skiing the bunny slopes

[rbtree]

10 days ago, the slopes were bare.....then it snowed...and snowed....super light fluff, rare for the PNW....

and the next storm is rolling in this afternoon..but will bring big winds with it.

I skiied Stevens Pass Thursday, which was super deep (4 feet of 4-5% moisture content snow) but with little terrain open, and nothing steep, there was little fun to be had.

Yesterday, at Crystal Mt, by contrast, was EPIC.....2.5-3.5 feet of blower even lighter powder, and few people, so I was able to ski slightly cut up or untracked knee to hip deep fluff everywhere I went.. No action pics, no one wanted to stop, and it was danged cold, 0-10 degrees.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3087/3122910722_8c801ba0b5_o.jpg
Some of the gnar...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3119/3122084565_4a216b9b8d_o.jpg
High Campbell lift, which serves up nothing but double diamond expert terrain
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3122084701_1bcf13a085_o.jpg
Avalanche Basin, part of the South Back Country, which requires ridge hiking and climbing for 10-30 minutes to access incredible goods.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3102/3122084649_3232949309_o.jpg
my tracks on the left
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/3122910744_9b3b3f9f47_o.jpg

I would have stayed up and skied today, but I'm bushed...two bad knees, and a sore butt from taking out a rock with it :roll: .....and the big windstorm is coming.

[Old Monkey]

Nice Roger! I think the kid and I will go skiing sometime this week.

[Blinky]

I'm jealous.

[sotc]

beautiful!!

[Mr. Sir]

Beautiful views there Roger. Thanks for sharing them with us.

[Al Smith]

Nice view for sure .

I won't be sking .Some how the idea of strapping a waxed board to my feet and firing down hill at 80 MPH only guided by little poles doesn't appeal to me .Too old ,not in the right place I guess .;)

[sotc]

haha, and at 80mph the poles are just ballast, and not much at that:D

[Paul B]

Great stuff Roger, enjoy the irregular cold / precip pattern that we are getting. :D

[Mrs.B]

Very pretty. I wish I would have tried skiing at least once in my younger days. Right now it seems I can't even keep my balance in the shower, let alone on ski's...on the snow!:(

[Al Smith]

Right now it seems I can't even keep my balance in the shower, let alone on ski's...on the snow!:( Ha ,things happen .Maybe a pair of Mr B's old calked boots and a set of ski poles would have helped .:)

[Paul B]

derail: Mrs B, how's them ribs? :)

[Mrs.B]

Much better. Thanks for asking!

[CurSedVoyce]

Good to hear Mrs B...
So happy you are mending well :)

[The Branch Doctor]

Mmmmm powder.

[Skwerl]

Mmmmm powder
...ed doughnuts
:P

[jamie]

gnar gnar gnar.....:|:

Jamie

[Wagnaw]

God. That looks amazing. I've known nothing but east coast crushed ice.

...any of you guys want some free help? You just find me a ride out there.... and give me the weekends off, so I can play on that stuff. ...dang. Gnar is most correct!

[MasterBlaster]

Much better. Thanks for asking!


Good news!

[Hobby Climber]

With all the snow fall recently, it was only proper to go tobagoning!

This is a pic of my youngest (Lt) and her friend at the local "Togabon Hill", taken a few hours ago!

And of course the traditional stop at Tim Hortons for "hot chocolat" afterwards! :coffee2::thumbupold:


HC

[Che]

My dad, brother, and I used to go skiing most Sunday's when I was a younger teenager. I had alot of fun, never got good enough to go on the 'advanced' hills though....only 'intermediate'.

My last skiis were a pair of 'Head" downhills....BRIGHT red, with the newer (at the time) step in bindings.

We went up to Lutsen for a short holiday, I remember sleeping in a split level motel room right on Lake Superior and waking to strange grinding/crunching noise of the ice chunks slamming together. We ate at the Naniboujou dining room:

http://naniboujou.com/photos/dininghall3.jpg

My last time skiing was with some girlfriends. We had just put on our skis and were walking/skiing across the almost flat but icy bunny slope on the way to the lifts ....I slipped and fell hard on my side. I let my friends go on and waited for them in the warming house. I didn't say anything til I got home. Took off my Ski pants and there on my hip/upper thigh was a lump about the size of half of a large cantaloupe....so dark a purple it was almost black.

