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November, 2024

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Touring/AT NSers...

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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I've been noticing lately that there are a few people on here who are into touring and earning their turns.  Where are you from, where are you touring and whatchagot for touring setups? 

I'm from mass but tour all over the EC and also when I go west for vaca (usually UT/BCC/LCC).  Mostly in VT along the green spine though while I'm home.  Right now I'm on Whitedot Redeemers quiverkilled for Plum Guides, but my 12/13 ON3P Billy Goat Tours should be on my doorstep by tomorrow- and will be my go-to touring skis for the majority of the season.  My boots are Dalbello Virus Tours with cochise top straps grafted on as well because I hated the stock top bail. 

So what's up with you, oh rando beasts of NS?   

Nov 13 2012 11:28AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Lets organize a booter session sometime in the near future. Big ol cheese wedge
May 25 2013 7:26PM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
Let's! see what the weather does
May 25 2013 7:32PM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
Tailgate Alburtah


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May 26 2013 2:21PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
I did a little skiing by Red Lodge this weekend.
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May 26 2013 7:47PM
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hemlockjibber8
Posts: 5986 - Karma: 3,610
I'm actually working on a website where this is quite relevant. Some people have their panties in a knot others think its a sick way to share info. Localism blows. Don't blow a sweet lien out of proportion of course, but if new friends are joining you, then why not share it?

I think when it comes to slack country one would have even less reason to be protective. Mainly because you took a companies chairlift to get to that area. You didn't earn shit.

It's not a bad idea to be somewhat general about an area if you are concerned that its going to become the new bunny hill. You don't necessarily need to show off your favourite lips the whole way down. To not take someone to an area though? Lame.

I was just surfing in Tofino with some chill people. They mentioned the localism at Jordan River. Tires getting slashed, windows getting waxed. Fucking Lame. Go back to SoCal.
May 27 2013 2:40AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Sexy line tagged by some Canadians

http://www.biglines.com/articles/canadians-lefebvre-and-hogg-tag-monumental-descent-alaska%E2%80%99s-university-peak
May 31 2013 10:51PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
http:// http://www.biglines.com/articles/canadians-lefebvre-and-hogg-tag-monumental-descent-alaska%E2%80%99s-university-peak
clicky
May 31 2013 11:22PM
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the-big-lepowski
Posts: 1212 - Karma: 541
Looking for touring partners on Hood or Adams in the coming days or weeks. Working hard all weekend so I can play midweek. Those volcanoes are looking prime with this high pressure settled, I just need some amigos who don't mind very early missions to get after it before the snow turns to total glop and things start sliding. PM me if interested and we can coordinate by phone too. Must have beacon/probe/shovel and some backcountry experience.
Can't wait to get back on snow, Tom
Jun 3 2013 1:34AM
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bibs_skibum
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 449
just sold my old setup, but when i get my cast setup going we should totally get together. It'll be starting in the winter though
Jun 3 2013 1:22PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
me and a buddy skied the east face of mt. blackmore last week near bozeman. the north face was pretty bare and there was a huge slide, as well as tons of slides on other north facing aspects, so we opted for the east face where the snow was much safer. up top it was smooth, fast slush into slower, sticky stuff at the bottom. overall it was a great time and nice to be skiing a big peak now that it's gotten warmer.
Jun 3 2013 2:23PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I think you're missing the point. It's not about bringing new people, it's blogging every iota of information to the entire world as if it mattered that bothers me personally. Leave only footprints, take only pictures and silence is golden.

related:

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Jun 3 2013 4:19PM
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lp.
Posts: 269 - Karma: 322
16 pages is too much to catch up on but I've got 4frnt madonnas, looking to get a fatter longer ski though, I have marker barrons for bindings and full tilt soul sisters for boots but I'm looking to invest in an AT specific boot when I have more money. Anyone have another suggestion for bindings though? I don't know if its just my bindings but I have a lot of difficulty getting my boot to stay clipped in, which is an issue during FWQ comps hah.

