Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, Links and Back Country Information

Anyone slightly bored with ski movies that show endless stunning (at least at first) footage, while lacking any sort of compelling story? I see a few hands raised. Indeed, more than a few. Appearing to take note of such trends on the part of their (maturing?) audience, the "new-school" ski film industry is including more compelling humanity in their flicks.

"There was always a story that was missing. It is important to have the athletes talking," says Matchstick Productions tour manager Steve Wight, in describing their latest film, "The Hit List."

"The East Coast-based Meatheads aren't known for putting together films with lots of brainpower, their stuff tends toward more raw ski bum focus, i.e., beers and boards. But Epoch really shows a new and more respectful side of the Meatheads...an epic tale that encompasses a tremendous amount of influential ski history, including interviews with ski mountaineering pioneers and vintage footage," writes Couloir Magazine's John Atkinson about Meathead Production's film "Epoch."

"This... story is about the origins of TGR, outlaw athletes and the ragged lifestyle that has kept this posse’s dream and way of life alive. This vagabond tale will take you through the lifestyle of skiing and the passion that continues to change the face of the sport," reads the promo copy for Teton Gravity Research's "Tangerine Dream."

Of course, a mob of ski flick wannabes is still out there with their vidcams pointed in every direction like a bunch of city breed elk hunters on their first hunt, shooting people turning (or not turning) then stringing clips together and adding who-knows-what music. Nice to see a little variation on the theme. In my view, it's tougher to tell a great story than it is to ski (or film) a big line. Props to those who bear up to the challenge.

Moreover, tell a story and your efforts might last more than a year. Shakespeare had that one figured out.

October 11 - 2005
Wine Causes Crazy Backcountry Skiing Behavior

A group of guys are skiing to the South Pole. Yawn. But wait, check out their gear! This crazy crew has spent a boatload of money and time outfitting with exact replicas of Victorian era gear the ill fated Scott expedition used in 1912. In case you forgot, that's the crew that skied into the antarctic wilderness then starved in their tents (one of backcountry skiing's better known black marks). I'd imagine these guys are not trying for an "exact" re-creation of the Scott expedition, but they've sure added a sporting aspect to what's become somewhat commonplace. More, they're seeking to prove that Scott actually had it fairly together, and was just "desperately, desperately unlucky."

The article mentions that the expedition concept was dreamt up after "far too much red wine." Sounds reasonable.

October 10 - 2005
Incountry -- Last Adventure Fishing Before Winter

The boys got out for a nice 2-night trip in Colorado's Elk Mountains this past weekend. Us dad's stayed home -- we knew our two 15-year-olds would have an adventure since a big storm was due to arrive Saturday night. According to the perps, fun was had and "at least we slept with our heads uphill so the water pooled at our feet." Photo below is what we found at the trailhead when we picked them up. Fish were caught -- these kids are fast becoming master fly casters and woodsman.

October 9 - 2005
Backcountry Blog Roll!

Have you checked out mountaineering writer Dougald MacDonald's new blog? As one of the most skilled outdoor editors and writers in North America, I guess Dougald just couldn't stay away from self publishing on the web. Check out Dougald's The Mountain World as soon as you can! It's truly got some fine word smithing, and nice variation of subject matter while still keeping an alpine focus.

October 8 - 2005
Culinary Delights of Backcountry Skiing - Hombrew Goo

We got the home-made athletic gel project completed. The stuff is amazingly easy to make. More, you can create nearly any flavor you want. Here is a recipe to make about 2 cups of homegoo (the generic version of Gu™ that'll save you big bucks in cost, and give you any flavor you want. )

Start with a small drinking glass or ceramic bowl you can put in your microwave. Add one cup brown rice syrup and one cup malt syrup (barley malt). Plop in about a teaspoon of honey. Add a couple table spoons of flavoring to taste; use something that includes a bit of fat and protein (we feel that's better for longish winter treks), such as peanut butter, cashew butter, or Nutella (our chocoholic favorite). Add a couple of table spoons of water (or fruit juice if you want fruit flavoring and more fructose sugar), then microwave till warm and easy to mix. Stir the warmed mixture with a spoon, and add about 1 package of Emergen-C vitamin supplement, this adds a nice tart edge to the taste, as well as essential workout vitamins and minerals for backcountry skiing.

