Now - Off

FREE
WINTER MAN
2005 TELE & AT SKIS
ANTICIPATING WINTER
BACKCOUNTRY SKIING EXAM
Issue XXII
October 2004
2 Off-Piste October 2004
C
Volume VII - Issue XXII
Publisher/Editor
David Waag
Contributing Editors
Karen Holt, Roger Alfred
Contributing Writers
Geof Childs, Phil Gallagher, Nils Larsen
Mark Rawsthorne, Denise Rowcroft, David Waag
Contributing Photographers/Artists
Jeff Berman, Chad Coleman,
Heath Korvola, David L.
Carl Skoog, David Waag
Web Geek
Karen Holt
Printing & Distribution
Oregon Litho, McMinnville, OR
Off-Piste - PO Box 1626
Hood River, OR 97031
509-999-2208
freeheel@offpistemag.com
www.offpistemag.com
All Content Copyright 2004 Free Heel Press
Printed in the USA on recycled paper
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Circulation: 6,500 + at selected outlets in
Alaska, British Columbia, California, Colorado,
Idaho, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, Utah, Vermont
and more!
Retail Shops: Quality outdoor shops and a few
select coffee houses distribute Off-Piste. If
your favorite shop does not have Off-Piste,
tell them to drop us an email with the store
name and address.
F E A T U R E S
Off-Piste
WINTER MAN - 7
SPIRITS - PHIL GALLAGHER
BACKCOUNTRY SKIER EXAM - 8
EVALUATE YOUR GRASP OF BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
- GEOF CHILDS
THE 2004-05 SKI REVIEW - 16
GIT ‘EM WHILE THEY’RE HOT
- EDITORS
POWDER ORGASM - 22
OH POWDER SKIIN’ . . . - DENISE ROWCROFT
DEPARTMENTS
LETTERS 4
Contribute: We are the voice of the
backcountry community. Be creative! Send
artwork, photos, news, stories, and events.
Detailed submission information is available on
our web site or give us a call.
READER INPUT
WHAT’S UP 5
Advertise: Our readers want to know about
your business! Call or write for our media kit.
NEWS, EVENTS, ISSUES
Subscriptions: We NEED your support!
SUBSCRIBE! 4 issues = $15 includes postage &
labor. Back issues are available for $5 each.
Independent Media for Independent Minds!
AVY 101 10
TIGERS ON THE ROAD BY MARK RAWSTHORNE
Warning: The mountains can be dangerous and,
fortunately, backcountry skiing is not for everyone.
Common sense goes a long way in the mountains and you
best not leave home without it. No part of Off-Piste can
replace experience and sound judgement.
GALLERY 12
WORDS & IMAGES
BACKCOUNTRY BETA 21
The opinions in Off-Piste do not necessarily represent
those of the publisher or editorial staff. Closed minds
are dangerous. No part of Off-Piste may be reproduced
ANTICIPATING WINTER BY NILS LARSEN
in any form without prior written consent from Free
Heel Press.
Cover
Skier: Jesse Gooseman
Location: Wasatch, UT
Photographer: Carl Skoog
O N T E N T S
SHOP DIRECTORY 23
CALENDAR - CHECK
WWW.OFFPISTEMAG.COM FOR THE LATEST EVENT LISTING
Off-Piste Issue xxii 3
FIRST
TRACKS
LETTERS
LETTERS
EXPRESS YOURSELF
DIG
Even when I was a little kid, the fall was a special time for
me. It was a time to reunite with friends from school, a time
to enjoy the crisp morning air, and a time to start dreaming
about winter. Although the school cycle no longer plays a role
in my life, fall remains special.
Fall marks the time when it becomes socially acceptable to
publicly dream about winter. I have learned not to dream
about winter out loud much earlier than say October as my
wife is sure to give me one of those looks that says why did
I marry this guy. Working on Off-Piste helps rationalize some
early season musing about winter, after all, sorting through
ski images, talking about gear, and reading submissions is
work. But now with fresh snow in the mountains, it is official;
winter is on its way.
Sure, I savor the remaining warmth of the sun as it shifts
lower into the horizon, but with fall, comes a whole head
full of experiences and emotions connected to winter and
skiing. Breathing in the crisp fall air begins the firing of brain
synapses that have been in rest mode for many months.
Memories, anticipations, and emotions unique to winter fill
my head. I lose my train of thought while working and I get
the evil eye for not listening more than usual. These memories
and anticipations fuel many an hour of day dreams, which, at
times, render me less than useful. This concept is difficult to
explain to someone who does not ski, but more than likely,
if you are reading this, you too suffer from the affliction of
skiing.
IT
Dear Off-Piste,
Can’t believe i have not seen your mag
before the March 2004 Issue. I have been
an active backcountry/telemark skier for
over 15 years and although i subscribe to
the “other” backcountry ski mags, i think
Off-Piste captures the backcountry better
than tne glossies any day.
How about some real reviews of AT bindings
rather just recycled manufacturer
propoganda?
Yours,
Pete R.
Tahoe, CA
FINALLY
Finally glad to see that a snowboarder
made the cover (March 04 Issue XXI).
Splitboarders are backcountry users too.
When are you going to review the various
splitboard options? I’ve been on a Voile
for several years but know there are a few
more options now. Keep up the good work
and remember, not all snow boarders are
created equal.
Thanks,
James
Seattle, WA
Well, we can all relax now because the mountains across
North America are getting their first taste of winter and that
means it is now socially acceptable to dream about skiing in
public. So go ahead, take a few minutes to step out of the
action of the day, browse through the pages of Off-Piste, and
let your yourself anticipate winter.
Cheers,
Dave
Illumination Saddle, Mt Hood
Going Up
Location: Trollaskagi Mts, Iceland
Photographer: David Waag
4 Off-Piste October 2004
Karen Holt photo
WHAT’S
WHAT’S UP
UP
It also contains profiles of Northwest mountaineers and
highlights from Mount Rainier and North Cascades National
Parks.
