Fall 2019 Work Parties
What you need to know:
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When you work at Dutch Hill as a volunteer, you are considered part of the US Forest Service staff, so you have to abide by their safety regs.
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You must wear long sleeves, long pants (no shorts) and sturdy shoes or boots (no sandals).
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Everyone on the mountain must wear a hard hat and gloves. We have extras to lend out if you don't have your own.
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To operate a chain saw, you must have a US Forest Service certification. Contact us if you are interested in getting certified.
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Bring your own favorite hand tool or borrow one from our stash. Brush cutters come in handy for some projects. No special certification is needed to operate a brush cutter.
Dutch Hill work days:
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Sunday, Sept 22
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Saturday, Oct 5
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Satuday, Nov 2
All Dutch Hill work days start at 9:00 and end by 3:00 pm. Bring a lunch and water.
We will also be meeting almost every Tuesday afternoon to work on mini projects at Dutch Hill. We'll meet at 4 pm in early fall, then switch to 3 pm when the days get shorter. Contact us before coming out to be sure we've got a project going on the Tuesday you are interested in.
Grout Pond trail clean-up day: Sun, Nov 3. Contact jnugent.vt@gmail.com for start time and place.
CTA trail clean-up days
Section 1 - Sat, Nov 2. Contact Sam@Bart-tech.com for start time and place. Put CTA in the subject line to get through filters.
Section 2 - Sun, Dec 8. Contact Sam@Bart-tech.com for start time and place. Put CTA in the subject line to get through filters.
Section 3 - Sat, Oct 5. Contact anbin@myfairpoint.net for start time and place.
Section 4 - Sat Oct 19. Contact heidi.pancake@gmail.com for start time and place.
Below is the schedule of tours and events from last winter. Expect a similar schedule for winter 2020. Stay tuned!
Not sure where to go? Come on a free guided tour, led by DHASH members.
Winter 2019 Schedule of DHASH Guided Tours in the Borderlands
Introduction to Dutch Hill Tour Series
Intermediate/Advanced
On the first and third Sundays of January, February, and March (and April if the snow holds), come see what DHASH is doing at Dutch Hill, and see the potential for the future. Join us as we skin up and ski down some of the historic ski trails of Dutch Hill in Readsboro and new glades created by DHASH. This is not a beginner tour. Tele skiers, AT-skiers and split-boarders will need climbing skins or good climbing skills and be able to control downhill speed. Typically we will have a less-than-one-hour climb, then lunch at the top and enjoy the view. Tele-turning skills are useful but not required for the descent on trails or glades. We can do laps until your legs quit! Exact route will vary and will depend on conditions and participants. If conditions are poor, we can tour to the top of Dutch Hill proper, about a two-hour loop. This requires climbing and descending skills, but has more gradual descents than the former ski area slopes.
Contact Sam Bartlett for meeting time and location: sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in the subject line to get past filters) or 413 624 0192.
Sunday, January 6
Sunday, January 20
Sunday, February 3
Sunday, February 17
Sunday, March 3
Sunday, March 17
Beginner/Intermediate
Want to explore Dutch Hill but aren't confident about your downhill skills? These tours are held at the same time as the Dutch Hill Intermediate/Advanced Tour Series, but without the focus on the down. Perfect for people coming with family/friends who have a wide range of abilities. The Beginner/Intermediate group will head to the top and through the woods to the summit vista, beyond the former ski area. With an easier descent route, we'll wait for everyone who falls. Bring waxless or waxable skis you can climb in, but also skins for the first climb. Suitable for beginner backcountry skiers or intermediate/advanced cross country skiers.
Contact Jeff Nugent for meeting time and location: jnugent.vt@gmail.com or 802-257-1325.
Sunday, Feb 3
Sunday, March 3
Tours on and around the Catamount Trail
Saturday, January 12
Section 1: Harriman Dam to Route 100 (Readsboro)
Easy Introductory Tour
A good introduction to the backcountry for novice skiers. It follows an easy 3 miles on a backcountry railroad grade along the Deerfield River. An early short, steep section can easily be walked. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier. The tour leader will cancel if there are insufficient sigh-ups by Thursday, Jan 10.
For meeting place and time, contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-624-0192
Feb 9 tour postponed due to poor conditions. Rescheduled for Sat, Feb 16.
Saturday, February 9
Section 2: Harriman Dam to Route 9 (Wilmington)
Easy/Intermediate
This tour is 10 miles of fairly flat and easy skiing. The first 8 miles is wilderness with no bailout points. Our pace will accommodate the slowest skier in the group. Tour cancels if insufficient sign-ups by Thursday, Feb 7.
For meeting place and time, contact: Sam Bartlett, sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in subject line to get past filters) or 413-624-0192
Feb 10 tour postponed due to poor conditions. Rescheduled for Sun, Feb 17.
Sunday, February 10
Grout Pond Side Trails (Stratton)
Intermediate
Ski 8 miles on the mostly flat East Trail around Grout Pond with its expansive beaver ponds. Return on the moderately hilly West Trail with a stop at beautiful Somerset Reservoir.
Contact – Alan Binnick, anbin@myfairpoint.net or 802-464-3917.
March Mystery Tour
Intermediate to Advanced
Somewhere in the Southern Green Mountains
A skin-up, ski-down tour somewhere in the Southern Green Mountains sometime in March when the snow is good. Contact the tour leader if you are interested. He will choose a suitable date and send a message a few days ahead of time.
Contact Sam Bartlett for meeting time and location: sam@bart-tech.com (Put CTA in the subject line to get past filters) or 413 624 0192.