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Welcome to PACCSA
Web Site.
PACCSA
Cross Country Skiing in Western Pennsylvania.
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Click for larger image
WEB Cam
Laurel Ridge State Park
X-C Ski Area
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Weekend at Wilderness Lodge
helping with the trails
Weekend of October 25th |
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PACCSA is looking for a small
group of 6 to 8 volunteers to spend the weekend (Saturday /
Sunday) helping to clear the trails at Wilderness Lodge near
Erie, PA in October. The jobs would include clearing wood and
debris off the trails and trimming tree branches.
Free rooms will be provided at the
lodge for the overnight stay, but you would be responsible for
your food and drinks. A full winter season's trail pass at
Wilderness Lodge will be given to those volunteers who stay
for the entire weekend, while a limited number of trail passes
will be the reward for those who work only one day. If you are
interested, e-mail Bob Mazur at mazurrj@paccsa.org
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Information on Waxing
XC Skis |
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SWIX has some
information on their web site on how to wax nordic skis.
Start out with the
recreational instruction if you new to waxing.
Info includes waxless
skis, kick wax ,glide wax, klister, and wax wizard.
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New from -- HARDWOOD HILLS
(From the Hardwood Hills Website)
We have been hard at work preparing
for next winter.
The floor of the pro shop has been repaired, all of the roofs on all
of the buildings have been repaired and we have been busy painting
the outside of all of our buildings. The only building that is left
to paint is the main chalet. We are also in the final process of
receiving building permits and tenders for the repairs that we have
planned for the interior of the main chalet.
Next winter when you arrive to ski you will find a completely new
routing to our trail system. There will be 5 different trails for
recreational skiing and a special trail for racing. All together
there will be 88 km of new routing for the trails.
Monday to Friday in the winter we will be open from early in the
morning until 8 pm to accommodate those skiers who work 9 to 5.
These expanded hours will make your winter membership even more
valuable as now everyone will have the opportunity to ski every day
of the week.
PACCSA Purchases a Transport Sled For Trail Work
DCNR Gets a Transport & Rescue Sled For Laurel Ridge
PACCSA has purchased a transport sled
/ backpack from Wilderness Engineering (www.wildernessengineering.com),
to be used for trail clearing and grooming work at Laurel Ridge. The
sled is lightweight and can be pulled either manually or by a
snowmobile, and will help immensely with the trail clearing and
grooming. The cost of approximately $400 will be funded by PACCSA's
Webcam / Trail Maintenance donations. Below is a short description
of the transport sled from Wilderness Engineering :
BaseCamp Transport Sled
Exceptional side hill stability is
just one of many reasons why we supply the military. The BaseCamp
tracks true even in crusty, icy conditions, opening up more direct
routes to your goals. Lets you weave safely through the timber or
link turns on mile runs down the backside. Our harness is fully
adjustable front and rear allowing you to keep the poles at your
sides where they belong no matter your waist size. It's flexible,
strong, comfortable and completely dependable. Loops can be sewn
directly to your pack waistband. Your gear is carried in an 11,000
cu. in. Duffel Bag of 1,000
denier Dupont Cordura nylon. Two buckles and all your gear
comes off the sled at once, together. Wide nylon straps make the
whole sled backpack able for fording rivers, crossing pressure
ridges, walking through airports.
Rescue Sled For Laurel Ridge
The DCNR has purchased a Large
Transport and Rescue Sled (also from Wilderness Engineering) to be
used at the Laurel Ridge XC Ski Center. The sled is designed to
transport injured skiers from the trails. Both the Transport sled
and Evacuation sled will be available at the Ridge this coming
winter.
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State
Grant Work at Laurel Ridge State Park
Update 08/2008 |
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As you may have read on this website, a grant was awarded by the state
for improvements at Laurel Ridge State Park. The grant is for $100k, a
percentage of which is PACCSA's responsibility, which will come from a
combination of cash donations and volunteer trail work hours. The
projects that the grant is to cover include:
1) The parking lot expansion (the DCNR staff will expand the parking
area to include an
additional 20 parking spaces).
