|
 |
|
|
Skier's
Webcams Please help support our efforts with this website,
shop the links below: More backcountry skiing shopping links to help us with this blog and website |
Lou Dawson's Backcountry Skiing Weblog
March 24 - 2005
|
In these days of Internet it's easy to suss out good regional snowpacks -- just read the posts on the major backcountry skiing forums such as that in our nav menu to the left, and leave your own query if you're bold. How to get snowpack details? Many regions have amazing telemetry you can access from the web. For example, check this one.
It's been fun sharing our series of 10 tips (even if we did forget how to count for a while (grin)). I know some were kinda basic, but quite a few newcomers are enjoying our sport so we hope our hints were useful to the tyros out there. As for you old timers, perhaps you got reminded of something -- I know we did.
March 23 - 2005
Cultural Diversity in the Backcountry
I love cultural diversity -- but I don't need to go to Katmandu to get it. Over past decades I've enjoyed knowing folks in the backcountry snowmobiling community. Many love their sport for the same reasons we love backcountry skiing, and despite occasional conflicts with land use issues, I've found the sledders easy to get along with, and enjoyed my own occasional trips on a motorized snow rocket.
Hence, I was personally grieved when I heard about the awful explosion and fire at Colorado's snowmobile oriented Electric Mountain Lodge this past Saturday. The fire leveled the 15,000 square foot building and killed three children, members of an extended family who were having a reunion there. One can only imagine the fun those kids were having up in snow country with their parents and grand parents -- all cut off in a moment. A reminder to live life to the fullest, to be large in our love and express it frequently. Memorial fund.
Randonnee racing: The big daddy Powder Keg randonnee race was held this past weekend (March 19) in Utah. Complete results here. I hear this year's 'Keg was exciting as always, with Euro World Cuppers posting amazing times, straightlining couloirs on their feather-weight race rigs, and generally showing us how it's done -- along with a top notch performance by our own North American Jennie Wall, who took fourth in the women's World Cup division. Video of event. And check out this still sequence of a 16 second transition from uphill to downhill mode!!!
March 22 - 2005
Hamish Gowans Winter Fourteeners
As many of you know, Hamish was not able to complete all 54 Colorado fourteeners in one calendar winter. He has bowed out gracefully, and this nice article summarizes the whole deal quite well. If you didn't get a chance to check it out, remember to read Hamish's Pikes Peak climbing account and closing statement on his weblog blog. He used backcountry skiing to great effect, and proved that climbing all 54 peaks in one winter may be possible.
Spring Backcountry Skiing Tip #9: In terms of avalanche danger and quality of skiing, sun heat usually influences the spring snowpack more than any other factor.
With dense cohesive maritime snowpacks such as that of the California Sierra, Northwest U.S. and BC coast range, you may have no more concern than how slushy the snow gets later in the day, with possible point-release avalanches on steeper slopes, and perhaps difficult backcountry skiing when it gets really mucky.
The picture changes with mid-continental snow. Thinner, layered snowpacks of Colorado and elsewhere can be 100% avalanche safe in the morning after a cool spring night, then turn into a death trap as the snow heats later in the day. More, such snow can yield delightful backcountry skiing as the surface warms after an hour or two of sunshine, then transmogrify to wretched breakable crust that will ruin your day.
Thus, our tip: No matter what the snowpack, starting your backcountry skiing trip early in the morning is one way to insure a wonderful day. While you can usually ski spring maritime snow all day long, an early climb avoids vile sweat sessions under broiling sun -- and morning corn snow may be a bit more firm and nicer to ski than that of mid-day. And with the mid-continent, starting early could save your life.
How to plan your start time? Figure out your best high-point or summit arrival time, obtain sunrise time, and work backwards to your start time. For mid-continental trips on easterly exposures, try to reach your high point just after sunrise. Add a few hours for westerly exposures. If you're skiing maritime snow you don't have to be quite so fanatical, but time it so your climbing will happen during the cool morning hours. Sunrise times are usually available in conjunction with local weather reports. We get ours from our weather radio.
