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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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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Hit a couple lines in Wolverine Cirque today. First pic isn't as clear b/c there was a god damn hurricane going on up top as the back end of a little system pushed its way through

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Mar 15 2014 8:31PM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
opted to take the stairs today

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Mar 16 2014 1:03AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
opted to take the stairs today

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Mar 16 2014 1:03AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
ooof. that middle couli looks like the stuff that makes you shit your pants.
Mar 16 2014 3:11AM
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S.J.W
Posts: 7609 - Karma: 31,186
when i get older and my body can't take the hits of the park i want to start touring in Australia, i think it would be great fun
Mar 16 2014 5:11AM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
I've taken far worse hits in the BC than the park, albeit not as frequent.
Mar 16 2014 11:09AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
There are a lot of lines up there that can make you shit your pants. I skied a north facing chute and after dropping off the cornice was greeted with a nice thud and the realization that the aforementioned winds had stripped everything and loaded it onto all the east facing aspects. Woulda been fun to ski a couple of those, but I saw some minor slide activity on E facing at the top of the pass and opted to steer clear.
Mar 16 2014 2:14PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
Pudge and I took our Avy 1 course last week at Tuckerman Ravine on Mount Washington. Truly an awesome experience that was well worth it. I now have a newfound respect for the mountains and it has inspired me to learn more about them to be able to travel/ski safely in the backcountry. I can't wait to be able to be able to use the skills we learned about route finding/trip planning into action.

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We also did a night tour up Mitersill @ Cannon which was also a fun. The stars were amazing.

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the selfie
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Mar 16 2014 6:25PM
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appa
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,739
have you all taken avalanche safety courses before? i have no way of gauging how well i know my stuff.
Mar 16 2014 7:48PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
There is always something to learn. Our instructor Dave told us about how he takes something away from every course, and there are still things snow science has yet to understand. Persistent slabs are not awfully understood, yet they are one of the biggest dangers we face.

I think it would be a tremendous jumping off point, and you will take away A LOT of info. But it also fosters an interest. cgski and I were on some terrain the other day just messing around with some column tests with our poles. You find yourself getting wicked stoked to see instability and trying to understand it.

I had a wicked good experience, and I am eager to learn more. I am considering retaking AIARE 1 on a different snowpack when I make my way to Montana next spring semester!
Mar 16 2014 11:47PM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
shit shit! to cited to shleeep! tmrw gona be a gooder!

yesterday was okay...

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Mar 17 2014 12:15AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
double post. but if anyone needed some stoke to get to bed and get up tomorrow!

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Mar 17 2014 12:35AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
double post. but if anyone needed some stoke to get to bed and get up tomorrow!

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Mar 17 2014 12:35AM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
Best way to learn is from experienced buddies. You at the very least should be able to dig a pit and identify problem areas. Know your aspects, especially w/ wind loading. Watching the snow pack and how it evolves year round will give you a lot more confidence in skiing in the BC rather than just digging a pit the day of (spatial variability is very real in the BC).