While warm transfer to a field container such as an Amphipod or Hammer Flask. Let cool and test the consistency for ease of consumption. If it's too stiff add more water, re-heat and mix again.

This recipe will solidify when chilled, so keep it warm with body heat if you're out in the cold. Freeze resistant versions are tougher to make -- we're still experimenting with that.

You can get all the ingredients in nearly any health food store. Experiment with flavors -- you can put anything in this stuff. If you like caffeine, dissolve some instant coffee in a bit of water to make a paste, then add for coffee flavored homegoo. If you're scientific about athletic food consumption, the potassium and sodium content of homegoo is easy to play with. To do so, read the contents labels on the ingredients so you know what you're eating, add whatever you need to get the levels where you want them. For less sodium, use more malt syrup and less rice syrup.

Warning: As with all carbo concoctions, drink water every time you consume this or you risk health problems. Also, homegoo must be refrigerated when not in use, keep your field container in the fridge and give it a quick microwave shot before you head out (microwave with top open so you don't explode it -- yuck!)

October 7 - 2005
Real World Backcountry Binding Weights - Fritschi

The latest model Fritschi bindings greeted me on the doorstep today -- thanks Black Diamond! Interesting weights now that we could get them on our digital scale. Turns out the Freeride has lost a smidge of weight over the older model, but the amount is so small it could have just been the type of screws I weighed it with. BUT, what I found interesting is that the Explore/Express weighs out at nearly the same weight as the Freeride (if used with brakes)! see FAQ for weights

I have to admit this drove me crazy for a while, I just couldn't believe the bindings would be so close in weight.

So I weighed each binding several times and continued getting the same results. One factor in this cosmic convergence is that the Freeride does NOT have return spring, while the Explore/Express does (a pair of return springs weighs .6 ounces). I updated the Fritschi FAQ for you ounce watchers out there. So why use the Explore/Express? I guess price and color, and to save an ounce or two. Why use the Freeride? It's said that the stronger DIN 12 spring might behave differently as to elasticity, and perhaps the binding is built with better plastic or something like that...or perhaps having the word "Freeride" on your gear is self actualizing...or perhaps you need DIN 12...

Remember that I weighed the Explore/Express and Freeride with no brakes. Weights you'll find elsewhere are confusing for comparison because the Freeride is sold with brakes, while the Explore/Express is sold without.

As an experiment I also weighed the Freeride without the shim and bumper that goes under the toe (many people eliminate this stuff so the toe is lower, for better ramp angle). The stripped Freeride weighed virtually the same as the Explore/Express. In other words, don't buy the Explore/Express to save weight.

October 6 - 2005
Photos from Castle Peak, Colorado, Montezuma Basin

While up at Montezuma Basin, Colorado a few weeks ago, we met a friendly climber named Scott Harris. He sent me a few of his photos to post. Enjoy.

October 5 - 2005
Backcountry Skiing Blog Comments

Lou, like and appreciate your blog. I think your criticism of Recco may be a bit offbase. No, it's not as applicable to North American backcountry skiing as using your brain or avalanche beacons, but it could well be invaluable for the kind of frontcountry avalanches that struck Utah last year. People have been rescued alive from avalanches because of Recco location, and perhaps a few of the Utah victims might have been. Even if the response wasn't quick enough to save the victim, reducing the body search time from days to hours would do great things for SAR budgets already feeling pressure from the politicians knives. At a cost of a few dollars and few grams, why shouldn't more ski jackets and boots carry them? Most major North American ski resorts and a number of search and rescue teams already have the required detector, all that's missing is the clothing and equipment companies supplying the reflector.
Respectfully,
C.

Some fun emails have been rolling in from blog reading fellow backcountry skiers. A few samps:

I agree with you about this wilderness construct. One of the reasons I generally avoid Mt Rainier is right down this alley. Freaking signs everywhere: "Keep wilderness wild. Always have your permit ready and displayed on your person." Now what does that have to do with something being wild? Nothing at all. It returns to the whole concept of people being something apart from nature. If you ask me, I'm just another animal...hopefully a BEAST... a monkey who got hold of some cool toys. Ha ha ha.
S.

