize for blog horror
stories you might be in the running. Maybe next time you can write about
something more pleasant - like beer, or powder skiing, or grrls.

BTW, I'd take a look at that binding before hopping back aboard next
season. Sounds like a premature release to me, maybe caused by excessive
camber/decamber vibration opening up the binding heel/toe distance.
Might want to look at the pre-load, which is intended to absorb some of
that sort of thing. I've had a binding just drop off also - scary as
hell, no fun at all.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 00:55:09 GMT, Mary Malmros
> wrote:

>Aw man. What an awful injury! Here's to a speedy and full recovery for
>ya.

Thanks Mary. It's been quite an adventure.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 19:56:26 -0500, "Pops" >
wrote:

>Back to skiing but a whole lot more conservatively now.

That's the big question now for me. Will I go back like a lunatic or
will I take it all slowly? 20 years ago I'd have just jumped back in
like this never happened. Now I just don't know. It seems prudent to
slow down but.....

I wonder what will happen with I get back to Tremblant and face Flying
Mile. Unfortunately I'm going to have a long time to think about it.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 01:11:41 GMT, lal_truckee >
wrote:

>That's quite a blog story. If there's a Pulitzer Prize for blog horror
>stories you might be in the running. Maybe next time you can write about
>something more pleasant - like beer, or powder skiing, or grrls.

If you look a bit deeper on the blog, I write about pretty much
everything. I used to write a column and was an editor, columnist and
reviewer for many years. When I left my industry for a while, I
stopped all that and ended up missing it so I just figured I'd write
the blog as my own personal therapy. <grin>

>BTW, I'd take a look at that binding before hopping back aboard next
>season. Sounds like a premature release to me, maybe caused by excessive
>camber/decamber vibration opening up the binding heel/toe distance.

I've been giving that a LOT of thought. I had my friend Dave check out
the binding at the hotel and then again at home and it looked just
fine (I haven't been able to bring myself to look at my skis yet) as
far as breaking goes. It certainly could have been premature. I'd
never experienced that before and I did JUST emerge from a really
steep grade on an angle. I keep thinking the extremes popped it off.

>Might want to look at the pre-load, which is intended to absorb some of
>that sort of thing. I've had a binding just drop off also - scary as
>hell, no fun at all.

What the hell is Plan B when that happens? I had a TINY window of
opportunity to do something there and had no idea what the best plan
should be. Should I have just attempted to slide/fall down?
Ironically, the next day included exercises designed to help you learn
to essentially ski on either ski (not for the sake of skiing on one
ski but to understand full and equal workouts for both legs as most
people cheat with their weaker leg).

[Mary Malmros]

Rich Heimlich wrote:

> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 19:56:26 -0500, "Pops" >
> wrote:
>
>
>>Back to skiing but a whole lot more conservatively now.
>
>
> That's the big question now for me. Will I go back like a lunatic or
> will I take it all slowly? 20 years ago I'd have just jumped back in
> like this never happened. Now I just don't know. It seems prudent to
> slow down but.....

My thoughts, based on my own injury experience: you may be able to ski
just as hard in the future, but you'll have to do it differently. Your
body will have changed in some ways, so the wise move is to _not_ try to
come back "like this never happened". Take the time to figure out what
the differences are. That's the best way to help the odds that you will
be able to ski as hard as before.

> I wonder what will happen with I get back to Tremblant and face Flying
> Mile. Unfortunately I'm going to have a long time to think about it.

That "getting back on the horse" thing may happen other places as well,
not just on the run that done it. It's natural to get gripped after you
get your head handed to you; most folks (if they're being honest) are
edgy while driving for a while after they've had a car accident, even
just a fender-bender. And something where the pain is personal can stay
with you a lot more strongly. Don't feel that you _have_ to "face
Flying Mile". I've got a stretch of river that I'll never run again --
I never got my ass kicked there, but a close friend got killed there,
and I'm just not gonna do it again.

[Pops]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 19:56:26 -0500, "Pops" >
> wrote:
>
>>Back to skiing but a whole lot more conservatively now.
>
> That's the big question now for me. Will I go back like a lunatic or
> will I take it all slowly? 20 years ago I'd have just jumped back in
> like this never happened. Now I just don't know. It seems prudent to
> slow down but.....
>
> I wonder what will happen with I get back to Tremblant and face Flying
> Mile. Unfortunately I'm going to have a long time to think about it.

At this point in life I'm happy to just be out on the hill again.

I'm still freaked at times. Just yesterday I learned that I am not
comfortable with any hard landing. I'm not talking about taking hits and
such, just a slight compression landing and my leg feels it. I think I will
always have physical reminders to keep me in check.
First season back I took it real easy at Shawnee in Pa. Now, I've
"graduated" to MC in NJ. I go once a week or so. I listen to my body (legs)
and let them tell me when to go home. No more, one more run for me. That's
what got me into trouble in the first place.
Over time I've taken steeper runs, skied a bit faster in sports but mostly
learned to slow down, take more turns and in my mind in some ways become a
better skier.
I don't want to take another forced vacation in bed.
Pops

[lal_truckee]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 01:11:41 GMT, lal_truckee >
> wrote:
>
>> That's quite a blog story. If there's a Pulitzer Prize for blog horror
>> stories you might be in the running. Maybe next time you can write about
>> something more pleasant - like beer, or powder skiing, or grrls.
>
> If you look a bit deeper on the blog, I write about pretty much
> everything. I used to write a column and was an editor, columnist and
> reviewer for many years. When I left my industry for a while, I
> stopped all that and ended up missing it so I just figured I'd write
> the blog as my own personal therapy. <grin>
>
>> BTW, I'd take a look at that binding before hopping back aboard next
>> season. Sounds like a premature release to me, maybe caused by excessive
>> camber/decamber vibration opening up the binding heel/toe distance.
>
> I've been giving that a LOT of thought. I had my friend Dave check out
> the binding at the hotel and then again at home and it looked just
> fine (I haven't been able to bring myself to look at my skis yet) as
> far as breaking goes. It certainly could have been premature. I'd
> never experienced that before and I did JUST emerge from a really
> steep grade on an angle. I keep thinking the extremes popped it off.
>
>> Might want to look at the pre-load, which is intended to absorb some of
>> that sort of thing. I've had a binding just drop off also - scary as
>> hell, no fun at all.
>
> What the hell is Plan B when that happens? I had a TINY window of
> opportunity to do something there and had no idea what the best plan
> should be. Should I have just attempted to slide/fall down?

Hockey stop on remaining ski.

> Ironically, the next day included exercises designed to help you learn
> to essentially ski on either ski (not for the sake of skiing on one
> ski but to understand full and equal workouts for both legs as most
> people cheat with their weaker leg).