2) Cable installation for a DSL line for improved transmission of the
webcam/snow reports.
3) An extension of the Red trail at the Ridge (the location of the
proposed red trail extension work places the new extension trail near
Route 653 in the area of the concession, warming hut, existing parking
lot, and orange trail of the Laurel Ridge Cross Country Ski Center).
Work on extending the existing red trail will involve cutting selected
trees, stump removal, drain pipe installation, trail levelling with
additional dirt (as opposed to dirt removal), and grass seed
application.
The Laurel Ridge grant is still awaiting final approval by the PA
Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). It appears as if work may not
start until next year. We will update if there are any changes. click
here to send us your name and e-mail address if you are interested in
helping when the grant money is released.
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Trail Clear Wax Clinic Laurel Ridge
Saturday November 1st 2008 |
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Details later. |
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2009 Schedule
of PACCSA Events |
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November 1st (Sat)--Trail Clear/Wax Clinic Laurel Ridge
Jan. 17, 18
(Sat., Sun.) – Free PACCSA Ski Lessons
Jan. 24 (Sat.)
– PACCSA Nordic Picnic
Jan. 25 (Sun.)
- Free PACCSA Ski Lessons
Feb. 7 (Sat.)
- Free PACCSA Ski Lessons
Feb. 8 (Sun.) –
Pa. Nordic
Championship Races
Feb. 12 -
16 (Thur. – Mon.) – PACCSA trip to VASA races in Traverse City,
Mich.
Feb. 21 (Sat.)
- Free PACCSA Ski Lessons
Feb. 22 (Sun.)
– Pa. Nordic Championship Races - No Snow Makeup Date
Two Trips to
Hardwood Hills,
Barrie, Ontario, Canada - Snow Dependent
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The trails are cut now for anyone that wants to hike
the ski trails at Laurel Ridge.
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Trail Work
Laurel Ridge State Park Summer 2008
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Work was continued on the Red trail replacing clogged drains,
covering rocks , adding dirt grass, and improving drainage in problem areas.
The Green Garstka loop was and widen a few
places and dirt and grass added on some rough areas.
Some new drains were added on the yellow
trail.
Dirt added to a wet are on the Orange
trail and Shortcut added to the Orange trail.
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Drain added on Yellow trail
New Short cut on the Orange trail,
located at the bottom of the field.
The orange trail is about 10.6k long,
if you take the short cut the length will be between about 6.3k.
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The Cross Country Skiers'
Responsibility Code |
The following list of "rules" have
been collected from numerous cross country venues....they are listed
here as a reminder to all cross country skiers.
1. Always check
posted trail conditions and obey all signs and posted warnings.
2. No pets on groomed trails (unless specific trails are so
designated). They ruin tracks and are a hazard to other skiers.
3. Always maintain control of your speed and direction. Ski in such
a manner that you can stop or avoid other skiers or hazards.
4. Ski within your abilities and time allowances.
5. Don't block intersections and avoid stopping in the middle of
hills. Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible to
others. Move off the trail quickly if you fall or during rest stops
and equipment adjustments.. If you fall, fill in sitzmarks.
6. Move to the right to yield the track to a faster skier or to a
skier coming downhill. On two-way trails, faster skiers and
descending skiers have the right-of-way. To pass another skier, call
"Track".
7. Always ski to the right when meeting on-coming skiers and when
skiing on double track.
8. Don't walk in the set tracks or on the groomed trail. Keep to the
side of the trail.
9. Don't litter - take out what you bring in.
10. Pay trail fees when applicable.
In case of an accident: place a pair of crossed skis in an "X"
position close to the injured skier. Do not attempt to move them but
ensure they're warm. Look around for trail markers, intersections or
any distinguishing landmarks to aid in pin-pointing your location.
