Black Diamond for everything climbing and skiing.    Dynafit -- Speed Up!    Tracker beacons, Stash packs, shovels, more more more.    Terrific deals on randonnee AT rando backcountry skiing gear.    K2 has the skis that stay true to earning your turns.    Garmont boots -- excellent choice for backcountry skiing.

author
 Winter Survival Lessons

By Lou

Trying to get out the door for a trip up to Aspen and some WildSnow.com boot customization work, but thought I’d post a few Friday tidbits.

Unless you’re in a fairly large group (three or more) close to civilization or the parking lot, it’s a good idea to be prepared to survive a night out. If you’ve got enough clothing and a shovel, it’s possible to dig a snow cave and sit out the dark hours, but doing so is problematic because your clothing gets wet while you’re digging the cave. Nonetheless, a couple recently survived an unplanned night on Mount Rainier by using a snow cave. Outside of Aspen, another couple survived a stormy night out just yards from a hut. Due to a storm they couldn’t find the cozy shelter, and did an open bivvy in their sleeping bags which from news reports sounded marginal. And sadly, up on Mount Hood a group of three did not survive, and it’s assumed at least one person in the group ended up in an emergency bivouac somewhere on the mountain — a bivouac that obviously did not work out.

My theory has always been that having a good shovel and decent clothing could get me through nearly anything. But I do throw in a bivvy sack now and then, when I’m in a small group and our plan takes us deep into the backcountry away from an easy egress.

Read more

Posted by Lou on December 18, 2009 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing, Technique | 13 Comments 

author
 He’s Checking it Twice… The Wildsnow Christmas List

By Lou

Have you been naughty or nice? If you’re a backcountry skier, you’re nice. Period. So here is Santa’s list. Pass it on to that special person who’s been agonizing about what to buy that mountain guy or girl in his or her life (meaning, you?). Low cost to high.

Voile straps. The ultimate stocking stuffer. Get a few super long ones. $5.54

Energizer Ultimate L92BP-4 Lithium AAA Battery 4 Pack The best bar none for headlamps. The endless stocking stuffer. With a shelf life that exceeds two years, buy a bunch and use for gifts next year as well! $11.00

Off Piste Magazine. Sort of the antithesis to The Ski Journal because it’s printed in B&W on high quality newsprint, Off Piste still delivers root stoke. More, unlike some publications, Off Piste refrains from pandering such as giving “editor’s choice” awards to gear that isn’t yet in production. Authenticity on paper. $15.00

Backcountry Bomb cornice cutter. Probably more of a guy thing, but I’ve met a few girls in Crested Butte who cut cornices. $29.95

Read more

Posted by Lou on December 17, 2009 | Filed Under Backcountry Skiing, Misc Gear Reviews | 23 Comments 

author
 Jonathan goes “Dynafit” Shopping

By Jonathan

My latest pair of Dynafit bindings arrived a few weeks ago, and when I put those beautiful Vertical ST (in their ever-so-slightly modified 2009-10 incarnation) on the digital scale, they weighed in at a whopping one pound and fifteen ounces (with screws, but no brakes).

Dynafit ST Vertical backcountry skiing binding.

Dynafit ST Vertical backcountry skiing binding. Change for this year is the toe jaw wings look different and are said to be slightly stronger.

It would have been easy to exclaim, “wow are these things ever heavy!” But of course these are still Dynafits, and to do what they do at their weight continues to be amazing.

But in case most Dynafit bindings are too heavy for you, an ever-expanding (in terms of manufacturers, not weight) range of options is available (at least in theory), as summarized in the comparison chart below. (Corrections and updates most certainly welcome for this evolving market segment, please comment with such, especially better links for the chart.) Read more

Posted by Jonathan on December 16, 2009 | Filed Under Binding Reviews, Jonathan Shefftz, Your Guest Blogs | 22 Comments 

author
 Yamaha Nytro Snowmobile Oil Change

By Lou

So the college man is home for the holiday, wants to use the snowmachine with his friends for a hut trip. Time to pay some sled dues! I can change the oil in our Nissan Versa mileage mobile in about an hour — but sometimes that messy project is an hour that just can’t be found so it goes to the quicklube. Sadly, no quicklube exists for snowmobiles, and an oil change at our Yamaha stealership is, well, not exactly a steal for the person writing the check.

