WildSnow EU 2010 – Day 1

Just a quick post before getting out ski touring this morning. I’m settled in WildSnow HQ, Europe, courtesy of the Barthel familiy. Snowing outside here in the Austrian Tirol, but they’ve got the typical thin snowpack this region tends to sport in early to midwinter. Always some ski touring to be had, however, so Manfred and I will head over the to the historic village of Alpbach this morning, get some cardio in the hills, then we’ll make the obligatory stop at the Berglerhof Gasthaus for an afternoon coffee.

The Barthels’ giant Pomeranian named Cato enjoyed the treats I brought him from the pet bakery in SLC, so he’s still friendly. And that’s nice, as you want to be good buddies with any giant, furry, sharp-toothed Pomeranian you meet in the mountains around here. Otherwise, they might leave the brandy barrel behind when they come dig you out of an avalanche.

9 Responses to “WildSnow EU 2010 – Day 1”

1. Mark January 11th, 2010 10:30 am

   Giant pomeranian? Really. How does Cato ski tour?

2. Tom Gos January 11th, 2010 10:44 am

   Lou I’m not sure what I’m more jealous of – the fact that you are ski touring in the alps, or the simple fact that it is snowing there. We are still stuck with dry weather here in CO with horrific embeded temperature inversions.

3. Lou January 11th, 2010 2:14 pm

   Mark, when there are no females in heat around, he does fine. Otherwise… sort of like lots of you guys who read this blog?

4. Dennis McCooe January 11th, 2010 3:41 pm

   Lou will you be providing some maps so that we can follow your travails, er travels? Danke :biggrin:

5. Marten January 11th, 2010 4:43 pm

   Do you know anything about new Dynafit skis? Is the 7 Summit Super Light still on next year? Or anything better? Somthing light, not for raciing but for long accents in the Alps that stills skis well

6. Lou January 11th, 2010 7:46 pm

   Hey guys, yeah, I’ll fire up a few Google maps as things progress. Problem I always have on these trips is limited time to pump out longer posts, so I try to do more of a running dialog with photos. But the maps are a good thing.

   Marten, I can probably release info about the skis in just a few days, once I’m at the Press Event with the other journalists.

7. Patrick January 13th, 2010 6:23 pm

   Lou,
   While you’re there, could you ask them where to find spare parts for dynafit kits. I’m particularly interested in spare tip attachments for speedskins, because I nearly lost one the other day.
   P

8. Lou January 14th, 2010 8:44 am

   Patrick, I already know the answer, just contact Dynafit/Salewa in Boulder, Colorado. Google it.

9. Patrick January 14th, 2010 9:06 am

   Thanks Lou,
   Do you ever carry spare parts with you in a non-expedition setting?
   P