Blue Hills Trail

We were able to enjoy a few more hours of  fun skiing in the Blue Hills this morning.  The weather forecast suggests we are done grooming for the winter of 2011-12.

Here’s a bit of a recap:

1. We started grooming on December 4th, & have skied in the Hills regularly since then (a total of 98 days on groomed snow).
2. We groomed a total of 39 times.
3. December was dry, allowing only 5 opportunities to groom – but we kept skiing on our rock skis.
4. January snowfall picked up, groomers worked on 17 days that month.
5. February was drier again, requiring 11 days of grooming.
6. March produced our only decent snowstorm – & another 6 days of grooming.

We owe a big thank you to our groomers.  Equipment break downs and mechanical problems were handled efficiently & never compromised the grooming.  Thank you to Dan Bartels, Steve Gest, & Jesse Wimer for capturing every available snowflake & saving the winter of 2011-12!

It certainly was an unusual winter (warm & dry).  Fortunately, we were lucky to receive just enough snow to enjoy fun conditions for most of 3 months.  Welcoming the many happy skiers that traveled to find snow in the Blue Hills was very rewarding.

[ If interested in more info re: river otters (see images below), follow this link ]

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/8: Great ski today all alone!  Thanks to the groomers for all the great work this winter.  Hate to see it end. –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/9: Awesome! –author’s location unknown
• 3/10: Got going 7:30 a.m. when “the window” was still closed & locked.  Thanks to yesterday’s grooming (by Dan the man) we threw the window open ’til it started to get slow ~9:30.  What fun! –Ladysmith, WI

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Thanks to the big snowfall one week ago, we’re still able to enjoy x-country skiing in the Blue Hills.  A couple days of very warm temps (Tuesday/Wednesday March 6/7) – and the light rain on March 7 – served to further compact the groomed trails (see map image below).  Good crust skiing is available now on the 23 km of trails that were groomed last weekend.  After an overnight freeze, try to catch that magic window!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/8: Good crust skiing at midday today if you ski the packed (groomed) trails. –Ladysmith, WI

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True wintry conditions were enjoyed by a surprising number of skiers Monday morning (March 5th) – & again Tuesday morning.  Obviously these skiers have been watching their calendar and the weather reports.  Cross country skiing of this quality has been sorely lacking this winter.  If you missed out, take a look at a video submitted by a Tuesday morning skier (turn the volume way down if you find southerly breezes disturbing).

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/4: Mankind speaks & I long for the whispering silence of the forest; the forest speaks & I forget the clamoring voices of mankind. –author’s location unknown
• 3/4: XC skiing for us is one of the most glorious parts of living in northern Wisconsin.  Thanks so much to the Blue Hills Bunch for saving winter 2011-12. –author’s location unknown
• 3/4: The Lion the Witch & the Wardrobe – Through the Wardrobe into the Winter Magic of the Blue Hills beautifully groomed. –author’s location unknown
• 3/5: Monday morning & there were at least 5 cars in the parking lot when we arrived!  The conditions were fabulous!!  Thank you groomers! –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/5: It was all worth the long wait this snowless winter just to ski on the trail today!  Thanks to the groomers & Mother Nature. –Eau Claire & Ladysmith, WI

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Despite the warm weather & general lack of snow, we’ve had a surprisingly good winter of skiing at the Blue Hills Trail, and we were wondering last weekend if we would soon have to call it quits.  However, with new snow, we were lucky enough to enjoy fabulous cross country skiing conditions this weekend in the Blue Hills.  The February 29th HEAVY damp 14″ snowfall required a herculean grooming effort on Friday, March 2nd to get the core loop & beginner trail into shape for skiing.  On Friday alone, our groomers put 110 km on their two snowmobiles while repeatedly packing that 16 km section of trails.

Focusing on quality rather than quantity was the correct decision.  More grooming on Saturday & Sunday mornings mixed in fresh overnight snowfalls & created a firm skate lane, a solid classic track, and gave lots of happy skiers a true taste of winter.

