2023 Trip Report
Your Excellency, Honorable Officers, and Distinguished Members,
I am most pleased to report the Results of another successful Expedition by the brave and stalwart Members of the mighty Harford Ski Club. Our Western Adventure took us to the Wasatch Mountains in the Great State of Utah. Owing to the pent up Wanderlust occasioned by the most foul Pandemic, our large Band consisted of five-and-thirty intrepid Explorers from amongst the Membership. Five novice Explorers, Sir Michael, Lord Steven and Lady Janet, Mistress Hayley and Mistress Sophie, joined our Troupe of seasoned Veterans for the Adventure.
The Main Party gathered at the Port of Baltimore-Washington on the 25th of February, 2023 and boarded a mighty Southwest Airship. Foul Weather delayed our Departure and a mighty Headwind further impeded our Journey, but we arrived in good order at the Port of Salt Lake City, albeit some few hours behind Schedule. The Minnesota Contingent, having arrived some hours prior to our Debarkation, joined us at the Port. Unfortunately, the foul weather further delayed the Massachusetts Contingent, forcing Mistress Lee and Sir George to seek alternative Transportation to our Lodgings in the Mountains.
After collecting our Baggage, we boarded a luxurious Le Bus Wagon for our Journey into the Wasatch Mountains. Along the Way, we stopped for Victuals and Strong Spirits at a roadside Oasis. Unfortunately, the State-controlled Liquor Vendor ceased operations for the Sabbath just prior to our Arrival. Undeterred, Members adjusted and procured ample quantities of weak Ale from the Trading Post. Thus supplied, we continued on our Journey to Park City, Utah.
We found our Lodgings at Park Station Condominiums to be clean and comfortable. Due to an unfortunate Misunderstanding of the Unit Numbering Scheme, some of the Expedition’s elder Members obtained Lodging on the upper Floors of the Complex, but Hoists were readily available for their convenience. Once everyone stowed their baggage, the Members gathered for a Welcome Party in the Suite of Lord Joe and Lady Diane, Sir John, and the undersigned, who provided excellent and abundant Fare. A good Time was had by all.
Our Assault on the Mountains of Park City / Canyons began in earnest on Sunday Morning. Excellent Skiing Conditions greeted us. Over the Course of the next six Days, our brave Explorers courageously ascended to the Heights of the Mountains and plunged to the Depths of the Valleys in Search of Fresh Powder. On the first Day, many of the Locals joined us in the Search, but those Worthies returned to their Occupations the following Day, leaving us to explore the Rifts and Vales in relative Peace. Of particular Note, many of the Explorers travelled the Passage known as “Powder Monkey” and reported feelings of great Happiness thereafter. Lady Michelle’s Laughter, in particular, could be heard throughout the Valley!
Apparently my Doppelganger also stalked the Mountain, as Lady Karen noted an Explorer with the same unique Garb and resemblance of Chin and Mouth. Thinking it was I, she asked, "What happened to the guys? Did they ditch you? "(I had been exploring with Lord Gary and Sir John). The Doppelganger immediately said, "Yeah, they ditched me. Said I was too bossy.” Lady Karen still thought it was your humble Servant until Sir Bill leaned over and asked him where he was from. Then she finally realized it wasn't me!
After a successful first day on the Mountain, Lord Duane and Lady Maria went into Town and saw a Performer with a tethered Owl who allowed Passersby to take Photographs with the Owl for $20. The intrepid Pair also discovered a shop devoted solely to the Sale of Knives, and reported the quality of the Goods to be Excellent.
Our first Mishap occurred on Monday, when a sinister Snow Snake viciously attacked Lady Karen, wounding her Knee. While not seriously injured, Lady Karen retired from further Exploration of the Mountain for the Remainder of the Expedition.