DESTINATION RESORT – MT ADAMS
The mission of the Northwest Mountaineering Journal is to
be an edited, permanent, annual record of mountaineering
in the Pacific Northwest. The journal documents the
events, people, history and spirit of skiing, climbing and
other mountain sports in this region. The journal has been
prepared by a team of volunteers from the Northwest
mountaineering community in cooperation with The Mountaineers.
The journal is produced entirely by volunteers. There is no
subscription fee and the journal contains no advertising.
The first issue of the Northwest Mountaineering Journal is available
on-line at www.nwmj.org.
Mt. Adams Resort?
Photo: David Waag
I
n June, Mt Hood Meadows Ski Area approached the Yakima Nation
with a proposal for a large scale ski resort development on Mt
Adams in south western Washington. The proposed resort would be
developed within the Yakima Nation’s land on the southern flanks
of Mt Adams.
The proposal for a four season resort boasts a 5,700 foot vertical
rise, an18-hole golf course, and 2,500 housing units. A resort with a
chair to 11,000 feet has many local skiers salivating at the potential
for access while others are disgusted with the idea. The proposed
resort is seen by others as a ploy by Mt Hood Meadows, who has
been fighting local resistance to a large scale development on
nearby Mt Hood, to divert attention from their other development
plans.
Any such development on Mt Adams will undoubtedly face a long
run of hurdles beginning with the Yakima Nation who must first
decide whether the concept is even of interest to them. The land
in question is considered sacred to the tribe and was put under
their stewardship in 1972 by the Nixon Administration. Although
the resort concept may offer an economic appeal for the Yakima
Nation, it is in direct conflict with their heritage.
Yakima Nation leaders have said they will not rush to any decisions
and that even with Yakima Nation approval, tribal leaders say
they are obligated to seek the approval of the federal and state
governments for development of this nature.
NORTHWEST
MOUNTAINEERING
FRIENDS
OF
WOLF
CREEK
FIGHT
EXPANSION
PLANS
C
olorado’s Wolf Creek Pass is the site of a controversial
development plan that would forever change the nature of the
area. Texas Billionaire and Clear Channel Communications founder,
Red McCombs is seeking to build a new ski area village on 420
acres at the base of the Wolf Creek Ski Area. McCombs aquired the
land in question from the Forest Service in a 1985 land exchange.
The development plan faces strong opposition from a variety
of sources including a lawsuit initiated by the family that owns/
operates Wolf Creek Ski Area. Although the Pitcher family bought a
10 percent stake in the development back in 1987, they sold their
stake in April of 2004 and initiated a lawsuit over the plan.
In addition, sighting overwhelming public support to protect Wolf
Creek Ski Area and its environs from development, Colorado Wild,
an environmental group that closely watches ski resort development
and expansion, filed suit against the Rio Grande National Forest in
federal district court for breach of contract. Colorado Wild contends
that On August 31,1999, the Forest Service signed an agreement
in exchange for Colorado Wild dropping its appeal of a new lift and
parking lot at Wolf Creek Ski Area. “Our 1999 agreement requires
the Forest Service to complete an environmental analysis and take
public input prior to granting access for this massive development.
Yet in a March 11, 2004 letter to the Village at Wolf Creek developer,
JOURNAL
F
illing a need in the Pacific Northwest mountaineering community,
Lowell Skoog, longtime mountaineer, announced the launch of a
new online publication this summer, The Northwest Mountaineering
Journal.
The first issue looks great, contains detailed information about first ski
descents, new climbing routes, first winter ascents, and pioneering
traverses in the Cascades. It contains historical articles about ski
mountaineering, guiding, crag, alpine and big wall rock climbing.
Wolf Creek Colorado faces development plans
Photo:Jeff Berman
continued on page 6
Off-Piste Issue xxii 5
WHAT’S UP
continued from page 5
the Forest Service violated our agreement. To protect Wolf Creek
Ski Area, the surrounding area, and the public interest, we are
demanding the Forest Service stand by its agreement”, stated Jeff
Berman, Executive Director of Colorado Wild.
As with almost all ski area development and expansion plans, there
is a long history and politics involved with the development at Wolf
Creek. For more information and or to participate by voicing your
opinion, please visit www.coloradowild.org.
GRASSROOTS SKI WRITING AND STORY TELLING
aunched about a year ago, Aspect Journal is an online publication
L
devoted to grassroots ski writing by talented and passionate
authors. The content explores the various aspects of skiing and ski
culture through rich and well-developed storytelling.
Founder Kristopher Kaiyla, sees mainstream media increasingly
glossing over the experience of skiing in favor of product reviews
and how to/where to guides. Aspect Journal embraces the
experience of ski culture and attempts to recapture the grassroots
eccentricities of skiing, to artfully verbalize the complex reasons we
give ourselves up to the mountains at every opportunity through
authors who celebrate the art of writing for writing’s sake.
The publication is currently a non-profit venture that seeks no
advertising and compensates contributors with simple exposure.
We recommend that you check it out www.aspectjournal.com
T
FEE DEMO UPDATE
he House Resources Committee recently voted to move feedemo legislation (HR 3283) to the House of Representative for
a vote. This legislation, should it pass both the House and the
Senate, will ensure the fee demo program continues and will make
it stronger than ever.
Here are a few details on the legislation;
 Authorizes permanent fee collection authority for the National
Park Service, US Forest Service, US Fish and Wildlife Service,
Bureau of Land Management and Bureau of Reclamation.
 Says fees should be commensurate with benefits and services,
shall be comparable with fees charged by the private sector, may
be used as a tool for the manipulation of visitor use patterns and
will be responsive to the wishes of Recreation Resource Advisory
Committees (RRACs).
 Creates four types of fees: “entrance”, “standard”, “expanded”
and “special”. Entrance fees apply only to the National Park Service
and Fish and Wildlife Service.
 Authorizes charging of “Standard” fees at National Conservation
Areas, National Volcanic Monuments, sites with considerable
interpretive services.
 Authorizes charging of Standard fees in recreation AREAS where
fees can be efficiently collected that include designated parking, a
toilet, a trash receptacle, an interpretive sign, a table and security
services .
 Authorizes NPS and USFWS to charge “expanded” fees in addition
to entrance fees “when the Secretary of the Interior determines
that the visitor uses a specific or specialized facility, equipment or
service.”

