Dawson's Backcountry 11-4, From Couloir mag 1998
[index for all "Dawson's Backcountry" columns]
SHUT UP AND SKI!
Lou opens some mail
The amount of mail Couloir Magazine gets on the subject of gear never ceases to amaze the editors. Of all the issues surrounding backcountry riding, opinions on "toys" elicit the strongest reactions and most vehement counter-opinion from our readers. In his November 1998 alpine touring binding review, Lou Dawson took some shots at telemark equipment that chafed a few readers. The reaction we received came quickly, like a reflex, affirming the idea that gear is an extension of the body. You'd have thought that Mr. Dawson had told some of our readers to lose weight and get a facelift.
...consider the following:
To Lou Dawson:
I like you and I appreciate what you've done for backcountry skiing, but I am so sick of all this equipment blabber. We have a saying here in the Northwest, "Shut up and ski!"
Have a great winter.
Teleski Dave, Portland, Oregon
To Lou:
Lou Dawson's bias against telemarking has always been evident in his articles, guidebooks, and especially Wild Snow. But his most recent statements in the A.T. binding review were by far the most blatantly subjective. For the most part I cannot argue with him. I own both top-of-the-line A.T. and tele equipment. Yes my tele gear is only slightly lighter. Yes sometimes it seems A.T. gear is more efficient. Yes I get more control with my A.T. gear. Every statement he makes appears to be true. But you know what? I still telemark much more than I alpine ski. Lou's logic misses one of the main issues. For many people, tele skiing is much more FUN, and this number continues to increase at an amazing rate. Even though telemark gear no longer seems to offer any obvious benefits over alpine touring, in my book fun is as large an issue as weight, control, etc. On the days when I do take out my A.T. rig, I usually watch my tele friends with envy. Without a doubt, the next day I am back on tele skis!
Although things like "elegance," "challenge," and "badass" are not as concrete as weight, control, and efficiency, they should not be overlooked by Mr. Dawson. True, if skiing and mountaineering is your occupation, your choice of equipment and style might rely on the tangible measures Lou suggests. But if skiing is your life, your decision will undoubtedly be based on something deeper.
Chris Lundy, Bozman, Montana
...some responses were submissive:
Is Lou Dawson going to let tele skiers exist, silly as we are, or is he going to force us all to our knees to acknowledge the total superiority of A.T. gear?
Brandie Siegfried
...others were dismissive:
So whats Dawson's problem, anyway??
I thought one of the premises behind this fine publication was that all of us, whether we be riders, A.T.ers, or pinheads, could get along and play well together in the backcountry. So why do we get a tirade against tele skiing in an A.T. binding review? What Dawson says about tele being backwater may or may not be true, but who cares??
Bill Sawyers Calgary, Alberta
...and some took the opportunity to share opinions of their own:
To Mr. Louis Dawson and Couloir,
It was sweet to finally see the first rumblings against the monster telemark boot industry come from Lou Dawson. Too bad his ludicrous premise that "the real (backcountry) choice is between snowboard or A.T. gear" is the only thing which is "backwater." Let's start by just axing the whole idea of backcountry travel and snowboards. Surfing peaks next to the road is fun for a while, but riders will always be absent from the heart of the backcountry in winter for obvious reasons; snowshoes are for L.L. Bean catalogue models, split boards are worthless on rolling terrain, and helicopters are not cheap. A.T. gear definitely has its place on the highest peaks and the death chutes which also require mixed climbing, but most people will never go there, in all honesty. Don't get me wrong; skiing down your average 30° back bowl of corn on plastic tele boots and parabolic skis is not just bad style. It's also total overkill and completely unnecessary in most cases. In the same light, A.T. gear and snowboards will turn the vast majority of classic off-piste descents, like Hotlum-Wintun on Shasta or the Ediza Col on Ritter, into a complete bore.
The point is that competent backcountry freaks simply don't need massive A.T. or tele gear to shred the peaks or eat the mileage. Let's not forget that a pair of Asolo Extremes, some Superloops, and BD Seracs will usually suffice to ski backcountry laps around your average cigarette-smoking Euro on neon A.T. gear, or some tattooed teenager sniveling up an avalanche path on snowshoes.
Nothing personal, but don't mislead people, Lou, just because your brittle old bones can't handle bending over to flip a sidethrow. Your argument makes no sense; plastic tele gear is too heavy, so trade it in for equally heavy A.T. gear which is only at home in 45° gullies and costs three times as much. Light tele gear is still the best choice for serious backcountry traveling and most ski mountaineering which is farther than three miles from the nearest road or lift. Cheers.
Dan Ovadya
Now didn't that feel good?
Lou Dawson has much respect for freeheelers and their toys. Just last week he bought a new pair of telemark bindings. He says they're perfect for catching large rodents in his basement. As for telemark boots, Mr. Dawson knows comfort and performance when he sees it. Nothing makes lounging around the house more comfy than a pair of floppy leather boots, and all of the doors in the Dawson household are held open with top-of-the-line tele racing boots. Lou knows how to harness the power of plastic. When we told Lou about our plans for this month's column he had only one piece of wisdom to share: "Free your heels and your edges will follow."
Thank you for all the letters. Keep them coming.
-
-
-
Custom Search