Backcountry Skiing
For the final update on Black Diamond’s new gear for 08/09, I turn to their expanded line of backcountry ski packs with integrated AvaLung’s. I’m a believer in wearing an AvaLung in the backcountry and I’ve been impressed with BD’s pack/AvaLung combos thus far (read my Covert AvaLung review). Combining the two is a no-brainer and reduces the bulk and complexity of wearing multiple items.
The entire line of backcountry ski packs will be greatly expanded for Fall 2008. The new line includes a sidecountry pack (Bandit), a ski-mountaineering pack (Alias) and even a snowboard-capable pack (Outlaw). Look...
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I was anxious to actually see the Black Diamond backcountry ski boots that I had heard so much about. Our own Kendall Card had spotted them in the area backcountry over the past year, but usually it was just in passing as BD product designer, Ben Walker would slip away just in time to avoid any photographs.
Now they are officially revealed to the public as the all-new Black Diamond backcountry ski boot lineup headlined by the top-of-the-line Black Diamond Factor boot. I had a chance to chat at length with one of the team leads on the new boot line and got the inside scoop on the R&D, sourcing and construction process.
2008...
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Swinging by Voile USA, I saw a pair of fat skis that caught my eye. The Voile Insane 183cm ski is fat and light–perfect for backcountry touring (A/T or Tele) in the Rockies and Western USA. These skis are made right here in Salt Lake City with love, not overseas. I like that.
After a quick chat with Mark from Voile, I’m stoked on these skis. Their dimensions in the 183cm length are: 150 / 109 / 140. That solid 109 cm waist will provide the float needed under all backcountry conditions, while the sidecut will still make the skis perform inbounds or on spring corn.
The core is constructed of aspen wood from...
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Growing up, I vividly remember brothers, Rob and Eric DesLauriers skiing for Warren Miller. They are up there with Scot Schmidt, Glen Plake, Mike Hattrup, Tom Day and the other ski heroes of the day. They did things on super-skinny skis that still blows your mind. As it turns out, Rob DesLauriers would eventually marry and he would watch and help as his wife, Kit, ski-descend from the tops of the seven summits–a world’s first.
I’ve known of Kit’s ski mountaineering and big mountain skiing prowess for a long time, but until I read the following article on ESPN.com, I had no idea she...
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Bruce Tremper is one of the premiere avalanche forecasters in the world. His field work in Utah’s Wasatch mountains provides all backcountry travelers with a great start towards making smart choices in the backcountry. Take some time and read the Utah Avalanche Center’s Daily Report before heading out. That’s obvious.
But, once you get out there, do you know what else to look for and be careful of? I’m definitely no expert, but I try to keep myself on top of all current conditions and always use the safest route-finding and skiing practices. You can never be 100% safe, but then again, you can never be 100% safe driving a car down...
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I live literally at the mouth of American Fork Canyon in Utah. AF Canyon (as the locals call it), is home to some of the sweetest summer singletrack in the state. Miles and miles of singletrack trails meander throughout the entire canyon. It’s a mountain biker’s paradise.
But, come winter, the place is pretty much owned by the snowmobile and local XC and tubing crowd. But, is there enough terrain and enough snow to make it a worthy backcountry skiing destination? I had lived nearby for years and had always passed it by in favor of Big or Little Cottonwood for my backcountry skiing trips. But, after a quick exploratory session, I can definitely say YES,...
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I’m a big fan of Garmont alpine touring boots. It is evident that their years of boot-building experience give them an advantage because they are building the most anatomical, comfortable and functional backcountry ski boots on the market. Their new line of ski mountaineering boots are the result of millions invested in the right-fitting molds and the right technology.
New for the 2008-2009 ski season will be a full line of beefy and capable ski mountaineering boots. The top-of-the-line model will be the Garmont Radium–a classic-looking 4-buckle design that will completely blow you away by its overall comfort, walkability and light weight while still being able to drive even the burliest skis....
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Yes, the enviro-friendly bandwagon. Well, I really don’t think it’s a bandwagon anymore–it’s more of a reality of the world we live in. We all must be better stewards and be more aware of our impact on the environment. I don’t want to get into a global warming debate here other than regardless of what you believe, positive change that takes better care of the environment should be a no-brainer for everyone.
Enter Nau. Built on a philosophy to produce environmentally-friendly clothing for outdoor enthusiasts. Based in Portland, Oregon with store locations in Portland, Seattle, Boulder and Chicago, these guys are serious about sustainability and environmentally-friendly materials and production processes. They are also...
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The life-saving Black Diamond AvaLung has been on the market for a few years now. This technology sucks the oxygen out of the micro air pockets within the snowpack and allows you to breathe while completely submerged for 60 minutes or longer. The AvaLung system doesn’t keep you out of avalanches… that’s what your brain is for, it’s built to keep you alive longer. Given that most avalanche victims suffocate before they are found, the AvaLung system is a must-have item for anyone traveling in the backcountry.
The survival rate of a full-burial dramatically decreases after 15 minutes. Without an AvaLung, if you are alive, but not found in 15 minutes, your chances of...
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It’s been a few seasons since the lower elevation snowpack has been this abundant this early in the year. As I was driving home from Alta on New Years Day having skied with Jason I got looking around and was seeing coverage better than I recall in areas on Grandeur Peak, in Parleys Canyon and then near Mount Aire which sits at the mouth of Lambs Canyon. I even spied a couple of tracks down the main bowl of Mount Aire’s sub peak. Upon seeing that and the 2-3 feet that lay in on the side of the freeway I instantly started making phone calls. It was time....
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A
foot of April flake just buried the 'Bird, the Crack House is warming
up and the Rollercoaster's drying out. Epic spring lines are calling
and you better be dialed. From bike helmets to top-shelf bike parts, Arc'teryx shells to Marmot sleeping bags, Mountain Hardwear tents, Patagonia footwear, The North Face backpacks and The North Face fleece, Backcountry.com is the outdoor gear dealer who's always holding when your addiction hits. Whether you ski sweet corn, get filthy rad on a snowboard, camp and climb in Moab, or burn it up on two wheels, there's no better place to feed your habit than Backcountry.com.