March 21 - 2005
Ten Spring Backcountry Skiing Tips
Tip #8: A fact of life as a North American backcountry skier is that your automobile is as essential as your skis. Much of our skiing is done in areas with little or no public transportation, travel distances can be long, and roads vary from 4-lane to 4x4 trail. Having a good vehicle for such travel is key to consistent enjoyment and success in the spring season.
If you're a conservative driver, and willing to park a bit lower on the melted out but rough roads, a smaller all-wheel-drive sedan (such as the popular Subaru models) is a good choice. If you like more room and want to push up the dicey roads so you have less mud walking, a mid-size SUV such as the Jeep Cherokee might keep you happy.
Whatever your choice in vehicle for backcountry skiing, setting it up nicely can eliminate a world of hurt. Be sure you have top quality all-season or snow tires. If you like to push it a bit, buy tires that have thicker sidewalls and tread so you'll get fewer flats from sharp rocks. Sometimes it helps to buy a tire that's slightly taller than stock, thus lifting your vehicle a bit so it'll pass more easily over ruts and rocks.
Mid sized SUVs can sometimes benefit from a conservative suspension lift (around 2 inches) to accommodate taller tires, and give more wheel well room for snow and mud buildup. 4x4 enthusiasts go gonzo with this, but sacrifice highway performance -- don't go there unless you've got lots of money and time.
If you do opt for taller tires, be aware that any but a slight increase may necessitate changing your axle gearing, so be careful with that. Lots of those trucks you see with those big tall tires have lost all ability to crawl slowly in low gear -- essential if your doing real-world trail work.
If you're serious about using your SUV for rougher trails, it's useful to install aftermarket trail bumpers. You can hook a tow strap to just about any point on a trail bumper, use it as a jack support to raise your vehicle out of a rut or mud hole, and tap trees and rocks with little or no damage (as opposed to factory bumpers that self-destruct at the slightest provocation). Most front aftermarket bumpers have a winch platform, and filling such with a good quality winch gives peace of mind out in the boonies. But winches are expensive, tempt thieves, and are used so infrequently on average trailhead approaches that they're definitely a luxury -- not a necessity.
Consider your vehicle battery. You're at a remote trailhead after backcountry skiing all day, your car is starting hard and requires quite a bit of cranking. It sputters, almost starts -- then your battery dies. You can get after-market batteries that have quite a bit more power and reliability than those from the factory. Look for Optima and other such brands. Highly recommended for your backcountry skiing trailhead approach vehicle (TAV).
What you carry in your TAV is important as well. A list:
- Tow strap (learn where to hook it up, see your owners manual)
- First aid kit (larger type that you leave in your vehicle)
- Sleeping bag or large blanket (in case you get stranded and for first aid)
- Tool kit (Buy a small toolbox and load it up with generic tools)
- Shovel (Don't depend on your avalanche shovel to dig you out of a mud pit, keep a medium sized steel spade in your TAV. You can find ones with shorter handles at any hardware store.)
- De-activated cell phone with automobile power cable (in case you loose your regular phone, or the battery dies)
- Small box with extra engine oil, power steering fluid, etc. (use a plastic box such as a small Action Packer, so if something leaks it doesn't drain out on your carpet)
- Windshield washer fluid and a jug of plain water for drinking or emergency radiator fills (only in springtime, since it'll freeze in winter while you're parked)
Check your vehicle's jack. If it's meager and possibly useless for lifting your TAV out of a rut or hole, continue to pack your factory jack for changing out a flat tire on the highway, but also carry a jack with some power and throw, such as a taller hydraulic jack, or in the case of a fully setup backroads TAV, a highlift jack (the big heavy long ones you see strapped to all those farmer's pickups).
We have 3 TAVs at the moment. Our Toyota Tacoma is our favorite for average approaches. Our 1997 Jeep Cherokee is set up as more of a rough trail rig than the Tacoma, with a 2 inch lift, taller tires, rocker guards, and major bumpers -- but it's not as nice on the highway. And our 1947 Willys Jeep rock crawler is not exactly a TAV -- but is worth mentioning anyway -- since we're talking Jeeps!