If a cell phone is available, call for help and/or enlist the aid of
a fellow skier. If skiing alone, ensure that others know your
whereabouts.
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Hilltoppers from Ohio Nordic
at Laurel Ridge |
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The Hilltoppers from Ohio Nordic took advantage
of the trails Februaray 2nd and 3rd.
Although there was some ice
falling from trees at times most of the trails maintained a decent
base with two inches powder. They also did hold there races on Sunday.
If we have enough snow for the PA
Nordic Championship races we will have the Children's races again on
the 17th.
Children's 2k Race
Schneider, Will 8:57
Nguyen, Annie 12:08
Schmidt, Courtney 12:21
Nguyen, Lillie 12:58
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PACCSA / FAY-PENN / DCNR GRANT APPLICATION
APPROVED
by
Rick Garstka |
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In April, 2007, PACCSA, in cooperation
with the Department of Conservation of Natural Resources (DCNR) and
Fay-Penn, a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization from
Fayette County assisted in the application for a DCNR Community
Conservation Partnership Program Grant. The federally funded grant
would be used to help finance a cross country / hiking trail extension
and improvement project at the Laurel Ridge State Park's Ski Center.
The project consists of construction of a new trail (which will be an
extension of the current Red Trail with more intermediate hills),
expansion of the main parking lot, underground infrastructure
extension (for the installation of a fiber optic DSL line for the
WebCam), and the acquisition of equipment for trail improvement and
maintenance.
I am proud to announce that the grant
has been recently approved for the sum of $100,000. Additional
information concerning the details of the grant will be provided when
available, including the request for volunteers to assist in the work
projects.
The Fay-Penn Economic Development
Council is the official grant applicant, and the project will be
administered as a partnership between Fay-Penn, Laurel Ridge State
Park DCNR and PACCSA. The grant is an 80-20 grant, meaning that the
partners are responsible for providing 20% ($20,000( of the total
grant amount with matching funds comprised of cash and non-cash
(volunteer work) contributions.
While much work is before us, I'd like
to thank Mike Krajovic (president of Fay-Penn); now-retired Bob Hufman,
former Park Operations Supervisor at the Laurel Hill State Park
Complex; Bob Mazur, PACCSA's Webcam / Trail Work Coordinator, and Tina
Wargo, Fay-Penn's Contract & Asset Manager for their contributions
towards the grant's preparation.. |
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WEB CAM |
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Thanks for all the WEB CAM/Trail donations you have
made. These funds will be used to operate/maintain/upgrade the CAM
as well as trail improvements and possibly help with the
installation of the DSL line.
The problem is the cam is on a phone modem and the
phone company said the Concession phone line near the end of the line so
is not too reliable. I look at the web site and pictures are only half
downloading then modem hangs up because of noise. The modem is new. The
ranger that lives down the road has the same service and he said he gets
kicked off all the time too. I notice when its icy out near freezing its
worse. Been like this every year. So that is why the pix are not every
hour sometimes. The fix is DSL which phone company said should be
available in summer because they plan on pulling fiber up the road. Then
there will be no problem if we subscribe to it. Part of the grant is for
digging the line from road to concession for the DSL line. There will be
some other benefits if we get DSL next season that I can get into later.
Of course we have to hope phone company does pull fiber up the road like
they say they are, if they do not there are some other possibilities we
are working on with the park. Anyway its good enough to get us through
this season |
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SKI Trips |
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If anyone wants to post a group ski
trip that you are planning this coming winter or any pictures or
write-ups of a ski trip that you took, please e-mail PACCSA
and we will post it for you.
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PACCSA SKI SUIT UPDATE.....March
25, 2007 |
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Two PACCSA suits @ $120
apiece and 11 hats @ $26 apiece are still available for purchase.
