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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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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
the fact that it stays on the front page and is gonna pass the
twiddle dickin playin shredsauce thinkin your a skier thread gives me hope for the true future of skiing
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Dec 19 2013 11:23AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Is that Topher?



Dec 19 2013 12:15PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
im thinking of getting methods but am have heard switching the soles can be a chore. is there a trick to switching out the front and back soles? iv tried to take the back off and that was fine but could not for the life of me get the front one off.
Dec 19 2013 1:23PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
i know your just supposed to be able to snap the toe off the slide it forward but iv exerted max amounts of pressure to nothing.
Dec 19 2013 1:24PM
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SurfaceHoar
Posts: 311 - Karma: 240
Oh man! Yeah it's a bit of a bitch. Once you get the technique down, it's not hard. Just takes 10min.

Once you've unscrewed the 4 screws.

TOE: Find an edge of a table or stair case or something square. Turn the boot so it's upside down with the sole parallel to the ground and the toe is upside down and resting on the table or edge.

Now use one hand to hold the rear cuff and press down with the other hand just below the toe plate (so at the arch).

Use lots of torque and leverage and the toe will pop off.

Heel: Using the same edge. Turn the boot so that it's perpendicular to the ground, toe facing down. Rest the edge of the heel block on the edge of the table. Be careful that you are only resting it on the heel block and not the boot.

Now hold the cuff with one hand and the using the bottom of your fist, smack the boot just above the heel piece.


It's really all about getting the angles right and the force directed exactly where it's needed to pop the plates off.


Not that it's that big of a hassle, changing out the toe/heel is reason why I ski inbounds 90% of the time on my Dynafits. Where the only hassle is dealing with gaper questions and judgement on the chair lift.

Dec 19 2013 3:13PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Careful switching to tech soles on any interchangeable-sole boot; it's easy to put them on slightly crooked. Do the heel first as straight as you can make it, then the toe screws just snug. Snap the toe into your binding and torque it a little until the heel pins line up perfectly, then unclip carefully, fully tighten the toe screws and recheck.
Dec 19 2013 3:35PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
got back from the Tetons last night.

did a lot of walking and not too much skiing, but it was still a great time and learned a lot.

first day we got down there we skied a short lap on Teton Pass. Tracked out but soft and fun anyways.

second day we headed up Garnet Canyon. Got out a little late so the sun was really warming everything up. Saw a fresh wet slide across the skin track, then heard and felt a "whoomph" as soon as we turned around. Decided to call it right there and get off that aspect and back in the trees for some fun bobsledding back to Bradley lake.

third day we headed back out to the pass and skied thanksgiving bowl and edelweiss, both were a good time.

now i'm back in bozeman and we just skied eight inches of windloaded blower at Bridger (unghhhh) all day.

some kid set off a slide on Saddle Peak yesterday, and as skifishbum put it, mother nature didn't give any fucks about him. he's lucky he didn't get swept off the death cliff at the bottom and even more lucky he didn't die just from getting buried.

be safe out there folks, wait for the conditions to align and if they don't, call it and live to ski pow another day. also remember: just because it's right outside the boundary doesn't mean it ain't gonna slide.

stoked on this thread, and stoked on skiing right now. chyuh!
Dec 19 2013 6:33PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
People are going to ski Saddle pretty much no matter the conditions ('cause it's totally epic bro). I'm just really thankful that nobody has died yet, because it's honestly somewhat of a miracle that hasn't happened yet--think a couple years ago when the entire thing slid with 20-30 people out there.
Dec 19 2013 7:08PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
you are absolutely right. the thing with saddle is that it's so damn accessible. most people that come up schlasmans with a beacon on have no clue how to use it, and then they venture onto saddle because it just looks so good.

it really is a miracle that people haven't died on it yet, but if the snowpack stays how it is I wouldn't be surprised if someone did.
Dec 19 2013 8:48PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8949 - Karma: 36,475
Okay folks, I'm looking for a nice touring ski, not necessarily twin tipped. I was looking at the BD Zealot ski. Any other suggestions? I'm 5'10" 155lbs. Type 3 skier but new to touring. Looking for a more stable, charging ski for all conditions. But also not a 2 by 4. Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks!
Dec 19 2013 9:08PM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
if I didn't have my touring setup on my blogs I would definitely have them on my rossi scimitars. Both are great for any condition, but the scimitar is my all-around ski that can handle anything anywhere. the blogs are great at 110, but the 100mm waist of the rossis would be nice in some of the inevitable sticky situations that are a part of touring, esp in the skin up, and personally I think that that much width/rocker is a bit unnecessary on hardpack especially touring in the bc.
plus they have basically no camber, rather than full rocker, so they hold their own in pow, but aren't flopping about on hardpack.

