Welcome to Louis (Lou) Dawson's backcountry skiing information & opinion website. Lou's passion for the past 50 years has been alpinism, climbing, mountaineering and skiing -- along with all manner of outdoor recreation. He has authored numerous books and articles about
ski touring 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 ski touring news and information here.
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Backcountry skiing is dangerous. You may be killed or severely injured if you do any form of ski mountaineering, skimo randonnee and randonnée skiing. The information and news on this website is intended only as general information. Due to human error and passing time, the information, text and images contained within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date.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 templates at your own risk, and waive Wild Snow owners and contributors of liability for use of said items for ski touring or any other use.
I am glad that you have finally come clean that much of your touring is actually done with snowmobiles.
Those rednecks living over the hill are a bad influence!
Louie and Lisa, do you adjust your poles? :o)
Nice photo’s and glad you are getting some snow. If you have a Euro trip lined up Lou, I hope it’s not for a while yet!
Best to all for 2016.
Hi Frame, I have to go over there for work, covering ski product, indeed too bad I’ll be leaving the perfect Colorado pow season. Way it goes, gotta make a living… and I’m sure I’ll have some fun and interesting things to write about no matter what.
Louie adjusts poles on occasion, Lisa not so much. I’ll still guarantee that 90% of the ski touring population has no need of adjustable poles nor do they use the adjustment other than for an initial setting to their favorite height, or for lending them out. My hidden biased agenda with this is simply to save skier’s some money from B.S. they’re being convinced they need when they don’t. But seriously, I’m totally comfortable that some folks do want/need/use the adjustables.
Another thing to remember is the ski industry loves adjustable poles. One SKU, more expensive, so you’re not going to hear any argument from them! I’d imagine they’re reading our adjustable pole thread with some amusement and downright gladness (grin).
Lou
Lou
Looking good Lisa!
Indeed, gotta make that living. Let’s hope for snow and no need to pray for pastries, as we know Europe always delivers.
I have a pair of slightly too short, dumpster poles. Not great for pushing on the uphill, but as Chris Reubens postulated, it encourages good body position when pole planting on the down. The pole manufacturers will be shaking their heads in my direction.
Dang, I don’t know why we ever left!
With you on that one Rachel – wish I was skiing in Colorado right now! It looks so fun!
Rachel and Julia,
You WildSnow Girls are always welcome. Come back soon!
As much time as you spend in Europe, Lou, don’t you see the beauty of adjustable (3-part) poles? They collapse small enough to attach to your pack, which means one less thing to juggle when the crampons and ice-axe come out, or when it’s time to take the train back at the end of a tour, or pack up to get on a plane. I find the same value at home when piling into an over-packed shuttle vehicle at the end of the day, too: there’s not always a Rocket Box on the roof.
Most adjustable poles have an avy probe feature, which can also be handy; I really don’t need an 8-ft probe; if someone is that deep, I can’t get to them in time, anyway.
That having been said, I can’t remember the last time I adjusted my pole length during a tour 😉
I think Lou is onto something. Not many people, exception being split boarders, are really using the adjustable feature of adjustable poles. I’ve been seeing more pole manufacturers eliminating all but one or two adjustable poles and using longer grips, or a thin 10″ sleeve of rubber on the shaft so skiers can choke down on the pole when needed. Truth is you don’t need to spend extra $ on poles. Save your accessory budget for beacons and backpacks where it really matters. IMO
First the good news. There is a whole 2 mm of fresh outside the hut in Tirol. Winter may yet make an appearance.
Second: they already have fixed touring poles. They’re sold under the name “ski poles” and they are over by the alpine gear.