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Today I went backcountry skiing

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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214

Today I went real backcountry skiing for the first time.  I have boot packed a bit before but today I went skinning.  I think it was about 8 miles of skinning total and I gotta say I don't remember the last time I was this tired from a day of skiing.  I went with two friends of mine that ski in the BC often.  I was using park skis with treckers, at first my skins keep coming off because they weren't on the skis the best and then my treckers keep falling apart.  Kinda a rough day such an eye opening experience non the less.  When ever I though of skiing before it usually focused on resorts but now its like the berlin wall of the ski area boundary fell and all I feel I need are some mountains and snow.

If you get the chance get out and earn some turns, but be sure you are going with people that know what they are doing, take an avy course, and if possible use some solid gear. 

Shred something new

Mar 11 2010 1:18AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
trekkers= teh suck
bad skins= teh suck

shitty equipment can make a day of skinning very very miserable. but yeah it's an awesome way to ski and get out there without dropping tons of money and dealing with lots of other gapers
Mar 11 2010 1:20AM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
sshhhh...dont be telling people how fun skinning is.

but investing in good equipment will make the experience so much better. but 8 miles will be an ass kicking in 1 day with heavy park boots and bindings/trekkers. 

glad you were able to make it out there and see how rewarding touring is.
Mar 11 2010 1:25AM
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panojibber
Posts: 3382 - Karma: 216
Speaking of trekkers, what are your opinions on their use for slackcountry stuff? I have a pair and some LowFat skins set up for my bacons, haven't actually used the setup, but I wanted to know what other people thought.
Mar 11 2010 1:28AM
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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214
Really the trekkers are ok for trying something new or some short skinning stuff but mine were falling apart hahaha.  They had a screw fall out and we just had a random screw holding them together and I was almost done with most of the skinning before they started falling apart.
Mar 11 2010 1:34AM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,272
if you skin 1-5 times a year and cant afford dukes, use trekkers maybe, otherwise they are absolute shit
Mar 11 2010 1:38AM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
I love when I finally get to ski after a long skin up. it's so rewarding
Mar 11 2010 2:02AM
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YoungJah
Posts: 1106 - Karma: 66
Touring is hard work.. I've had 40 days touring, this winter and my whole body is in fucking pieces. I have had pretty much blisters the size of grapes, swollen toes and fucked ankles already. I don't no how much more i can take..
Mar 11 2010 10:04AM
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bernierosow
Posts: 270 - Karma: 1,666
They don't call em "alpine day wreckers" for nothing.  I've had a pair for about 5 years though.  If you are careful with them they will work forever.  who really wants to ski down on a binding with 2 inches of lift?  P 18's and day wreckers, all the way to the top.
Mar 11 2010 10:13AM
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SASS-Global
Posts: 101 - Karma: 101
You nailed it when you said the best thing you can do is to "get out and take an avy course". The worst thing you can do is be uneducated in the BC.


Even if you don't get your AIARE cert, just being with people who know what they are going can impart a ton of knowledge on you.

If you are super into it, a big mountain freeride camp (like SASS) will offer you 2 levels of training. We have basic snow safety courses, and accredited AIARE courses. At SASS, the courses are identical, and taught in the same group and included in the price of the session. The only difference being that if you want to have the actual AIARE Level 1 cert, you need to pay for the certification.

Make sure whatever you do, you get educated, go with friends who know, dig a pit, and if it feels wrong, TURN BACK!.


Mar 11 2010 11:46AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124

people who haven't figured out dynafits?

and I'm sure you and your p18 and wreckers slog out the +6k climbs daily

Mar 11 2010 2:34PM
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steezerampage
Posts: 2171 - Karma: 214

so sass already costs like 10 billion dollars and you dont include the cost of certification, hum

Mar 11 2010 4:24PM
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SASS-Global
Posts: 101 - Karma: 101
$3400 for over 18
and
$4000 for under 18

14 days on snow from 9am until 5pm

More on snow time than any other summer program in the world, and about the same price day for day as Windells. And you will learn more than any other camp, guaranteed.

We have campers, young and old that have come from other summer glacier programs. They return to us year after year because the realize that we are the best all mountain summer ski/board camp in the world.

But everyone will see. Keep your eyes on next seasons Freeskier issues.
Mar 11 2010 5:09PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,010
gonna have to call bullshit on that. 8 miles is a long distance on skins. I'm not saying it's not doable, but unless you're doing a traverse across a range, I have major doubts in you doing 8 miles.
Mar 11 2010 6:05PM
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benk
Posts: 1342 - Karma: 988
If you're looking to get certified you most likely wouldnt be getting it at a ski camp. Go somewhere else to get certified. You're still going to have the knowledge and experience. Who cares about a piece of paper? government
Mar 11 2010 7:50PM
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