there are definitely other touring specific skis of that type, but I really like the scimitars.
Dec 19 2013 9:19PM
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profa_212
Posts: 8949 - Karma: 36,475
Should clarify. Since I'm in South Dakota I don't get to much actual backcountry to your guys standards. More early morning tours at my mountain. They open uphill access at 6 and you can tour the hill. Will mostly be using when we get a little fresh. But I would also like to use them when I move more west (if plans work out). So maybe a side country ski to you westerners? But will only be for touring.
Dec 19 2013 9:47PM
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bigkicker
Posts: 1270 - Karma: 87
I patrol and have been working all fall in Mercury's with dukes. I am pretty rough on my equipment and this setup has held up great at the resort. Skiing hard and climbing over rocks daily with no problems. I have also done a lot of touring with this setup. Walking uphill in the Mercury's is a breeze even with dukes on. I'm passing my friends on the skin track with full tech setups.

Mercury is a great boot. I have skied for years in a Seth Full Tilt so that's my main comparison. The boot is super light. The top buckle being the walk mode takes a little bit to get used to but works well. I got rid of the stock Dynafit liners quickly. There thin and not that great. I put in my Intuition power wraps which made a world of difference, but that's expected. The boot has a removable tongue that you take out to walk uphill and put in to ski down. With the Power Wraps in I have been skiing down without the tongue and the flex has been stiff enough, similar to the Seth, pretty progressive. If i'm really charging I think I would insert the tongue back in though. Of course they ski a little different then a full downhill boot. But overall there is no compromise in how I ski in them.

Mounting up some Hoji's with my Dynafit setup soon and then it's on. But of course the snowpack in SW Montana sucks balls right now so I'm not in the biggest hurry
Dec 19 2013 11:07PM
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Theduke1
Posts: 7 - Karma: 43
I tour with Fatypus I rocks with Radical Speeds. I mounted them with Quiver Killers so i can remove the tech binding and put an alpine binding on em. Quiver Killers are a fucking life/money saver.
Dec 19 2013 11:32PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Backed the skins for Tremblant tomorrow, calling for another 30cm this weekend on top of the 50cm+ they've had in the last 7 days. FUCK YES EAST COAST!
Dec 19 2013 11:35PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
meanwhile in washington im still mountain biking-__-
Dec 19 2013 11:39PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
The 'season total' is 120cm, although inflated by the resort, thats still insane for this time of year!
Dec 19 2013 11:41PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Me too.

Still haven't been on skis yet this winter. At least the biking's been fun.
Dec 19 2013 11:54PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
locations differ ^.

I have 45 days on skis with a couple moments of film that might make my season edit. mostly pow.
Dec 20 2013 2:06AM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
great to hear about your trip Mac! Got to hit that pow with Potts all day yesterday, very blower.
Dec 20 2013 12:16PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
3 people caught in slides already today in the Wasatch backcountry. Stop being stupid, folks.
Dec 20 2013 4:03PM
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Stumpa
Posts: 250 - Karma: 380
Yes Mon....  I'm an AT NS old school freeriding fun seeker.  Here's a link to more info than you need about my set up(s).

http://stumpfilms.com/?p=606
Dec 20 2013 4:34PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Ya I don't really need to hear that right now man hahah. Good on you though
Dec 20 2013 5:53PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
thanks man! and yes, yesterday was so damn good!
Dec 20 2013 6:06PM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1843 - Karma: 1,923
Most of my days this winter have been slackcountry touring. Good snow everywhere in revy.
Dec 20 2013 8:41PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
quiver killers are an inferior product/knock off of binding freedom inserts
and while they do give you versatility in your quiver and save money
i doubt their life saving abilities and would suggest wouldn't the "life"
allow you to just purchase another ski and binder and not monkeyfuck around with binding swapping?
not toph stevo
toph
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Dec 20 2013 11:39PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
http://www.skiinggolden.com/journal/2013/12/19/december-18th-skier-accidental.html

Heres a right up of a skier triggered slide Just off the boundary of Kicking Horse from a few days ago.