Authorizes cooperative fee management agreements and
contracts between the Secretaries and any governmental or
nongovernmental agency to provide a fee collection and processing
service, including visitor reservation services, emergency medical
services, the sale of passes or marketing. Permits cooperative
law enforcement agreements with other governmental entities.
Permits revenue sharing. Permits the Secretaries to enter into fee
management agreements with counties.
 Failure to display a pass or furnish proof that a fee was paid shall
constitute nonpayment. The registered owner and any occupant
of a vehicle charged with nonpayment shall be jointly liable for
penalties imposed under this section. Failure to pay a fee will be
punishable as a Class A or B misdemeanor except in the case of a
first offense. First offenses will be punished by a fine of not more
than $100.
visit www.wildwilderness.org for more information on Fee Demo.
Call and write your congressional reps to let your opinion be heard.
www.house.gov www.senate.gov
6 Off-Piste October 2004
Got news in your area?
Tell us about it!
freeheel@offpistemag.com
WINTER MAN
SPIRITS
by Phill Gallagher
T
he meadow fell gently down the slope, bordered by
forest on each side that was thinned from the altitude.
The snow there was consistently soft and forgiving;
protected from the winds it was a haven for powder and an
easy ski. I saw the figure near the top of the glades as I hiked
up in the early morning sun. Surface hoar shimmered and
glistened in the light like razor blades sliced from diamonds.
The man was old and sat on a rock resting, his snow shoes
off to the side. He asked for my help. His load was too
much for him. He showed me several canisters from his pack
and gave me one to hold. I gripped it carefully noting that it
weighed close to ten pounds.
“These are the ashes of my family.” He explained.
“My mother, father, and grandmother. I am going to spread
them from the top of the mountain. Here they will rest in
beauty and peace. From the shore of the lake, to the east far
below, I can look up and see their place. I can float flowers
on the water as small gifts to their memory.”
I watched the old man from the distance, with majestic Mt.
Rainier in the background, like some mighty beacon reflecting
the light of the heavens, and waited until he finished his ritual
before I slid over the lip onto the near vertical north face.
It was a steep pitch that did not let up for quite a ways. I
dropped in slow and easy, the deep snow covering my calves
as I made short deliberate turns, straight down, picking up
speed in a world pure and wild with the air so crisp I could
have been dreaming.
I was going to ski the large bowl off the summit, an hours
hike further up. Meeting this man seemed fateful. His voice
and words were kind, so I bid him to give me the canisters;
I was fit and strong and used to the climb. I set a slow pace
to accommodate him and barely felt the extra weight. We
stopped at intervals to catch our breath and at these times
he told me about those whose ashes I carried.
He was an Indian and said the spirits of his family would watch
over me and all those who passed this way. The summit of Old
Snowy was a place of tranquility and power, and the souls of
those who rest there would for ever be at peace and go upon
their journey into the after life in a good way. I returned the
ashes to him at the top. He thanked me, shook my hand and
called me his brother. I continued on, navigating the ridge of
the tremendous open bowl. Twenty minutes later I reached
the southern end of the cordillera and readied my gear for
the descent.
Off-Piste Issue xxii 7
AMGA BACKCOUNTRY SKIING EXAM
by Geof Childs
Illustrations by David L.
I
n recent years, several factors have profoundly influenced the
discussion regarding certification of backcountry skiers. Among the
principle issues most commonly associated with this debate are:
1.Dichotomous instructional methodologies between
Old and New Schools;
2.Convergent technologies linking telemark and
randonee market segments;
3.Shameless profiteering by Haliburton Corporation.
I
ronically, several professional organizations – including the PSIA
(Professional Ski Instructors with Accents) and the ACMG (Agitated
Canadian Mountain Guides) – have recently undertaken exhaustive
studies aimed at addressing these problems. Preliminary results have
cited high levels of both “excessive frivolity” and “lift fee resistance”
among backcountry skiers as a source of common concern.
The result has been the creation of numerous teaching modalities that
promise not only to make backcountry skiing “dull” but also “far more
expensive than the average participant can afford,” thereby preserving
vital resources for expanded snowmobiling opportunities.
Not surprisingly, the AMGA (Albanian Mountain Guys Association) has
taken a somewhat different tact. As a companion piece to both its highly
regarded rock climbing self-assessment and mail-in prostate exam, the
organization has also recently developed a written test aimed at enabling
backcountry skiers to evaluate their grasp of basic equipment, techniques,
avalanche awareness and related skills.
As part of Off-Piste’s continuing commitment to “leave no skier behind,”
an extract of that exam is provided below -BACKCOUNTRY SKIER’S EXAM - Written Portion
Please circle the appropriate response (do not use crayon).
Section I: Knowledge of Equipment
1. An adjustable pole may be defined as a.An Eastern European with a flexible disposition;
b.Three broken pieces of equipment in your hand
instead of one;
c.The irrational belief that the patch you just bought off
the internet is not only going to make you 4” longer but
4” taller as well.
2. Ownership of a “releasable” telemark binding implies the user a.May have also recently purchased the Brooklyn
Bridge.
b.Makes consumer decisions based on the astrology
sign Uranus;
c.Is under the impression the tibia is constructed of
elastic.
3. A “field expedient litter” can be produced using a.Rabbits;
b.Four yards of chicken wire, a condom and a garden
spade;
c.Power Bar and Gu wrappers.
4. Fritchi’s use of the German word “Titanal” is used to describe a.The order of impact during a high velocity fall;
b.Proper position when riding a Poma-Lift;
c.Hiring criteria for interns during the Clinton
administration.
5. The principal advantages of the randonee binding includea.Valuable experience in adapting a position similar to
that of someone who has just sat on a plunger;
b.Being able to use the work “titanal” in public;
c.With that, an accordion, a chippy attitude and some
leather shorts you, too, can be a Swiss guide.
