We had a great turn out last night, 18 in total, 12 Leisure & 6 Adventure.

Due to popular demand we will continue the same format for this Wed:

5:45 sharp departure for the Adventure group.
Shortly there after departure for the Leisure group.

Leisure group was 1:50 yesterday but I will try to keep it closer to 1.5 hours in the future, plan on a similar pace, and similar terrain, but the last person in the train sets the pace. If there are other volunteers to lead the Leisure group I may jump in with the Adventure group every other week, if people don't mind.

Again for this week if you don't mind walking a little further please continue to park in the plowed out area along the right side of Luxury Drive coming in, my black camry will be down there. If you do park in the main lot please keep it limited to the center isle and the half closest to the entrance. Also, not sure if anyone in our group did this or not, but the on-site manager of the complex asked me to ask people to stay left when driving around the circle in the parking lot. I know this is counter intuative, but that is the normal traffic pattern in the complex (I don't know why) and there is a one way sign somewhere, probably barried in snow, indicating this.

I hope everyone had a fun time last night, it was great to have everyone.

A special thanks to everyone who brought food or drink for the Apre Snowshoe.

Again not a requirement, but if you are planning to bring food or drink, please post up or email me and let me know so we can plan accordingly.

Ryan

Hey, Ryan! Now that I have had time to recover, I want to thank you for a terrific time Wednesday night. I have to say that I honestly haven't exerted myself to that degree for that length of time since, oh maybe the Prouty in 2009? I was very able to keep up (and proud that I could stay in the front of the pack for the whole tour)--but the length was very tiring for me. I'm glad to hear that 1.5 is the goal in the future. The best part was the reward of the calories burned (almost 700!) and of course the food and drink afterward. You and Christina are so nice to open up your home to everyone! I look forward to next week!

I'm glad you joined us Julie. Sorry it was that tough on you, that was not the goal.

Ryan

Leisure Group:

The Ultimate goal of the Leisure group is to keep everyone together and to have fun. It's awful easy for the leader to get carried away at the front, so the group needs to help the leader stay in check, by communicating the needs of the group up to the leader. Let the leader know if someone is falling off the back, of if too many people are struggling, etc.

For me, the pace and the distance is set by the ability of the group to stay together. If everyone is on that means we are good where we are or should go faster. If anyone in the group feels the pace is not in their comfort zone, the best thing to do is slow down until you are in your comfort zone, the leader should adjust accordingly. This also may seem counter intuative if you are stuggling, but the best way to control the pace is to lead. :) Anyone is welcome to lead at anytime, you don't have to know where you are going so long as someone in the group is guiding you in the right direction. It's fun to switch it up.

Ryan

Ryan--Please don't take my comments as complaining--it was very, very good for me to work hard! That is always my goal--and it was lots of fun. If I had wanted to, I could have dropped back at any point--I was challenging myself to see if I could stay up front. I am thrilled with the fact that I could. The pace was perfect :-)

Julie, I am impressed with how well you kept up and I don't think you are complaining at all. I just thought in the interest of maintaining a happy Leisure group it might be helpful for me to share some thoughts on how I pace the group, and how people can help me get it right for everyone.

Ryan

Looks like Wednesday should be pretty awesome for snowshoeing. I'll bring beer.

Thanks Jesse.

We will have some more of Joan's chili from last week and Christina has made some Black Bean Soup as well. We have chips and beer too.

I am fighting a bit of a sinus cold so am happy to lead the Leisure group on an easy 1.5 hour hike this week but will be looking for help breaking trail as it sound like it is going to be deep, yeah!

Ryan