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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
3175 148
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SKI.ING
Posts: 2695 - Karma: 2,535
In the flesh and blood!
Jan 25 2014 1:32AM
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srwinnsuco
Posts: 2943 - Karma: 1,472
Bump for Coin Slot before work!

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Jan 25 2014 4:44PM
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D4VE.BC
Posts: 244 - Karma: 92
Just trying to make the best out of sun crust and +2C temps above the inversion!

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Jan 27 2014 9:41PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
im sure some of you have seen this, really puts this season in perspective.

2013

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2014

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Jan 28 2014 1:51PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
^ sick

The alps have a weird winter as well.. I guess its the future right?
Jan 28 2014 4:26PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Bagged a neat line on Mt Green yesterday.
The Line on Google earth
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The Line from the Bottom
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Getting in at the Top
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Getting Small
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Rock hard windslab for snow conditions but not having to worry about avalanche danger while you explore a new section of a mountain you know nothing about is pretty awesome! Making the best of high pressure.
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Jan 29 2014 4:16AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
Hell yeah Luke,

Went out a few days ago to show my kid sister and her boyfriend what touring is like. Conditions were terrible . wind fucked crust on boiler plate but at least the views of the wapta were nice. Desperately need a top up here. 8cms forecasted is a big deal ( thats how bad its been ) Skiing is way better then not skiing.

Saskachewan glacier in the background.
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Jan 29 2014 12:23PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Snowing now in Calgary finally.

I'm heading up to "Stormbreaker" on Sunday, guess it's just off hwy 93 around the Castle Junction area.
Friend of mine did it on Sunday, said it was pretty good. So we're heading out again.

First tour since early season when I broke my Guardians. Pretty excited
Jan 29 2014 2:18PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
who needs carbon fiber when you have a drill bit

http://bombsnow.com/archives/how-to-lighten-your-backcountry-setup
Jan 29 2014 7:51PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Got some corny soul turns on Rainier last weekend. It's finally snowing again in WA, so maybe we'll get to do some real skiing.

Me skiing in front of the camera for once
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Jan 29 2014 8:22PM
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Kronor
Posts: 217 - Karma: 167
Looking at getting into BC next year, I have no idea where to start though. I'm not sure on skins, beacon, whether my boots will be ok(Full Tilt High Fives). I was also looking wondering about bindings for skinning, I have just normal bindings right now and am not sure what to look at. I'm willing to spend a good amount of money, I just need someone to point me in the right direction. Someone help a fellow out, +K for some good advice. Please and thanks.
Jan 30 2014 2:07AM
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Shlogan
Posts: 4942 - Karma: 430
where will you be going out?
Jan 30 2014 3:02AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Wow yeah those skis should last more than 5 minutes... God I hope that guy is joking.
Jan 30 2014 7:26AM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
Bomb Snow is serious stuff, Huck. Take notes.
Jan 30 2014 12:07PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I had never heard of it before, lol... Reading shit on mobile before coffee is a bad idea haha, your meter hasn't had time to warm up yet.

Jan 30 2014 12:48PM
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Kronor
Posts: 217 - Karma: 167
Montana for school, or I may be at the university of Washington and would want to explore the snoqualmie region
Jan 30 2014 8:43PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Hit a super fun line on Cougar Mtn yesterday, good snow but sketchiest part was popped a small surface slab 5-15cm deep at the very top. My buddy was able to fight it and i was off to the side but definitely a puckering experience.

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Feb 1 2014 9:29PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Heading up to hwy 93 south at the castle junction area place. Hit me up if you want to come!
Feb 1 2014 11:32PM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
how was it? heading to rogers for softer turns monday
Feb 2 2014 1:10AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Have fun, so nice out!(well except the sub zero temps) Need to rest my shoulder, it locked up in my bed lastnight and i couldn't move for like 30mins had to wiggle off the bed.
Feb 2 2014 12:43PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Little photo set from today's tour up Mt. Whymper.
It was -27 when we got there, warmed up to about -15 in the sun. Avalanche debris from earlier in the week it seemed. Came down a few chutes, we stayed lower. Did a little lap near the bottom third of the mountain, then doubled our ascent, stayed below the chutes, and found some good terrain. Broke trail across the hill, and the snow was just weird. Hard pack underneath, with some good sugary, light fresh over. Had some little kick up face shots. Great turns.
After we just sat at the parking lot, and talked how we could just lap this cliff band area for hours.

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You can see the cliff band we we're scoping out. I found a little pillow line, soft landing and everything. Made us stoked for next time (possibly next Sunday)
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First lap, just a quick little one. It was awesome though.
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Feb 2 2014 11:03PM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5432 - Karma: 11,823
I forgot to poop before a 6:00 am start on Superior in LCC this morning.

That was an uncomfortable hike.
Feb 2 2014 11:07PM
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gravel
Posts: 5520 - Karma: 42,295
Really want to get into touring this season, gotta wait for the avy conditions in CO to settle though.

I just got touring bindings, have a shovel and beacon, so I need to get a probe, skins, and probably adjustable poles, as my current poles are too short hand have small baskets. Most importantly, I have to take some avy class(es?).
Feb 2 2014 11:12PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Oh man are we talking casual presence or imminent force here?