You can also talk to patrol at a mtn and often they can give you insight on what they have seen.
Mar 17 2014 12:47AM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
Saturday I tagged along with an Avy 101 class into the Brighton Backcountry. Winds were whipping all morning.
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Me and my girlfriend got out into Wolverine Cirque Sunday as well.
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Dug some pits
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Looked at Alta
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And then skied the worst snow I've skied all season.
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Mar 17 2014 4:37PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Lmao... granny chute? That was my first line Saturday per my earlier post, and yes it was fucking awful until you hit the apron. I'm gonna go poke around there again in a couple days and see how Huge Chute and Bombay are holding up. Winds up there always make things variable on a daily basis.
Mar 17 2014 5:44PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
We actually skied THC, came in from the Patsy side. Sounds like the snow was a lot better Saturday, even the apron was terrible. Felt like a freeze/thaw crust on top of a wind crust. Super punchy snow that was very hard to turn in if you punched through. We skied it late in the day to, sometime around 5pm. My roommate just came down from Brighton, and the snowfall rate was really high. Tomorrow could be a surprise day.
Mar 17 2014 5:52PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
That's funny.. THC and Bombay both looked sick Saturday, granted I was up there at 8am. I guess it got so warm the last couple days it even fucked up east facing. I don't have a Brighton or Soli pass so I just roll up Grizzly and over Patsy as well.
Mar 18 2014 4:49AM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
Grizz has been happenin lately….there are so many jumps back there everywhere you go is a booter. Gotta love it.
Mar 18 2014 8:07AM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Yeah saw two pretty big wedges just on the other side of twin lakes pass. People are definitely putting some work in back there.
Mar 18 2014 12:11PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Mar 18 2014 2:29PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
holy shit it worked thanks rubber!!! Woooo
Mar 18 2014 2:30PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
wolvies a special place
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and a history/ potential learning tale/lesson
a few years ago i ended up on a middle fork of the salmon trip w/ romans best friend
small world
it's the only chute there ive yet to ski
west facers haven't been prime for a good 3 seasons now
Mar 21 2014 6:12PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
I had a sick day in the Baker backcountry. What a sweet area that is.
Mar 21 2014 7:50PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Where did you tour around?
Mar 22 2014 12:05PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
in the basin by herman, table and all that, that was ny first time being up there so idk what everything is called
the snow on the more shaded aspects was so good and it was beautiful out there
Mar 22 2014 3:34PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Heading to Mt Whymper tomorrow. Just on 93 south there at Castle Junction if anyone wants to come.
Mar 22 2014 8:59PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
Baker
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you can see some of the lines we skied, the spineish lines that are sort of in and out of the sun up and to the left of his head
Mar 23 2014 3:15PM
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YewTard
Posts: 619 - Karma: 196
Great read, albeit a tragic one. I knew of the death but had never read a first hand account of exactly what happened. Definitely a sense of history to Wolvie that always hits me whenever I head up. Romans fatality, huge lines hit by the likes of Julian Carr, Jamie Pierre, the Provo boys, etc. Anyway, wandered up early Friday morning.

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In typical Wasangeles fashion we ran into 6 or so people already on top of Patsey as we came up and over, despite doing a dawn patrol and waiting at the top of Twin Lakes Pass for the sun to rise. Decided to try something east facing hoping for better results than my last trip where I stuck to the N facing chutes. Hit THC (the first chute on the right in the pic, in the sun with the big cornice sticking out), which alternated between decent turns in the shaded aspect near the rock wall and absolutely terrible frozen crust turns when you'd point back east. Skied out and back to the pass area where there were actually some decent turns to be had. Skinned back up and into Grizzly/Black Bess and called it a morning.
Mar 23 2014 3:20PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
weeee! those are fun lines for sure. had my best days of the season in the last week. today did not disappoint either. woke up expecting 45 and sunny turned out it snowed 6 inches and was 21 degrees all night.

took some laps out the arm and into hidden bowl. best day of the year for sure.
Mar 23 2014 6:51PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Hit up some N facing lines on Cheops Mtn in Connaught creek today. Had planned on the sts couloir but things were sluffing pretty heavy so opted to stick to the bowls for more room to maneuver out of the way of the sluff. Deep turns with a slight crust underneath. Lots of wind and our tracks we're mostly filled by the second lap. Everything in the lower snowpack seemed nicely settled and it was more the storm snow from the last few days to be concerned about. Wicked Turns!!
Mar 23 2014 8:02PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5566 - Karma: 1,078
Brighton backcountry tour today. Milly to Wolverine to Tuscarora. Couple laps off Tusc. Seagull first lap, and Chute Y on the second.
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And the view from the top of Seagull.
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(Not my picture)
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Mar 23 2014 9:21PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
some photos from today.

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Mar 23 2014 9:24PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Hit up one of my favourite spots today, was a bit rough in some areas. Since it’s right off the highway, they have to bomb it, this left debris further lookers right on Mt. Whymper today, so explored the left side of it and found some much softer snow. Overall great day out touring again.
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Planning a two night back touring touring expedition for April 4th, 5th, and 6th. Location: Whymper WT/Mt. Whymper back bowl.
I’m rather excited.
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Mar 23 2014 11:33PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
NS doesn't seem to like my apostrophes copied from my tumblr posts...