If you do opt for vehicle modifications, how do you get them done correctly? Nearly every town and city in the U.S. now has at least one custom 4x4 shop. Some of these outfits are incredibly skilled, and can take your concept to reality within a specified budget. Yet as with anything, it's buyer beware. Check out your choice in shops by getting word-of-mouth recommendations, seeing if they're a member of the Better Business Bureau, and so forth. If you're in or near Western Colorado, we recommend CODE 4x4 -- they're super ethical and like to carefully plan projects so they stay within budget and end up being useful for the intended purpose.
March 20 - 2005
Southern Exposures in Colorado Are Corning Up
Out yesterday on Williams Peak near Sunlight Ski area and Glenwood Springs, Colorado. This low elevation destination has become popular in recent seasons. It's mostly avalanche safe because of low angles and timber, and isn't as sexy as places like Utah, but it actually yields some good glisse if conditions are right. This time of year, you can sometimes find nice corn snow on the southerly side of Williams, and that we did. There is plenty more.
People have requested for some time that I publish a how-to for mounting Silvretta Pure bindings. Here you go. We'll make improvements as comments come in, but it'll get you there.
Hunter Thompson update: (Last time we go here?) If you've read this blog you know we don't care much for the notion of his suicide being "courageous" or "noble," as some pundits have termed it. To put that in perspective, we've heard rumor of copycat suicide attempts recently occuring in this area (Aspen). If your teenager tried to take their own life because they heard about the Great Gonzo doing it, how noble does that make his act?
Backcountry skiing tip? Check here tomorrow -- We're going skiing.
March 19 - 2005
Dawson Video Interview
Mitch Webber of Telemarktips.com interviewed yours truly while at
the Outdoor Retailer show this winter. Too much coffee? You decide.
high speed low
speed
Los Lost Boys: A crew of skiers lost in the Montana backcountry have been all over the news lately.They were able to call out on their cell phone, only they had no idea of their location, and neither did authorities! They hiked out of the mountains and were picked up Friday afternoon, uninjured. I thought there was some kind of 007 way of triangulating a cell phone location, but apparently that's either a myth, only available to Bond, or perhaps the mountain location interfered with such tracking. More here.
Which leads, you guessed it, to Spring
Backcountry Skiing Tip #7:
While preparing for spring backcountry skiing, it's easy to become
complacent and start leaving essential items at home. It's warm out,
the days are long, you like a light weight pack... But some things
should be as part of your pack as its very fabric. One
such is a small "survival" kit that includes a butane lighter, waterproof
matches, and perhaps a bit of "kindling" material that makes it easy
to start a fire.
Outdoor stores sell various kindling such as fire "paste" in a tube and small flammable bricks. Go for the bricks, they store better than the tube of paste. Or if you like multi-purpose gear, you can kindle a fire using shavings from your wax block (see tip #5 below) combined with a wad of toilet paper. Once you decide on a fire kindling system, test it once or twice before your life depends on it.
And remember your cell phone -- while your'e lost you can sit by your cozy fire and chat with the mountain rescue folks.
March 18 - 2005
More Sun Protection for Backcountry Skiing
A couple of blog readers have pointed out that I missed talking about lip protection in the backcountry skiing sunscreen tips below. It's difficult to protect your lips from the sun. A good hat and frequent applications of sun-block lip balm work for most people, but some need more. If so, along with an effective wide-brim hat, try using an opaque lip balm such as Labiosan. Apply frequently.
10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
Today's Tip: #6 - Hydration
Hydration bladders (Camel Back, etc.) are problematic for winter backcountry skiing. They work fine for short casual trips, but when the going gets rough and long, and you need them the most -- that's when the sip tube freezes and you spend the day in torture or worse.
But hydration bladders are perfect for spring backcountry skiing, when the days are warm and you need huge amounts of fluids. If you're on a budget get a bladder at WalMart and throw it in any backpack. For the ultimate, get a Hydrapak brand bladder. Hydrapak has all the bells and whistles: special materials that prevent bacterial growth; reversible reservoir that you can turn inside out to clean; easy flowing bite valve that doesn't leak, and more. Whatever your choice in hydration bladders for backcountry skiing, for quick and easy storage at home throw it in the freezer so you don't start a science project (even the anti-bacterial reservoirs will eventually start farming bugs if not cared for).