I think turtle heading on a skintrack would be unbearable. I would have to stop and drop.
Feb 2 2014 11:17PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Sick Mason, nice work. That are is super cool. Skied there once last year in the spring but it was all wet slide debris/mostly melted out lower down. Way to get after it dude!
Feb 3 2014 12:06AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Thanks Luke.
We wanted to make a purist after those chutes (Y chute in particular), but seeing how it had some recent debris on it, we decided to stay lower.
Probably could have done another lower lap like our first one, but my friend wanted to make it back for the Super Bowl.

Oh well, first tour since late November when I broke my bindings, feels great to be back at it.


On another note, has anyone ever had their skin saver peel onto their skins?
I just spent about 5 or so minutes picking it off my BD Ascensions. Just the one skin, which makes me assume it's just the one side.
Feb 3 2014 12:18AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
I finally got up to the Alpental backcountry yesterday. So many sick lines to explore when the stability and snow get better, but still such a fun day.


On another skin related note, had anyone replaced the stretchy orange part of the tail clip on BD ascensions? I don't know how I would do it without drilling out the rivets.
Feb 3 2014 12:51AM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Where did you go?

Lift accessed or self powered?
Feb 3 2014 12:55AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
just open it up a bit with a flat head or a knife , remove old one , slide in new one, close back up with pliers
Feb 3 2014 12:57AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Skinned from the upper lot to source lake, then up to the ridge between source lake and snow lake. We dropped back in towards source lake from there, skied a couple laps of that playing around in the mini-trees, then did some laps on the open part above source lake for maximum soul-turn radness.
Feb 3 2014 1:33AM
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Freeheel4real
Posts: 909 - Karma: 95
Pretty sure the replacement tail clip kit from BD comes with new rivets and you just cut the last cm or so off your skins including the old rivets and tail clips.
Feb 3 2014 4:20AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
What are you trying to replace it with?
Feb 3 2014 7:20AM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Sounds fun. We were out in the same area the weekend before the snow and it was ridiculously icy still. We were there the same day someone took the 400' fall and had to be medevac'd.

Sick area out there for sure. How was the winter trail fairing? Any areas where you had to cross creeks/waterfalls/etc? The summer trail is in horrible shape, but the current low snow conditions don't really give much alternative.
Feb 3 2014 11:35AM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
That was my first time back there so I'm not sure about summer trail v winter trail, we skinned up the left (skiers right) side of the drainage and had no issues
Feb 3 2014 12:43PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Every binding ever has SOME plastic in it but yeah... Less is more in that case.
Feb 3 2014 12:47PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
The summer trail starts just across the street from the main lot; it was in really rough shape too, while the winter trail starts at the top of lot 4.

Plenty of areas that forced us to take skis off to cross streams and waterfalls on the summer trail, not to mention the overabundance of snowshoers and hikers wandering around clueless.

We need more snow right now.
Feb 3 2014 12:52PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
oh, gotcha, yea we started out lot 4
Feb 3 2014 12:55PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Shorter, more direct route for sure. If you look at the valley on google maps, you can see the summer trail on the map.

Pics from the weekend before last;

Getting out of the cold valley fog


Low snow conditions in the Alpental BC


Enjoying the scenery


Feb 3 2014 1:02PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
right on.
it definitely looked better covered in new snow this weekend. a bunch of visible crowns fro natural slides though
Feb 3 2014 1:12PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
CAST setup came in the mail yesterday!


God they are so sick.
Feb 3 2014 1:18PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
I believe it.

I'll probably be up poking around the valley and general area this weekend doing some scouting/recon for if or when we actually get some more snow.
Feb 3 2014 1:23PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
I had a great weekend, hope you guys did too!

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Feb 3 2014 1:29PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
ohhhh post up a review once you take them out!
Feb 3 2014 1:30PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
Do a review!
Feb 3 2014 1:31PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Haha wow he went past the backseat and is riding on the trunk :)

Still an awesome shot tho!
Feb 3 2014 2:03PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
hahaha thanks! had to do what i had to do to avoid tommy-ing like a mahfucka!
Feb 3 2014 2:13PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
The only lesson I ever took was with the great Bob Barnes. One of his finest pieces of advice is that everybody fucks up but it's in that "Oh shit" moment that you really find out what you're capable of. If you can make some wild recovery and ski out, it should go to show you that you are not only capable of skiing that line, but also doing it on one ski with your arms flapping like a chicken on fire :)

Feb 3 2014 2:58PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
That will definitely be happening. Lots of pics, and as much on snow perspective as I can give.
Feb 3 2014 3:01PM
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Moosen
Posts: 4285 - Karma: 2,585
I have had a touring setup sitting collecting dust since the end of last season. Finally might be breaking it out in the next couple of days. 191 Caylor Lites and Marker f12 tours. Stokeddddd
Feb 3 2014 3:02PM
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Skibumsmith
Posts: 5432 - Karma: 11,823
casual presence building the entire way up and peaking its head out right as I dropped into my line.
Feb 3 2014 3:27PM
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