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 01:31:05 GMT, Mary Malmros
> wrote:

>My thoughts, based on my own injury experience: you may be able to ski
>just as hard in the future, but you'll have to do it differently. Your
>body will have changed in some ways, so the wise move is to _not_ try to
>come back "like this never happened". Take the time to figure out what

Mary, you have no idea (or maybe you do) just how much you just gave
me goosebumps. The doctor mentioned that walking would be a bit
"different" but I thought that was due to just being off my feet for
months. I hadn't really considered the reality that my entire approach
would be slightly off. OUCH!

>with you a lot more strongly. Don't feel that you _have_ to "face
>Flying Mile". I've got a stretch of river that I'll never run again --

Right now I feel that way (that I have to face it) but I think that's
going to fade rather quickly and I'll get to it when I get to it, if I
get to it. <grin>

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 20:45:11 -0500, "Pops" >
wrote:

>I'm still freaked at times. Just yesterday I learned that I am not
>comfortable with any hard landing. I'm not talking about taking hits and
>such, just a slight compression landing and my leg feels it. I think I will
>always have physical reminders to keep me in check.

The last time I broke a bone it was my wrist and arm and those healed
to a point where they were stronger than before. I never had a single
issue with that break but then again, that's an arm. Not exactly
expected to bear my weight with it.

>First season back I took it real easy at Shawnee in Pa. Now, I've
>"graduated" to MC in NJ.

We must be close. I live in Cherry Hill and mainly ski at Camelback
which was pretty good skiing this year for the times I was there. I
missed MC this year due to this ending but will get back there next
season I hope.

>No more, one more run for me. That's what got me into trouble in the first place.

We've all wondered if that was it for me too. It was the last run, a
forced one, after a long tiring day.

[Pops]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 20:45:11 -0500, "Pops" >
> wrote:
>
>>I'm still freaked at times. Just yesterday I learned that I am not
>>comfortable with any hard landing. I'm not talking about taking hits and
>>such, just a slight compression landing and my leg feels it. I think I
>>will
>>always have physical reminders to keep me in check.
>
> The last time I broke a bone it was my wrist and arm and those healed
> to a point where they were stronger than before. I never had a single
> issue with that break but then again, that's an arm. Not exactly
> expected to bear my weight with it.
>
>>First season back I took it real easy at Shawnee in Pa. Now, I've
>>"graduated" to MC in NJ.
>
> We must be close. I live in Cherry Hill and mainly ski at Camelback
> which was pretty good skiing this year for the times I was there. I
> missed MC this year due to this ending but will get back there next
> season I hope.
>
>>No more, one more run for me. That's what got me into trouble in the first
>>place.
>
> We've all wondered if that was it for me too. It was the last run, a
> forced one, after a long tiring day.

I was away for the first time in my married life for three days at Stratton.
The other two guys are ten years younger than me and I was going run for run
with them.
One guy called it quits and me and the other guy did another run. I knew he
had one run on me so I called for one more. Back up top, down a steep
cruiser, into the terrain park, hitting and cruising. Side by side heading
for the base, he pulls ahead and I am cruising for home. Right in front of
some condos I catch an edge and go down. Legs in two different directions
and I knew something was very wrong. One of the mountain doctors happens
upon me, has me try to get up and calls for a sled.
My buds were in the bar for almost an hour before I was able to contact them
via cellphones.
Spoiled the whole weekend for all.
They shoved my morphine soaked body into the Mountaineer for the ride home.
If I was single I would have stayed and had surgery in Vt. where they know
how to do that kind of work on a routine basis.
My troubles had only just begun since that was the week of the Drs. strike
in NJ AND the Ortho. Surgeons convention out of town. Took ten days to get
into the OR.
I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.
Go figure.
Pops

[JQ]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> My season came to a bit of an undesired ending recently. Hopefully
> yours continues on for quite some time yet.
>
> I posted all the details on my blog including comments about
> Tremblant. It's at:
>
> http://www.pcserenity.com
>
> Let me know what you think.
>
> JQ, if you see this, it looks like this will be another year we don't
> get to hook up at Mountain Creek. My plans for getting up there ended
> with this adventure.

Sorry to read about your injury, sounds like it was very painful, glad you
were able to get immediate aid and treatment. I like your ski adventure up
until you got hurt. I may put Mont Tremblant on my future list it sounds
like a great place.

I haven't been to Mountain Creek this year. I got a season pass to
Killington, I attempted to buy 4 triple card pass for MC that was listed to
be sold at all Sports Authority before Christmas which wasn't true. I call
MC to see if I could get it from them at the sale price and was told they
couldn't help me. So I felt if they couldn't or would help me they didn't
want my business, being a season pass holder there since they took 10 years
ago I decided I wasn't going to patronized them any longer. Hopefully you
will be back on your feet for skiing next year and we can meet up then, get
that leg fixed and strong.
This year snow has been a problem hopefully it will get better before the
end of the season.

You take care of yourself and a speedy recovery.

JQ
Dancing on the edge

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 22:46:01 -0500, "Pops" >
wrote:

>My troubles had only just begun since that was the week of the Drs. strike
>in NJ AND the Ortho. Surgeons convention out of town. Took ten days to get
>into the OR.

That was my main concern. I called several doctors and took the first
recommended one that could see me the very next day. I also fasted
just in case they wanted to put me in the OR but couldn't because I'd
eaten. I wasn't taking any chances.

>I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.

I believe it. I've seen more people get hurt on flats. I suspect it's
because our guard is down and we let up and do stupid things there.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sun, 5 Mar 2006 08:48:59 -0600 (CST), "Phlubarb"
> wrote:

>our bodies change (again you know that), there are going to be "good" days and days that

The biggest issue I'm dealing with right now are on and off again pins
and needles in my foot. That pain is often more annoying than the pain
in my tibia. The doctor assumed pressure point and cut the cast in
half (on the inside and outside seams) to relieve pressure and cut the
instep of the foot out. That helped a SLIGHT bit but didn't totally
relieve it. I can't really feel much of anything on the instep and it
gets re-casted Monday. I swear that if they could find the cause of
that and stop it, I'd have no problem dealing with the other pain.

>don't be scared to tell them what your goals are.

I have. Of course my doctor keeps telling me that he limits his skiing
to once every few years all because of the injuries he fixes as a
result of the sport.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Sun, 5 Mar 2006 02:53:48 -0500, "JQ" > wrote:

>I may put Mont Tremblant on my future list it sounds like a great place.

It was fantastic. The atmosphere was amazing. The people were all
great. The food was excellent. The lodging was first-rate. Nothing to
complain about. Plus the skiing was great. All of that and if you go
during a non-busy time, the cost is shockingly low. We paid less, in
US dollars for the full treatment that what I usually pay just for
plain lodging elsewhere.

>This year snow has been a problem hopefully it will get better before the
>end of the season.

Funny year. Camelback had the best December they've had in decades and
then came Summer, er, January. Thankfully, every time I went they'd
just had several days of cold weather along with real snow so it was
great. Just after I'd leave it would fall apart again.

>You take care of yourself and a speedy recovery.

Thanks!