A quick update on conditions out there, motivated by a large skier accidental avalanche. The avalanche occurred on the backside of Ozone. A party of three were skiing the line known as "Girlfriend Chute". The first skier skied down, through the choke, and deaked right. The second person went and, I think, as they were entering the choke they felt the snow moving and headed left to perch under a rock. The second skier had triggered a size 3 avalanche and thankfully stayed above the moving snow. The mass of snow moving triggered a sympathetic size 2.5 avalanche on the fans of "Double Drop". [IMG]skiinggolden.com/storage/thumbnails/684847-24090025-thumbnail.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1387552761444[/IMG] don't know the exact dimensions of the avalanche but you can get a sense from the photos. Bottom line is it was large, large enough to destroy your car. It is uncertain whether any of that terrain has gone through any avalanche cycles this season, but this past week has seen more than 40cm of fresh snow plus any associated wind loading. This load sits on a thick weak layer from early December and a weak basal facet/crust combo. The snowpack is also very young with no real base, let alone bridge strength. Remember it is early season and we are dealing with a weak snowpack. These weaknesses may last for a long time. Be careful in your terrain choices.

Ironically my roommate went up across the valley just ot take a look and some pictures yesterday and people skied the chute 2 to the left of the slide.


Dec 21 2013 8:51AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807

Well, now somebody headed out the other side with no gear and we have our first fatality of the season. Fuck, also skier triggered 2.5 on Reudi's N. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/avalanche-victim-had-no-emergency-gear-or-beacon-1.2472971

CBC News has confirmed the victim of an avalanche near the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort was not wearing any avalanche safety gear.

An organization near the resort confirmed to CBC News that the male victim is from Canada and was skiing with one other person at the time of the avalanche Friday afternoon.

Both people were skiing in the back country, outside of the Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

Following the avalanche, it took emergency responders 50 to 60 minutes to dig the victim out, using probes to locate the body.

It is believed to be the first avalanche fatality of the season.


Map: B.C. avalanche deaths 2010-2013

According to bulletins posted on the Canadian Avalanche Centre's website, the danger rating for alpine conditions in the Purcells is currently listed as considerable.

Conditions for treeline areas are listed as moderate.

The CAC says the combination of new snow and strong westerly winds have created dense wind slabs in exposed lee terrain and cross-loaded features. 

Particularly in steep, unsupported terrain, rider triggering is a possibility, and any avalanche in the area would be expected to range in size from small to large.

Dec 21 2013 4:01PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
On top of there being the death, there were 5 or so slides on the back of Ozone today.
Some friends of mine went to the back country today just outside of the horse (Rudy's), said it was pretty sketchy.

I brought my touring gear to golden for the Christmas break, I don't know how much I'll go out this month though. Might wait for better conditions
Dec 21 2013 11:41PM
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theorolfs
Posts: 125 - Karma: 105
i had a pair of trekkers, and on the first steep pitch i toured with them, they snapped in half. now i use atomic trackers
Dec 21 2013 11:52PM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
Cool story hansel.
Dec 22 2013 11:59AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Yea pretty hairy out there right now. I've been up in Edmonton working so don't have the best grasp on conditions for now. Should be in Golden in the next day or so though.
Dec 22 2013 3:16PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
I lied, it freezing rained. Entire main side of the mountain was closed due to wind so I skinned up half way, it was so gusty I almost got blown over. Hey at least they're opening 5 rails tomorrow #icecoast.
Dec 22 2013 3:43PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Monashee's are doing very well. I've only got one day at Rogers so far this year 'cause I've been skiing the trees in the Monashee's. Stable, blower in the trees with about double the base as the Selkirk/Purcells. I haven't caused or seen anything go, but I've been staying on the cautious side for terrain selection. I hear Rogers is starting to get better coverage wise, but I can't say anything about stability - the day I was up there was during the arctic high, so before the stability problems. I'm off to Vancouver for X-mas followed by a week down skiing by Nelson. Hopefully when I get back up to Revy on the 4th Rogers has a proper base and things have stabilized.
Dec 22 2013 9:59PM
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~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
Any recommendations for backcountry in the southern Green Mountains? I've skied the Adirondacks for a few years since I started school up near there, but have never toured VT at all. I figured I'd go check it out, snow permitting, as long as I'm back in CT for a few weeks. I welcome long drives, hikes, and cold nights as long as I get a few nice turns by the end of the trip.
Dec 22 2013 10:59PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
Southern VT shiz
1.) rt 104 in chester heading N to Okemo, steep northeast facing walls through small canyon… park on the left heading north at the end of the small canyon and get up that shit.
2.) Ascutney

I've heard about people skinning in the Mt. Snow region but I don't know exactly where. I've also just skinned up shit right off rt 100 between Okemo and Killy and found FunPow. Don't be scared, be adventurous.
Dec 23 2013 1:01AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
What the hell is this?!?


Dude... stash locations on teh intertubez = no.