I'm a fan of your blog. thanks. I understand your disinterest in the RECCO system, "...died an appropriate death.," but I bought a jacket last spring that has it built in. (Not bought for that reason, of course.) I love the jacket. Maybe someday it'll help me out. Hopefully I won't need it. Thanks for the info. Keep up the good work.
D.

...About your Wildsnow blog... just wanted to let you know that I think it is great. I start every day with a cup of coffee and a visit to the site. It has been a great source of information and trip ideas, and your hard work keeping it going is appreciated, at least by me! And while I do not always agree with your positions and opinions, I do respect them, and find them useful for for helping me articulate my. Anyway, thanks for sharing your site with us. Maybe I will catch up with you skiing some day. And by the way, despite the "complicated, heavy and expensive gear" and the sarcastic "soul sport" designation, if we do meet in the backcountry, I will be on tele skis. It's just more fun ; )
C.

I'm a fact checker for Skiing Magaziine. Our columnist Rob Story recently wrote a piece about John Denver and Colorado skiing, and I wanted to make sure all our facts were straight. He mentions that Denver penned several of his most famous songs while staying at a mountain hut on Castle Creek. I believe he got this info from wildsnow.com. Can you confirm this John Denver/Aspen connection?
S.

Yep, as far as I know JD did write some songs while staying at the Mace Chalet up Castle Creek. trackback

October 4 -- 2005
It's Alive -- RECCO Rises from the Grave

Remember RECCO, the tiny radar transponders you'd find attached to ski boots and jackets a few years ago? I thought that stuff had died -- apparently not. MountainZone.com reports the North Shore rescue team in Vancouver, BC is high on the system. "More people are skiing with this type of device now," says a member of the rescue group.

Let's get real here. To locate a person wearing a RECCO, you need an expensive and bulky radar unit that's best operated from a helicopter. In other words, if you're in a bad way, e.g., buried in an avalanche, you'll probably be dead before anyone finds you using RECCO. Nonetheless, go to the RECCO website and you see the emphasis their marketing places on avalanche safety. I can see this device as being useful for finding people who are lost in the wild, especially children, but to even use it in the same sentence as the word "avalanche" is disingenuous.

Environmental Screed of the Month
In an interesting article about wheelchairs in wilderness, Erik Shultz talks about how folks with disabilities need and deserve access to wilderness. He makes some interesting points. In his view, disabled folks should be accorded special accommodations so they can access legal wilderness, such as improved trails and the right to use wheels.

This brings to mind a few questions. First, if you make an improved trail and use machinery, are you thus carrying civilization along with you? If I told any environmentalist that I like wilderness with improved trails and wheels, they'd think I was joking (or if they knew me well, they'd just think I was talking about Jeeping, minus the improved trails). More, if a robust paraplegic can travel the wilderness on wheels and improved trails, why shouldn't an elderly and frail person tour that same wilderness on a gas powered 4-wheeler? For that matter, should a person who can't walk because of a knee injury be allowed to tour legal Wilderness on their mountain bike?

Rhetorical games aside, the point Shultz brings home to me is that our concept of Wilderness appears to be more of a cultural construct than anything that exists apart from ourselves -- even though most wilderness advocates like to claim the latter. Think about that next time you see a trail sign or a tent camp in the middle of your "wilderness" view.

My point? Making a god out of "wilderness" is a loosing proposition. Better to work with concepts of conservation and stewardship, along with the verity that we humans can and will visit and thus change the wild places by whatever means necessary -- including wheel chairs.

October 3 -- 2005
Winter Ruminations - ATCs and Soul Sports

It's always fun to anticipate winter. Seems like we've had a wetter than normal summer here in Colorado, so we'll see if that translates to snow. It's a scientific fact that warmer air often produces more precip, so is there a chance global warming will actually give us bigger winters? According to everything I read, global warming will produce nothing good or positive, so that's probably not the case. But one can always hope for another year of epic backcountry skiing.