6. The principal advantages of the telemark binding includea.Early joint replacement surgery;
b.You can wear Peruvian wool hats and not look like a
dork (Actually, you can wear one but you will
still look like a dork);
c. White guys need at least one minority group
they can belong to
Section II: Knowledge of Techniques
1. Controlling downhill speed is best accomplished bya.Placing the ski poles between one’s
legs and dragging them in the snow while
singing the tenor part of any song ever recorded
by the group Queen;
b.Aiming for trees;
c.Fastening down your heel.
2. “Hucking” refers to a.Having had too much to drink the night before;
b.The tendency of polypropylene garments to retain
certain bodily odors;
c.A Canadian expression indicating agreement,
disagreement, alarm, pleasure or, in some cases,
surprise over the fact that 87.4% of all Americas
believe that Santa Claus actually lives in Toronto.
3. The “un-weighting” phase of a telemark turn can be most
productively initiated by a.Screaming, “Sweet Jesus, Mother of God!” in a voice
suggesting not only bowel wrenching horror but also
a complete lack of faith in the idea that adopting the
posture of a male dog marking a truck tire will, in some
way, make your skis magically begin to turn;
b.Discovering that the swale you just jumped was,
i
n fact, a 70’ cliff;
c.Reaching down hill with an adjustable ski pole.
8 Off-Piste October 2004
Section III: Avalanche Awareness
1. Faceted snow refers toa.Snow with facets;
b.The left-hand surface of a Rutshblock if you are
standing with the sun at your back on a 35o slope after
4” on wind-blown accumulation in the fetch zone of a
west-facing slope during high tide in the Bay of Alaska;
c.A residual white substance found in President’s Bush’s
nostrils and which just might explain –
(1)Dick Cheney
(2)The search for Weapons of Mass Destruction
(3)His astonishing resemblance to Alfred E. Newman.
2. It is appropriate to dig a snow pit when the following
conditions exista.Your partners can get it done before you get there;
b.Use of the word, “crown” reminds you that it would
really be nice to find someplace out of the wind where
you could unload the spaghetti you ate for dinner last
night;
c.You think of “temperature gradient” as a passing mark
in physics.
3. The “Munter Reduction Method” refers to a.A weight-loss program found on the internet;
b.What happens if you spend too much time alone in a
chalet drinking schnapps;
c.A clever way of killing time in order to avoid digging a
pit.
4. A collapsible probe pole is a.Easily treated with Viagra;
b.An excellent reminder of just how much you don’t
want to get buried in an avalanche;
c.The only piece of equipment in your pack used less
often than your compass.
5. If caught in an avalanche, the experienced backcountry skier willa.Wet his/her pants;
b.Blame a snowboarder;
c.Scream, “Sweet Jesus, Mother of God!” in a voice
suggesting not only bowel wrenching horror but also
a complete lack of faith in the idea that adopting the
posture of a male dog marking a truck tire will, in some
way, make your skis magically release.
Section IV: Backcountry Ski Culture
1. The name of this year’s new ski from K2 is
a.Saddam’s Piste;
b.Ibin Piste On;
c.Pista-a-Pie.
2. The expression “dude” is most often used to communicate -a.With people under the age of 11;
b.The best reason no one from Southern California
should ever be allowed to run for high public office;
c.An irrational fear of becoming an adult.
3. The phrase, “Tua kazama asnes, epoke!” means
a.“No, the design of these skis is fine just as it is, thank
you!”;
b.“So, you’ve come to Denmark for surgery, eh Mr.
Jackson!”;
c.“Give us back Ishiro and you can have Sony.”
4. Shouting, “Aieeeeeeeee!” while skiing indicates -a.You are wearing lederhosen;
b.You are in the Titanal position on a Poma-Lift;
c.You are attempting to remove unwanted body hair
using red klister, duct tape, an 8” bastard file and a wax
scraper.
5. It is unlikely the French invented backcountry skiing because
a.The French word for ski wax is “fart”;
b.The French word for climbing skin is “peau de phoque”;
c.The approved French procedure for treating
hypothermia involves the titanal position, a nice
bottle of red wine and fifteen minutes of “je ne sais qua.”
6. The telemark turn is to backcountry skiing as
a.Martha Stewart is to Hooters;
b.Michael Jackson is to the explanation, “Hey, I was only
trying to help rear him!”;
c.Economic recession is to tax breaks for the wealthy.
7. The three top reasons it is easier for women to pee in the outdoors
include
a.Same size, same place, every time;
b.Blow back is rarely an issue;
c.Opportunity for quality time with three or four of your
closest friends.
continued on page 23
Off-Piste Issue xxii 9
AVY 101
TIGERS ON THE ROAD
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY MARK RAWSTHORNE
Critical Mass
“HEY, HEY! WAKE UP, WAKE UP!
There’re tigers on the road!”
And that is how it ALL started!
It was January 1st, 2004. It
was the first day of my fourmonth forecasting internship
with the Colorado Avalanche
Information
Center
(CAIC)
based out of Silverton, and it
was the first day of a three-day
storm that would pound the
San Juan mountain range in
Southwest Colorado.
The light in the Dungeon
sparked to life and a guttural
voice bellowed from above,
I climbed back into the orange
rig. I turned to Jerry and quoted
an old movie (almost),
“We have a full tank of gas,
we don’t have a half pack of
cigarettes, it is dark and we’re
not wearing sunglasses. Hit it!”
And just like Jake and Elwood
we hit it. And what we hit was a
seemingly impenetrable wall of
snow, a swirling and churning
maelstrom of white that was
illuminated by the truck’s
lights. We pulled away from
the safety of Jerry’s house, and
after making a couple of turns
we found ourselves inching
down Silverton’s main street.
I returned to my basement abode,
picked up my avalanche beacon, and
decided that a pair of gloves might
also be a worthwhile addition to my
attire.
“…Tigers on the road.”
Tigers. What about tigers? I was
semi-conscious. It was 3:00
am. I struggled to surface from
a pleasant dream I was having
about a particularly fine prawn
vindaloo. And then once again I
heard the voice.
“There’re tigers on the road.
MOVE (expletives have been
removed)!” And then with a
shocking realization I fully
understood. AVALANCHE!
I stumbled out of bed, threw on
whatever clothes I could find
and went to look for Jerry. I
found him sitting in his orange
CDOT pickup. The engine was
running!