[JQ]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 22:46:01 -0500, "Pops" >
> wrote:
>
>>My troubles had only just begun since that was the week of the Drs. strike
>>in NJ AND the Ortho. Surgeons convention out of town. Took ten days to get
>>into the OR.
>
> That was my main concern. I called several doctors and took the first
> recommended one that could see me the very next day. I also fasted
> just in case they wanted to put me in the OR but couldn't because I'd
> eaten. I wasn't taking any chances.
>
>>I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.
>
> I believe it. I've seen more people get hurt on flats. I suspect it's
> because our guard is down and we let up and do stupid things there.

A couple of other reasons are:
1. warmer temperature means softer and wetter snow
2. more snow making and wetter snow
3. more debris on snow making it sticky
4. more people making it an obstacle course
5. more traffic causing more ruts and uneven snow
6. and the list goes on...

JQ
Dancing on the edge

[downhill]

Rich Heimlich wrote:

>On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 22:46:01 -0500, "Pops" >
>wrote:
>
>
>
>>My troubles had only just begun since that was the week of the Drs. strike
>>in NJ AND the Ortho. Surgeons convention out of town. Took ten days to get
>>into the OR.
>>
>>
>
>That was my main concern. I called several doctors and took the first
>recommended one that could see me the very next day. I also fasted
>just in case they wanted to put me in the OR but couldn't because I'd
>eaten. I wasn't taking any chances.
>
>
>
>>I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.
>>
>>
>
>I believe it. I've seen more people get hurt on flats. I suspect it's
>because our guard is down and we let up and do stupid things there.
>
In my case my injury on the flats was due to the lack of speed and
forces needed to pop off ski.
I heard from an other master racer that many of the knee injuries
happen on the flats you just are not making enough force to pop off a
binding set at 12 or higher.
But the last thing I would want to try, is running a Super-g course with
my binding set at 7.
Sorry to hear about your injury, it seems a lot worse than mine. I will
have more idea of the extent of my injury after tomorrow's doctors
appointment. The only thing I really heard at Mt Snow clinic was I would
not be able to race the Sunday River downhill in two weeks.

[Mike Treseler]

lal_truckee wrote:

>> What the hell is Plan B when that happens? I had a TINY window of
>> opportunity to do something there and had no idea what the best plan
>> should be. Should I have just attempted to slide/fall down?
>
> Hockey stop on remaining ski.

Good plan B, but clearly, diving into the snow
would have been preferable to plan A.

However, I also find this decision hard to make
because I can *usually* recover.

I suppose I should practice falling.

-- Mike Treseler

[Rich Heimlich]

On 05 Mar 2006 12:50:47 EST, downhill >
wrote:

>Sorry to hear about your injury, it seems a lot worse than mine. I will
>have more idea of the extent of my injury after tomorrow's doctors

Good luck. Do let us know how it turns out.

[Mary Malmros]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 01:31:05 GMT, Mary Malmros
> > wrote:
>
>
>>My thoughts, based on my own injury experience: you may be able to ski
>>just as hard in the future, but you'll have to do it differently. Your
>>body will have changed in some ways, so the wise move is to _not_ try to
>>come back "like this never happened". Take the time to figure out what
>
>
> Mary, you have no idea (or maybe you do) just how much you just gave
> me goosebumps. The doctor mentioned that walking would be a bit
> "different" but I thought that was due to just being off my feet for
> months. I hadn't really considered the reality that my entire approach
> would be slightly off. OUCH!

It will...but I don't mean that to say, "...and everything's ruined
forever and you'll never be back to where you were." It doesn't work
like that. Your ability to ski, or walk, or whatever, is the sum of so
many things; degree of physical perfection (for lack of a better term)
is only one of them. There are a lot of examples, some of them quite
famous, of people who suffered serious injuries and came out of it with
a better understanding of how to make things work, so that in practical
terms, their ability was greater than it had been. The thing is, _all_
bodies are limited -- and with the right mindset, an injury can make you
aware of limitations in a positive way, conscious of them and ready to
find ways to do what you want to do with the body you have.

>>with you a lot more strongly. Don't feel that you _have_ to "face
>>Flying Mile". I've got a stretch of river that I'll never run again --
>
>
> Right now I feel that way (that I have to face it) but I think that's
> going to fade rather quickly and I'll get to it when I get to it, if I
> get to it. <grin>

Yeah. That makes sense to me. Either way, whether you go back to it or
not, don't beat yourself up about it. Now's the time to be good to
yourself, physically and mentally.

[Pops]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 5 Mar 2006 08:48:59 -0600 (CST), "Phlubarb"
> > wrote:
>
>>our bodies change (again you know that), there are going to be "good" days
>>and days that
>
> The biggest issue I'm dealing with right now are on and off again pins
> and needles in my foot. That pain is often more annoying than the pain
> in my tibia. The doctor assumed pressure point and cut the cast in
> half (on the inside and outside seams) to relieve pressure and cut the
> instep of the foot out. That helped a SLIGHT bit but didn't totally
> relieve it. I can't really feel much of anything on the instep and it
> gets re-casted Monday. I swear that if they could find the cause of
> that and stop it, I'd have no problem dealing with the other pain.
>
>>don't be scared to tell them what your goals are.
>
> I have. Of course my doctor keeps telling me that he limits his skiing
> to once every few years all because of the injuries he fixes as a
> result of the sport.

THAT was my biggest problem and issue. After the surgery it was my foot that
was the issue. I had little to no pain, ever at the break. It was the foot
after surgery that kept me up all night no matter what I was dosed with.
For months, no years, to this very day I still have foot issues.
Like you said, needles and pins. What was and really is weird is the popping
or release of tension over time. It's like a never is releasing built up
tension one or two nerves at a time. I don't know of a better way to
describe it.
Even now I will at times feel a twinge and a release just a tiny bit more.
Your mileage will vary but for two years I've been saying that I'm 95
recovered except for the foot.
98% now, maybe 99%, maybe as good as it will ever get.
I try to do massage and stretches to the foot in the arch as often as
possible with some results.

If you are bored, check out www.mybrokenleg.com.
Some folks there will really crack you up.

bigpix

[downhill]

Rich Heimlich wrote:

>On 05 Mar 2006 12:50:47 EST, downhill >
>wrote:
>
>
>
>>Sorry to hear about your injury, it seems a lot worse than mine. I will
>>have more idea of the extent of my injury after tomorrow's doctors
>>
>>
>
>Good luck. Do let us know how it turns out.
>
Well I have been to the first of many specalists. A CT scan is set for
weds and we had a discussion of when to schedule putting in pins. The
only thing that made me happy was a Ski Racing poster with a thank you
note from Eric Schlopy.

[Chuck]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> My season came to a bit of an undesired ending recently. Hopefully
> yours continues on for quite some time yet.
>
> I posted all the details on my blog including comments about
> Tremblant. It's at:
>
> http://www.pcserenity.com
>
> Let me know what you think.
>
> JQ, if you see this, it looks like this will be another year we don't
> get to hook up at Mountain Creek. My plans for getting up there ended
> with this adventure.