And what's going on with park/pipe skiing? Tanner Hall, arguably the sport's biggest name (and said to be a "pipe" aficionado in more ways than one), has healed from a serious injury. But rather than spending a winter doing contests Hall is wanting to "push the backcountry," according to a recent article. What "push the backcountry" actually means is open to interpretation, but might be fun to watch (and I'm sure we'll have an opportunity to do so).

Winter should bring us interesting new gear as well. I don't think much will happen in the randonnee department (though as always, there is room for improvement), but it'll be fun to watch the continued development of amazing telemark contraptions (ATCs ?) such as the NTN (a step-in prototype that doesn't require the duckbill toe). Indeed, on the Telemarktips forums, respected gear expert Clyde Soles wrote that "Something's afoot. NTN may well be a day late and a dollar short."

One can assume Clyde means there is another ATC in the works. Yes! As long as it's more complicated, heavier, and more expensive, what's not to love?

More, as if these otherworldly contraptions are not enough, another Teletipster wrote "add a Dynafit heel for lockdown capability." A chuckle is my only response to that (though I admit to predicting years ago that we'd eventually have a binding one could use for both telemark and fixed-heel skiing.)

It remains to be seen if the ATCs can keep telemarking as the hip "soul sport" many of its proponents believe it is. On the one hand, I feel like that soul was lost years ago when wood gave way to Ptex -- but even with its huge petroleum based plastic boots and skis, it's obvious the tele scene has retained a modicum of its early ethos. As it were, "roots is roots." Sports tend to be a sum of their whole, and much of their appeal lies in their background.

Take rock climbing, indeed a soulful "outlaw" counterculture sport in its early days. Those roots made it cool, and 25 years later rock climbing is still being marketed using its hip outlaw foundation -- even though it's now no more counter-culture than golf (and perhaps less so in some circles).

Moving on, you've probably been tracking the interesting developments in Silverton, Colorado where the so called "backcountry" ski area is now being allowed more users, and speaking of "ethos" may be changing their own. In an extensive and interesting opinion article, Mitch Weber writes about the transmogrification of the place into yet another expensive resort. I enjoyed Weber's article, but as to the issue of Silverton remaining a roots type of thing (if it ever was), my reaction is mostly a yawn. Running a ski area is expensive. Guides are expensive. If you want cheap, earn 'em and guide yourself.

Running on at the fingers a bit here... got the junk for making homebrew gu, tastes pretty good, perhaps that's what got me going?

September 30 -- 2005
Backcountry Skiing Bindings -- Frequently Asked Questions

Well, it's been a glaring omission that I'll admit to: We had a FAQ for Dynafit (that's "famous" according to someone at Life-Link), we had a FAQ for Naxo -- but we didn't have one for Fritschi!

I'll tell you why. First, the Fritschi (Freeride, Express and Explore models) really is one of the more simple and reliable backcountry skiing bindings out there. The design has been out for quite a while and steadily tweaked to near perfection. Thus, the need for a FAQ was not as critical as more complex bindings such as the Dynafit, or newer bindings such as the Naxo. Second, there are a few folks involved in the Fritschi sales and importation process who are quite sensitive to what's said about the product, and being a sensitive guy myself I didn't want to release a FAQ before I had time to tweak and edit as the comments came in. That time is now. I started on a Fritschi FAQ over the past few days, and will add a ton of stuff over the next few weeks. To find it, see menu to left. Enjoy (and don't be too sensitive (grin).

In the FAQs and index I included a bunch of buy links for Fritschi Bindings, if you need any and use the links for shopping, you'll help support this blog and website, and my son's college fund (engineering so he can get a job at Black Diamond making rocket science ski bindings).

September 29 -- 2005
Maroon Bells Tortillas

We've had an amazing influx of Latinos here in Carbondale, Colorado over the past decade. In fact, our town is about half Latino now. As a result we've got quite a variety of excellent Mexican food (and Aspen has a workforce to keep it running). Our favorite Mexican food joint is El Pollo Rico over on Highway 133. Check it out if you're in town -- authentico! But more, we also have an excellent tortillaria that uses a nice image of Colorado mountains on their packaging; none other than the famous Maroon Bells. I couldn't resist playing around and making a guidebook image out of the La Roca tortilla packaging. Click the image to enlarge, and get psyched to climb or ski the Bells -- and take some rolled up tortillas along for trail food (insert butter and brown sugar to easily beat taste of Cliff Bars)! La Roca Tortilleria is on Hwy 133 near Pollo Rico.