“Do you have your beacon? A
slide has hit the road close to
the Brooklyns on Red Mountain
Pass.”
I returned to my basement
abode, picked up my avalanche
beacon, and decided that a
pair of gloves might also be
a worthwhile addition to my
attire. I was tired! I was very
tired! I wasn’t thinking straight.
Antarctica,
Punta
Arenas,
Santiago, Denver, and then
Silverton. In the preceding
couple of days I had traveled
too much and I had definitely
slept too little. The last thing I
needed now was a storm the
likes of which the San Juans
hadn’t seen since 1997.
10 Off-Piste October 2004
It was deserted. The bars and
restaurants were empty and
not a soul could be seen braving
the elements. I for one was
incredibly jealous of each and
every one of them.
A couple of minutes later
and we were passing the city
limits sign; I slowly turned
to face the way we had come
and witnessed the last of
Silverton’s lights disappearing
into the heart of the storm.
Immediately, I felt an eerie chill
trace its way down my spine. I
was scared. I felt naked, naked
with regards to knowledge. A
myriad of questions danced in
my mind - snow-pack history,
storm history, aspect, terrain,
wind
loading,
temperature
gradients? I had only just arrived
in Silverton, I had no idea how
the initial storms had bonded
to one another, how they had
settled, and how the distinct
layers had metamorphosed.
Critical information that every
forecaster requires was missing.
Yes I was scared, and yes I was
heading out into the middle of
the storm.
As we moved further up the
pass the increasing intensity
of the storm began to devour
the truck’s lights. The imposing
darkness added to my fear.
Knowing that avalanches had
begun to run didn’t help. It
took us thirty minutes to travel
ten miles, almost all of which
was in silence. The driving
conditions were appalling. The
“Well Jer, looks like we got ourselves a proper San Juan howler.”
concentration etched on Jerry’s
face was of an intensity I hadn’t
witnessed before. His eyes
darted every which way. He
searched for clues in the depths
of darkness, clues that might
give him information as to the
movement of the white beasts.
The truck rounded a long curve
in the road. Jerry turned to
me and informed me that we
had arrived at the Brooklyns.
Initially there wasn’t much to
see except the continued waltz
of the innumerable flakes.
And then in the distance a
flashing light became visible, a
CDOT snow plough. We pulled
alongside the six wheeler, Jerry
rolled down his window, and
we were instantly greeted by a
mischievous grin.
“What’s happening
Jerry asked.
Corky?”
“Well Jer, looks like we got
ourselves a proper San Juan
howler.”
That I thought was the
understatement of the day.
Corky and Jerry chatted for a
couple of minutes. Apparently,
the slide had come down about
a hundred meters further down
the road.
Jerry grinned as he said “Well
let’s go and take a look. Shall
we?”
He turned to Corky, said his
farewells, and put the truck into
first. The slide, if that’s what it
could be called, was a bank slip.
It had dribbled its way about a
meter from the edge of the road
and it was roughly five meters
long!
Jerry turned to me and said. “The
plough drivers can sometimes
get extremely excited.”
Apparently we hadn’t
reached critical mass.
quite
“Well let’s go back and get a few
more hours sleep,” Jerry said.
In fact, we managed to get just
over an hour’s additional sleep.
The Beginning
Everybody has a list of their own
favorite locations across the
globe. The terrain that borders
Highway 550 between Ouray
and Durango in southwest
Colorado is one of mine. The San
Juans are breathtaking. Their
magnitude and splendor rival
that of most mountain ranges,
and for four of the past five
years their beauty had drawn
me back. This year, however,
things were different. This
time I wasn’t just here to play.
This time it was official; I was
here to study. My good friend
Jerry Roberts (one of the two
CAIC avalanche forecasters for
Highway 550, the other being
Andy Gleason) had suggested
the idea, while he was visiting
my neck of the woods in central
Chile.
“Have you ever thought about
interning with us in Silverton?
It would be good for you to
experience forecasting in a
continental snowpack.”
The seed had been planted, and
for the next month and a half I
thought, I thought some more,
I deliberated, I panicked, and I
did a large amount of financial
soul searching. Finally through
the combined pull of the San
Juans and the chance of learning
from two of the best forecasters
in the States, I decided to give
it a go.
Taming the Beast?
The new day started as the
previous day had finished,
namely, with bloodshot eyes
and Jerry bellowing into the
dungeon, “Wake up, we’re going
to do control work!”
Well at least there was no
mention of any zoological
entities. I didn’t need to dress,
as I had passed out an hour
earlier fully clothed. I headed
upstairs looking forward to a
hearty breakfast. I was woefully
mistaken.
“You better get some sandwiches
made; we have to leave in about
ten minutes!”
Morning, Jerry. When I first
decided to take the internship,
there was a definite strategy of
miss-information. Nowhere was
it stated that the intern was
required to be chief sandwich
maker for the entire season.
Later on, I was also to find out
that being an intern also involved
being chief receptionist, chief
data enterer, chief breakfast
maker and chief in command of
trail breaking.
We left the house in a storm
and it was still snowing an inch
an hour in town.
“So what’s the plan?” I asked
Jerry.
“Well there’s going to be three
crews performing control work.
You and I will take the south
side, Andy is going to start
shooting on the north side, and
the other Mark will be shooting
over at Lizard Head.”
I nodded, fastened my seat
belt and prepared myself to
once again enter the eye of the
storm. As we drove to meet the
gun crew I asked Jerry what he
thought it would take to start to
bring things down.
“Ahhh, probably the last snowflake.” He replied. From an asOff-Piste Issue xxii 11
GALL
Skiers: Don Scharfe and friends
Location: Swan Range, MT
Photographer: Heath Korvola
The time you enj
is not was
- Bert
Skier: JD Thompson
Location: Seargents Mt., ID
Photographer: Chad Coleman
Skier: Dziugzs Radzius
Location: Happy Valley, BC
Photographer: David Waag
12 Off-Piste October 2004
LERY
joy wasting
sted time.
trand Russell
Skier: Allison Gannet
Location: Tioga Pass, CA
Photographer: Carl Skoog
Off-Piste Issue xxii 13
Tigers On The Road
piring forecaster’s standpoint,
his answer was quite a surprise
and one which left me feeling
incredibly perplexed. It wasn’t
the response I was looking for.