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Mar 23 2014 11:36PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Pretty cool vid I found of a pillow zone that is actually in Alberta hahaha, looks sketchy as hell but super gnar and cool.

If you don't like SAILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL you should probably mute.

Mar 24 2014 1:06PM
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noparking
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 50
skied off the top of mt hood today
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Mar 25 2014 1:02AM
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noparking
Posts: 1123 - Karma: 50
skied off the top of mt hood today
[URL=http://s124.photobucket.com/user/pathsavier/media/5C4720D5-3F9A-4942-A6D8-BB788FE87BDE-608-0000005478C176B5_zps64bd1baf.jpg.html]Click for larger image[/URL]
Mar 25 2014 1:03AM
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bernierosow
Posts: 270 - Karma: 1,666
It's super fun skiing the upper snowy range between Thredbo and Perisher.  There are so many fun little lines.  There's some big stuff off the west side when the snow is good. I've had some great days up there.
Mar 25 2014 1:18AM
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~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
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Had an unbelievable trip to the Chic Chocs over spring break. It was the all time best skiing I've ever done.
Mar 25 2014 9:58AM
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gnarles.
Posts: 2587 - Karma: 130
so im looking into getting a new pow touring setup. i was thinking moment exit worlds or atomic automatic with either dynafits or guardians. im gunna be riding these from sidecountry to backcountry and in bounds pow days/crud days. i like the idea of the dynafits but i have heard some sketchy stuff with them. i wanna charge hard and send big cliffs and i dont want the dynafits to be stopping me from doing that.

so should i get dynafits or guardians with either exit worlds or automatics. keep in mind that i plan on earning my turns but also skiing big lines. thanks for the help anyone im totally stuck with this decision
Mar 25 2014 2:29PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
If your going to be riding them In bounds id say stay away from the dynafits. There great in pow and even cliffs and pillows but you will probably break them constantly charging around inbounds. I've heard quite a bit of bad things about the guardian but from what i've gathered is as long as you don't let to much snow build up under the toe piece you shouldn't snap your binding in half, just pay attention.

My one pair of dukes that i bought new about a year ago the screw for the toe high adjustment is fucked, I tighten it and it loosens right back up immediately but should be an easy fix besides that I love um.
Mar 25 2014 2:37PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
For an inbounds and touring set up, I'd say guardians, they're just super solid for hauling around everywhere. Bit heavier of course, but still is rather easy to tour around in.
That being said, I have a pair of Guardians I'll be selling end of season here. Used one season, total by the time this season is up will be about 30 days.
Mar 25 2014 2:45PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9326 - Karma: 61,258
13s or 16s? and how much were you thinking? thanks
Mar 25 2014 3:11PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
I am also looking for something for next year! I like the idea of the guardians on paper but can't help to get concerned at the reviews of the metal bars breaking. Any word on possible changes for next years. I hope they fixed the problem because i toured on barons and they seemed too high off the ski and a bit bulky.
Mar 25 2014 8:10PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
get dukes or barons. if youre getting either of duke/baron or guardian youre not buying a binding for its ease of touring. youre buying it so you can suffer for 2 hours and love the ride down. iv had no problems with my guardians because i am very careful with that little section near the toe where it could break but id rather not have that worry while in the bc.
Mar 25 2014 8:13PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
Just ordered a pair of Black Diamond Converts and Fritschi Vipecs, can't wait!!! I'm stoked to finally own a light touring rig with tech bindings. Everything sounds great on paper, but we'll see how well the setup stands up to my abuse. I'll definitely try to push the bindings and see how they fare with some airtime, so far it seems like everyone who has gotten a pair hasn't really been charging too hard. STOKED!!
Mar 25 2014 8:21PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
so why wouldnt you recommend the guardians then? I am not sure what ill do yet, kind of depends on where i go to college. I was a tech set up, i think im going to buy tech boots anyway for the sake of hiking whether its with guardians/dukes or tech bindings. I really want something that will be good on the way down though. I like dropping cliffs exct. so i think suffering a little more might be worth it on the way down.
Mar 25 2014 8:57PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
You can drop cliffs just fine with tech Chrie!
Mar 25 2014 9:10PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
sweet man! let us all know how it goes:)
Mar 25 2014 9:33PM
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