What you drink is key as well. Plain water works fine if combined with scarfing the occasional energy gel pack. We like Cytomax energy drink (it's amazing stuff that truly does give you more umpf), but diluted orange juice works well, as does any other diluted fruit juice. Experiment.
We recommend shopping for Cytomax here.
March 17 - 2005
10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
Today's Tip: #5 - Wax
There is nothing that can improve your backcountry skiing day more than copious and frequent use of ski wax. At home, hot-wax and scrape your skis as frequently as possible if you're skiing lots of abrasive corn snow. In the field, after your skins are on, wax them by rubbing a block of wax in the direction of the fur nap. Waxed skins glide better and pick up less gunk during icing conditions while backcountry skiing.
While waxing skins, hit any exposed Ptex and give your edges and sidewalls a hit as well to prevent icing if temperatures vary. Rub wax on the top of your skis or board to prevent icing, especially under the binding area. Bonus tip: Alpine wax is expensive, for budget backcountry skiing wax buy paraffin at the hardware store and use a chunk of it for your field wax (it works fine in warmer temperatures). At home, to save money mix paraffin with alpine wax while hot waxing, (only do this for use with warmer snow conditions -- it'll make your skis feel like velcro if you try it for cold powder).
March 16 - 2005
PM Update: Hamish Story Now Available
Yesterday we may have forgotten to upload
the new Hamish "finished" story. Check
now if you didn't see anything new.
Sean Crossen - Backcountry Skiing the Fourteeners
I spoke with Sean yesterday. He skied North
Maroon peak March 10, with Pete Sowar and Chris Webster. After
a warming trend, temps in the Elks had dropped substantially by
the time Sean and his crew were backcountry skiing on the peak,
freezing the previously dangerous lower elevation snowpack as tight
as a drum. Upper elevations were the usual steep winter powder
that Sean has a knack for finding when he's backcountry skiing,
"1,000 vertical feet of steep sluffing powder - incredible," is
how he described conditions from the summit down their backcountry
skiing route on the West Face.
Sean is doing an excellent job of backcountry skiing "re-dos" on peaks he's skied before, but didn't feel comfortable claiming as ski descents so he can be the second person to ski all the Fourteeners, and do it in just 3 seasons. As of this report, he's got six re-dos to go, including Pyramid Peak and Capitol -- two of the hardest to find in condition for safe and complete ski descents -- but knowing Sean and his friends, they'll nail it, and might even find more powder!
10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
Today's Tip: #4 - Eye Protection
4. Most people know that high altitude sun can damage your eyes as well as your skin. Short term, you can sunburn your eyes and become "snow blind." Long term, it cause cataracts. As with your skin, protection is the key, and sunglasses are the method. But not just any sunglasses work for backcountry skiing. Be sure your glasses are rated to filter 100% of UV and IR rays, and are large enough to adequately cover your eyes and block light coming in from the sides. More, during bright spring days in snow country, you'll want fairly dark glasses, so evaluate at the store when you're buying. To test, hold them up at arms length and compare side-by-side, and get the ones that dim the light substantially. (Be aware, however, that just because a pair of sunglasses is "dark" doesn't mean they absorb enough of the UV and IR, hence the reason to buy name brand, rated sunglasses.)
Always carry spare eye protection. If you've got name-brand goggles they'll work in a pinch if you loose your sun glasses (even storm lenses usually filter UV and IR, and you can add duct tape to create a "slit" gogglee if they seem too bright). For an ultra light weight spare, go to a vision care center and get their small disposable sunglasses (they'll usually give you a pair for free). These roll up the size of a film canister, weigh nothing, and are plenty dark for high altitude protection. Keep 'em in your emergency kit along with your fire starting items and duct tape stash.
March 15 - 2005
Just in, Hamish Gowans Fourteeners Update
"It had become difficult to avoid, then
necessary to admit, that the project would not reach fruition this
year, after almost a month of inactivity. For four weeks Colorado was
locked in with a pattern of unsettled weather that brought snow showers
to the peaks at least every other day. Drinking coffee in Colorado
Springs after going for a run, and listening to the CAIC forecast,
or looking at weather.com, I kept hoping for a break that would
let me return to my mission. It’s
just that..." Read more here.