September 28 -- 2005
Backcountry Battery Connections -- Ortovox, Black Diamond

The Ortovox beacon recall got me thinking about battery connections in the different electronic devices we use for backcountry skiing. Alkaline batteries have a lot of mass -- when subjected to shock loads they really move (presumably that's at least part of the reason for the Ortovox problems).

I've had 2-way radios quit after a day of jiggling bent the battery contacts, and have also had the problem with many flashlights and headlamps. Our favorite smaller headlamp is the Black Diamond Ion. One iteration of that headlamp had the problem as well -- and was quietly fixed by Black Diamond. Props to BD for an effective and subtle redesign! Details in photo below.

Lou Dawson's Backcountry Skiing Weblog

October 12 - 2005
Ski Porn Cuts Back to Tradition (New School gets Schooled?)

October 11 - 2005
Wine Causes Crazy Backcountry Skiing Behavior

October 10 - 2005
Incountry -- Last Adventure Fishing Before Winter

October 9 - 2005
Backcountry Blog Roll!

October 8 - 2005
Culinary Delights of Backcountry Skiing - Hombrew Goo

October 7 - 2005
Real World Backcountry Binding Weights - Fritschi

October 6 - 2005
Photos from Castle Peak, Colorado, Montezuma Basin

October 5 - 2005
Backcountry Skiing Blog Comments

October 4 -- 2005
It's Alive -- RECCO Rises from the Grave

October 3 -- 2005
Winter Ruminations - ATCs and Soul Sports

September 30 -- 2005
Backcountry Skiing Bindings -- Frequently Asked Questions

September 29 -- 2005
Maroon Bells Tortillas

September 28 -- 2005
Backcountry Battery Connections -- Ortovox, Black Diamond

Lou Dawson's Backcountry Skiing Weblog

October 12 - 2005 Ski Porn Cuts Back to Tradition (New School gets Schooled?)

October 11 - 2005 Wine Causes Crazy Backcountry Skiing Behavior

October 10 - 2005 Incountry -- Last Adventure Fishing Before Winter

October 9 - 2005 Backcountry Blog Roll!

October 8 - 2005 Culinary Delights of Backcountry Skiing - Hombrew Goo

October 7 - 2005 Real World Backcountry Binding Weights - Fritschi

October 6 - 2005 Photos from Castle Peak, Colorado, Montezuma Basin

October 5 - 2005 Backcountry Skiing Blog Comments

October 4 -- 2005 It's Alive -- RECCO Rises from the Grave

October 3 -- 2005 Winter Ruminations - ATCs and Soul Sports

September 30 -- 2005 Backcountry Skiing Bindings -- Frequently Asked Questions

September 29 -- 2005 Maroon Bells Tortillas

September 28 -- 2005 Backcountry Battery Connections -- Ortovox, Black Diamond

October 12 - 2005
Ski Porn Cuts Back to Tradition (New School gets Schooled?)

October 11 - 2005
Wine Causes Crazy Backcountry Skiing Behavior

October 10 - 2005
Incountry -- Last Adventure Fishing Before Winter

October 9 - 2005
Backcountry Blog Roll!

October 8 - 2005
Culinary Delights of Backcountry Skiing - Hombrew Goo

October 7 - 2005
Real World Backcountry Binding Weights - Fritschi

October 6 - 2005
Photos from Castle Peak, Colorado, Montezuma Basin

October 5 - 2005
Backcountry Skiing Blog Comments

October 4 -- 2005
It's Alive -- RECCO Rises from the Grave

October 3 -- 2005
Winter Ruminations - ATCs and Soul Sports

September 30 -- 2005
Backcountry Skiing Bindings -- Frequently Asked Questions

September 29 -- 2005
Maroon Bells Tortillas

September 28 -- 2005
Backcountry Battery Connections -- Ortovox, Black Diamond