Call Rick
Garstka if interested at 412-462-7493 or send an email to
garxcski@verizon.net
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WARMING HUT
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The warming hut is now locked and except for
the trail clear will not open daily till buck season is over in mid
December. If we get an early snow there is a possibility someone could be
there with key.
Some Additional Information on the Warming
Hut:
The building (which houses a bathroom)
will be open during the week starting mid December till the end of March
for any skier using the Laurel Ridge trail system. While PACCSA members
will oversee the general maintenance and overall condition of the building
during ski season, there are several responsibilities that the week-day
skiers must assume......
WOOD-BURNING
STOVE- Inside the building is a wood-burning stove, and a bin of
firewood is located just outside the main doorway. Filling the stove with
wood and starting a fire will be the skiers' responsibility. Please
remember to keep door closed on wood burner. (It might not be a bad idea
to keep some extra matches in your car or jacket pocket if you're going to
ski during the week). Ok to leave stove burning when you leave, again just
make sure door in closed on the stove.
WAX BENCH Any skier may use the waxing
bench / waxing iron in the new building. However, to ensure that the iron
is TURNED OFF and the PLUG PULLED from the electrical outlet after it has
been used. The receptacle on the waxing bench is controlled by a manual
timer as an added safety feature. Also, clean up any loose wax, papers,
containers, etc. that has accumulated on and around the bench with vacuum
under table.
TRAIL FEES- There is no fee for trail
utilization during days when the main concession is closed (generally
Monday through Thursday). However, when the concession is open (Fridays,
Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and Christmas break), please make sure that
you remember to pay your trail fee at the main concession. Trail grooming
will be performed when the concession is open, as in previous years.
GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THIS BUILDING &
BATHROOM- It is the skiers' responsibility to keep the room clean,
with trash placed in the supplied receptacles, and everything in its place
when you leave. The Park does not clean this building; Skiers are
responsible for cleaning the floor and bathroom. So please pickup after
you’re self. Any sweeping of the floor by anyone would be appreciated.
Lights/Bathroom door The main light in the skier’s room will turn off
automatically so no need to turn it off. Please make sure all outside
lights are turned off when you leave, as they do not turn off
automatically. Also make sure the bathroom door is closed when you leave.
When Warming Hut not to be used The Park closes at dusk and warming hut
is not to be used after dusk. Also the warming hut is not to be used after
5pm on the days the concession is open. Thanks for you’re cooperation
Also would be help if skiers brought firewood
in from outside when the bin is low. The wood is a little damp if put in
stove directly from outside.
PACCSA
Note: Any help in cleaning of the building
& bathroom inside or outside is very much needed in order for us to keep
access of this building open during ski season. Mainly need trash picked
up and floors kept clean. |
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PACCSA Purchases G2 Tidd Tech
Tracksetter |
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Because of the generous donations to PACCSA's Webcam / Trail Improvement Fund, PACCSA was able to recently
acquire a new Tidd Tech G2 Tracksetter at a cost of $1383.45. The G2
tracksetter, which sets tracks for diagonal striders, will be used with
the Generation 2 Tidd Tech groomer presently in use at Laurel Ridge. Now,
both striders and skaters will have state-of-the-art grooming equipment to
prepare the trails at Laurel Ridge. Technically speaking, the tracksetter
is close-coupled and semi-rigidly attached to the rear of the groomer's
compaction bed. An electric actuator applies up to 200 lbs. of down
pressure through two constant-pressure gas-filled cylinders. Because of
the G2 tracksetter's unique attachment design, this down pressure is
applied much more effectively than conventional designs that let the
tracksetter float on a center pivot. The stability and efficient
application of down pressure allow the G2 to set track at much higher
speeds than a conventional machine. The Tracksetter is easily positioned
anywhere across the width of the G2 groomer without tools. The track
cutter (which sets the tracks) is a pair of 45 deg. angled teeth which are
highly resistant to collecting debris, yet provide good protection for the
track shoes in low snow conditions.
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By PACCSA president
Rick Garstka 