Nope, never skied again. Still have the skis though in my parent's basement.

GREAT pictures, Roger. Really nice.

[CurSedVoyce]

I miss skiing. I lost all my gear and a lot of childhood to two garage fires.. There will be a day I get it all replaced I swear...
My fondest times skiing was always teaching my GFs to ski.. I had the patience of a saint:/::roll: Then once I got them tired out... I would go up top and race back down to where they had something hot for me to drink at the lodge :D
Night skiing was always wonderful...
I got up in a thunderstorm once too.. that was pretty amazing.
Powder at Alta Utah... The girls at Sundance Utah .... Gawd those days were great :D
I hope I can teach the boys here soon :)

[darkstar]

Lucky Rbtree.
That looks so nice.

[rbtree]

Winds hit 62, but the high wind watch was cancellled. Not much in the way of power outages. So, maybe I'll go skiing tomorrow. It's snowed 3 more inches at my house, and took longer to start in the mts.....but if there's a foot or more there by morning, i'm in....Winds up there don't look too bad.

[rbtree]

...ed doughnuts
:P

don't knock it till you've tried it, southern boy;)

[vharrison]

Nice view for sure .

I won't be sking .Some how the idea of strapping a waxed board to my feet and firing down hill at 80 MPH only guided by little poles doesn't appeal to me .Too old ,not in the right place I guess .;)

Me neither Al, but I envy Roger, he is something else!

[Old Monkey]

My girls are sick and there is no joy in Mudville. No skiing and no sledding but lots of new fluffy snow piling up.

[rbtree]

Hope you and yours are healthy pronto, cowboy!

In case any of ya'll missed this, here it is again, in a more appropriate thread:

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[rbtree]

haha, and at 80mph the poles are just ballast, and not much at that:D

I typically keep it under 65....

.....unless I'm running from da redcoats.....


"To turn, is to admit defeat"

[Old Monkey]

My goal is to make loads of figure eights with the kid and not to get plowed into by her, she loves to take me out on the slopes.

[darkstar]

My goal is to make loads of figure eights with the kid and not to get plowed into by her, she loves to take me out on the slopes.

Very cool.

[rbtree]

Alpental today.....


did not disappoint!!

even tho the top, where the real gnar is, needs more snow.

Took this high traverse underneath the 400 foot cliff band,and spotted this way cool tree. Two weeks ago, there was no snow at this level...

[darkstar]

What a beauty...

[jamie]

Mr RB you are one Jammy git..... it's still grey over here.

think of a 18% grey card, thats scotland

Jamie

[JamesTX]

Have you seen this - guy fell over 300 feet - no injuries.

http://homeboyski.com/2008/12/03/fred-syversen-107-meters-cliff-drop-video/

[CurSedVoyce]

Friggen unbelievable.... Man talk about a wrong turn !:\:

[MasterBlaster]

Hell, they filmed everything BUT the jump.

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Why can't ya'll embed videos?

[sotc]

thats the sucky part, wonder why the chopper didnt stay out for the camera:?

[CurSedVoyce]

Wonder why they did not use the Chopper as his spotter routing him so as not to fall off a cliff!.. LMAO

[rbtree]

Thanks, James, I'd heard about Fred's lucky mistake shortly after it happened, but this was the first time I'd seen the footage.

[rbtree]

Wonder why they did not use the Chopper as his spotter routing him so as not to fall off a cliff!.. LMAO

They tried...but at the speed he was going, they had little warning that he was on the wrong line....

Seems, that with the vastness of the terrain above the cliff, that a coupla marker flags woulda been a good thing.

He did an amazing job of going with the flow when he realized his mistake. In fact, he held his body position, unlike what happened to Jamie Pierre on his 245 foot jump when he landed on his head.....and survived that....

[CurSedVoyce]

Seems, that with the vastness of the terrain above the cliff, that a coupla marker flags woulda been a good thing.

He did an amazing job...

I agree, some flags would definitely helped his cause.. I did not think about his speed Roger. Bet the speed did come into play as he went off though. Cleared all the rocks. And taking a second look at his launch, he really did have good form for the fall. Man there must have been some deep powder to cushion that fall though.

[Paul B]

finally took the time to watch the vid, twice, wow, 320 foot drop! thats nuts! and unhurt, unreal.