Snowshoers were delighted as well, having a chance to tromp through deep snow for a change.  All in all, a beautiful weekend in the Hills!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/2: We followed the new snowshoe trail – what a nice aerobic walk!  Thanks for breaking trail, & thanks to John Kann for marking the trail with ribbons.  We also saw the deer beds in a perfect spot. –Apple Valley, MN
• 3/2: My sister & 2 girls, along with my son, all had a great time – their 1st time out – thanks! –Nebraska
• 3/2: Soft but lovable.  Skating fast & fun.  Pole plants an adventure.  Thank you God for the gift of snow. –Prairie Farm, WI
• 3/3: Thanks for the grooming.  EXCELLENT. –St. Paul, MN
• 3/3: Great job groomers!  Beautiful conditions today. –Ladysmith, WI
• 3/3: Maybe one of last outings on skiis.  Great 28° day with great grooming.  Thanks much all. –Rice Lake, WI
• 3/3: Nice day for a long ski!  We are tired & ready for a snooze!  Thanks groomers.  –Apple Valley, MN
• 3/3: Too much snow – can we have some of it for home?  Great ski. –St. Paul, MN
• 3/3: Our first time on the Eastside.  Beautiful pines & rolling hills.  Great trail conditions. –Birchwood, WI
• 3/4: Magnificent! –Hugo, MN
• 3/4: What a BLAST!  Thank you to the groomers! –Ladysmith, WI

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We were in the bulls eye for Wednesday’s snowstorm (Feb. 29) and received 14″ of HEAVY damp snow.  Mix & stir that stuff, allow to settle, and you were dealing with concrete.

The access road to the trail head was plowed by the township crew late Thursday afternoon – thanks for clearing our parking lot (bring a ladder to climb the berms!)

With hard to manipulate deep heavy snow – & another heat wave in the forecast – we decided to focus on preparing the core loop for weekend skiing.  This morning, our groomers went round & round & round & round until they were satisfied with a mostly smooth surface and a fairly firm base.  After recovering overnight, they plan on grooming the core loop again Saturday morning – this time using the G2 implements to set classic track while again packing the skate lane & creating skier friendly corduroy.  Catch it while it lasts!

Remember that snowshoers are welcome on the Blue Hills Trail.  There’s a dedicated snowshoe trail that starts behind the warming house.  And you can snowshoe on any of the ski trails, just stay to the side of the groomed surface.  Since we are limiting this weekend’s grooming to the core loop & the beginner loop (a total of 14km) – snowshoers & bushwhackers will find another 20km of ungroomed trails to explore.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 3/1: After the big snowfall yesterday, this afternoon we headed down the Firelane Road following the snowplow & watched Vern Chandler doze the parking lot.  We donned snowshoes & took a hike through a winter wonderland.  So much snow!  So fun to take it a little slower on shoes.  Found where the deer bedded down for the night under the pines. –Ladysmith, WI

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Birkie weekend offered great skiing in the Blue Hills.  Whether recovering from the Birkie, or discovering these trails for the 1st time, or returning for the 1000th time – Sunday skiers enjoyed wonderful conditions.

Winds blew in a dusting of snow Monday morning, the sun shone brilliantly, and temps peaked in the upper 20s.  This produced a gorgeous day on skis, a silent visit to the woods while exploring on firm packed powder.  And a wonderful opportunity to let your imagination loose while interpreting the fresh animal tracks (did you see the otter slide and tracks on 1/2-mile of trail between #5 & #6?).

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/25: Beautiful snowshoe trail! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/25: Escaped from brown drought to some of the finest skiing I think we’ve ever had.  Fantastic job by the groomers, awesome trails, & great snow conditions in a dire winter. –St. Paul, MN
• 2/25: Great time skiing after watching Birkie!  Wonderful trails in great shape.  Thanks! –author’s location unknown
• 2/25: Perfect day for a nice long ski!  –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/26: Stopped by on our way home from a visit to Birchwood.  Fun morning with great trails.  Beats no snow at home. –La Crosse, WI
• 2/26: Awesome day, awesome trails, awesome snow beats not having any snow in Eau Claire.  Glad we could come by to enjoy some great time out with my parents. –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/26: We’ve skied these awesome trails many times, but it was the first time we had brought our boys out here & their second time out skiing & they loved it!  Maybe the BarneBirkie next year?!!  –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/26: As always, Blue Hills was great XC skiing!  Went out twice over weekend & couldn’t ask for better trail conditions – wish it was a little closed to home! –Madison, WI
• 2/26: Good snow – great skiing – thanks. –Lake Mills, WI
• 2/26: Great fun with the kids.  Drove from Minnesota for some snow.  Thanks. –Stillwater, MN
• 2/27: Fantastic ski!  Blue sky; warmth of the sun; so quiet with the dusting of snow; solitude – what could be better?  Thanks for yesterday’s grooming!  Also, try the snowshoe trail that starts behind the warming house – it’s another world on that trail. –Ladysmith, WI

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Congratulations to everyone participating in the Birkie – job well done!