On Tuesday Evening, the Troupe gathered together at Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery for a most excellent Dinner. The Bill of Fare included Salmon, Meatballs, Fettuccini, Pizza, Salad, Brussel Sprouts, Wings, Tiramisu, and Strong Spirits. During the Dinner, Lord Dean presented the undersigned with a beautifully engraved Flask for the transport of Strong Spirits, for which I am most thankful.
On Wednesday most of the Company took a Respite from our Assault on the Mountain. Lord Dean, Mistress Linda, and Mistress Kim visited the Park City Museum. They encountered other Members there – Sir Rick, Sir Mike, Sir Bill, and Mistress Anne. All were impressed with the Displays on the History of Silver Mining and Development of the Skiing Resorts in Park City. They were also Surprised to learn how "hollow" the Ground is under the Mountain as the Mining Tunnels still remain. One of the early Methods of moving Explorers was the "Skier Subway" made from an old underground Mine Tunnel. It was a 3-mile slow wet Trip, so Explorers typically took it once and went back to standing in long lines at the Gondola.
Mistress Alena, Mistress Lee, Sir George and Mistress Pat indulged in a Day of mild Debauchery which included soaking, shopping and supping. In the morning, the Troupe engaged a Local for Transport to Utah Crater to soak their sore Muscles in the thermal Mineral Springs that abounded inside the Limestone Dome. Life vests were donned and an Hour of soaking and floating ensued. The Ladies also entertained the Locals with some impromptu, semi-synchronized Water Acrobatics. After returning to Park City, the three Ladies purchased some new Uniforms to sport on the return Trip to the Port of Baltimore-Washington and for future Expeditions.
As Sir John and I wandered the many Shops of Park City, we encountered an old and dear Friend, Mistress Chrissy of King of Prussia and enjoyed a heartfelt Reunion.
On Thursday, Mistress Linda, Sir John and the undersigned agreed to experience an alternative Form of Travel down the Mountainside in a Contraption known as a Bobsled. We employed the Services of an experienced Pilot for our Adventure and were rewarded with a thrilling Ride at speeds exceeding sixty-seven miles per hour!
Lady Maria reports that on Friday morn, as she and Lord Duane undertook their first Trip of the Day up the Mountain, they were accompanied by two Explorers of the Tribe of Snowboarders. (As Lady Maria was the only Member of our Party that spoke the Language of the Snowboarders, this does not seem a Coincidence.) Not so shockingly, one the Tribesmen proceeded to consume an alcoholic Beverage during the Journey. He did not offer to Share, but to his Credit, when he emptied the Can, he put the empty Container in his Pocket rather than tossing it to the Ground.
Our second Mishap occurred on Thursday, when Lord Doug and his father-in-law (Sir Michael) experienced a Collision and became tangled during their final Descent. Sir Michael injured his knee during the Incident, which will require further Evaluation. Neither Sir Michael nor Lord Doug participated in our Explorations on Friday. Meanwhile, Sir John, Lord Gary, and the undersigned explored the treacherous Jupiter Bowl without serious incident.
Our final Mishap, yet another Collision between fellow Explorers, occurred on Friday when Lord Gary and Sir Gary (no relation) got tangled. Thankfully, no injuries ensured, but Lord Gary’s Equipment sustained Damage, eventually forcing him to retire from the Mountain.
All good Things must come to an End, and our Expedition retired to our Lodgings on Friday evening tired but sated. Owing to an early Departure, most Members got little Sleep, but we boarded our Wagon promptly at three o’clock in the Morning on the 4th of March for subsequent Transport to the Port of Salt Lake City. Upon arrival at the Port, we bid a fond Farewell to the stalwart Massachusetts and Minnesota Contingents. The Main Party then boarded another mighty Southwest Airship for the Journey to the Port of Baltimore-Washington. Aided by a strong Tailwind, we arrived ahead of Schedule, collected our Baggage and dispersed to our individual Abodes, having conquered the Mountains of Park City / Canyons in the name of the Harford Ski Club.
Your most humble Servant,
Sir Steven of Bel Air
Trip Leader, Park City 2023