10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
Today's Tip: Sun Defense
3. What are the worst backcountry skiing hazards? Avalanches? Ripped knees? Perhaps. But sun induced skin damage has arguably more heinosity than plunging slides and popping ligaments. More than a million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year -- one person dies every hour from skin cancer -- and most of those cancers are caused by exposure to excessive sunlight. Yuck!
Big C aside, if you're looking at a lifetime of backcountry skiing, do you really want your face to resemble alligator hide by the time your'e 45 years old?
 |
Even tough Aussies wear sunscreen and hats. |
Clothing is your first line of protection. While backcountry skiing, use a layering system that covers as much skin as possible, yet still allows cooling and venting during hot sunny climbs (see clothing tips below). Remember your hands. Wear lightweight gloves for sun protection and to prevent abrasions if you trip and fall. Marmot and other backcountry clothing companies make such gloves -- or go budget and use a cheap pair of gardening gloves from the hardware store.
Hat choice is the big quandary. Ball caps look the most stylish, but offer little protection unless the sun is in front of you and you keep your head down. Hats with a full circle brim are much better (otherwise known as "full-brim" or "safari" hats), but may embarrass backcountry skiers under 30 years old. To prevent violation of your youthful sensibilities, stow your big-ol-hat in your pack and bring it out once you're climbing. Funny, but once the adventure starts, fashion issues seem to fade (at least 'till the cameras come out).
Hat construction is important. The bar none absolute best fabric for sun hats is Cool Max, second to that is thin generic nylon or acrylic. It's amazing how well Cool Max wicks sweat and cools you off. Look for a hat that at least has a Cool Max head band -- or best, is made entirely of the stuff. A few small vent holes also help, so look for those as well.
Full brim hats may interfere with your backcountry skiing pack if the brim is too big. A 2 1/2 inch brim is good compromise but somewhat minimal for true sun protection while backcountry skiing. Larger 3 inch brims may look geeky and hit your pack when you tilt your head up, but they offer MAJOR protection.
Full-brim backcountry skiing hats are tough to shop for on the web. On most websites they're poorly categorized and describied, and most people prefer to try before they buy. Thus, forget web shopping for hats. Instead, visit your local specialty sporting goods store where they have a mirror, and a wall full of hats (...we hope, or perhaps they prefer you'd web shop?).
 |
| Watership Trading Seabird sun hat. |
A good and widely available full-brim yet minimal sun hat for backcouintry skiing is a Columbia UPF Booney. I'm not sure if the band is Cool Max or not, but it wicks well. The brim is a bit floppy, but at a somewhat narrow 2 1/2 inches it can droop a bit and stay out of your eyes. The best REAL full-brim (3 inch) hats we've found are the Watership Trading Vinyard Haven and Seabird. These hats are well made, the brim is stiffer than the Columbia (it has a plastic support hoop in the rim) yet still packs well, and they combine a dark under-brim with nice light colors to reflect the sun.
Essential backcountry skiing hat features: Be sure your toque has a chin string so it doesn't end up in flight when the wind gusts. Lighter colors will keep your head cooler. Underside of the brim should be dark, so it doesn't reflect glare to your eyes. Brim should be stiff enough to stay snappy when it's damp, but not so stiff it pushes the hat off your head when you brush against things.
Chemical sunscreen is the other component of sun protection. Three main considerations with the gunk: Does is stay on fairly well when you sweat, how bad does it sting your eyes, and is it SPF 40 or better? We like Banana Boat brand -- it seems to satisfy all the above specs. Remember to put sunscreen on before you leave house or hut in the morning, and re-apply several times during the day.
Suncscreen tip: Keep a super-size tube at home, and get a small tube for your pack. Replenish small tube by firmly holding both tubes together opening-to-opening and squeezing suncreen from larger to smaller tube. Slightly enlarge the hole in the smaller tube if you have trouble with this.
It's easy to protect your skin from sun damage, but you have to be consistent with it. Sun damage is cumulative. More, if you do a good job of protecting your skin, it's even more prone to damage if you forget your hat and sunscreen.
Please visit again tomorrow for more tips.
