Champ Camp in Campton, NH

A weekend of training in picturesque fall New England

Weekend activities included: Rollerskiing, running, watching ski movies, Jacuzzi tubbing, homework.

View from the porch

Hike up the lift at Waterville Valley

Fall in New England

Some of the team

On top of the world

The Nordic Platypus

The Nordic Platypus
Genus: Ornithorhynchus vikingus
The Nordic Platypus is a bizarre example of genetic divergence, recently discovered as an extreme variant of the Australian platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). While the platypus is generally regarded to exist solely in Eastern Australia, the Nordic Platypus can be found in latitudes as high as Scandinavia. The most distinguishing feature of the Nordic Platypus, aside from its venomous spurs, is its prowess in the unexpected area of front squats. The Nordic Platypus needs to eat about 20% of its own weight each day. This requires the Nordic Platypus to spend an average of 12 hours each day looking for food. When not in the water or the weight room, the Nordic Platypus retires to various couches and other comfortable furniture. Preferred resting locations are usually strategically chosen due to their proximity to a mini-fridge and a large-screen television.

¡Hola, mi querida pterodáctilos!

Hi from Chile!
I've officially been here for 3 weeks now (hard to believe), and I think I'm settling in. My Spanish has improved to where I can actually understand most people, which is a relief, and I've begun to make friends with the people working in my office (all under the age of 30). I think I can call myself a true Chilean after living and dying with every play during the World Cup games (Chile hadn't been in the World Cup for 12 years, and hadn't won a game there in over 40. Everything stopped for the games. No exceptions. We're talking changing hospital surgery schedules, here.). Unfortunately, my cooking skills need some work, but hey - you win some, you lose some.

All in all, I'm having a fabulous time in Patagonia, "where the world ends." It hosts some of the most beautiful views I've ever seen, and I would recommend to everyone that they try to visit at least once.

Things I've learned in Coyhaique, Chile:
1. The neighborhood behind my house is ghetto. Not recommended for running.
2. I will NEVER attempt to cook fried chicken again. I didn't think it was possible for such a small stove to create so much smoke.
3. Avocados and mayo go with everything.

Yep. That would be a grocery store aisle of mayo...in bags.

4. The "macho" culture is alive and well in Chile, complete with middle-aged men leering from their pickup trucks.
5. The county prison is less than a mile away. But no worries, "it's just a little one."
6. Someone in this country needs to discover central heating. Immediately.
7. This may be one of the most beautiful parts of the world...evidence:




CM

Wwwwwwwait. Guys....guys, guys guys guys...you know what's really interesting? Ham...and water.

Carni Crush

There was lust. There was love. There was Tony and Kevin, wearing very little clothing, serenading girls they didn't know. Oh, and there was some baller skiing. All in all, a very successful Carni Crush weekend.

Evidence:



Fans!



Tony and Kevin's proclamation of love.



Audrey, Cara, and I letting Dylan McGuffin know how beautiful he really is...almost like part-time model.

Post V-day love!
C

Birthday Shoutout

Tomorrow (today already in France) is Meri's 21st birthday, and since we can't be in Grenoble to say 'happy birthday' in person, we sang to her today on the frigid slopes of Mt. Weston. Happy 21st Meri! We miss you!




-AM

Harvard Nordic Goes Backcountry

Well the new academic schedule put in place this year allowed for one thing and one thing only: SKIING. That's right, (almost) an entire month devoted to nothing but feeling the flex of our skis beneath our feet, the chill of the air against our faces, the powdery snow against our legs and the satisfaction of craisins in our bellies. We spent just about two weeks in Jackson, New Hampshire training on fresh powder and perfectly groomed, corduroy trails. After returning to Cambridge, we were treated to a delightful afternoon of skiing in Chris City's new backyard! Check out the photo documentary of our adventure, ending with some video clips of a round of Dave McCahill's favorite game to play on skis.

Clare and Trevor excited to start, with Chris City in the background applying kick wax to all our skis (per usual).

Scush and Alena anxiously waiting for everyone.

"Tor, just because you're on your skate skis doesn't mean you can outrun me."

Men. Being men.

"Audrey! Don't fall into the river!"

Smiles!

"Yeah, guys, I don't think that lake is frozen."



"So?"


Audweeeeeeee!


I'm on a boat.... don't you ever forget.

ROCK SKIS.

OMG... hot. so hot right now...

If all else fails, hug a tree.

Team America


Now for the videos... everyone starts with only one ski on. The point of the game is to be the last person on your ski, meaning you need to get everyone else's ski off. Kevin, Trevor, and Tony managed to make it to the final three.

And the rest looked something like this:


Thanks to Liz for a great dinner!