I've done some skinning up Berthoud pass in CO, East Vail and side country in Steamboat with some Mt Evans and Pikes Peak. My friends just did a sick trip to Indian Peaks that I missed out on. Always down to meet other people who are willing to work for turns in CO! Also moving to Italy in January so anyone anywhere in Europe hit me up, I'd love to ski anything when I'm there.
Jun 3 2013 4:56PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21086 - Karma: 8,467
Either your DIN is too low or you've got snow build-up. THere shouldn't be anything else causing it unless your boot is super worn out.
Jun 3 2013 5:33PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Could also be toe height, I know that was my issue when I was pre releasing from my barons...
Jun 3 2013 5:52PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
The East face of Blackmore is one of my favorite runs anywhere. I got to ski that once on a bluebird 12" day, with no one else up there, and it was amazing! The North face looks so good from town, but it's never that great once you're actually up there--although skiing the direct line off the summit on a good snow year is pretty fun.
Jun 3 2013 8:09PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
i can imagine that would have been pretty epic! the north face does look awesome, but it seems like there aren't as many features there, which isn't always a bad thing. with good snow the east face seems like it has a ton of line possibilities. i definitely want to set up camp somewhere below the east face and spend a weekend exploring it come winter time.
Jun 3 2013 9:40PM
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lp.
Posts: 269 - Karma: 322
New boots and new bindings

once i get them actually in they stay in, but I'll have struggle with it where they click in and the back comes up but my foot can still come out. takes a few tries and sometimes I actually have to pull the back up by hand to make sure its secure before skiing a line.
Jun 3 2013 10:43PM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
Your forward pressure is set wrong. Sounds like it's probably too tight and it's contacting the heel of your boot before it actually gets down to the tab. Check for scuff marks above the heel tab. Fix is easy, just back them off a bit. Check the indicator, whatever it is on those bindings to make sure you did it right.
Jun 4 2013 1:21AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
It's probably this, but I would strongly urge her to bring it to a shop to be adjusted properly. Between forward pressure and toe height, there are enough factors that require a trained eye to set properly that I wouldn't feel comfortably explaining it over the internet.

Just bring it in, tell them what's happening and you just want your forward pressure and toe height to be checked/adjusted- shouldn't take more than 5 mins and if they charge you, they fkn suck dicks behind highway rest stops on the weekends for fun and never go back there.
Jun 5 2013 11:08AM
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lp.
Posts: 269 - Karma: 322
will do, and hopefully that doesn't happen since I'm a ski instructor in the winter (makes all ski gear tax deductible fuck ya) I'd be pissed if my home shop pulled that.

Jun 5 2013 6:58PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15082 - Karma: 9,170
Well, it's summer and I've got a torn ACL. Any recommendations aside from road biking (I'm doing just upwards of 40 miles a day) and mountain biking once I'm cleared to do it to up my AT capability? I just ordered a pair of SI&Is to go on my New Lifes.
I've got a pretty basic touring pack (Dakine Pro II) but that's pretty much it. Where should I begin to build my gear with? Obviously I need some skins but have no idea what kind to get. I live in NH, go to school in Waterville, ME (Colby College), and love to ski trees. Halp?
Jun 5 2013 7:07PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
avy gear and education dood
Jun 5 2013 8:29PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Yup...

Beacon,
Shovel,
Probe,
AIARE Lvl 1 in the winter.
Jun 5 2013 10:05PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
He lives on the east coast, EC touring unless your going into specific avi terrain is just meadow skipping. A snow shovel is definitely a good idea also for booter building, but you definitely don't need a beacon or avi 1....
Jun 5 2013 10:09PM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
i think you'd be pretty surprised at how easily super small/shallow slopes can slide.
having your shovel, beacon, probe (knowing how to use em) and taking avy 1 is definitely worth it but building hands-on experience with people who are more knowledgeable than you is what really matters.

with that said, for skins Black Diamond Ascensions are the go to for reliable, bomber skins. they aren't light but they get the job done and climb really well even on full rockered skis.

