Best advice… Follow the Toe.
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Best advice… Follow the Toe.
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@Dantheman - Stoked to have you up here! And super stoked for this program with Sage. I'm really hoping I get to guide this one for sure as it could be an all-time set up!!!
@Mustonen - Re: your gear question - I've never ridden wrenegades, but their shape and width looks solid. I ride Lotus 124s most days and the Lotus 138 when it gets deep. We are sponsored by DPS and have some Lotus 124s for us. For me - width is helpful skiing in AK and just makes the skiing easier; and is also just really fun. You can get by with 112 or 115s under foot, particularly once the new snow settles a bit and on steeper terrain- but I find them to be more work. Also - I have found that I really like a ski that has a reasonably supportive tail. Now - I'm usually skiing with a heavier pack that is like having a midget on your back - but I found having a supportive tail allows for a potential recovery if things get a little dicey on a spicy exit.
re: you avi question - not necessary, but helpful - and I'd recommend it, if you can make it happen. Having a basic understanding of avalanche problems as well as practice with avalanche rescue - makes you a stronger member of the group. And even though all heliskiing is guided - a stronger group overall (both skiing and w/r/t overall mountain sense) brings confidence to the guide and generally allows us to consider skiing more difficult lines. We have a number of avalanche educators that guide here. For the Sage program if there are no-fly days - one of the things on the docket is doing some avalanche classroom time, as well as avalanche rescue practice. We also often offer this to our regular groups and find that it is well received. I heard recently that one of the groups from last year was backcountry skiing in Idaho after they returned from AK and they witnessed a skier triggered full burial. They responded and were able to get him out in under 10 minutes - and the skier survived with no significant injuries.
They had no prior avi training, but did an avi rescue training day here - and executed it perfectly a couple weeks later! Pretty freaking cool.
Mustonen: you should pull the trigger. You will never get an opportunity like this again.
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Lack of conditioning makes it a nonstarter, unfortunately. I’m not carrying any extra weight but had a hard time skiing top to bottom at JH without at least a couple stops - even groomers. Djongo can attest. Disappointing. Vowing to not let that be an excuse again though.Quote:
Originally Posted by AK47bp
I’m talking about 4frnt renegades. 122 waist. Love them in funky snow particularly, including mashed potatoes and crust that is both dusted and breakable. Discussion was good though, as was the avy discussion. Thank you!Quote:
Originally Posted by the Dr.
Quote:
Originally Posted by the Dr.
^ wow that is indeed pretty freaking cool
Wrens would be perfect. I'm also tempted but would prefer not to drop coin like that at this point. Rad to be able to go though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mustonen
I've watched enough ski movies to know that runouts and aprons can get rugged. I'll have my trusty Sender Squads in tow.Quote:
Originally Posted by skinipenem
Debating on bringing a backup pair of alpine skis or touring gear for down days.
This is so awesome; glad someone is making this happen. Enjoy the trip Dan and anyone else who can go! Hope the conditions are banger. Either way skiing with Sage should be a blast, you can tell his stoke is super high from Let's take a lap videos.
Also, big ups to the Dr. for offering such a sweet discount and spreading the word.
Exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
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You have a rental car to go up the pass? Down day probably means a storm and flat light, and flat light isn't any fun in AK. With no rocks, no trees, and no shadows it's like skiing in the inside of a ping pong ball.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
But sometimes the weather breaks clear at 5 or 6pm and you can go rush up the pass then, and ski until 9pm, maybe worth bringing touring gear for that?
I'll have a rental car, but I was told they will provide all transport for down day activities. Ping pong ball touring definitely sounds less than ideal, but better than twiddling thumbs around Valdez all day.
There’s a trail along the north side of the water that may be clear enough of snow to run on (albeit probably very wet if it is clear of snow)?
That's what I thought too before going up there, bring running shoes if you need a constant fix every day. Also bring touring skis in hopes for a down day sunset clearing that you should remember for the rest of your life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
Or day drink like everyone else.
There are really nice storm day skiing touring laps im the cat skiing zone of the luxury lodge up at the pass ( and good beer and free wifi, if youre bumming around in a rv). Just 200 or 300m vertical fun some trees and pillows. Just follow their cat track and go from there. You will have to test it a bit to maximize vert and pitch. But if you have guides youll ptobably go elsewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
Some storm skiing pics in here. Ignore my German rambling and scroll down.
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https://thesabbaticalpath.wordpress....thompson-pass/
The bigger and more foresty tree skiing further down towards valdez didn't have much base when I was there. And looked more complicated to find decent gaps in the trees.
God I wish I could make this happen financially. Feels somewhat irresponsible given my ski coach status. :D
Have fun DTM!!!
FWIW, I'd ski my 191 Renegades anywhere. One of my favorite parts about that ski is it's versatility. I've got Duke PT's on them and they do it all (as long as you aren't offended by a heavy touring setup).
Been in valdez/ thompson pass for past 6 days. Flying with pulseline tomorrow. pm sentQuote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
T-minus 4 hours to takeoff. The drive from Anchorage to Valdez tomorrow looks to be...not fun.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...1dd7bd9a2c.jpg
Better upgrade to the four wheel drive
Picked up my car last night instead of this morning, got the studded snow package, and hit the road at 5:30 am to get ahead of the storm. Cost me over $400 extra, but worth it I think. Glad I won't be coming over at 3:00 this afternoon.
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Rock on
I’m stoked for this adventure.
Shit. There is a lot more snow at sea level than when we were there.
Yeah I don’t think you’ll be running on that trail I mentioned…
Shoup? I might go wander over that way since I have a lot of time to kill, but, yeah.
Yeah that’s the one.
Or you can run the flat road by the airport out to the park at the end of you’re really bored.
This is has potential to be one of the best threads in a long while.
Here's Shoup Park, LOL. 6+ ft of snow on the ground. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5e03b31587.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by bennymac
Did some sightseeing and jumped off the dock. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...78b94f2db1.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d67375622d.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...49120549de.jpg
So how was running it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
😆
The taprooms are likely open if you’re a beer drinker…
Give'r Dan!!!
Seriously. I have stoked bystander disorder.Quote:
Originally Posted by AK47bp
Ahh man Dan I am so stoked for ya, can't wait for the pics here!
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Got your run and swim in!
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+1Quote:
Originally Posted by N1CK.
Hah! Awesome!Quote:
Originally Posted by Dantheman
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hell yeah, sea dip
+2Quote:
Originally Posted by N1CK.
Which I find to be the proven cure to FOMO.
Awesome ocean dip.
Usually people do the plunge after getting cabin fever for a week or two, you are doing it to start the trip?
Good luck! I hope the weather clears - watch yer sluff, ha.
The rec center is sweet - lap pools and a diving board. The museum is worth a stop to learn about the Tsunami. The town eagle tree is known to take out small dogs, so that's a good bird watching area. Beyond that, if it's socked in for a bit, I hope you brought books?
Rec Center saved my sanity for a week back in 2000! The wait was worth it ;) Plus, James Muir was my hotel neighbor; we hung out ALOT and he rekindled my passion for skating. Still friends to this day. Love that guy! Be safe Mi Amigo and looking forward to swapping stories/photos when you get back!