Apr 13 2015

Caldwell agrees to Squaw-Alpine link

Troy Caldwell, owner of the parcel of land that sits between Squaw Valley and Alpine Meadows, has reached an agreement with KSL to allow a gondola to connect the two resorts with a touchdown point on his property, aka White Wolf ski resort.

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Apr 06 2015

EJ’s story: Right legs are over rated

Note: This story was first published in Couloir magazine XIX-5, Spring 2007. It was the beginning of a new life for EJ that began nine years ago. He is working on writing a book about what has happened since, and the lessons learned. To support him in this effort, go to https://www.gofundme.com/ejpoplawski. In the meantime, read on to find out how it all began…

 

EJ's back on his feet.

EJ’s back on his feet.

During the first four days at the hospital I kept waking up and asking over and over, “What the F#*% is going on?”

“You are in the hospital. You were in a bad ski accident and, unfortunately, they had to amputate your right leg above your knee” came the reply from my mother, father, sister, or brother-in-law — whoever was by my side.

They would do their best to explain that everything would be all right. And I would mumble something about my sadness, disbelief or anger, then promptly fall back into my drug and pain induced state of semi-consciousness, not remembering anything they had just told me.
I think I just didn’t want to believe it and passed it off as a bad dream. Or maybe the concoction flowing into me through the IV was making it impossible to remember. I can only imagine how hard it was for them to have to break that news to me again and again, wondering if something else was wrong with me.
Keep making backcountry turns

Mar 31 2015

Status of 22D’s Outlaw beta binding

 

22D's NTN baby has emerged from gestation an Outlaw.

An honest beta binding, 22D’s Outlaw.

This year has seen its share of beta failures, particularly in the world of new bindings with tech toes. Marker had a batch of Kingpins that were prone to their pins falling out. No word on exactly how many bindings that affected, but it was a manufacturing flaw covered under warranty and something that Marker fixed relatively quickly.

The M-Equipment’s inaugural binding, Meidjo, had issues with the steel pins inside the arm springs bending. M-Equipment recognized it was a bad choice to use stainless steel for those pins, and upgraded them to a harder steel. There were other items not holding up either, or simply not working very well. Most of those items have been fixed with revisions made for S/N A00150 and up.
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Mar 30 2015

Ortovox recalls S1+ avalanche transceiver

Ortovox S1+ with a wider body, and different cosmetics than the S1.

Ortovox S1+ with a wider body, and different cosmetics than the S1.

LONGMONT, CO – ORTOVOX is announcing an immediate product recall of the S1+ model avalanche transceiver due to a repairable hardware issue.

The action affects ALL S1+ models distributed in the U.S. market since July, 2011. The previous design, known as the ORTOVOX S1, IS NOT AFFECTED.

The S1+ hardware issue may occur during transmission mode, limiting the ability to transmit a discoverable signal even as the unit appears to be powered on and functioning properly.

“ORTOVOX Germany discovered a potential transmission disruption through internal testing,” said Bill Hartrampf, President of Deuter U.S.A., distributor of Ortovox “Because of our commitment to safety and quality, we are moving immediately to repair all units.”
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Mar 17 2015

First Look: Moonlight’s Tele Tech Bindings

 

Moonlight Mountain Gear's Tele Rando binding let's you free the heel, or fix it.

Moonlight Mountain Gear’s Tele Rando binding let’s you free the heel, or fix it.

Interest in telemark bindings with a tech toe gained more advocates last week as fourteen writers and photographers from around the world tested beta versions of Moonlight Mountain Gear’s new telemark tech binding. Conceptually there is nothing new with Moonlight’s version of TTS as it mixes a low tech toe with a Voile Hardwire cable. As with many bindings in this new genre of tele bindings using the 2-pin tech toe it shows much promise, but the bindings tested were still in beta form.
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Mar 14 2015

Scarpa recalls F1-Evo

 

Light and always ready to walk, unless you're locked in for turns.

In rare circumstances, the Tronic system can revert to walk mode while skiing.

For those who see the merit in Scarpa’s F1 Evo, a lightweight AT boot with an automatic walk mode, you’re on your own to believe whether that’s a true benefit or not. Regardless, Scarpa is officially recalling the F1 Evo. If you have a pair, Scarpa strongly encourages you to return the boots for a full refund.

It turns out that in rare circumstances it is possible for the boot to switch from a locked to a free cuff while skiing. If such situation did occur, the result could cause injury. Therefore, Scarpa is recognizing this possibility as a potential, unexpected liability.
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Mar 12 2015

Engaging novice BC Skiers on Safety

There’s nothing safe about backcountry skiing. That word shouldn’t be associated with the sport
— Kim Miller, President Scarpa USA

Kim Miller of Scarpa.

Kim Miller of Scarpa.

This is the fifth video in our series covering a panel of industry experts discussing avalanche risk in backcountry skiing and the industry’s part in that, hosted at Outdoor Retail Winter by Verde PR.

In today’s clip, Scarpa’s Kim Miller talks about engaging new snowsport enthusiasts in a backcountry safety, through in-bound uphill skiing for safe education and through communication with new backcountry skiers.
Keep making backcountry turns