Jun 5 2013 10:30PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15082 - Karma: 9,170
Any recommendations for beacons/shovels/probes? Also, how long does an AIARE course take and do I need to be able to ski to take it? I'd like to get it out of the way early but I'm not cleared to ski until mid-January.
Thanks for all the other helpful replies but I'm not going to quote all of you.
Jun 5 2013 10:46PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15082 - Karma: 9,170
Also, are the more expensive Black Diamond skins basically just lighter?
Jun 5 2013 10:49PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I get way your saying, but in 75% of the EC it doesn't even snow enough for that to be an issue....
Jun 5 2013 10:52PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807

Jun 5 2013 11:02PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
start at 1:12
Jun 5 2013 11:02PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
A snowmobile puts a lot more stress on a slope than a skier, but point taken...
Jun 5 2013 11:04PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Just a video i'd seen before. One interesting point I read in Greg Hills blog. He was climbing Mt Begbie, a cool ass mountain by Revelstoke, to get up it there's a popular highmarking spot for sleds. Him being the bad ass he is, he was just boot packing up. While he was ascending a snowmobile was highmarking. He noted that the snowmobile, albeit very heavy was penetrating less deep into the snow pack then he was. So hard to tell who would hit the weak spot.


Jun 5 2013 11:08PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Said post.
http://www.greghill.ca/pages/mt-begbie/
Jun 5 2013 11:12PM
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jca
Posts: 4172 - Karma: 6,310
I have a Black Diamond transfer shovel, one of the new k2 shovels, a Black Diamond 265 quickdraw probe, and an older Mammut Barryvox beacon.
for a shovel and probe i'd say that pretty much all of the reputable 'backcountry' companies make good products and since you probably don't have many personal preferences yet, it doesnt really matter. look at brands like Backcountry Access, Voile, Black Diamond, G3, Mammut, and decide what type of handle you prefer (D, T, or L), and make sure you get one with a sturdy aluminum blade. check out reviews for shovels on backcountry.com when you're deciding.

for a probe, you're skiing on the eastcoast so a shorter one will likely be fine but i wouldnt go shorter than 240cm. you can get em in carbon, steel, or aluminum; i've used a bunch of different ones and they've all worked pretty well.

for beacons, the go to recommendation for someone who's new to em is usually the Backcountry Access Tracker or Tracker 2. They're definitely the most straight forward to use and if I was skiing with less experience friends who would be rescuing me, that's what i'd want them to have.

Avy 1 courses are on snow but the ones around here dont really require much skiing. they usually take 3 days but maybe you could do all of the theory portion beforehand then join the on snow portion when you're cleared to ski. I don't know how many courses would be offered in your area, but that would be easy to do where I live.
Jun 5 2013 11:16PM
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*TURBONERD*
Posts: 15082 - Karma: 9,170
Thanks a bunch for all the help!
Jun 5 2013 11:24PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
All great suggestions, but I would strongly suggest one of the more intuitive and less confusing newer models of transciever such as the Ortovox 3+, or the Barryvox Pulse, etc.

Understand the difference between a unit that requires you to decipher flux lines vs. one that does it for you, as the tracker and tracker 2 will not. The above mentioned units can be a much more easily read, understood and operated, and that's huge when you will probably be borderline panicking when you use it in a real emergency. I find flux lines to be an unnecessary concern now, but that's just me. Everyone is different and feels differently about what they want and why.

Also, practice a lot with it.

As for shovels and probes, I really liked my BD Deploy 7 shovel until TSA confiscated it. Also I use an otrovox carbon probe and it works very smoothly.
Jun 6 2013 3:44PM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
I'm personally not a fan of seeing people learn with the newer, fancier beacons. I think it's worth understanding how flux lines work and how to follow them, but that's just me. Sure, once you know what you're doing, go for the beacon you feel gives you the best chances, but I think learning on one of them starts to foster a bit of a dangerous reliance on technology that can fail.
Jun 7 2013 10:49AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I hear you and understand the basic concept in principle, but what do you mean "can fail"? If the technology fails, you're fucked whether it's a Tracker or Pulse. Flux lines only matter if you're using technology that looks for them and them only, ignoring the bigger picture and leaving you to figure it out for yourself, which can be harrowing in a multi burial situation or hell, just being in a panic can make simple decisions into big problems. A beacon is just a tool that looks for a signal- whether it's a flux line or it pinpoints for you is just a choice o what you want to target specifically. I have no idea why someone would want to go through a more complicated and time consuming rescue, whether you're a pro guide or a n00b.