[rbtree]

107 meters...350 feet....

not beyond comprehension that he survived--the landing was steep, and a coupla meters deep.....

skydivers have survived chute snafus---fallen into swamps, etc....

but,man, my pants woulda needed to be burned if that'd been me on that launch.

[Banned by Squirrels]

I used to ski those same runs! Looks like you had a great day up there. Thanks for the trip down memory lane RB.

[rbtree]

Oh yeah? When was this? I had a pass there from 77 to 97.....

Third pic, upper left, highest set of tracks, needs a bit more snow....it's called T wat Slot....

[Banned by Squirrels]

My first trip to Crystal pass was in 85, prolly went between fifteen to twenty times a season for the next 10 years. (Including White pass Whistler, and others.) I loved South back country so much terrain over there that most people miss.

Then I moved away, and did get to ski Taos, NM. and Telluride. Also made it to Innsbruck once! Too bad they didn't have optimum conditions but it was awesome skiing the Alps anyway.

[rbtree]

I shot the cover of a 1997 calendar at Taos.....love that place, if the snow is good, with enuf cover to hike the ridges.

If you ever picked up Sports NW Mag, or "The Winter Guide" both by co-founder of Powder, Jake Moe, you saw tons of my photos.....

The rain event in the hills may (let's hope) stabilize our very sketchy snowpack. But it's deep enough to ski the runs off the back side, down to Hwy 410.....there's many ways down, but most require bushwhacking the bottom 1500 feet...but if there's enuf snow, you can ski thru the forest the whole 3500-23700 feet.

I first skied "Little Richards" in '79. At that time, the pucker brush wasn't grown up, and you could make turns the full 3600 vert to the road--it had slid in the late 60's. After that, it's a 4 mile skate out to the Xtal road, where thumbing it usually brings a ride within a short time. It starts 1/2 way up the hike to The Throne. Then, off the back side of Silver Basin leads to an open slope way below Crystal Lakes, and then to the summer hiking trail, which is abunch of high speed switchbacks, making for a fun luge run..just gotta make the turns.

Kemper's is a big curving chute off the north side of Silver Queen, which went big in the massive 98-99 snows, taking out 1000 feet of trees. so it's good for 2500 feet of NW facing bliss. There's more lines off REX and near Brand X,which require less of a skate on the road.

[Banned by Squirrels]

I never saw them but I be willing to bet they're awesome.

[jamie]

I just got my deck back from the shop that was repairing it. (i dinged the edge). the amount i ride these days don't justify the cost of a new board. there was a bit of a horrible stain from a bad waxing accident years ago. all came back brand spanking new...tons of life left in the old girl.... just need to take her out now on scotlands little hills.

Jamie

[inztrees]

im looking for new skiboots is there a backcountry boot??? what do you that ski in the woods, or off the slope have?

[Altissimus]

The Garmont Endorphin with Vibram Hiking boot soles .... These boots changed my life !

[inztrees]

they are a lot of $$$$$$$$$$$$ but I could find some last years or used

[Altissimus]

The older model (almost identical) are the Adrenalins , when I was shopping there were some new on E-Bay at good savings ...FYI AT gear remains a niche market , so many shops will make a deal if it looks like they won't sell. One of my friends got a deal from a shop in Mass. that was as good as the discount Garmont gave for National Ski Patrol membership....

[squisher]

Free your heel and your mind will follow.8)

Terminators!!!!http://www.pineneedle.com/store/pc/catalog/terminatorX_thumb.jpg

Finally went skiing today for the first time. Sad I know but that's how the cookie crumbles. Fun day despite being cold and not that great of snow.:)

[Altissimus]

Hmmmm .... Telly ...

[squisher]

I've telemarked for nearly twenty years. I've also dabbled in boarding and alpine but just for something to try really and before I tele'd. Needless to say I really dig it.8)

[Altissimus]

My patrol trainer works and teaches on pins .. I think were up to 9 patrollers who haul tobbogans telly , I would trust ANY one of them to take me down .... Mad River Glen is becoming the three pin capitol of the east... I still haven't tried it ...

[inztrees]

I think I found some Lowe Super Peaks on Craigslist I hope the work out couse Im broke

[rbtree]

Those are climbing boots, and won't work with tele or AT binders, I'm quite sure.

