"a little bit scary"

http://youtu.be/0iI0RI5hjWU

"https://www.youtube.com/embed/0iI0RI5hjWU"

http://youtu.be/OYlbPNRDOXQ

"https://www.youtube.com/embed/OYlbPNRDOXQ"

and a little Chamonix skimo

more ice in the Alps..

Careful what you ask for on Tech bindings!

Bend, break or drop?


"If you’re not getting accidental releases (pre- release) you are way ahead of the game on any binding, provided you’re the type of skier who seldom falls. Nonetheless, main thing is if you _can_ ski the binding unlocked, at reasonable settings, so you might get at least a smidge of leg bone and knee protection out of the deal."  Lou Dawson @ WildSnow

DPS 99 Tour vs Dynafit Denali..

DPS 99 Tour and the Dynafit Denali numbers and hand flex comparison...

This seems like it should be an obvious comparison.
I'm really interested in seeing what the "new guys", aka DPS, knows about real touring skis.  The same place Dynafit has a well established and exceptionally well respected entire line of skis.  I have owned 6 pair of DPS.  None I would call "touring skis".  But I also know others that do make that claim for their own DPS skis and use them as such all winter and spring.

Not for everyone...

But life continues to get better in the mtns.

A solid performance combo in any soft snow condition:
Dynafit Huascaran, 177cm, 112mm under foot.  Speed Superlight binding.  8# 12.5oz
Dynafit TLT6 size 28, 6# .5oz

Total 14# 13oz

Much of the PNW sucks for snow right now...

Last year I started skiing in the PNW in late October.  Not unusual for us.  This year it has been better bike weather than ski weather.  At 1:30am it is in the 50F out side my office.  Likely to set a new high record in the high 50s or low 60s in Seattle over he weekend.  Ouch!

Chamonix seems to be doing only marginally better!

But I've been playing with 4 tech bindings combos that are new to me.   Needed some additional info on one set up and found this...

http://skimo.co/tech-binding-heel-gaps

How can you not smile?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOScetWwEwc

Fear?

Yep, there ya go..."I FEAR crevasses".  Not the little ones, mind you that anyone spending time on a glacier commonly sees or better yet never sees as you whizz by on skis.

One of those days? Really?

Enjoy this one...skiing only and  @ the lifts but likely worth a look :-)

wow!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is5qkedjBY0#t=248





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo7I_V_Szpg

And the winter starts.....Avalanche!

Foglietta Avalanche Burial -Jan 2015

 http://biglines.com/locations/europe/avalancheburial/

Summary
6 people in the group; 5 people taken in the avalanche; 3 partially buried, 2 totally buried (under approx 30 cm); Avalanche released when the 5th person was skiing. 3 people injured needing medical attention e.g. broken bones and torn ligaments; 1 person spent 4 days in the hospital.

Neve!

For most in NA we seldom if ever see real Neve.  It is a thing of joy when found in abundance.   No screws of course but amazing sticks and easy on the calves.  The squeak of "some fun!"

Modern Skimo a its Finest

Petzl Nomic tools and Dynafit PDG super lwt skimo boots.   Cutting edge for this game currently.

Face Nord des Grandes Jorasses, Pointe Young

The Chamonix experience...

"Buy the Fucking Ticket!"

There have been a rash of new mountaineering books coming from Patagonia publishing....and Chamonix photographers recently. (Take a look @ Alpine Exposures)  Haven't seen or read them all but had some time to read again this week.  And found a treasure here!

The name Kelly Cordes is likely known for hard climbing, margaritas and his writing. 

Cordes' most recent "The Tower" showed up the other day.   Being the critical literary scholar that I am, (huge roll of eyes here) of course I looked at the nice color photos first.  Then I got sucked into a  chapter that caught my eye.  An hour later I was hooked, rope, tools, pack  and tent.  That surprised me!   It is not often I get caught up in or even simply interested by a climbing story these days.

I grew up reading Messner's work, stories of Maestri, Mountain Magazine and having over the years met many of the characters in this book.  Generally I detest books where I actually know the climbers being discussed or quoted.  And to be honest never really enjoyed much of Cordes' previous writings.
I really enjoyed the skill and diplomicy that Cordes showed writing "The Tower". I've got a fairly extensive mountaineering library.  "The Tower" is not only a great historical perspective on Patagonia but a wonderful read on the current climbing environment and excitement there as well.

Going to Patagonia? Gone there in the past?  Or just interested in the history of Patagonia and the climbing there?

"The Tower" by Kelly Cordes is one, if not the best modern mountaineering book I've had the pleasure to read in a long time.  Careful though.  This is a book that is not easy to sit down.  Sad part is, the book does has an ending. 

A great read is truly a treasure.  Gotta say thanks to the author for this one!

 
"The Tower"
By Kelly Cordes
Patagonia Books
http://www.amazon.com/The-Tower-Chronicle-Climbing-Controversy/dp/1938340337
 

Nolan's?

It doesn't take a lot of imagination to make an epic adventure.  Every place I have lived or just visited has it's own local "Nolan's".   I suspect there is always one "there" to fit your imagination and abilities no matter what your sport or current skill level.  Ya just gotta look.   Just takes the imagination and courage to get on them!  Finishing is always optional...showing up is the firststep and often the most difficult.

    Nolan's">http://vimeo.com/112023687">Nolan's 14 - Trailer
from Pheonix">http://vimeo.com/user30116641">Pheonix and Ash Productions on Vimeo.https://vimeo.com">Vimeo.>

27,375

"That is the average lifespan in the United States today: 27,375 days.  If you are typical, that is what was deposited in your “time bank” when you were born.  Every day, whether or not you want to, you make a withdrawal of 1 day.  When the days run out, you die.  Game over. "

Reflect on that fact when you watch this:

3456">http://vimeo.com/113313108">3456 feet
from Ride">http://vimeo.com/ridegreener">Ride Greener on Vimeo.https://vimeo.com">Vimeo.>

Learning to ride or ski takes a LOT longer when you decide to hike every hill. Fight every battle? Right every wrong?  Not that we shouldn't try mind you.   Life is if anything the ability to  more fully understand your desires and goals.  Harder yet knowing how to balance and accommodate them responsibly into the world around you.   In the end you get 27,375 days.  1500 on either end you'll be lucky if you are conscious enough to actually enjoy ;-)

525,600 minutes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj7LRuusFqo

Call it 26,000 even.  What will you do with yours?

BD Stainless again....BD recall of the Whippet stainless ski pole

Black Diamond Equipment Recalls Whippet Ski Poles Due to Risk of Injury

http://tetonsandwasatch.com/2014/black-diamond-whippet-ski-pole-defect/

Recall Details
Units: About 3,000.
Description: This recall includes Black Diamond Whippet and Whippet Carbon ski poles manufactured May 2013 through January 2014.
The Whippet is gray with two telescoping shafts and the Carbon Whippet is black with three telescoping shafts.
The upper shaft of both models is made of aluminum and has a black and orange rubber handgrip with a built-in, stainless steel, serrated pick and a black nylon wrist strap with a an orange Black Diamond logo.

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/whippet-recall.html