On your way home, take time to ski the Blue Hills Trail.  Skating & striding conditions were very good today – experience the beauty of the Blue Hills.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/24: Our first time here – looks great! –Lake Tomahawk, WI
• 2/24: Superb!!  Thank you groomers!  Westside wonderful!  Good luck Birkie skiers! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/24: We came from Iowa to ski the Blue Hills Trail.  Amazing grooming! –Des Moines, IA
• 2/24: Wendi won the race by 1/2 length!  Dan came on strong at the end but the Polish princess dominated the Norwegian ***again***.  Let it snow baby.  –author’s location unknown
• 2/25: Wow!  Gorgeous morning.  Phenomenal grooming! –author’s location unknown
• 2/25: I love skiing! –Pulaski, WI
• 2/25: Beautiful Day!  The trails are great! –Pulaski, WI
• 2/25: Awesome tracks on Westside! –Chetek, WI
• 2/25: Core loop on East in good shape; only one bare spot. –Minneapolis, MN

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It’s been so long since we had a real snowfall that my skis had forgotten what it feels like.  In the meantime, we’ve been lucky to preserve our base.  The 3″ moisture rich snowfall Tuesday morning (Feb. 21) was groomed yesterday – skating was a workout today because of the new aggressive snow, and somewhat soft conditions.

More grooming today promised to help firm up the skate lane, and conditions were right for setting a beautiful classic track as the groomers put down the tracksetter late morning.  Should be another great weekend of skiing in the Blue Hills.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/17: Look for the porcupine at #23. –Hudson, WI
• 2/17: Had fun. –St. Paul & Mahtomedi, MN
• 2/18: Absolutely wonderful ski 10:30 – 12:30.  Thanks for the quality grooming! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/18: Thanks for the good ski trails – we will be back. –author’s location unknown
• 2/18: Beautiful day to ski!  Great trails! –Waconia, MN
• 2/18: Loved it!  We’ll be back. –Elmwood, WI
• 2/19: Wonderful ski today!  Thanks for the touch-up grooming! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/19: Terrific trails.  Thank you for your maintenance of Blue Hills! –author’s location unknown
• 2/19:   :-)    –Shoreview, MN
• 2/19: Awesome!! –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/20: The day & the trail – Presidential. –Cameron, WI
• 2/20: Thank you for the upkeep of this glorious trail! –author’s location unknown
• 2/20: Another wonderful afternoon – thanks! –Cameron, WI
• 2/22: Very nice day on the trail.  Freshly groomed.  Thanks for the grooming ! –Apple Valley, MN
• 2/23: Love the new snow!  Got a workout with the soft snow conditions.  Groomers are out there again today.  Thanks! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/23: Thanks. –Madison, WI
• 2/23: Another nice day on the trails.  Warmed up to 38°F and became a little sticky in spots but not bad.  Good luck Birkie skiers! –Apple Valley, MN

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The evenings of February 13, 14 and 15 each produced light snowfalls in the Blue Hills.  Since the base is so thin, we decided to leave this fresh snow ungroomed – and it’s providing pretty nice skiing right now.  The loose snow surface offers good edge control on top of the underlying crusty hardpack.  Because of the lack of new snow in the past couple weeks, repeated grooming of the hardpack base has hastened the development of icy conditions by repeatedly altering the structure of the snow crystals.  Overall, our groomers have done an amazing job this winter in dealing with the challenges of a warm, dry season.

Grooming is planned  both Saturday and Sunday mornings this weekend.  We’ve saved some loose snow to mix with the hardpack base, and  it looks like morning temps will be cooperative.  Check out these most recent photos of happy skiers – this could be you this weekend!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/13: GREAT packed powder conditions on the Westside.  Super job grooming! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/15: Great skiing.  Many thanks! –Holcombe, WI
• 2/16: Fantastic skiing this morning! –Ladysmith, WI

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Thursday evening’s 3/4-inch snowfall was a very welcome addition.  Before that snowfall, the trails were quite icy – but this weekend the skiing was much more controllable.  To get an edge, I still needed to tread lightly while climbing the sun exposed hills.  But once I reached the Eastside ridge line (numbers 9 through 20 on the map), the more sheltered trails provided very good skating.  Fast, fun, & pretty much under control.