If that's the type of stuff they're looking for, a blunt ride and an open eye will suffice to find such lines. Not saying those are secret or uber badass local stashes, but they're likely somebody's everyday rip and those people probably would appreciate it if you left those types of places to those who take the initiative to go out and, y'know, like look around and stuff.

There's a shitload of hike to or skinnable lines, but no need to ala carte menu arrange them with GPS, app-interfaced walking directions etc. for people who can't be bothered to get out there for themselves imo. Just sayin. If you're the type to find that stuff you'll find it.
Dec 23 2013 10:22AM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,143

Rockies aren't any less sketchy. Heavy on weak at the top, lots of cracking, and in less loaded areas, you're tickling a really crappy basal layer. So very likely to trigger the top slab if you get it in the wrong spot, and if you get it in REALLY the wrong spot, there's potential for the whole snowpack to go sympathetically.

And now we're go for the holiday season!

Dec 23 2013 10:40AM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
Hahaha funny that you should say that there shouldn't have a gps, app interfaced format. This site/app is pretty fantastic for the Wasatch. Definitely a little different scenario out here than in vermont, but this thing is definitely a good resource to help plan things out and figure out where to go.

Dec 23 2013 1:18PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Yeah the Wasangeles is a different animal entirely, as are most ranges "out west". Those systems are invaluable in areas where communication is key and a tool for survival no doubt. Clearly it's a different situation out here though.


There are also real books on the subject and that's largely why I don't subscribe to throwing tidbits out for those who can't bother to pick up a fucking book or look around in the first place. If you care, you'll look into it and find out. Don't expect to plan a trip from two sentences on a forum, nahmeen?

Don't mean to harsh on snomaster by any means, just my .02 on open interwebular sharification of stashes.
Dec 23 2013 1:34PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
sorry huck, at least these locations are right off the road and not very secret. I just want to encourage people to get after it more in the Neast. my season back there a few winters back was way different after being exposed to the backcountry scene in the rockies. I had a whole new set of eyes. Basically, if you want it, go get it. Lifts just bring you to skied out terrain. Check out stuff on roadsides, power line cuts, old ski resorts, mud slide paths, army corp dam slopes… be creative.
Dec 23 2013 4:00PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
more stoke for y'all blokes

The Ski Cabin from Eric Lovely on Vimeo.



I put this on NS videos but can't figure out how to embed from NS.com. PM me if you know how.
Dec 23 2013 4:05PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
you have to directly upload it to newschoolers. you uploaded to vimeo then to newschoolers.
Dec 23 2013 4:07PM
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~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
I don't want to steal anyone's stash, nor plan a trip from a 2 sentence post in the forums. I'm looking for pointers on what I should look into going in a new territory. Of course buying a printed guide is going to provide the most useful information, and I will get one before actually setting out, but I'm not going to go spend 25 bucks on a whim without at least asking well-informed people what they already know. I also read Wikipedia pages before I begin actual research.
I'd be most interested in marked hiked, slides visible from roads, old ski areas, etc. I'd be pissed if someone hit my secret spots before I got to them so I have no interest in going where I am not welcome either. Help a brother out, Nahmeen?
Dec 23 2013 4:10PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Oh yeah dude I understand the want to know for sure, can't fault you there and I can identify with the desire 100%. I was merely stating that it would have been much better if someone had directed you to either NELSAP or one of the several books out on Eastern BC. Just telling someone the most basic terms of what/where a place is can actually be pretty dangerous, also I /we have no idea who anybody is and they could be some random n00b who's going to go out there in a tall T and die of exposure after he shatters his femur trying to be Dale Talkington, y'know?




Not trying to paint you as the bad guy at all, just saying that there are obstacles to getting into it for a reason. You very well could be a totally cool guy but the other 60 people who read that location might not be. PMs or the like are also good, but I like to keep it quiet for many reasons. It's almost like fight club, but without all the shirtlessness.




Dec 23 2013 4:30PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
everyone's gotta start somewhere and it usually starts with a bit of inspiration and beta. beware of the web.
Dec 23 2013 5:09PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
AKA half the members in that thread. I love the EC stoke but the guys thinking they can just boot back up Tuck's in the middle of the winter worry me.

Dec 23 2013 5:51PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
is getting more popular. some people even do it safely with the right crew, experience, equipment and route decisions...
this shit is inevitable with all of the blossoming knowledge (i.e. accessibility for avi courses, people with BC experience moving back home); advancements in AT/avy gear, availability and marketing for said AT gear and the stoke delivered via media all over the interwebs.
Dec 23 2013 6:12PM
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