Ouch. Maybe when you return next season you should take it easy and stay
off the double diamonds. I'm not that good of a skier and wouldn't have
tried it in the first place. Maybe after I've been skiing a few more
years, but by that time I will definitely be in the brittle bone age. (I
didn't start skiing till later in life. Watched a lot on TV but didn't
actually try it until I was in my 40's.). In any case I pray a swift
recovery for you.

BTW my experience with US hospitals has not been all that bad. Never had
one demand payment before they'd treat me for an emergency. They just
took care of whatever needed to be done and sent me a bill.

[Chuck]

JQ wrote:
> "Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 22:46:01 -0500, "Pops" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> My troubles had only just begun since that was the week of the Drs. strike
>>> in NJ AND the Ortho. Surgeons convention out of town. Took ten days to get
>>> into the OR.
>> That was my main concern. I called several doctors and took the first
>> recommended one that could see me the very next day. I also fasted
>> just in case they wanted to put me in the OR but couldn't because I'd
>> eaten. I wasn't taking any chances.
>>
>>> I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.
>> I believe it. I've seen more people get hurt on flats. I suspect it's
>> because our guard is down and we let up and do stupid things there.
>
> A couple of other reasons are:
> 1. warmer temperature means softer and wetter snow
> 2. more snow making and wetter snow
> 3. more debris on snow making it sticky
> 4. more people making it an obstacle course
> 5. more traffic causing more ruts and uneven snow
> 6. and the list goes on...
>
> JQ
> Dancing on the edge
>
>

And I thought it was just because I'm some kind of klutz. In the past
few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
have anywhere else on the mountain.

--
To reply by email remove "_nospam"

[lal_truckee]

Chuck wrote:
> In the past
> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
> have anywhere else on the mountain.

You have to continue to turn, even on the flats - if you're on edge,
turning, you won't catch an edge and fall. Skiing 101.

[Chuck]

Pops wrote:
> What was and really is weird is the popping
> or release of tension over time. It's like a never is releasing built up
> tension one or two nerves at a time. I don't know of a better way to
> describe it.

Is there any pain with the popping or is it just a weird popping
feeling? I get the latter occasionally. I don't remember which injury
it's related to but my doctor says it's just scar tissue stretching and
it pretty normal.

As far as things never being exactly the same, I suffered a 95% tear of
the ACL some 30 years ago (golfing of all things). That knee has never
been the same. I've adapted and you'd never know anything was wrong, but
I've never had the flexibility I once had in that knee.

[Chuck]

Rich Heimlich wrote:

>
> Funny year. Camelback had the best December they've had in decades and
> then came Summer, er, January. Thankfully, every time I went they'd
> just had several days of cold weather along with real snow so it was
> great. Just after I'd leave it would fall apart again.
>
>> You take care of yourself and a speedy recovery.
>
> Thanks!

Just keep doing whatever the doc says and I'm sure you'll be fine for
next season. You'll probably be as close to normal as can be by the end
of the summer.

And speaking of summer, it's returning early this week to PA. By
Saturday it'll be pushing 70. PA has has a pretty bad year for ski
conditions. I tried to get together with Walt in January but the whether
was so bad the weekend he was in town (50 degrees and steady rain) that
we both decided to forget it.

Do you ski much in PA? I make most of my turns at Blue Mt. and Bear
Creek. I got up to Camelback once several years ago, and Shawnee once
last year. They were supposed to give me a free weekend to check some of
their real estate along with free lift tix but they never came through
so I didn't go back. Wasn't much of a mountain anyway. It was twice as
far from me as Bear Creek and no the skiing was no better. If I'm going
to go to a mole hill I'll stay closer to home.

Hope you are feeling better and that leg heals quickly.
--
To reply by email remove "_nospam"

[Chuck]

lal_truckee wrote:
> Chuck wrote:
>> In the past
>> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
>> have anywhere else on the mountain.
>
> You have to continue to turn, even on the flats - if you're on edge,
> turning, you won't catch an edge and fall. Skiing 101.

On the flats I'm talking about I'm not going fast enough to edge. It
usually happens trying to maneuver around all the kiddies cluttering up
the access to the lift line.
--
To reply by email remove "_nospam"

[lal_truckee]

Chuck wrote:
> lal_truckee wrote:
>> Chuck wrote:
>>> In the past
>>> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
>>> have anywhere else on the mountain.
>> You have to continue to turn, even on the flats - if you're on edge,
>> turning, you won't catch an edge and fall. Skiing 101.
>
> On the flats I'm talking about I'm not going fast enough to edge. It
> usually happens trying to maneuver around all the kiddies cluttering up
> the access to the lift line.

You STILL have to maintain edge control, else, your observation:
>>> In the past
>>> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
>>> have anywhere else on the mountain.

[Pops]

"Chuck" > wrote in message
news:e52Pf.4901$CT.1866@trnddc04...
> Pops wrote:
>> What was and really is weird is the popping
>> or release of tension over time. It's like a never is releasing built up
>> tension one or two nerves at a time. I don't know of a better way to
>> describe it.
>
> Is there any pain with the popping or is it just a weird popping
> feeling? I get the latter occasionally. I don't remember which injury
> it's related to but my doctor says it's just scar tissue stretching and
> it pretty normal.
>
> As far as things never being exactly the same, I suffered a 95% tear of
> the ACL some 30 years ago (golfing of all things). That knee has never
> been the same. I've adapted and you'd never know anything was wrong, but
> I've never had the flexibility I once had in that knee.

It's a twinge followed by a slight popping sensation.

Right now the ball of my foot and a bit of my heel still have that.

Not sure how it could be scar tissue on the bottom of my foot when the break
was a couple of inches above the ankle.

Pops

[Rich Heimlich]

On Mon, 06 Mar 2006 22:01:09 GMT, Chuck
> wrote:

>Do you ski much in PA? I make most of my turns at Blue Mt. and Bear

I do most of my skiing at Camelback.

>to go to a mole hill I'll stay closer to home.

Camelback seemed to have the best setup this year. Elk was a mess most
of the year and not worth the trip. They never got close to being
fully open. Blue was typical Blue.

>Hope you are feeling better and that leg heals quickly.

It got re-casted today. A bit down as my leg atrophied and left me
with a lot of wiggle room that allowed quite a bit of comfort that is
now gone with the new recast. On the plus side, my next appointment is
the 20th and the HOPE is that the bone will have reconnected and thus,
I'll be able to get the cast down below the knee then. I'd be in
heaven if that were the case.

[Chuck]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> It got re-casted today. A bit down as my leg atrophied and left me
> with a lot of wiggle room that allowed quite a bit of comfort that is
> now gone with the new recast. On the plus side, my next appointment is
> the 20th and the HOPE is that the bone will have reconnected and thus,
> I'll be able to get the cast down below the knee then. I'd be in
> heaven if that were the case.