With the ongoing snow drought to the South, East and West, the Blue Hills attracted many visitors this weekend.  A fun social time while sharing the beauty of this trail system.  Come back soon!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/11: Enjoyed ourselves. –Amery, WI & St. Paul, MN
• 2/11: Thank you! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/11: I came back! –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/11: 1st time here!  –author’s location unknown
• 2/12: Great trails!  Did the snowshoe trail north of the warming hut – beautiful little trail following the green ribbons – took ~1 hour slow walk in boots, but ~24 minutes fast walk on snowshoes.  –Farmington, MN
• 2/12: 8+ folks from Ride & Glide Ski Club.  Both classic & skate had a good time.  Called the “bare spots” the duathlon course.  Klister, base wax, powergrip all worked fine. –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/12:      :-)     –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/12: Great first time here.  Many thanks for trails & advice. –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/12: Great job dealing with what Mother Nature dealt you this winter.  I tried to bring some snow from the Pacific Northwest but it all melted on the way :-)  –Sumner, WA
• 2/12: Thank you Mr. Groomer.  Lots of happy skiers today. –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/12: Well worth the drive from Eau Claire!  Newly groomed areas were great, & the caramel corn a sweet treat.  Thank you! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/12: Thanks! –Neillsville, WI

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Freeze-thaw cycles (January 31 – Feb 6) provided fantastic skiing during the magic window each day as the trail softened.  But without new snowfall, eventually the thin hard base couldn’t be manipulated by our magical groomers any more and the trails set up like concrete – and then the downhills became somewhat treacherous earlier this week.

We chose to prepare for the weekend and saw an opportunity to groom most of the trails during the late afternoon Thursday (Feb. 9).   This removed the chevrons (frozen ski marks) and brought back a nice smooth surface.  Thursday night, we received 1/2″ – 3/4″ of fresh snow.   We decided to let the new snow sit and this new snow is providing nice edge control on the sun exposed downhills.

Come ski the Hills this weekend!  You’ll find fresh snow, silence in the north, good skiing, and perhaps some animal tracks to captivate your imagination.  And if you’ve never experienced spring crust skiing, take a side trip to Audi Flowage which can be reached by skiing the Westside trials (bushwhack north across the small lake near Letter F) – or by driving a couple miles to the campground where you can park adjacent to Audie.

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/5: Mr. Groomer, You the Man!  Nice talking to you on top of the hill.  You made many skiers happy this weekend.  Thanks for making the Blue Hills so wonderful!!  –Alma Center, WI
• 2/5: It was so good yesterday, I came back for more.  Woo hoo!  What more can I say?  High marks to the groomer! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/5: Excellent grooming – thank you!  thank you!  thank you! –author’s location unknown
• 2/6: My first time up this winter.  Conditions were fine, much better than down south in Eau Claire.  Thanks for the grooming & great skiing. –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/6: Beautiful full moon-rise sunset ski – fast trails – challenging the speed of light!  Careful on those downhills. –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/7: 1st-timer - awesome!  Hardpack, needless to say, but still worth the trip from Maple Grove.  See ya next time!  –Maple Grove, MN
• 2/9: If you are waiting for the trails to soften, try skiing Audie Lake!  We put the moon to bed, & saw the sun come up this morning.  Beautiful!  Then skied the Westside.  Great way to start the day! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/9: Before grooming began, downhills were fast & ‘screaming mimis’!  Difficult to get a good cut & skate.  Flats OK & fast.  –Chippewa Falls, WI & Rockford, IL
• 2/9: No hat, no mittens, no brakes!!  Yikes. –author’s location unknown
• 2/10: Drove thru 4+ hours of snow – happy to be here. –Fredonia, WI
• 2/10: Cold aggressive snow created a good workout today.  But nice to see that white stuff again. –Ladysmith, WI

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Freeze-thaw cycles continue – the base is now about as thick as a brick, & as hard as one too.  Today’s groomer had a tough time getting the grooming knives to penetrate the icy surface; fortunately he was able to scarify the surface just enough to help skate skiers get an edge.  Sunny skies and midday temps near 35°F made for another blazing fast day on skis.  As I stepped into a downhill section of classic track, Clark Kent came out of hiding –  I felt like Superman!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 2/4: Another nice warm day to ski the Westside.  What a beautiful day.  –Apple Valley, MN
• 2/4: Thanks for the grooming!! –Eau Claire, WI
• 2/4: Beautiful grooming!  The Westside was outstanding! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/4: Silver Boys up for a beautiful epic adventure.  Ski therapy had by all. –Twin Cities, MN
• 2/4: Thanks for the trails! –St. Paul, MN
• 2/4: Thanks for your generosity & foresight in planning & maintaining these trails! –St. Paul, MN
• 2/4: Wow is right!  I second the person who said it was the best of the season.  For us snow-starved Minnesotans this redeemed our winter!  Thanks a bunch! –St. Paul, MN
• 2/4: First time here.  Enjoyed the view. –Milwaukee, WI
• 2/4: Trying out the Blue Hills, have been skating at Timberland in Cumberland where the trails are only in fair condition. –author’s location unknown
• 2/5: Fun Day!  Thanks for the touch-up grooming! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/5: Three days in a row of great skiing.  Nice, sunny warm day! –Apple Valley, MN

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Freeze-thaw cycles have created a crusty hardpack base.  With temps starting at 14° F, grooming was a challenge early this morning – tough to penetrate that frozen surface.  Almost the entire Eastside skate lane yielded to the knives on the grooming implement, producing enough of a loose surface for skate skiers to ski with abandon.  Rocket fast skating lasted throughout the morning, slightly sticky conditions didn’t show until about noon.

