New WildSnow World HQ Rising

Raw space with new sheetrock over a layer of EPS foam to add a few R insulation. Next step is a level wooden floor. I’ll do a garage finish on the drywall. All electrical to be surface conduit so it’s easy to relocate and mod depending on how the space is used.

Some of you might wonder if I’m AWOL, as we’ve had quite a few guest blogs since Lisa and I returned from Norway and Europe — along with few from yours truly. Truth be told, we’ve still got a few posts to file from overseas. We’ll get those up eventually. Beyond that, my creative energy at the moment is spoken for by a grand restoration of WildSnow World Headquarters.

For the past 25 years I’ve had our often blogged workshop (the true HQ) in our funky 500 square foot garage. The structure is more than 100 years old, replete with walls about as well insulated as a nylon dome tent, and an ancient concrete floor that looks “interesting” at first glance, but makes it difficult to roll tools around or do work that requires a flat level floor.

Adding to the fray, the owners we purchased from a quarter century ago did a sort of “pothead” work style (hey, it’s Carbondale Colorado!) on just about everything they touched on our house and garage. I’ve been following behind and fixing their flops for a quarter century. Examples abound, but my favorite was the corrugated metal roof that they nailed in the valleys instead of on the ridge tops. Result, massive leakage that haunted us for decades.

We got a new roof put on a few years ago in anticipation of a total refurb.

That’s why you’re not seeing a whole lot of blog posts from me during recent weeks. Over the last ten days we ripped nearly everything out, hung new drywall over EPS foam, and installed a couple of new windows. Now we’re building a nice level wood floor up off the impossible concrete. Next stages involve a robust electrical system, good lighting, and some aesthetic details so the space isn’t too sterile.

In the end, the space will be more of a design studio and office, with a bit of workshop thrown in. We’ll still have our boot fitting and ski benches, along with our full component of fabrication tools. But my office will be out here as well so dusty work will now have to be done outside.

We’ll have a little “house warming” when it’s done and file a few more photos. I’m anticipating having a super nice workspace, which for you readers will translate to more content productivity on my end. For now, you know why I’m a bit AWOL.

Until next time, I’m off to Lowe’s for another round of over-priced low-quality lumber! Any suggestions on what you guys would want in the dream workshop?

Pouring a new concrete slab was too costly and no subs were available, instead we built a superstructure of supported 2×4 sleepers, using a laser level to keep it all within an eighth inch of the same height. Result is a flat and comfortable floor.

14 Responses to “New WildSnow World HQ Rising”

1. Dillon June 29th, 2015 11:25 am

   Didn’t even realize you were gone. Welcome back…I guess.

2. Lou Dawson 2 June 29th, 2015 11:50 am

   Yeah Dillon, as long as I can get a data connection to the net, you never know where I might be! It’s been a crazy 10 years or so, with being able to be a blogger from almost anywhere on the planet. I love it in some ways, but of course wonder where it all leads. ‘best, Lou

3. Ed June 29th, 2015 2:47 pm

   Lou you didn’t mention if the design studio/ office/ workshop was just for skis or for woodworking too (Lisa’s future solid walnut dovetailed kitchen drawer set upgrade?) I’d vote for floor heating and for a dust collection system with local pickups (a Binford 6400 – you know hold onto your small dogs!) And general room ventilation – a big thing with me if you’re doing finishing or just mucking about with epoxies and stinky amines.
   Oh and a bar . . . .
   You’ve seen my bench (Stoke binding mounting) so you know you don’t ever want to end up like that . . . (grin and sigh).

4. DavidB June 29th, 2015 5:02 pm

   Montana Blue Pearl tuning robot.

   I’ve just been looking at the base structures these things roll out. Unbelievable 3d structures. You might have to crowd fund it though, they’re a bit pricey:)

5. Phil June 29th, 2015 11:13 pm

   Kegerator.

6. Mark Worley June 30th, 2015 6:50 am

   How about a place for a little cardio in between long stretches of blog writing?

7. Matt Franzek June 30th, 2015 9:16 am

   Second the Kegerator, and bonus points for ever old pair of skis used in the design!

8. Mitch R. June 30th, 2015 7:55 pm

   Please show photos of completed project.

9. Lou Dawson 2 July 1st, 2015 7:22 am

   Matt, good idea on the skis! Will think of something…

10. Serese Kudar July 1st, 2015 8:55 am

    Inviting all Wild Snow bloggers to SHIFT, an annual festival that celebrates the future of conservation with food, film, speakers, workshops and outdoor adventure. From October 7-10, the 2015 Festival will feature an in-depth exploration of the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of conservation and outdoor recreation, with a goal of leveraging outdoor recreation for conservation gains. A full slate of discussions, talks, and presentations will foster an exchange of information and shared experiences with outdoor industry leaders, conservation and youth engagement advocates, public land managers, and national media, while evening programs feature some of the most dynamic keynote speakers, film and food programs on the planet. Gather with North America’s leading outdoor recreationists, foodies, adventure athletes and sustainability pioneers as we eat, drink and play, all while celebrating the future of conservation. Tickets available at http://www.shiftjh.org

11. Mike T July 14th, 2015 2:47 pm

    Hook up a floor inlet to your vaccuum system — being able to sweep wax scrapings, filings, etc into an inlet is pretty nice.

    +100 on kegerator, but the reality is that nobody ever pays you for the beer they drink. Maybe just a cool fridge set-up is more practical.

    Overhead outlets over the tuning bench.

12. Lou Dawson 2 August 18th, 2015 4:14 pm

    Whew, we’re still at it, getting the last .0001% of the work done. Didn’t do the floor vac inlet but do have possibility of overhead cord on tuning bench. We’ll post a tour soon. Just a few more days! Hard to operate website and be a building contractor both at the same time… can’t wait to focus back in on ski touring 23/7. Lou

13. Dillon August 19th, 2015 2:55 pm

    Lou. When you focus on ski touring 23/7 it begs the question…what do you do with the unaccounted-for hour? On second thought, never mind…

14. Lou Dawson 2 August 19th, 2015 3:31 pm

    Ha! Glad someone noticed. Lou