Honestly any beacon can fail if you don't put fresh batteries in it and that doesn't differentiate between models obviously. I say buy the absolute best you can afford. A beacon is something you should absolutely be splurging on, much like your boots IMO.

But hey, if you want to deal with flux lines then cool. It just seems like choosing getting up to change the channel over a remote control at this point in the progression of the technology at hand.
Jun 7 2013 11:12AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Barryvox Element, not Pulse. The Pulse has way more features than the average (or even advanced user) needs, and costs a lot.

Tracker 2 is still good, simple, effective. The 1 is only a 2-antenna but is still effective, very cheap and probably the easiest to use.
Jun 7 2013 2:25PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
Remember this?
http://www.tetonat.com/2011/01/10/jhmr-returns-defective-bca-tracker-2-and-pulls-from-retail-shelves/

JHMR Ski Patrol Returns Fleet of Defective BCA Tracker 2 and Pulls From Retail Shelves
Jun 8 2013 9:50AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
im a pretty big fan of my ortovox d3. and i agree with keeping it simple. Unless you drill once a week , when an avalanche actually happens you wont be able to focus on all those bells and whistles. Avy, stop, assess, beacons to search and get to work.
Jun 8 2013 10:08AM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
Not just the beacon either but all your gear. Make sure you know how to quickly extend and lock your probe, put together your shovel etc. It seems obvious but i've seen people struggling to put their gear together in non pressure situations - seemed like they'd simply bought the gear, put it in their backpack and didn't think about it again.
Jun 8 2013 10:52AM
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m-ruta
Posts: 160 - Karma: 168
Indeed, it's part of the reason I have an analog backup for longer tours. All I'm saying is that some part of me screams that people should understand how their beacon works. That way, if for example yours dies and your buddy chucks his upslope so you can finish your search you won't be caught with your pants down. All that said, my next beacon won't follow flux lines, but I'll still have a firm grasp on the concept. In the end, chances are very very slim that that line of thinking will ever make a difference, but why not know how shit works. I can't help but think it makes sense for the complexity of your gear to progress with your knowledge level.
Jun 9 2013 12:20AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Def can't argue with the logic here.

Also in agreement with minihef above that it isn't just about the beacon. You have to be able to use your probe and shovel effectively or it doesn't matter. This is another reason I really like the Deploy 7 shovel, as it's a one-piece extendable shovel that takes literally maybe 3 seconds to be ready to blast on some snow. Nice blade, sheds snow fantastically and is a great shape that fits in any shovel pocket and hugs the curvature of a pack nicely as well. Probably not the best for making booters since the blade isn't square, but freakin' awesome for a rescue shovel.
Jun 10 2013 10:44AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,965
Who here uses those Voile ski straps or similar products and what size do you use and how many do you carry on you when skiing?
Jun 11 2013 7:19PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
ok so now that school is over i am finally going to be able to make it out for some skiing adventures! expect some volcano stoke!!
Jun 11 2013 8:41PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I use 2 on each touring setup I own. That way when I go to use the skis, the straps are there. I just throw them in my snow pants pocket, but they are always good to carry and have many uses (keeping bad skins on skis, rescue sled, etc). I carry a 15" and 18" strap on each pair.
Jun 11 2013 8:46PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I like to keep at least 2 long ones just in case I get a slipped skin and need to lash the fucker down. That and they just seem to work great for all kinds of pinch fixes like a broken boot buckle or emergency femur splint.

Also those gear ties are pretty cool and I keep two of those with them and a half roll of duct tape.
Jun 12 2013 8:28AM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,965
Well then...

Jun 13 2013 12:03PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21086 - Karma: 8,467
If I could afford this, I would hop on it. Super sick setup for a female or shortstack like myself.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4FRNT-CRJ-with-Dynafit-TLT-Speed-Bindings-/161045749689
Jun 19 2013 3:25AM
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