Comments on: ABOUT

By: AlpineZone

AlpineZone — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:48:26 +0000

Just came across this when someone on Alpinezone posted about Baffin Island and I came across this site. Some amazing stuff you have going on here! Very cool indeed. Love the baffin island pics, it looks really incredible.

By: Antarctica | NoahHowell.com

Antarctica | NoahHowell.com — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:26:32 +0000

[...] newbies, veterans, hippies, punters, bros, powder hos, yuppies and euros. Chris Davenport and Andrew McLean have been down there multiple times and they made great tour [...]

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:40:03 +0000

Hi Nick – it depends entirely on how severe they are. If they aren’t too bad and there’s only one or two, I’ll just keep waxing over them. When I eventually get enough to break out the p-tex, I’ll scrape the wound clean, then drip p-tex into the gouge and file it off. I use the p-tex that is made for the guns and heat it up with a little mini blow torch as it doesn’t have any wax in it (like the traditional p-tex candles), so it doesn’t stay lit. I also do a mini preheat of the ski base to help the new p-tex stick to it. If it is a really deep gouge, I’ll trim it out with an undercut and then fill that in with slow dry epoxy. This usually cracks, but it serves its purpose. If it is a new/favorite pair of skis and I really tag them, I’ll take it to a shop as they have far better tools to deal with patches, edge repair and big base welds.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:57:33 +0000

How do you fix core shots?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 17:23:47 +0000

Where were you born?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:15:26 +0000

Hi Dan – Last season I used:
- Scarpa Maestrale boots
- K2 Wayback skis & skins (167cm)
- Dynafit ST Vertical bindings

I am very particular about my gear and once I find something that works, I tend to stick with it, which is partially why I’ve been using Scarpa, K2 and Dynafits for the last ten years or so. As such, I haven’t tried out a lot of the other boots, skis and bindings, although I know there are some good ones out there.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 20:23:15 +0000

Thanks for your reply. I’m looking to build a lighter backcountry set-up than my current one (181 Coomba’s w/ Fritschis w/Garmont Adrenalin boots). I’d like to say I only get powder days but not every season is so gracious to us in Colorado. I will keep my current set-up for shorter tours and powder days but I want something for spring/summer backcountry skiing -longer tours/approaches, steeper cols., and variable conditions. The set up will include a tech boot (Maestrale?) and tech binding. A couple friends are skiing the Manaslu but haven’t been that happy with its durability or descending. I’m a lighter guy (under 150 at about 6’) and don’t want a ski too prone to deflection since the corn at 12000’ can be frozen crud at 14000’. Any recommendations (would love to demo about 50 different skis but unfortunately I don’t really have that option)?

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 22:02:09 +0000

Hi Dan – I prefer the Wayback as an all-around ski, but a big part of that is because I do most of my skiing in the Wasatch, which has lots of fluffy snow. The Backup is more of a mountaineering ski and will preform better on hardpack and is also probably a better ski if you are using it in the resorts as well.

By: Dan Sturgis

Dan Sturgis — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 22:46:53 +0000

Hi Andrew

Any thoughts you’d share on the Wayback vs the Backup for a spring/variable conditions mountaineering ski? It looks like the Wayback is wider AND lighter (?). Although I’d give some weight for some dampening… Anyway I know spring is a long way off… Thanks for your great and informative blog.

Best, Dan

By: Mark Donohoe

Mark Donohoe — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:37:10 +0000

Andrew,

Really funny that you are reading Go the F* to Sleep. My kids are now 16 and 18 but I do remember that time! I might have to pick up that book. Can’t wait for more pictures and things from the trip.