March 14 - 2005
10 Tips for Spring Backcountry Skiing
1. When we take newcomers out backcountry skiing this time of year, what to wear is question number one. If you're hiking for your turns, you will roast unless you use a good layering system.
Try a pair of simple "guide" style softshell pants for your legs. Look for pants made of fairly thin fabric (many such pants are intended more as a mid-winter garment, and may be too warm for spring). For layering if the weather turns, carry a pair of lighter weight hard-shell pants in your pack, (but don't wear slick hard-shell nylon for steep skiing -- see below).
Your torso is tougher to dress for uphill sweating. While cotton clothing is usually verboten in the backcountry, in spring weather a cotton t-shirt or button-down may be the only layer that'll keep you cool and still protect your skin from the sun, pack abrasions and such.
If the weather turns nasty, be sure to strip your damp cotton before adding layers. Attempting to use ANY cotton clothing for warmth can be dangerous, since it extracts heat from your body if damp or wet (and backcountry clothing usually ends up damp).
An alternative to cotton is any acrylic or nylon type fabric. Shirts made from such tend to pass moisture better than cotton does, and will dry in moments if you hang them from your skis or a tree during a break -- but they don't keep you as cool and comfortable as good 'ol cotton.
2. Beware the "slide for life." Every spring we hear numerous stories of backcountry skiers taking terrifying and sometimes fatal sliding falls down steep mountain snow. I've witnessed a few such falls. It's amazing how fast you accelerate, then start rag dolling with no chance of stopping. Many of these falls could be minimized or entirely prevented by clothing choice. While backcountry skiing on snow steeper than about 30 degrees, wear soft shell fabrics or wool garments, rather then slick nylon. Consider packing your crampons or rope on the outside of your pack, in such a way as to drag against the snow if you fall. And consider using a ski pole self-arrest grip such as the Black Diamond Whippet if you generally ski without falling, and do tackle steep terrain.
Equally important in preventing death falls: know your limits. If you can do "no-fall" skiing you're qualified for steep terrain. If you fall occasionally, proceed with caution and dial back your expectations.
Check again tomorrow for more backcountry skiing tips.
Naxo durability update: I got a chuckle this morning when I was checking the TGR forums. Person posted this, and mentioned they broke their "fragile" Naxos during what appears to be a Darwin Awards audition (typos from one-handed typing are left intact):
"... Made some nice turns then decided to point it (bad decision). For some reason people were waiving their arms at me. That nice pow was barely concealing a beachball sized rock. Hit it dead on and did a double eject kamakaze. Onlookes said they thought I was going to die. Was looking at a facefull of more rocks whwn I put my hand down, did a handspring and landed on a hard flat rock. Couldnt breath for 20 secs or so - terrifying. Now I can barely move the hand that was put down..."
Blog note: Since it's unknown if anonymous forum posters are male or female, we frequently use awkward but accurate gender neutral terms such as "person" to refer to such people, rather than "him," "he," "she," etcetera.
March 13 - 2005
Aspen Daily News Covers Backcountry Skiing Blog
Today's ADN has a nice
article about our blog, New York Times next?
Blog comment: Hey Lou, JW here.
Your kid is 14 years old, mine is 13 and is right behind
me on the skis or bikes. I now have someone in my family that I can
play with! We ski the Cirque and Wall at Snowmass whenever possible.
She loves mountain biking in Fruita. I just hope she doesn't discover
bowling or Country and Western music.
I am not
going to second guess the Highlands avalanche but I did wonder about
some of the decisions that were made. You know I went for my own
ride 7 years ago and have sworn off even the moderately dangerous
stuff. Especially after loosing Rich last winter up in Canada.
I
hadn't considered the effects of attached tele gear since I had gone
over to randonnee 5 years ago. Good point on releasing the equipment.
During my slide both of my skis came off immediately which was good
but finding them again was not easy -- but I'd much rather have them
off then on!
Hey JW, thanks for the message! I'll tell you though, sometimes bowling sounds pretty good (Bode Miller does it), and C&W music can be just the right thing when you're in a certain type of mood!