Looking at the parking lot by the warming house, this was the place to be!  Nice to know that all those skiers don’t find themselves crowded while exploring this lovely trail system – they just seem to disappear among the many different loops.

If we groom it, will they come?  More grooming planned for tomorrow morning!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/29: Beautiful day & trails were so nice!  We especially appreciated the tasty caramel corn! :)  –Chetek, WI
• 1/31: I came to see your wonderful forest! and ski track! –Switzerland
• 1/31: Beautiful grooming!  The Westside was outstanding! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/31: Skijoured the Westside/team effort/excellent snow! –Rice Lake, WI
• 2/2: That infamous groundhog – BLUE HILLS BILL – couldn’t find his shadow anywhere!  Better ski while you can.  Great fun today! –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/2: Very nice.  1st time. –St. Croix Falls, WI
• 2/2: Amazingly good skiing!  Thanks. –author’s location unknown
• 2/3: Back again today for some great skiing! –Amery, WI
• 2/3: A little icy at the start, but great “spring” skiing as the sun came out.  Great job groomers, we appreciate your hard work. –Apple Valley, MN
• 2/4: Possible the BEST ski of the season – perhaps my life!  Woo Hoo!  The best line of the week: Groomer replying to person asking how he made the grooming so good, “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.”  Thank you groomers for scratching up the surface. –Ladysmith, WI
• 2/4: Wow!  Good edge control and blazing fast!  Thanks to everybody that makes these trails GO! –Ladysmith, WI

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Blue Hills Bill spent the past six weeks,
Sunbathing beneath a big tree;
It’s been too warm to call this a winter,
And Bill has some advice for thee:

“Do not hesitate, go ski the Hills now,
‘Cause my shadow I could not see;
Enjoy those trails while they’re covered with snow,
This winter has perplexed even me!”

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Cross country skiing conditions at the Blue Hills Trail this past weekend were outstanding!  With several light snowfalls this past week, groomers were busy preparing for the weekend.  Additional grooming on Saturday and Sunday mornings was very timely, and skate skiers enjoyed firm packed powder and surprisingly fast skiing despite the seasonably cold temps; classic skiers had about 12-14 km of good track to enjoy.

Overall, this winter has been a disappointment for skiers.  However, here in the Blue Hills, we’ve been able to enjoy steadily improving conditions with each little snowfall.  If you are sitting at home waiting for conditions to get better, you’re missing some great skiing.  Ski now or forever hold your skis!

Recent comments from the logbook in the warming house

• 1/25: More snow, more grooming.  Lovely corduroy! –Ladysmith, WI
• 1/26: 2 1/2 hr ski – wonderful trails.  Started in with cloudy sky & now bright blue!  A great day! –author’s location unknown
• 1/27: It was so freakin’ FAST the bottom of my skis were too hot to touch — which is amazing considering the fat old fossil strapped to them! –author’s location unknown
• 1/27: Skied core loop then all of Westside trails.  Westside more level, firmer base, better glide. –Prairie Farm, WI
• 1/27: Enjoyed a beautiful day skating on both the East & West side.  Thanks for the nice grooming job.  Enjoyed skiing while it was gently snowing. –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/28: Trails were awesome – had a great time – we’ll be back tomorrow. –Edina, MN
• 1/28: Beautiful scenery & conditions!  –Cumberland, WI and Iron Mountain, MI
• 1/28: Trails with snow!  What a treat! –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/28: Absolutely wonderful!  Snow & trail conditions were perfect! –Eau Claire, WI
• 1/28: Beautiful & picturesque, nice skiing conditions.  Loved the skier in the tree. –Minneapolis, MN
• 1/28: What fun!  Great job on the trails. –Chicago, IL
• 1/29: Great grooming, NOW that’s skiing. –author’s location unknown
• 1/29: Thanks! –Twin Cities, MN
• 1/29: What a work of art the grooming was today! –Ladysmith, WI

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