Whippets

**Toque** · 06-30-2004, 10:10 PM

So tried the search function didn't come up with anything. But then I am sure somebody will.

I am interested in BD Whippets.

A few questions.

How easy are they to add/remove and if it's so easy does that make them unsafe?
Ever fallen on one? Seems like a good way to stab yourself.
They are obviously not for technical junk but how sturdy are they?

**dipstik** · 06-30-2004, 10:35 PM

I thought Whippets were when you sucked the air out of a whip cream can for a quick high.

**basom** · 07-01-2004, 05:10 AM

there is some disscussion here + a killer TR.

**PNWbrit** · 07-01-2004, 09:34 AM

try a search at http://www.telemarktalk.com/phpBB/index.php there was something recently including input from their inventor Andrew McLean

**Woodsy** · 07-01-2004, 09:40 AM

**Toque** · 07-01-2004, 09:50 PM

Thanks for beta there. That Telemarktips thread was really good. They answered all my questions.

Now just have to figure out where to get one.

It's also very funny how in each post about Whippits someobdy cracks off a Whippit. Whippit good joke.

**Vets** · 07-01-2004, 11:05 PM

"As Henry Rollins said...'There are two types of people in this world...those that get Devo and those that don't.' Clue...Irony and satire."

**Innominatus** · 07-02-2004, 10:43 AM

Originally posted by Toque
Now just have to figure out where to get one.

You could always mail order from MountainGear.com:

here

With a credit card I assume the currency conversion is done for you.

Where in Japan do you ski that would necessitate the use of Whippets? Not skeptical, just curious (always thought that in Japan 99.99% of all skiing was done on-piste). Sapporo area? Yoteizan? Daisetsuzan? There must be a ton of BC potential in Hokkaido...

**PNWbrit** · 07-02-2004, 11:10 AM

Toque - I didn't notice that you're in Japan. I'm also interested to hear more about the skiing/climbing there. My experience of Japanese skiing is limited to the hordes of them at Whistler all in matching outfits.

Be very careful with those things. They'll tear your guts out and leave you a bleeding dead mess in the snow before you know it!

Before going that route make sure you know how to arrest and climb with a real ice axe and how to do a ski pole arrest. But I'm sure you know this already.

**jstead** · 07-02-2004, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by Vets
"As Henry Rollins said...'There are two types of people in this world...those that get Devo and those that don't.' Clue...Irony and satire."

There are three kinds of people in this world. Those that can count and those that can not.

**Vets** · 07-02-2004, 12:38 PM

Originally posted by jstead
There are three kinds of people in this world. Those that can count and those that can not.

lol

_________________
Is the bear catholic?

**Toque** · 07-04-2004, 07:30 PM

I'm right in the middle of Japan. Around 36 degrees Latitude. Super low for my native BC but we get an amazing amount of snow. The resorts around here have bases of 300-400cm mid winter.
Japanese people ski 100 percent on-piste. They are only permitted to ski cut runs so most don't go inbetween the runs or anywhere else for that matter. Most of the skiing is below treeline but you can find perfectly spaced glades in most areas. The trees are amazing here. As nobody skis them the powder is untouched so it's basically lift serviced backcountry but then that comes with it's own risks as well and we all use avy gear.

As for the true backcountry in my area it's pretty rugged. I live in the North Japanese Alps and the mountains reach 3000 metres. My area is just across a few mountains from Nagano where the olympics where. In that area if they put the lifts to the tops of the mountains it would be full on Europe style minus the glaciers.

But there are some chutes that I am eyeing for next spring. Not super steep. Probably 45 degrees. I am really scared about spilling my guts with a Whippit but have all summer and winter to think about that. May just stick with a mountaineering axe. Also don't have a credit card. They are evil. So ordering things is difficult.

This is one areas I am looking into. Not to rugged but pretty cool. The red arrow is the good chut and then the blue has a cliff half way down although you could get around it if you went a bit earlier. This picture was taken mid June.