I wanted a number, a water
equivalent value. I was used
to dealing with hard scientific
facts and not the last snowflake-style response. But as I
sat in the truck and watched
the piled banks of snow pass in
a blur, I realized it was the only
true answer he could give me.
We were both acutely aware
that the snowpack couldn’t
take much more of a load. Precipitation intensity was elevated, there was significant wind
loading, and it had been snowing constantly for 24 hours. If
Jerry had said the snowpack
would take an additional inch
of water or even an additional
half an inch, then I would have
been able to sit back and relax
in the false comfort of scientific
reasoning. But the “last snowflake!”
If you can never predict with
one-hundred percent certainty
when avalanches are going to
run, then there will always exist
the slim possibility for disaster.
This was not something to be
taken lightly, and as I studied
Jerry as he drove the orange
pickup I became acutely aware
of the burden that hung on his
shoulders. The enormity of his
and Andy’s task along Highway
550 was immense.
I realized then what Jerry was
trying to say. Forecasting can
never be an exact science.
There were just too many
unknowns, too many hidden
variables for even the human
brain to compute. Right after
this thought had left me reeling,
a second notion leapt forward
and delivered a knockout blow.
When we finally arrived at
our initial firing position, the
launcher was almost ready to
be fired. It was 7:30am. The
explosives were being built, the
gun assembled and positioned;
all we were waiting for was a
final sweep of the road and
then the entertainment would
commence.
14 Off-Piste October 2004
continued from page 11
Luckily for them, CDOT was
at hand. The boys from the
Colorado
Department
of
Transport (CDOT) performed
all the mitigation work for
Highway 550. I’d gotten to
know a number of the crews
over the past five years, and
funny enough, I liked them.
Today, our particular method
for taming the beast was the
Avalauncher. CDOT also had
at its disposal a couple of 105
howitzers, a helicopter and its
Vietnam-vet pilot, Bob.
Andy Gleason post wind blast
Tigers On The Road
Unfortunately,
the
entertainment was seriously
disrupted by poor visibility
and high winds. Small sucker
holes of visibility appeared and
disappeared during the course
of the day, teasing us with
their brevity and irregularity.
Frustration was the name of
the game. By the time we
began to lose the light of day,
we still had a large portion of
the corridor to mitigate. Jerry
was nervous. The road was still
open and the snow showed no
sign of abating.
we’ve got more control work
to do.”
He said, “We need to shut this
road down.”
Mitigation work began on a
group of avalanche paths that
sat to the south of Silverton—
the Jenny Parkers and the
Champion. The gun placement
was set beside the old railway
station in Silverton and anyone
who wanted could come and
enjoy the show. The first couple
of shots set the tone for the rest
of the day. The snow wanted to
move and with the aid of a few
pounds of high explosives, that
is exactly what it did.
The ultimate decision to shut
the road could only be made
by CDOT. All Jerry could do
was make recommendations.
Recommendations were made
to close the road and, for
whatever reason, the road
remained open.
I headed to the kitchen to
find a can of Spam and make
sandwiches. It was Jerry’s
favorite. I was learning fast.
The 105 howitzer was heavy, it
took a small army to move and
position, it was loud, it generally
shook you to bits, but more
importantly, it delivered an
eight-pound explosive charge
to areas that needed avalanche
control.
It took a little under an hour for
everyone to feel satisfied with
the results.
“Mark, we’re going to move the
gun and shoot the Battleship.
Do you want to come with me to
the forward spotting position?”
Andy asked.
Jerry ready for work
Jerry turned to me and said,
“Oh well, let’s go back to the
house and get something to
eat. It’s probably going to be
a very long night.” The mark of
frustration was etched across
his face.
Sleep deprivation alters one’s
perception of events and of
time. Sometime during the
night, CDOT closed the road.
I can say this with a certain
amount of conviction, because
I was there (I think). I distinctly
remember
a
conversation
between Jerry and one of the
CDOT supervisors; I seem to
recall us sweeping the road; I
remember closing a gate and
locking a padlock. And then I
remember crawling back into
bed. When I awoke the next
morning I initially thought I had
been dreaming. However, the
local radio station confirmed
my sanity. Red Mountain Pass
was definitely closed.
At some point during that
same day, the storm decided
it had had enough of the San
Juans and promptly spun off to
disrupt the poor folk to the east
of us. Blue skies devoured the
cloud and within a remarkably
small amount of time it was as
if the storm had never even
existed.
“Mate you better get ready;
Now there was a proposition
that no discerning snow geek
could refuse. The Battleship
was a slide path about five
miles north of Silverton. It had
numerous catchment basins
and the entire path ran for over
three-thousand vertical feet
into a deep gorge. The path
held a special allure for me. My
next door neighbor and mentor
down in Chile, Tim Lane, had
taken a famous sequence of
photographs of it running fulltrack twenty years ago. It was
those shots that had initiated
my interest in snow seven
years ago.
The view from the forward
spotting position was impressive
to say the least. The entire path
was visible in its finest glory.
Not a cloud specked the sky and
the blue of the heavens was of
a clarity reserved for moments
after a storm when the air is
cleansed of all its impurities. A
radio crackled. The gun crew was
ready to commence.
“What do you think is going to
happen,” I asked Andy.
“I don’t really know,” he replied.
And then in the distance we heard
the distinct but muffled sound
of the howitzer firing. We both
raised our cameras and waited.
Hole.
Disappointment. Andy radioed
the CDOT boys, gave them the
continued on page 20
Off-Piste Issue xxii 15
16 Off-Piste October 2004
2005 Ski Guide
E
very year we gather the latest telemark and AT skis from the
various manufacturers and head to our local hill with a diverse
group of skiers. The majority of our time on the skis is spent
in bounds at the resort but over the course of a couple of weeks
we manage to hit a wide variety of snow conditions and we finish
our review with a tour on some of the favorite boards. Our aim in
reviewing skis is to help define each skis personality in order to help
you decide which ski suits your needs. Your choice in skis will depend
on what type of snow and terrain you ski most often and your ability
level. More than ever, the newest crop of telemark and alpine touring
skis offer some serious real estate under foot. If your skis date back
to the 20th century, now is an excellent time to consider your options
and to join the 21st century.