It's probably more reduction of the swelling than atrophy. That's a good
thing. It means things are starting to heal.

One of these days I'll get back to Camelback. I haven't been there since
my first time on skis something like 7 years ago. It just never seemed
worth the trip to me when Blue has significantly more vertical and is
half the distance. My only complaint is that there's only only lift the
goes from bottom to top and the lines can get long. The way to beat that
is to go weekdays during the afternoon.

--
To reply by email remove "_nospam"

[Chuck]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> My season came to a bit of an undesired ending recently. Hopefully
> yours continues on for quite some time yet.
>
> I posted all the details on my blog including comments about
> Tremblant. It's at:
>
> http://www.pcserenity.com
>
> Let me know what you think.
>
> JQ, if you see this, it looks like this will be another year we don't
> get to hook up at Mountain Creek. My plans for getting up there ended
> with this adventure.

OT

BTW make sure you have that wi-fi secured. Ultravnc is great but if on
an open network the neighbors could be watching everything.

[Bryan]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 19:56:26 -0500, "Pops" >
> wrote:
>
>>Back to skiing but a whole lot more conservatively now.
>
> That's the big question now for me. Will I go back like a lunatic or
> will I take it all slowly? 20 years ago I'd have just jumped back in
> like this never happened. Now I just don't know. It seems prudent to
> slow down but.....
>
> I wonder what will happen with I get back to Tremblant and face Flying
> Mile. Unfortunately I'm going to have a long time to think about it.
>

I don't have any idea how it will be for you, but due to a permanent and
worsening back injury I had to make the decision to ski groomed runs only
and not even all groomed diamonds. I thought I would be bored to tears and
was going to be frustrated, but what I found was that the essence of being
on the mountain on the snow on skis was what it's all about. For me it's
not all about the toughest terrain I can conquer. It looks like I'll be
gently testing my limits to see if I can get off the groomed runs again, but
I've enjoyed my conservative days on the snow just as much, just
differently.

[Bryan]

"Chuck" > wrote in message
news:yU1Pf.4887$CT.2335@trnddc04...
> JQ wrote:
>> "Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 22:46:01 -0500, "Pops" >
>>> wrote:
>>>> I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.
>>> I believe it. I've seen more people get hurt on flats. I suspect it's
>>> because our guard is down and we let up and do stupid things there.
>>
>> A couple of other reasons are:
>> 1. warmer temperature means softer and wetter snow
>> 2. more snow making and wetter snow
>> 3. more debris on snow making it sticky
>> 4. more people making it an obstacle course
>> 5. more traffic causing more ruts and uneven snow
>> 6. and the list goes on...
>>
>> JQ
>> Dancing on the edge
>>
>>
>
> And I thought it was just because I'm some kind of klutz. In the past
> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
> have anywhere else on the mountain.
>
Maybe it has more to do with focus and concentration off piste. On the
groomed runs your guard might be down a bit.

[Chuck]

Bryan wrote:
> "Chuck" > wrote in message
> news:yU1Pf.4887$CT.2335@trnddc04...
>> JQ wrote:
>>> "Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> On Sat, 4 Mar 2006 22:46:01 -0500, "Pops" >
>>>> wrote:
>>>>> I now have a fear of skiing on the flats.
>>>> I believe it. I've seen more people get hurt on flats. I suspect it's
>>>> because our guard is down and we let up and do stupid things there.
>>> A couple of other reasons are:
>>> 1. warmer temperature means softer and wetter snow
>>> 2. more snow making and wetter snow
>>> 3. more debris on snow making it sticky
>>> 4. more people making it an obstacle course
>>> 5. more traffic causing more ruts and uneven snow
>>> 6. and the list goes on...
>>>
>>> JQ
>>> Dancing on the edge
>>>
>>>
>> And I thought it was just because I'm some kind of klutz. In the past
>> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
>> have anywhere else on the mountain.
>>
> Maybe it has more to do with focus and concentration off piste. On the
> groomed runs your guard might be down a bit.
>
>

You're probably on to it. What I guess I didn't communicate well to Lal
is that I'm basically standing still, walking around people, or skating
when I fall these days. And whats funny is these falls seem to hurt more
than the 20+ mph falls on the mountain. I think it's because most of the
energy of the impact is dispersed in the slide when it happens on the
mountain.

[Evojeesus]

lal_truckee wrote:
> Rich Heimlich wrote:

> > What the hell is Plan B when that happens? I had a TINY window of
> > opportunity to do something there and had no idea what the best plan
> > should be. Should I have just attempted to slide/fall down?

> Hockey stop on remaining ski.

Yes, or if that is not possible, one should try to fall down in an as
controlled way as possible.

[Bryan]

"Chuck" > wrote in message
news:AliPf.3918$Rv1.704@trndny07...
> Bryan wrote:
>> "Chuck" > wrote in message
>> news:yU1Pf.4887$CT.2335@trnddc04...
>>> JQ wrote:
>>> And I thought it was just because I'm some kind of klutz. In the past
>>> few years I've fallen more on flats (and seem to land harder) than I
>>> have anywhere else on the mountain.
>>>
>> Maybe it has more to do with focus and concentration off piste. On the
>> groomed runs your guard might be down a bit.
>>
>>
>
> You're probably on to it. What I guess I didn't communicate well to Lal
> is that I'm basically standing still, walking around people, or skating
> when I fall these days. And whats funny is these falls seem to hurt more
> than the 20+ mph falls on the mountain. I think it's because most of the
> energy of the impact is dispersed in the slide when it happens on the
> mountain.

LOL. My buddy and I skied Homewood one day this winter. He didn't fall
once all day. That is until we were ready to go home and we got near the
ski racks at the base lodge where he fell over like the guy on the tricycle
on laugh in.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:28:13 GMT, "Bryan" >
wrote:

>LOL. My buddy and I skied Homewood one day this winter. He didn't fall
>once all day. That is until we were ready to go home and we got near the
>ski racks at the base lodge where he fell over like the guy on the tricycle
>on laugh in.

My worst fall, aside from this current fiasco, was at Elk Mountain in
the damned parking lot! Had all my gear and slipped on the icy grounds
(worst parking lot I've seen) and fell hard on both of my elbows. They
hurt for a couple of weeks.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 15:26:03 GMT, "Bryan" >
wrote:

>was going to be frustrated, but what I found was that the essence of being
>on the mountain on the snow on skis was what it's all about. For me it's

Bryan, I really think this is the case for me as well.

One of the things I found out this year is that the above seems to be
my real reason for being out there. I skied sporadically many years
ago and then took 15 years off. I've only been back at it for, I
think, 4 years now (I think this was the 4th, but it could be the
5th). This was the break-out year. Finally skiing virtually anything
on any mountain.

What I find is that I like the nice greens and the nice blues but that
most blacks just seem to be there as a challenge and little more. I
spend minutes on the lift to spend a short time on the blacks whereas
on the greens and blues and I can spend a really nice amount of time
out there enjoying the scenery and such. It's nice to know that I have
the skills to ski most anything but I suprised myself in that I really
didn't get much else out of the blacks. I think, most of all, I like
the harder blues as they tend to be a very nice trade-off between
being asthetically pleasing and less busy.