[inztrees]

the guy says there back country sai boots what do you have Rog

[rbtree]

Sorry, I spoke too quickly.....I just didn't see the shape needed to hold bindings...... prolly cause the pics don't show it.

Here's better pics: http://cgi.ebay.com/Lowa-Walk-Ski-Super-Peak-Ski-Boots%2FMens-6.5-8-US%2FAlpine_W0QQitemZ150322458897QQcmdZViewItemQQi msxZ20090122?IMSfp=TL090122178003r16725

I'm guessing that boot, with only two buckles, is quite soft.....so, less performance, more comfort.

It's generally not a good idea to buy a ski boot without trying it on first.

I don't get in the BC enough, so haven't upgraded from my old Nordica TR-9's, which are quite poor compared to today's boots.

[squisher]

My patrol trainer works and teaches on pins .. I think were up to 9 patrollers who haul tobbogans telly , I would trust ANY one of them to take me down .... Mad River Glen is becoming the three pin capitol of the east... I still haven't tried it ...

Tele is quite versatile imo. I was a cert'd tele instructor for awhile but never taught professionally, just did it to improve my own technique. I'm a rocky mountain style freeheeler, how low can you go. The guy that taught me to tele is the best tele'r I've ever seen and we used to ski all over the province from Smithers to Washington and all stops in beteen. We used to regularly ski with a national team member here in Vernon for a season, but I think it was hard on his ego.:D

Hoping to hit the hill again this friday, love the burn in my legs today, love it.8)

[inztrees]

Im going to check them out tus or we-day

[Altissimus]

The hiking boot sole works best when paired with AT bindings , although they will work with regular old step-ins ... they look like a good boot ... Good Luck !

[inztrees]

The guy said that If I used them with step in buindings I couldbrake my leg cous the step in are made to role out at the toe and the at is made to role out at the heal so I didnt get them was he wrong?

[rbtree]

The hiking boot sole works best when paired with AT bindings , although they will work with regular old step-ins ... they look like a good boot ... Good Luck !Actually, a hiking boot toe/ heel design (I wasn't referring to the sole makeup) will work with only a few AT bindings, such as those with wire bales. I have a pair of 30 yr old Ramers that I was able to use with my old leather mountaineering boots.

inz, those boots should work with any binding, be it a twist out toe or heel design....I think.

[inztrees]

i kenw i should have got them

[Altissimus]

I have a friend with Scarpas who isn't happy .... wants the Garmonts ...

[jamie]

Scotland isn't reknowned for its waist deep poweder but if you go with low expectations and don't mind riding over heather and maybe the odd rock thats still slightly hidden it isn't tooo bad here is the view from the top of the cairnwell t bar at glenshee looking south west to Carn nan Sac

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c199/treejamie/Snowboarding/glenshee.jpg

oh the hills in scotland are normally super windy, yesterday was still.

Jamie

[Altissimus]

It looks good ... If you wax for rocks and Heather you're all set ...

[jamie]

ha bloody ha...

you have to be pretty dedicated to ride in scotland

Jamie

[Altissimus]

a few years ago , in the National Ski Patrol trade / member mag .... there was a crazy photo of a ski patrol summit shack and patrollers in Scotland ! ... I believe , somewhere ???

[jamie]

I'd give anything to be over your way, i was there about 9 years ago, stayed with my friends family, spent most of our time in Smugglers Notch...

Jamie

[Altissimus]

Smuggs' is GOOD !!!

[Old Monkey]

OK here is some radical ski footage of one of my recent night skiing trips. Roger, eat your heart out!

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[Paul B]

as the fellow said at the Hindenburg happenstance, "Oh the humility!"

:P

[MasterBlaster]

Hahahahahahaha! I can ski like that!

[Old Monkey]

Dude, what are you talking about, I'm awesome!

[MasterBlaster]

Me too! :rockon:


:lol:

[sotc]

hahahahahahaha cool darin :hello1:

[The Branch Doctor]

Hell yeah Darin! I went skiing on Saturday and we stayed for night skiing. I love skiing at night..... it's kinda surreal and ski patrol goes away so the speed demons can play!:evil:;)

[rbtree]

you're one rad air bear...or is it monkey?!

[The Branch Doctor]

This is me at Copper Mountain 3 weeks ago. I hit the 1st jump too slow but I got a good piece of the 3rd one. Too bad my buddy was standing at the 1st hit.... oh well.:D
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