Most companies now offer a ski that pushes 100mm width in the
waist and exceeds 120mm in the tip while still offering a variety of
versatile mid fat skis. Telemark skis are no longer designed purely
with touring in mind, just about every ski here is capable at the resort
as well. That said, each model has a niche in which it excels and
obviously not all skis will please all skiers in all conditions (although a
few come close). Also, you will notice that more manufacturers than
ever are offering women’s specific skis. The women’s specific boards
offer alternative graphics and were designed with the feedback of
female skiers. Finally, this is not an exhaustive list of what is available
on the market. We focus on the newest boards and the time tested
favorites. If you do not see a ski here, try looking at last years review
in our web archives.
Skis are separated into 3 categories, High performance, All Mountain
with a soft snow bias, All Mountain with a firm snow bias.
High Performance: These skis are often viewed as quiver skis. Many
are the biggest boards available and although we tout the all around
versatility of several models, it takes a strong skier and big boots (T1,
Syner-G, and up, etc) to enjoy them in all conditions. The boards all
make a great compliment to a mid fat ski, and have inspired more
than one tester to consider cashing it in for the pursuit of deep snow.
For the most part these boards are not for folks new to skiing but are
best appreciated by folks looking to push their skiing and step into
the world of fat skis.
All Mountain with a Soft Snow Bias: This category is for skis that are
capable in all snow conditions but are better suited to softer off-piste
and backcountry snows. Typically a bit softer and with a more even
flex pattern than other skis, these boards are an excellent choice
for backcountry adventures and when the resort reports double digit
snowfall. The skis in this category are suitable for all levels of skiers
and will happily run with a range of boot styles.
All Mountain with a Firm Snow Bias: Here you’ll find skis that perform
well in all conditions but hold up to the firmer snows of the resort
better than the skis with a soft snow bias. If you hit the hill more
often than not, are looking for a fun carving ski, or can’t always
pick the epic powder days, these boards are for you. The skis in this
category are suitable for all levels of skiers and will happily run with
a range of boot styles.
HIGH PERFORMANCE
Atomic Tele Daddy – 126/99/116, Sizes: 163, 173, 183cm; 8lbs
2oz/pair (183cm); $675 - One of the biggest waist widths around for
tele specific skis, the Tele Daddy hails from the Atomic Sugar Daddy
alpine ski. It is characteristically Atomic in feel, stable and predictable.
Stiffer than some of it competition, it holds its own in all snow,
although getting from edge to edge on groomers takes some getting
used to and big boots are a must. Its weight is good considering its
size. The ski was most popular amongst more accomplished skiers as
beginners did not feel the control they get with other Atomic boards.
Another ski that inspires one to point ‘em and enjoy the ride . . .
Black Diamond Havoc – 120/88/113 163, 173, 183cm, Densolite
core 7 lb 15 oz (183s); $549.00 - The Havoc, designed by Black
Diamond and made by Atomic, shares some general characteristics
with the Atomic feel, relatively stiff flex with stable predictable
performance. Definitely a big boot board, the Havoc is most at home
with larger radius turns and ranked best amongst accomplished skiers.
If you enjoy running at speed in bounds or out with long radius turns
at the top of your list, the Havoc will serve your needs well. Looking
for a new school AT board, the Havoc should make your short list.
K2 Hippie Stinx - 125/95/118; 169, 179, 189cm; 9lbs 4oz (179);
$599 - Look out small children and hippies; these skis were made to
go fast. A big board, they require a big boot and aggressive input.
This is not a short radius powder eight ski; it is a big radius, big
mountain, straight line ski. Relatively minimal side cut partnered
with big dimensions make for a stable but less responsive ski for
Off-Piste Issue xxii 17
2005 Ski Guide
the average user. Testers were inspired to catch air as the Hippie
“offers a bomber landing pad” and agreed there are more versatile big
boards available but for those whose home mountain is on the scale
of Whistler or for those looking to rip big mountain faces with as few
turns as possible it should make the short list.
K2 Dawn Patrol - 122/89/112; 153, 160,167, 174cm; 7lbs 6oz; $519
-The Dawn Patrol takes the Work Stinx platform to create a woman’s
specific ski. Several of our lighter testers (male and female alike) found
the Dawn Patrol more responsive than the Work Stinx. All around, the
ski got great feedback from all but the biggest skiers in our test. A nice
light swing weight makes these skis very easy to bring around in deep
snow with any mid or upper level plastic boot. As with most K2’s, the
Dawn Patrol offers easy turn initiation and in the words of one tester
“just likes to make turns”. Another tester wrote these boards inspire
me to move to Canada for the winter. Although capable at the resort,
the Dawn Patrol scored consistently higher in soft snows.
K2 Work Stinx - 122/89/112; 167, 174, 181, 188cm; 7lbs 8oz; $519
- K2’s all purpose fat board with a distinct soft snow bias. The Work is
at home making big radius turns but scored almost as well for medium
radius too. The ski rates high for all varieties of deep snow but was less
inspiring for hardpack resort skiing than some of its peers in the fat ski
category. The Work is not as dependent on big boots as the other fat
boards and a couple of testers found the T2 level boots sufficient. If
you have a mid fat board or an older ski that suits your needs on firm
snow, the Work Stinx makes an excellent tool for the backcountry and
deep days at the hill.
Karhu Jak – 170; 120/90/110, 180; 127/97/117, 190; 127/97/117;
8lbs/14oz (180cm); $519 - Karhu set a high standard in versatility
for a fat ski with the Jak. The ski remains unchanged (aside from
new graphics) from last season when its twin tip tail was shortened
a bit (something we believe improved its versatility over the first
generation). With a waist width in the upper 90’s, the Jak is confident
and predictable in all conditions be they deep or firm. Obviously a
great tool for deep and heavy snows, testers agreed that given a little
speed and big boots the Jak is a lot of fun for cruising and carving too.