Yamaha Nytro oil change

It looks high tech and it it is. Block out a half a day for an oil change.

We think the Nytro looks kind of space-age cool without the cowling. Problem is, that space-age cool means doing an oil change is a three hour project that involves everything from complete removal of body panels, to reaching and turning things that are obviously designed for gnomes, not humans. First, removing all the body panels involves those little plastic rivets that you often see on automobiles. During removal you always break at least one, so add a trip to the auto parts store to your time budget. Next, remember to remove a total of three threaded plugs (vent at top of engine, crank case drain, and oil reservoir drain), and drain oil into your disposal system. The engine vent plug is the PITA, I’d publish a photo, but then I’d have to spend a day or two taking the sled apart to be able to see it. I couldn’t believe Louie was able to get that plug in and out blind. Perhaps he should switch from his Industrial Design program to being a brain surgeon?

Yamaha Nytro oil change

Not exactly like popping the drain plug on a Chevy.

Oh, and don’t forget the oil filter (don’t ask me how I know.)

Posted by Lou on December 15, 2009 | Filed Under Snowmobiles | 9 Comments 

author
 Lazy Sunday- Powder Skiing, Sugar, Gear Testing and Avalanches

By Nick

Just got back from a mellow afternoon of skiing powder with some friends. None of us were feeling particularly energetic after a full day of pounding vertical at Aspen Highlands, but felt a short tour would suit us fine. With the avalanche report indicating high danger above treeline, we thought the lower woods would be a good place to poke around, play it safe, and perhaps even get a few faceshots.

Backcountry powder skiing

Tyler throws some graupel around

We hadn’t skinned more than a few feet before we had our first WHUMPH, something that was to accompany nearly every step or turn we made all day. Despite experiencing it over and over again, it always has the same stomach wrenching effect. We altered the usual skin track a bit and attempted to break a new one through the lowest angled trees we could manage.
Read more

Posted by Nick on December 14, 2009 | Filed Under Misc Gear Reviews, Trip Reports, Your Guest Blogs, avalanches | 37 Comments 

author
 Expansion of Crested Butte Ski Area Nixed

By Lou

Update: Monday, December 14:

In an article published by the Crested Butte News just a few days ago, writers Seth Mensing and Mark Reaman tell how the Gunnison County Commissioners feel they were “used as an excuse to deny Snodgrass,” and may draft a letter to the USFS attempting to set the record straight.

The USFS decision about Snodgrass could affect the economy of the Crested Butte area for years to come. In fact, I’d say that it WILL affect the local economy — for generations. The effect could be good, or it could be bad, but taking the decision process farther would have not only allowed the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) review to identify environmental concerns or lack thereof, but would also have allowed more time for the informal public vetting that always accompanies this sort of thing. Read more

Posted by Lou on December 11, 2009 | Filed Under News Backcountry | 64 Comments 

« Previous (older) Entries         
Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past forty years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, and tons of Randonnee rando telemark info.

All material on this website is copyrighted. Permission is required for reproduction, electronic or otherwise. That includes publication and display on other websites by whatever means. For more about this, PLEASE SEE OUR COPYRIGHT INFORMATION.

Backcountry skiing is a dangerous sport. You may be killed or severely injured if you do any form of randone, randonnee and randonnée skiing. The information on this website is intended only as general information. While the authors and editors of the information on this website make every effort to present useful information, due to human error the information, text and images contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. By using, reading or viewing the information provided on this website, you agree to absolve the owners of Wild Snow as well as content contributors of any liability for injuries or losses incurred while using such information. Furthermore, you agree to use any of this website's information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instructions or templates at your own risk, and waive Wild Snow its owners and contributors of any liability for use of said items for backcountry skiing or any other use.