Backcountry Intro lessons for JONGs

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03-03-2013, 10:38 PM
LeeLau

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Backcountry Intro lessons for JONGs

I remember one of the first things I posted here was about Efficient Skinning. I got called out by xTreme Colorado gnarcore who no doubt skin all of 1,000 ft and call it a day

It introduced me to the concept that TGR was full of "hard core" skiers that really didn't know what the fuck they were doing.

Since then I've come around to the fact that the world is full of "hard core" skiers that really didn't know what the fuck they were doing but now want to go the backcountry so that they can do whatever they they think they can do.

I shadowed a new product developed by Extremely Canadian/Whistler Blackcomb that is basically an Introduction to the Backcountry class. I thought it would be very successful and it is. There's a huge demand for it. Apparently there is self-realization even among the sickening amount of Whistler wannabe bro-brah angst.

Essentially its a one-day Learn how to travel in the backcountry class. It's defining aspect is that the quality of instruction is very very high. The head of the program is the President of the ACMG - Keith Reid.

This was written a month ago but the TGR webguy was busy screwing the pooch so apology for its lateness.

Read it here - http://www.tetongravity.com/reviews/...Review-333.htm

and maybe you'll see why this skintrack (courtesy of Pow11)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...87688219_n.jpg

or other cool tricks like wearing your shovel outside your backpack is a stupid idea.
03-03-2013, 10:45 PM
_Aaron_

Good stuff Lee

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeLau

or other cool tricks like wearing your shovel outside your backpack is a stupid idea.

But how's everybody supposed to know that Im an extremegnar backcountry skier if they cant see my shovel and handle?
03-03-2013, 10:46 PM
LeeLau
To make this not so region specific maybe throw in some places where you can also get not just avalanche awareness classes but also How to Travel in the Backcountry you idiot type lessons

I've been following the descriptions by Hakuba Mountain Life in Hakuba Japan and it looks great. He posts here

Other places to get formal or informal instruction at least in Western Canada
- Whistler Alpine Guides Bureau http://www.whistlerguides.com/
- Canada West Mountaineering School http://www.themountainschool.com/
You can join clubs but the quality of people is exceedingly random.
- VOC - http://www.ubc-voc.com/
- ACC - http://accwhistler.ca/
- BCMC - https://bcmc.ca/
Feel free to chime in some more ideas from other regions
03-03-2013, 10:48 PM
LeeLau

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Aaron_

Good stuff Lee

But how's everybody supposed to know that Im an extremegnar backcountry skier if they cant see my shovel and handle?

Wear your climbing harness. Attach a big anodized locker to your belay loop so its in prime position to hit your nuts. Double russian Ti icescrews on your side loops positioned for maximal anal rape when you sit down. Then everyone will know your radness
03-03-2013, 11:00 PM
_Aaron_

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeLau

Wear your climbing harness. Attach a big anodized locker to your belay loop so its in prime position to hit your nuts. Double russian Ti icescrews on your side loops positioned for maximal anal rape when you sit down. Then everyone will know your radness

I might have to add that to my signature.

For the Teton Region JHMG offers a 2 day intro to ski touring clinic. Im sure Exum offers the something in the same vein but Im not aware of it.

www.jhmg.com
03-03-2013, 11:03 PM
50degrees

Saw that today and just shook our heads. There were a couple of people who followed up that track throughout the afternoon....
Yikes...

And good article! We enjoyed that as well and took quite a bit away from that day. Have since played around a bit more in the area and explored a couple of the other area (Whistler) Garibaldi has to offer.
03-03-2013, 11:11 PM
steveski

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Aaron_

I might have to add that to my signature.

www.jhmg.com

Agreed! I call second dibs if you don't end up using it... :D
03-03-2013, 11:31 PM
vanisle

another Western Canada outfit with some great programs
http://www.islandalpineguides.com/
03-03-2013, 11:44 PM
powder11

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeeLau

Wear your climbing harness. Attach a big anodized locker to your belay loop so its in prime position to hit your nuts. Double russian Ti icescrews on your side loops positioned for maximal anal rape when you sit down. Then everyone will know your radness

and then show up to McDonalds like this in Pemberton at 8am, with your ski boots and headlamp on as well, to meet a bunch of people you don't know to go heli drop Mt. Currie. That actually happened. You know who I'm talking about!
03-04-2013, 12:20 AM
chadeau

