Tips & Technique
Cheap Core-Shot Base Repair
After getting a cavernous core-shot repaired, I was so impressed with the quality of the repair I asked how much a good base-welder costs. “About $1,200.” Hmmm, I probably don’t need one that badly, but I do often rip moderate gouges in my bases that I’d like to repair, but aren’t worth the time and […]
Self Belayed Cornice Stomping
Cornices often present a backcountry conundrum – is it safer to stomp them and risk going for a ride when they break behind your feet, or is it better to not stomp them and thus give up a valuable piece of avalanche insight? I’m firmly in the pro stomping category and while most of the […]
Skin Glue Touch-Up
Blown out skin glue is a very common malady and with our recent snap of cold weather, I’ve seen at least one skin track casualty per day due to *&^%’ing glue. I think this is especially common in the Wasatch where it is very easy to get a dusting of snow on your skins while […]
The Sound of One Skin Slipping
Although I worry about it all the time, last weekend was the second time in my skinning history that I actually lost a skin while skiing, which creates a dilemma; do you posthole back uphill through deep snow in the hopes of finding it, or accept the loss and sacrifice your lone skin to the […]
Working the Skin Pocket
In XC/Nordic skiing, the term “wax pocket” denotes a certain zone on the ski where applying wax is going to give you the optimal blend of both grip and glide. A similar concept applies to climbing skins, although the “skin pocket” is fixed as you can’t adjust it fore/aft each day like you can by […]
Cook Tent Architecture
My first impression of pyramid style tarp tents was not good. After arriving at a barren, windy trailhead late at night, we set the tent up, stripped down and crawled into our sleeping bags. The next thing I knew, I felt a cool breeze on my face could see the stars. Realizing the tent had […]
Worthwhile Avalanche Video
One positive aspect of being a GoPro nation is that not only are avalanche accidents being documented as they happen, but often times from a variety of camera angles as well. This video does an excellent job showing the reality of being buried alive and the horror or realizing that the victim isn’t wearing a […]
10 – The Common Cure
The tenth and last of my personal avalanche avoidance theories. There’s a joke among sailors concerning seasickness that’s usually told as the victim is puking over the railing: Q: Do you know the only proven cure for seasickness? A: Lie down in the shade of a palm tree. The point of the joke is that […]
9 – Beyond Bros
Part 9 in 10 of my personal avalanche avoidance theories. Bro’ing down in the mountains with your buddies is a big part of what makes backcountry skiing so fun. There’s an intensity that comes from trusting your friends to rescue you if things go wrong (and vice versa) that leads to strong relationships, which may, […]
8 – Redefine Challenge
Part 8 in 10 of my personal avalanche avoidance theories… In 2010 I was involved in a round table discussion where participants were asked to describe the “most challenging thing they had done in their respective sports over the last year.” I went first and it was a no brainer – “Due to a persistently […]
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