At Camelback my favorite run on the whole mountain is a double green
called Bactrian. Why? It's out of the way so it doesn't get a lot of
traffic and it's a nice open run that snakes through some really nice
terrain. You can take it slow and relax or go like a bat out of hell
and have a blast without really getting into any trouble.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:56:06 GMT, Chuck
> wrote:

>It's probably more reduction of the swelling than atrophy. That's a good
>thing. It means things are starting to heal.

Not in this case. I'm talking about mainly up at the top of my thigh
which wasn't injured. I can feel the atrophy effects. My skin is just
hanging off the thigh now (oh to be 20 and have that elastic skin I
used to have). I'm also noticing that the cast is magically getting
heavier every few days.

>One of these days I'll get back to Camelback. I haven't been there since
>my first time on skis something like 7 years ago. It just never seemed
>worth the trip to me when Blue has significantly more vertical and is

Blue has more vertical??? I can't picture that. Blue was the second or
third mountain I skied after getting back into skiing a few years back
and I wasn't all that impressed. It was overly busy, overly icy and
was pretty lacking in facilities and such. Yes, it's close but heck, I
thought that perhaps I'd find 4 trails I might enjoy there. Maybe,
like you with Camelback, it's time to get back there just to give it a
fresh shot.

>half the distance. My only complaint is that there's only only lift the
>goes from bottom to top and the lines can get long. The way to beat that
>is to go weekdays during the afternoon.

I think that's a great idea. That one lift I do recall being quite a
mess.

[JQ]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:56:06 GMT, Chuck
> > wrote:
>
>>It's probably more reduction of the swelling than atrophy. That's a good
>>thing. It means things are starting to heal.
>
> Not in this case. I'm talking about mainly up at the top of my thigh
> which wasn't injured. I can feel the atrophy effects. My skin is just
> hanging off the thigh now (oh to be 20 and have that elastic skin I
> used to have). I'm also noticing that the cast is magically getting
> heavier every few days.

For atrophy happens to any muscle that is not used especially if has been
immobilized suchas
wearing a cast. Injury is not a prerequisite for atrophy.

> Blue has more vertical??? I can't picture that.

Blue has the greatest vertical of all the ski resorts in PA, a little over a
1000' and Camelback is like 800'.
Blue has one decent cruiser run which is a green run called Paradise (?), it
is run the furthest to the left side. Their most challenging run is their
two double black that runs almost underneith the lift that is the furthest
to the left which goes from the bottom to top Challenge & Racer's Edge (?).
They aren't really double black runs but that is what they are designated
with,
they aren't too bad if the ice crust hasn't formed.

JQ
Dancing on the edge

[The Real Bev]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:28:13 GMT, "Bryan" >
> wrote:
>
>> LOL. My buddy and I skied Homewood one day this winter. He didn't fall
>> once all day. That is until we were ready to go home and we got near the
>> ski racks at the base lodge where he fell over like the guy on the tricycle
>> on laugh in.
>
> My worst fall, aside from this current fiasco, was at Elk Mountain in
> the damned parking lot! Had all my gear and slipped on the icy grounds
> (worst parking lot I've seen) and fell hard on both of my elbows. They
> hurt for a couple of weeks.

Heh. I fell on one elbow in a skating rink and it hurt for years. It
may still hurt if I find just the right place to push. No, I'm not
going to try.

[Bryan]

"The Real Bev" > wrote in message
...
> Rich Heimlich wrote:
>> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 19:28:13 GMT, "Bryan" >
>> wrote:
>>
>>> LOL. My buddy and I skied Homewood one day this winter. He didn't fall
>>> once all day. That is until we were ready to go home and we got near
>>> the ski racks at the base lodge where he fell over like the guy on the
>>> tricycle on laugh in.
>>
>> My worst fall, aside from this current fiasco, was at Elk Mountain in
>> the damned parking lot! Had all my gear and slipped on the icy grounds
>> (worst parking lot I've seen) and fell hard on both of my elbows. They
>> hurt for a couple of weeks.
>
> Heh. I fell on one elbow in a skating rink and it hurt for years. It may
> still hurt if I find just the right place to push. No, I'm not going to
> try.
>

C'mon Bev, you know you want to. Give it a push.

[Bryan]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 15:26:03 GMT, "Bryan" >
> wrote:
>
>>was going to be frustrated, but what I found was that the essence of being
>>on the mountain on the snow on skis was what it's all about. For me it's
>
> Bryan, I really think this is the case for me as well.
>
> One of the things I found out this year is that the above seems to be
> my real reason for being out there. I skied sporadically many years
> ago and then took 15 years off. I've only been back at it for, I
> think, 4 years now (I think this was the 4th, but it could be the
> 5th). This was the break-out year. Finally skiing virtually anything
> on any mountain.
>
> At Camelback my favorite run on the whole mountain is a double green
> called Bactrian. Why? It's out of the way so it doesn't get a lot of
> traffic and it's a nice open run that snakes through some really nice
> terrain. You can take it slow and relax or go like a bat out of hell
> and have a blast without really getting into any trouble.

I do miss the option of testing my limits just because I feel like trying
something challenging, but hanging out on the cruisers, blue or green, and
just skiing is a great way to spend the day; no regrets. I believe I should
be able to ski anything I could ski before, but I've been told not to ski
anymore, so my compromise is to stick to groomed, groomed, and groomed runs.
Keep skiing (greens, blues, or blacks, just ski)!

[Walt]

JQ wrote:

> "Rich Heimlich" > wrote
>
>>Blue has more vertical??? I can't picture that.
>
> Blue has the greatest vertical of all the ski resorts in PA, a little over a
> 1000' and Camelback is like 800'.

Yeah, but only by about ten feet. Blue Knob near Altoona has almost as
much as Blue Mt.

> Blue has one decent cruiser run which is a green run called Paradise (?), it
> is run the furthest to the left side. Their most challenging run is their
> two double black that runs almost underneith the lift that is the furthest
> to the left which goes from the bottom to top Challenge & Racer's Edge (?).
> They aren't really double black runs but that is what they are designated
> with,
> they aren't too bad if the ice crust hasn't formed.


SHHHH! Yes, they are just basic black runs, maybe even blueish black.
But the double diamond experts only designation means that they're less
crowded than the madhouse that is the rest of that joint. Keep this to
yerself, mmmmmK?