I went up to Rogers past in mid-Feb and my buddy and I had a guided tour with Marty Schaffer. He is a really outgoing, fun, and above all, knowledgeable. Check him out at www.capow.ca/

Gaining knowledge was a high priority for our group and he was more than happy to teach us throughout the day. Learned a lot of new things. The avy conditions were touchy, but it was a good way for my buddy and I to gain experience in that environment.
03-04-2013, 12:20 PM
Anospa

For New England, I came across EMS's offerings when signing up for an AIARE course: http://www.emsexploration.com/ski/backcountry/
03-04-2013, 01:24 PM
lynchdogger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anospa

For New England, I came across EMS's offerings when signing up for an AIARE course: http://www.emsexploration.com/ski/backcountry/

Screw ems. See ime or rhino guides - Jim Shimberg is a great guy and will provide a fun day. Mark Synott is a a helluva nice guy too.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using TGR Forums
03-04-2013, 01:33 PM
digitaldeath

The who's who of posers and fakers
03-04-2013, 01:41 PM
userA

whatch you talkin bout dd?
03-04-2013, 02:04 PM
mtnbiker/boarder

digitaldeath......your so hardcore arent you ....go pound sand douochbag....

THANKS LEELAU FOR THE POST
03-04-2013, 02:09 PM
Eldo

I'm still laughing from Lee's preamble. Brilliant writing. :biggrin:
03-04-2013, 02:23 PM
Toadman

I put my shovel down my pants. Kinda like a cup. Is that not how you're supposed to do it? Shit, I better take this class. I just might learn something.

Seriously though, thanks for posting the link.
03-04-2013, 02:31 PM
Anospa

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynchdogger

Screw ems. See ime or rhino guides - Jim Shimberg is a great guy and will provide a fun day. Mark Synott is a a helluva nice guy too.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using TGR Forums

Haha, fair enough! I figured they have something, I think Chauvin has something as well. I just saw they had them when I was trying to find an avy course offered on dates that worked for me.
03-04-2013, 02:32 PM
jamesp

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadeau

I went up to Rogers past in mid-Feb and my buddy and I had a guided tour with Marty Schaffer. He is a really outgoing, fun, and above all, knowledgeable. Check him out at www.capow.ca/

Gaining knowledge was a high priority for our group and he was more than happy to teach us throughout the day. Learned a lot of new things. The avy conditions were touchy, but it was a good way for my buddy and I to gain experience in that environment.

Marty & others ran a 3 day Freeski camp in Rogers Pass in December, & I think he was doing another at Blanket Glacier sometime. It was awesome - highly recommended.

A bunch of mags went along, there's stuff about it buried somewhere in the Canadian Rockies thread. Also this link:

http://skisandmountains.com/rogers-freeski/
03-04-2013, 03:08 PM
ak_powder_monkey

wait so your saying having your shovel handle securely in your ice tool holder is a bad idea?
03-04-2013, 03:10 PM
PNWbrit

Quote:

Originally Posted by ak_powder_monkey

wait so your saying having your shovel handle securely in your ice tool holder is a bad idea?

It's less than optimal...
03-04-2013, 03:18 PM
ak_powder_monkey

Huh, I guess I need a new backpack, oh well time to shop
03-04-2013, 03:44 PM
jbski

For the college whipper-snappers in CO there is a program with CUFST that fits the bill.

Make contact and you can probably get in on some stuff even if you're not a student (I have that on good authority from someone who works there, haha).
03-04-2013, 04:29 PM
cranked

ASI in Truckee
03-04-2013, 08:18 PM
Chainsaw_Willie

Quote:

Originally Posted by chadeau

...Learned a lot of new things. The avy conditions were touchy, but it was a good way for my buddy and I to gain experience in that environment.

I almost feel gypped. My lvl 1 class happened after several weeks of temperature inversion under a huge dome of high pressure that occured right after a major rain event. While there were layers to be seen, the pack was basically 2 feet of solid crust with various rain crusts and sugar snow crusts under that. I should probably re-take that class and hope for more interesting/educational snow conditions.

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