Jun 10 2014

BCTalk: Canada’s Coast keeps deliverin’, eh?

Alex up in Canada’s Coast Mountain Range took a small backyard tour and files this report.

Sucker blue skies on the first days of a sufferfest tour. Photo by Alex

Sucker blue skies on the first days of a sufferfest tour. Photo by Alex


I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to put anything up about this trip. I’ll cut to the chase. The main reason is because our trip was cut short due to an injury. Because of the remote nature of our location at that point, we had to call to get picked up. But I’ll elaborate more on that in a later post.
Keep making backcountry turns

Jun 01 2014

Patagonia’s Recycle program

 

Yvon shows how to hydrate the right way - before the climb.

Yvon shows how to hydrate the right way – before the climb.

For years I’ve known about Patagonia’s legendary lifetime warranty, but, until last week, had never used it. As a gear ‘ho/reviewer I rarely latch on to a single product and hold it, thus, no need to exercise a lifetime warranty.

Patagonia’s puffy pullover was an easy exception to make. Initially I wasn’t too keen on it and for use in the backcountry I’m still more of a fan of a down vest than a sleeved puffy. But the reality of living in the mountains where temps are generally cool made the adoption of the Patagonia puffy something of an inevitable choice. It’s great for taking the dog for a walk, or hanging out at a hut apres ski, or my flawed use, when you wake up and haven’t stoke the pot belly stove yet.
Keep making backcountry turns

May 29 2014

Review: Voile Light Rail binding

First Impression

Kinda holey lookin'

Kinda holey lookin’

The first thing you notice when pulling these bindings out of the box is how slick they look and lightweight yet solid feeling. All the moving parts articulate smoothly and feel nice n’ snug. These bindings get seriously light by reducing the baseplate down to mere bones.

Sizing & Adjustments

The bindings I tested were size Large, which were much too big for my boots. You can adjust the heel cups to move inward to accommodate smaller boot lengths. I was able to adjust the first heel cup to the most forward position rather easily. The other binding, however, was a different story. If you don’t have the bolts/holes aligned just right, it can be a very tedious adjustment. Once I adjusted the bindings, I still had more than enough room for my boots, which I kind of liked.
Keep making backcountry turns

May 26 2014

Technique: Stealth glading & construction

 

Just a small group of riders enjoying a lil' backcountry solitude.

Just a small group of riders enjoying a lil’ backcountry solitude.

Let’s just call him Joe, for the sake of obscurity. Joseph Robertson if you must know his full name. Friends call him Joe Bob for short. He’s a trouble maker from way back.

One time he managed to rally over a 100 snowboarders to the top of some peaklet in the Cascades and the next year the Forest Service goons were there with guns and a blockade at the camp entrance saying, “just leave before we decide to search your packs and vehicles.”
Keep making backcountry turns

May 21 2014

Sierra spring skiing keeps delivering

 

The Crystal Range, Desolation Wilderness, CA

The Crystal Range, Desolation Wilderness, CA     photo by tahoebc

It’s the heart of spring across the American West and the mountains are going off! In Tahoe, just about every activity outdoor enthusiasts pursue are accessible these days. Paddleboarding, mountain biking, rock climbing, kite surfing-you name it and people have been getting after it. If you haven’t hung up your boards for the season yet then you’re also in luck. There’s still a ton of quality snow sliding to be done locally, regionally and throughout the West.
Keep making backcountry turns

May 19 2014

Technique: Meanderthal Mind Games

 

A classic Tahoe track. Not ridiculously steep, not low angle either.

A classic Tahoe track. Not ridiculously steep,
not low angle either.

More than anything, making and taking a low angle skin track is a mind game. The natural tendency is to go steeper, afterall that is the shortest line and the shortest line should be the fastest, right? Indeed it can be, for a short pitch or a single ascent with a small group. However for a long climb, repetitive climbs, or with high traffic, the low road becomes more efficient. Except when breaking trail in deep snow, the low road requires less energy for grip and, with slightly less rise per step, yields a more natural walking stride. As rando racers demonstrate, 15°–18° is optimal.
Keep making backcountry turns

May 14 2014

Tech Talk: What’s a millimeter between 2-pins?

 

Did you know? Early Dynafit toes had pins that could adjust.

Did you know? Early Dynafit toes had pins that could adjust.

Let me be up front here, this discussion may be too much minutia about something that only affects a small percentage of AT skiers. Nonetheless, it may provide insight for those who use Dynafit style tech bindings, or those looking to buy in.

A number of people have complained, myself included, on the need to adjust the pin gap on Fritschi’s Vipec. It is easy to think something is wrong with Vipec because it has to be adjusted. Keep in mind it operates on a different mechanism for release and it doesn’t tolerate the variance that, based on results, exists among tech inserts.

Considering the problems Garmont and Salomon went through with their tech inserts it’s not hard to believe there would be differences in their width. Vipec specs indicate the ability to adjust 1.2mm, implying that’s the range of possible insert widths, or pin-gap when the pins are closed. One-point-two millimeters isn’t that much, is it?
Keep making backcountry turns