Ski with Sage Cattabriga-Alosa in Alaska (3/31 - 4/6)!!!

[John_B]

I’ve heard operators claim that, but that’s tach time.

Makes sense. This was long lining in logs for a stream restoration project. My recollection is that it was based off of a sensor on the landing gear and we were only paying when the machine was off the ground. This was a Vertol 107 so a bit different than a heli skiing bird.

[Woodsy]

Dan once again THE man.

Love everything about this.

Just seeing 2 guys I have watched rip Alta for 20ish years get up and ski AK together is super cool

[Dantheman]

How does the Hobbs time actually work? Is it running only when your ass is in the seat or is it from when the aircraft is inbound to your group and running until drop off when it is inbound to the next group? Basically are you being charged for a "round trip" of the aircraft or just your time in the seat on the climb?

Also curious about the group size, it sounds like you were running 2 guides for 2 clients? That sounds awesome but is that normal for Pulseline?

Congratulations on an amazing experience, I haven't ever pulled the trigger on something like this but it sounds like something worth pursuing in the next couple of years.

I believe Shredhead is correct, though you are splitting some of those hours with the other group using the same ship. Also, what muted said. The vast majority of your hours get burned getting into the field and back, not spinning laps in the ski zones. The Dr laid this all out to us in great detail on Wednesday when we were trying to decide if it was worth it to take a gamble on flying way north in hopes of finding sun and good snow.

No, two guides plus two clients is not typical. One guide and up to 4 clients is the common setup. They were not booked full last week and had several open seats. They decided to run two guides with each group since they had received 100 cms of new snow and were extra concerned about avalanche conditions. If they had been booked full we probably would have ended up in a 1+4 situation and skied much mellower terrain. Having a strong tail guide played a huge hand in us getting on that Sushi Bar line. I didn't entirely appreciate it at the moment but we got lucky AF to ski what we did.

[Dantheman]

I bet a lot of rich clients don't even see this as a 'problem'.

Hah, totally. People paying $100k per week for a private ship probably couldn't give less of a shit about Hobbs overages.

[BFD]

hope you use that hobbs time before Aaron Brill puts them out of business.
https://www.gardenlawfirm.com/wp-con...ain-Guides.pdf
https://dockets.justia.com/docket/al...2cv00048/68290
I am not a lawyer but will offer my summary.
Aaron Brill but hurt because Pulseline was awarded new area over him. Brill brings up the death of Aaron Karitis 6 years before the forest service application period not even working for Pulseline at the time as a reason not to award to Pulseline. Also digs up petty legal and tax problems owners of Pulseline had. I do not know anything about the Pulseline operation. I do think this is bull shit by Brill who already has exclusive use of forest service land in Alaska.
Glad you thought your heli trip was worthwhile. I miss Alaska but not the weather.

[CascadeCrudSkier]

I believe Shredhead is correct, though you are splitting some of those hours with the other group using the same ship. Also, what muted said. The vast majority of your hours get burned getting into the field and back, not spinning laps in the ski zones. The Dr laid this all out to us in great detail on Wednesday when we were trying to decide if it was worth it to take a gamble on flying way north in hopes of finding sun and good snow.

No, two guides plus two clients is not typical. One guide and up to 4 clients is the common setup. They were not booked full last week and had several open seats. They decided to run two guides with each group since they had received 100 cms of new snow and were extra concerned about avalanche conditions. If they had been booked full we probably would have ended up in a 1+4 situation and skied much mellower terrain. Having a strong tail guide played a huge hand in us getting on that Sushi Bar line. I didn't entirely appreciate it at the moment but we got lucky AF to ski what we did.

That's what I was looking for, I understand the differences between flight, tach, and hobbs time but if you're the customer and aren't independently wealthy then you really want to see how the pie gets sliced when dividing up those hours between the operator and the groups. 4 hours really isn't much if you're paying for all the transit time but I understand that the operator doesn't want to get stuck with those costs either.

When I was finishing up flight school I'd spent almost 2 years learning everything from systems to aerodynamics to weather and was wrapping up a brief with an instructor when he asked, "What makes aircraft fly?" I was just getting ready to start going back to basic discussions of air moving over wings when he laughed and said, "money. It's just lots and lots of money."

[Dantheman]

I tracked down a pic of Sushi Bar from that day. We got dropped off on the little ledge left of the pointy peak towards the right.

[AK47bp]

She’s beautiful


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[easyrdr]

dang that's purdy.

[pfluffenmeister]

Fucking hell.

But in a really good way.

[Dantheman]

Another angle. I can't believe I got to ski this. It's just stunning.

[Buster Highmen]

+++sw33t+++

[bennymac]

Dan - even if for some strange reason you never go back to Alaska the memories (and those photos) are all time. One could hang up the skis after a run like that and be content.

I know that’s not what your planning - but shit that is run of a lifetime skiing.

[hawkgt]

Another angle. I can't believe I got to ski this. It's just stunning.

I like this pic, good angle. thank you again for sharing this experience

[Dantheman]

Dan - even if for some strange reason you never go back to Alaska the memories (and those photos) are all time. One could hang up the skis after a run like that and be content.

I know that’s not what your planning - but shit that is run of a lifetime skiing.

You're not wrong. For a regular Joe Public showing up to go heli skiing that line is the top of the mountain (pun intended). Given the choice between walk away and gamble on a regular public group, I could definitely convince myself that I'll never get it better than that and just walk away. But, I've had some follow up with the Dr and he's serious about setting me up with a high-level group. I'd be crazy to not take an opportunity like that. We'll see.

[2FUNKY]

That’s awesome Dan and well deserved!!! That line is dreamy!! I’d kill to be able to be put on top of that in the conditions you had. So rad!


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[AK47bp]

Another angle. I can't believe I got to ski this. It's just stunning.

This needs printed out into a giant picture and hung in your living room.


Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[tgapp]

DTM, thanks so much for taking us along this journey. absolutely amazing. hope to see you get back next year!!

Sent from my Pixel 8 Pro using Tapatalk

[N1CK.]

I would make about 400 turns getting down that thing.

[Dantheman]

Thanks, guys. If someone had shown me that photo before the trip and asked, "Do you think you'll get to ski something like this?" I would have said NFW.

[ghosthop]

It has been inspiring to watch the lifestyle creep associated with your new job happen in real time. Looking forward to the TR for next year.

[Danno]

I would make about 400 turns getting down that thing.

No shit!

The POV made it seem not very steep (the speed DTM was going was the only thing that gave a hint). The first pic made it seem insanely steep. The most recent pic gives the best view of it, that it is steep AF but skiable, like, I could ski it. But yeah, I would have made 400 turns.

[ex-powderbroker]

I was just alerted to the gohoe footy. well skied, dtm, and way to represent maggotdom. looking forward to digging into this thread more, you rock.

[Trackhead]

THIS.
Also, as someone who has been watching Sage forever and ever in the movies and on his IG there is no way I could hesitate telling DTM this is something he HAS to do. DTM works so hard day in and day out not only at work but at home to be able to have the means to just say one night at 8pm...I'm going!
STOKED.

This is awesome

And this thread feels like 20 years ago on TGR.....

Nice to see a front page trip report, I miss those days.

Nice work representing, DTM.

[Self Jupiter]

Just watching that I could feel my legs flooding with lactic acid. I guess those squats and deadlifts do pay off!

I felt the lava just watching. Mans been training. Fuck yeah dude.