//Walt

[Bryan]

"The Real Bev" > wrote in message
...
> Bryan wrote:
>
>> "The Real Bev" > wrote:
>>> Rich Heimlich wrote:
>>>> "Bryan" > wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> LOL. My buddy and I skied Homewood one day this winter. He didn't
>>>>> fall once all day. That is until we were ready to go home and we got
>>>>> near the ski racks at the base lodge where he fell over like the guy
>>>>> on the tricycle on laugh in.
>>>>
>>>> My worst fall, aside from this current fiasco, was at Elk Mountain in
>>>> the damned parking lot! Had all my gear and slipped on the icy grounds
>>>> (worst parking lot I've seen) and fell hard on both of my elbows. They
>>>> hurt for a couple of weeks.
>>>
>>> Heh. I fell on one elbow in a skating rink and it hurt for years. It
>>> may still hurt if I find just the right place to push. No, I'm not
>>> going to try.
>>
>> C'mon Bev, you know you want to. Give it a push.
>
> You know what's really sick? I did. Didn't hurt. Praise Jeeeeesussssss,
> I'm healed!
>

Not sick, just faith! Now strap on some skis and go walk on some frozen
water.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Fri, 10 Mar 2006 17:16:01 GMT, "Bryan" >
wrote:

>but I've been told not to ski anymore

Age?

I often wonder what the cut-off is. I suspect it's different for
everyone. I often see guys out there that are clearly in the 70's and
sometimes see one or two who have to be 80+. Granted, it's rare, but
they're there and that gives me hope that it's something you can do
for quite a while. I guess once the bones get a bit brittle, it's not
the best idea.

[Rich Heimlich]

On Fri, 10 Mar 2006 10:40:08 -0500, "JQ" > wrote:

>Blue has one decent cruiser run which is a green run called Paradise (?), it

I remember that run well. I loved it. We took my wife on that run for
her first ski experience and it was a real challenge for her. I
remember getting to the end of a hill with another family member and
asking, "How are we going to convince her that this descent is
nothing?" Of course now, it's all pretty easy but I do recall really
liking that run.

>They aren't really double black runs but that is what they are designated
>with, they aren't too bad if the ice crust hasn't formed.

I recall seeing those and thinking, "No way." I'm sure today they'd be
pretty easy.

[lal_truckee]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> I often see guys out there that are clearly in the 70's and
> sometimes see one or two who have to be 80+. Granted, it's rare, ...

No. It's not rare. 80+ is common. People of the "Greatest Generation"
are the majority on weekdays, often, around here - they have to be
around 80+ now.

And the stories they can tell - amazing. I've listened to a Luftwaffe
fighter pilot describe trying to shoot down his ski buddy (who was a B24
pilot - they'd checked the flight schedule records and actually knew
they had both been in the same air combat.)

Anyway, the story is; Doctors deal with average people; their whole
practice is based on average. If you're a skier, you already aren't
"average." Find a doctor whose "average patient" is a dedicated skier,
and find out what that doctor says. In other words, see a mountain
doctor - the flatland Docs just want you to hobble to the grocery store
and sit in front of the TV, same as their other patients. Find a Doc who
is a skier him/herself.

You're a feeble as you let yourself be, or as strong as you want. Your
decision.

[The Real Bev]

Rich Heimlich wrote:

> "Bryan" > wrote:
>
>> but I've been told not to ski anymore

Tell the jerk not to breathe any more.

> Age?
>
> I often wonder what the cut-off is. I suspect it's different for
> everyone. I often see guys out there that are clearly in the 70's and
> sometimes see one or two who have to be 80+. Granted, it's rare, but
> they're there and that gives me hope that it's something you can do
> for quite a while. I guess once the bones get a bit brittle, it's not
> the best idea.

Email from my friend who just turned 80, has skied all his life, was on a
business trip to SLC, and is skinny as a rail:

> Solitude, it's the adjacent canyon to Snowbird and Alta. My local friend
> sought to avoid the President's day weekend crowds and took me to the local
> slopes. But it was still very good and not crowded. I did make a wrong turn
> once, and got down a black diamond slope, but I survived, otherwise you
> wouldn't be getting liberal scum junk from me!

******* has promised FOR YEARS to take me skiing at Mammoth. He had a bypass a
while back and gets to park in the handicapped area up close to the lifts. At
some places he gets to ski free. Double *******.

--
Cheers,
Bev
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ @@@
This is Usenet. We *are* the trained body for dealing
with psychotics. -- A. Dingley

[Bryan]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 10 Mar 2006 17:16:01 GMT, "Bryan" >
> wrote:
>
>>but I've been told not to ski anymore
>
> Age?
>
> I often wonder what the cut-off is. I suspect it's different for
> everyone. I often see guys out there that are clearly in the 70's and
> sometimes see one or two who have to be 80+. Granted, it's rare, but
> they're there and that gives me hope that it's something you can do
> for quite a while. I guess once the bones get a bit brittle, it's not
> the best idea.

46! Need disk replacements and surgeons won't cut (have obtained multiple
second opinions) until I'm unable to earn an income or retired, whichever
comes first. I want to be one of those old guys skiing on weekdays at my
own pace. If sticking to groomed blues is what it takes, so be it.

[Bryan]

"lal_truckee" > wrote in message
. com...
> Rich Heimlich wrote:
>> I often see guys out there that are clearly in the 70's and
>> sometimes see one or two who have to be 80+. Granted, it's rare, ...
>
> No. It's not rare. 80+ is common. People of the "Greatest Generation" are
> the majority on weekdays, often, around here - they have to be around 80+
> now.
>
> And the stories they can tell - amazing. I've listened to a Luftwaffe
> fighter pilot describe trying to shoot down his ski buddy (who was a B24
> pilot - they'd checked the flight schedule records and actually knew they
> had both been in the same air combat.)
>
> Anyway, the story is; Doctors deal with average people; their whole
> practice is based on average. If you're a skier, you already aren't
> "average." Find a doctor whose "average patient" is a dedicated skier, and
> find out what that doctor says. In other words, see a mountain doctor -
> the flatland Docs just want you to hobble to the grocery store and sit in
> front of the TV, same as their other patients. Find a Doc who is a skier
> him/herself.
>
You know, that's one second opinion I haven't had. It's a great suggestion.

[Bryan]

"The Real Bev" > wrote in message
...
> Rich Heimlich wrote:
>
>> "Bryan" > wrote:
>>
>>> but I've been told not to ski anymore
>
> Tell the jerk not to breathe any more.
>

LOL!

[JQ]

"Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
...
> On Fri, 10 Mar 2006 17:16:01 GMT, "Bryan" >
> wrote:
>
>>but I've been told not to ski anymore
>
> Age?
>
> I often wonder what the cut-off is. I suspect it's different for
> everyone. I often see guys out there that are clearly in the 70's and
> sometimes see one or two who have to be 80+. Granted, it's rare, but
> they're there and that gives me hope that it's something you can do
> for quite a while. I guess once the bones get a bit brittle, it's not
> the best idea.

Stay active and your bones won't become as brittle and will stay much
stronger. Become idle and your bones will
become weaker at any age.

