Written by: Meg Higgerson
Leader: Meg Higgerson
Co-Leader: Doug Wasielewski

Six enthusiastic Tramps left Mapledale at 8:30 in snow flurries to meet another Tramp at the Lake Durant/NPT trailhead. Arriving at 10:30, we then regrouped at the Blue Mountain trailhead. After all received a lunch bag of CYO (Carry Your Own) cookies we were off.
With four on snowshoes and three on skis, we worked our way toward Tirrell Pond. The temperature was perfect, the trail was broken, the snow pristine and the sky bright blue with not a snowflake in the air. We soon passed the huge flat topped rock and headed down the very long hill, the skiers enjoying the ride and the snowshoers thinking about the return trip. Shortly after the intersection of the NPT those on snowshoes turned for the long slog up the hill, reaching the car around 2:30 and having gone approximately 6.5 miles.
Meanwhile the skiers enjoyed (for the most part) the downhill glides and some of the uphills as they proceeded on to the Lake Durant Trailhead. Shortly after 3:00 they emerged from the woods where the car of snowshoers was waiting for them. We then proceeded to Old Forge for a regroup and a picture!