I am part of a group that has attempted a one-day Pemi ski-through each winter, with last year being our first miss (because of lack of snow) since our first attempt in 1982 (balied because of extreme cold in January). We usually run our trip the last Saturday of February or the first Saturday of March (this year we are scheduled for February 24th, although I may not make it myself because of a shoulder issue). Only once did a few try the Spuce Goose Trail, but never again, as it adds at least an hour if not two to the trip. The Zealand Road is fine, as it makes for an excellent warm up. On years that the road is plowed for logging, such as this winter, the road is still usually skiable along the edge. Also, we try to skip the temptation to stop at Zool Hut, as that can easily add another hour to the trip. We mix it up between the Thoreau Falls (about 21 miles) and the Shoal Pond (about 23 miles) variants, and our times usually fall between about 6 hours (mostly when we were a lot younger) and 9 to 10 hours (now that we are older), depending on snow conditions. Usually we find ourselves breaking trail once we leave the Ethan Pond Trail until we come out onto the Wilderness Trail. One year a couple pulled a plastic sled, but never again, as mauevering the sled along side slopes such as a few places in Zealand Notch and on the upper Wilderness Trail was a nightmare. Nearly all of us use light-weight gear, mostly waxables, some skis with edges, but most not. We usually carry one bivi sack, one sleeping bag, and one foam pad for the entire group, but we have not left anyone in the woods yet. We try to begin at 8 am sharp, and find a place in North Woodstock or Lincoln to drink beer and eat food at the end of the day (usually at least one person needs to drive others back around to the start point to retrieve vehicles before drinking). Only one canine whose human was into ski-jouring has completed the route with us; they got into the hut in less than an hour from the parking lot on Rt. 302, but then took their time with us the rest of the way. The Pemi one-day ski-through is one of my favorite tips in the Whites.