JQ
Dancing on the edge

[Chuck]

Rich Heimlich wrote:
> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:56:06 GMT, Chuck
> > wrote:

>> One of these days I'll get back to Camelback. I haven't been there since
>> my first time on skis something like 7 years ago. It just never seemed
>> worth the trip to me when Blue has significantly more vertical and is
>
> Blue has more vertical??? I can't picture that. Blue was the second or
> third mountain I skied after getting back into skiing a few years back
> and I wasn't all that impressed. It was overly busy, overly icy and
> was pretty lacking in facilities and such. Yes, it's close but heck, I
> thought that perhaps I'd find 4 trails I might enjoy there. Maybe,
> like you with Camelback, it's time to get back there just to give it a
> fresh shot.


FWIW, Blue is the only resort I know of in the Poconos with > 1000 ft
vertical. I think Elk has right around y 1000 but Blue has the most.

I would agree with the assessment about it getting overly crowded but
only on weekends. Go during the week and it's fine. The problem is
there's only one lift that goes from base to summit. It still gets icy
too, but mainly it's on that traverse that takes you back to the summit
lodge, and only after the sun goes down.

BTW they have better facilities now (as PA resorts go that is). They
also opened another full service lodge at the base a couple of years ago
so now you've got two to choose from.

[Chuck]

JQ wrote:
> "Rich Heimlich" > wrote in message
> ...
>> On Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:56:06 GMT, Chuck
>> > wrote:
>>
>>> It's probably more reduction of the swelling than atrophy. That's a good
>>> thing. It means things are starting to heal.
>> Not in this case. I'm talking about mainly up at the top of my thigh
>> which wasn't injured. I can feel the atrophy effects. My skin is just
>> hanging off the thigh now (oh to be 20 and have that elastic skin I
>> used to have). I'm also noticing that the cast is magically getting
>> heavier every few days.
>
> For atrophy happens to any muscle that is not used especially if has been
> immobilized suchas
> wearing a cast. Injury is not a prerequisite for atrophy.
>
>> Blue has more vertical??? I can't picture that.
>
> Blue has the greatest vertical of all the ski resorts in PA, a little over a
> 1000' and Camelback is like 800'.
> Blue has one decent cruiser run which is a green run called Paradise (?), it
> is run the furthest to the left side. Their most challenging run is their
> two double black that runs almost underneith the lift that is the furthest
> to the left which goes from the bottom to top Challenge & Racer's Edge (?).
> They aren't really double black runs but that is what they are designated
> with,
> they aren't too bad if the ice crust hasn't formed.
>
> JQ
> Dancing on the edge
>
>

Lazy Mile's a nice little blue cruiser too. The only real difference
between Paradise and LM is that they marked Paradise for "slow skiing"
to give the "twice-a-years" a nice long trail to play on. If it's not
crowded they don't enforce the slow skiing though and it only gets
crowded on weekends. Difficulty wise though they're both about the same
if you ask me.

--
To reply by email remove "_nospam"

[Chuck]

Rich Heimlich wrote:

> I recall seeing those and thinking, "No way." I'm sure today they'd be
> pretty easy.

I recall having the same reaction after coming back from my first big
mountain skiing in NH a couple of years ago. But I had it with every
hill I saw in PA. :)

Q: "Hey honey, where'd they hide the mountain?"
A: "I think it's behind that big pile of dirt."

[JQ]

"Chuck" > wrote in message
news:gZgRf.738$Rb.550@trndny05...
(snip)
> FWIW, Blue is the only resort I know of in the Poconos with > 1000 ft
> vertical. I think Elk has right around y 1000 but Blue has the most.
>
I like Elk much better than Blue, it has much better snow and much more
terrain with a greater variety to chose from.
A matter of fact I think Elk is the best skiing in PA. The only problem is
it is way out there and nothing around it. It is
a good 3 hours plus from me, if I'm going to drive that far I just keep on
going to NY or Vermont.

> I would agree with the assessment about it getting overly crowded but
> only on weekends. Go during the week and it's fine. The problem is
> there's only one lift that goes from base to summit. It still gets icy
> too, but mainly it's on that traverse that takes you back to the summit
> lodge, and only after the sun goes down.
>
I now go to Blue maybe once or twice every othe year mainly because it is
always icy we know it as "Ice Mountain".

> BTW they have better facilities now (as PA resorts go that is). They
> also opened another full service lodge at the base a couple of years ago
> so now you've got two to choose from.

The bottom lodge has been there for at least 5 years now maybe longer, the
upper one is much nicer.

JQ
Dancing on the edge

[Walt]

Chuck wrote:
> Rich Heimlich wrote:
>
>>I recall seeing those and thinking, "No way." I'm sure today they'd be
>>pretty easy.
>
> I recall having the same reaction after coming back from my first big
> mountain skiing in NH a couple of years ago. But I had it with every
> hill I saw in PA. :)
>
> Q: "Hey honey, where'd they hide the mountain?"
> A: "I think it's behind that big pile of dirt."

You've got what looks like a big pile of dirt? Such looxury.

....sez Walt, who skied at Crystal Mt (375' of vert.) yesterday, first
day back on the hill after eight days in Colorado...

[JQ]

"Walt" > wrote in message
...
> Chuck wrote:
>> Rich Heimlich wrote:
>>
>>>I recall seeing those and thinking, "No way." I'm sure today they'd be
>>>pretty easy.
>>
>> I recall having the same reaction after coming back from my first big
>> mountain skiing in NH a couple of years ago. But I had it with every
>> hill I saw in PA. :)
>>
>> Q: "Hey honey, where'd they hide the mountain?"
>> A: "I think it's behind that big pile of dirt."
>
> You've got what looks like a big pile of dirt? Such looxury.
>
> ...sez Walt, who skied at Crystal Mt (375' of vert.) yesterday, first day
> back on the hill after eight days in Colorado...

Hey Walt,
That must have really been fun and challenging. A day on a small mountain
is a better day than sitting in front of the TV.

JQ
Dancing on the edge

[Walt]

Chuck wrote:
> JQ wrote:

>>The bottom lodge has been there for at least 5 years now maybe longer, the
>>upper one is much nicer.

They're both dumps. At least the bottom one was more honest about its
dumpiness. The upper lodge tries to be swanky, and fails utterly.

> It wasn't "full service" until a year or two ago. About all you could do
> there was use the bathroom and buy a coke. It now has rentals, ticket
> sales, and a restaurant.

//Walt

[JQ]

"Chuck" > wrote in message
news:k_WRf.458$Wb.140@trndny06...
> JQ wrote:
> to choose from.
>>
>> The bottom lodge has been there for at least 5 years now maybe longer,
>> the
>> upper one is much nicer.
>>
>> JQ
>> Dancing on the edge
>>
>>
>
> It wasn't "full service" until a year or two ago. About all you could do
> there was use the bathroom and buy a coke. It now has rentals, ticket
> sales, and a restaurant.

I haven't been there in two seasons and at least the three previous years
running they sold tickets and rentals down there, they did sell food but I'm
not sure what. I would eat up in the main lodge as it was much nicer and
warmer.

JQ
Dancing on the edge