March 11 - 2005
Fourteeners -- and Backcountry Skiing Blog Comments
Back from backcountry skiing today here in central Colorado. We looked for corn snow, found a few silky turns, but mostly found difficult variable conditions. We rated overall avy danger as considerable because of heat, so didn't get much done. Snow everywhere is what you'd call "transitional," meaning it's trying to switch from a winter to spring pack -- but it's having trouble doing so because it's a bit early in the season for that to happen.
Aspen Times published an excellent article about Aron Ralston this morning. Check it out.
Interesting and amusing backcountry skiing blog comments have been flying in over the transom, reproduced verbatim (typos included) below:
"I laughed at the 'losing a few' comment." -- AR
"In regards o your article about the Mt. Superior avalanche 'Your an idiot'" -- MB
"The quote from the TGR forum really is right. Many ski movies, more so the ones from the last 10-15 years, glory in the danger of dropping the cornice and outpacing the "sloughs" or dropping ridiculous cliffs and then doing figure elevens at crazy speeds for miles on Alaskan slopes that have never seen skis. We're propagating disaster with the film culture that shows five seconds of post-avalanche introspection and then heads right back into the jaws of the trap." MW
"Ya just can't tele when your heel is locked. All the other performance of a rando binding is absolutely enviable. But so is the tele turn in crud, mush and pow. I want it ALL. Why not?" CD
"Apparently his practice is to smoke bowl after bowl on the boot up to the start zone. He is legendary on this point." -- DG
"Good work Lou. Keep that high horse saddled." -SC
"Your thoughts are always
appreciated. I totally agree. I think the GenX
factor and all the ski porn we see these days has produced
a boldness that I have not seen in these parts. And
it hurts because someone did get killed and yes, I agree,
it could have been our kid or even us out there with the “experts”. Uggg.
Amazing website. Just read the article about the Norwegian avalanche survivor, makes you feel like grabbing a cup of tea rather than AT skis...check my weblog" - J
People have asked me why I'm not publishing an "interactive" blog, meaning a backcountry skiing weblog with a reader comments function. I considered doing that, but experts told me that rude and profane comments would take vast amounts of time to manage, and receiving comments via email would make things much easier. So that's the way we're doing it. Feel free to send email -- but please refrain from profanity as my spam filter will probably crunch your comment before I even see it, ditto for email without something on the subject line, spam filter hates that as well. Keep comments brief, and try to avoid stating the obvious, such as "you're an idiot." After some of my backcountry mistakes, I already know I'm capable of adequate idiocy.
We're off for a backcountry skiing adventure today, more later.
Hunter Thompson Update: Aron Ralston knocked him off the front page of the Aspen Times. Message to Aspen Times and other Aspen tabloids: Hunter Thompson is deceased. Celebrate life.
Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information and opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 35 years has been alpinism and back country skiing -- and all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about backcountry skiing and snowboarding, and is well known as the first person to ski down all 54 of Colorado's 14,000-foot peaks, otherwise known as the famous Fourteeners! Books and free back country information here, as well as tons of Randonnee rando telemark backcountry skiing 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 choose to do all forms of randonnée and randonnée skiing. The information on this website is intended only as general information for a variety of aspects of backcountry skiing and outdoor recreation. While the authors and editors of the information on this website make every effort to present useful information, due to human error the information contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. By using the information provided on this website, you agree to absolve the owners of WildSnow.com of any liability for injuries or losses incured while using such information.
Always go backcountry skiing with a partner, and learn about avalanche safety before you ski outside of ski and snowboard resorts. The best season for this sport is late winter and spring, when the snowpack compacts and avalanche danger is more predictable. The Colorado wilderness backcountry skiing season reaches its prime in May and June. Maritime snow such as that of the Pacific Northwest may be less avalanche prone than continental snow of that such as Colorado and Wyoming. The California Sierra also provides a relatively reliable snowpack for backcountry skiing, snowboarders, snowmobilers, telemarkers and the like. Backcountry skiing is a wonderful sport, but it can transition in moments from wonder to tragedy. You agree to use any of this website's information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instuctions or templatates at your own risk, and waive Wildsnow.com its owners and contributors of any liability for use of said items. Keywords: Ski Information, Info, Outdoors, Wilderness Skiing, Randonnée and randonnée, Ski Mountaineering, also Ski Alpinismo and Backcountry Skiing. |
|
|
|