Although the Jak has a bias for big radius turns, it is more flexible in its
radius size than most of the big boards. The ski responds well to both
parallel and telemark technique but is not for a timid skier. It requires
a big boot and an experienced driver for maximum enjoyment
Karhu Jil – 160cm; 120/90/110, 170cm; 120/90/110, 180cm;
127/97/117; 180cm 7lbs 4oz; $519 - The Jill takes its dimensions
from the Jak while its internal construction differs. The result is lighter
ski that remains confident and predictable in a wide variety of snow.
The smaller sizes of the Jill sport a 90mm waist that testers found to
be plenty wide to keep them afloat in deep and wet snows. Testers
agreed that the Jill was best suited to strong skiers as it responds
best to confident input. “The Jill is for women who want a ski that
will let them push their limits” commented one tester. If you are an
experienced skier looking for a ski that’ll keep pace, the Jill should be
on your list.
Karhu JAK BC – 170; 120/90/110, 180; 127/97/117, 190; 127/97/117;
180cm: 8lbs 2oz; $539 -The Jak BC is a lighter weight version of the
Jak (12oz lighter per pair) designed for touring and those preferring
a lighter ski. The weight reduction is achieved by using carbon fiber
and lighter core wood. The result is the familiar stability of the Jak
with a lighter swing weight and thus a more responsive feel. Testers
were split as to whether the Jak BC was as capable in mixed resort
conditions as the Jak (bigger skiers preferred the feel of the Jak while
smaller skiers saw the Jak BC as a good option) but testers agreed that
the Jak BC should be the choice for folks looking for a more touring
focused board. Testers also agreed that the BC still responded best to
big boots such as the T1 or Syner-G.
Rossignol T4 - 122/94/112; 168,178,185,195cm; 8lbs 13oz (185cm);
$525 - The T4 fits the Cadillac ride category offering skiers one of the
dampest rides available for in a tele ski. The ski takes on wet and deep
snows with ease. One tester commented that it was the softest of the
big boards but Rossi’s characteristic damp ride allowed for a stable
feel on firm snow. Testers agreed it would be a good choice for an AT
binding and that Big boots were a must for good tele control. Skiers
looking for edge to edge speed and a quick turning profile should stick
with the T3 but skiers with a big turns and soft snow in mind should
give it a ride.
18 Off-Piste October 2004
Voile Carbon Surf –158/168cm 113/83/105; 178cm 120/87/112;
188cm 120/88/113; 6lbs 8oz (178cm). Designed with the backcountry
powder purist in mind, the Carbon Surf will please a wide range of
skiers looking for a backcountry biased ski. Their light weight makes
touring a pleasure and means you do not need a big boot to drive the
ski (they even respond well to the old leather supercomps). The Surf
is no longer one of the fattest skis available yet its healthy waist will
keep you afloat in deepest of snows. There are better alternatives for
an all mountain resort ski but if you are looking for a dedicated touring
board, the Carbon Surf should be on your list. Made in the USA.
ALL MOUNTAIN BACKCOUNTRY BIAS
Atomic TMX – 117/84/109, 168, 177, 184, 191cm; 7lbs 13 oz
(184cm) $643 Known as the TM EX last year the TMX takes on a
slightly different profile this season but the ski remains popular with all
testers. Atomic also changed the tip for 04 by removing the plastic cap
that has been part of the ski for a couple seasons. We see this change
as making it easier to fit skins to the tip. Known as a jack of all trades,
the TMX has been pleasing a wide range of skiers in a wide range of
snows for several seasons. The ski could easily be in the resort bias
category but we have an off-piste bias and the ski performs great as
an AT board. With slightly less side cut and a stiffer profile than the
other mid fat boards, the TMX prefers medium to larger radius turns
and handles speed well. Less aggressive and novice skiers should try
the TM22 but for anyone else this is a tried and true board with loads
of respect from the AT and the Tele worlds.
K2 World Piste - 114/78/105; 167, 174, 181, 188; 6lbs 14oz; $489
-Once again, the World Piste sets a great standard for the all mountain
backcountry bias category. Like most K2’s, the World initiates turns
easily and is quite happy making medium and short radius arcs. The
04-05 model received a new paint job and a little extra dampening.
The changes in construction are difficult to discern from the previous
model and as we said last year, this ski makes a great quiver of one.
The World skis variable snows like no other ski, floats the pow without
complaint and is a capable resort board too. It is a great choice for
west coast skiers. One tester mounted a pair up with AT bindings and
finds them a great a solution for a woman’s AT ski.
K2 Instinx - 114/78/105; 160, 167, 174; $479 – Based on the
dimensions of the World Piste, the Instinx is a mid fat ski designed for
women. Essentially a World Piste minus the metal in the top sheet,
the Instinx ranked well with all ability levels of women skiers. Ideally
suited to soft snow the ski was well received in a variety of snows
but more aggressive skiers found it a bit weak on firm snows. The ski
responds well to all levels of boots and makes a nice powder ski for the
discerning female skier.
K2 Shuksan - 114/78/105; 160, 167, 174, 181; 6lbs 6oz; $469 Following its makeover last year, the Shuksan quietly developed a
dedicated following of AT skiers (its intended market). The ski shares
the dimensions of the World Piste and is every bit as utilitarian as
the World. It also shares the World’s ability to make short work of
variable snows. The ski prefers medium to short radius turns but can
go big when needed. It is light, responsive, and makes an excellent
backcountry and ski mountaineering tool. It even comes in a 160cm.
Karhu Kodiak - 117-80-105, 166, 176, 186cm; 7lbs; $499 Karhu
steps into the world of mid fat skis with the Kodiak, one of two skis in
their Bear category. Using new technology in their line, Karhu is onto
something with these skis as feedback was great from all levels of
skiers. Lively, playful, and all-a-rounder were all used by our testers to
describe the ski. Several testers made direct comparisons to the World
Piste saying the Kodiak handles all snow conditions with ease and felt
particularly at home in mixed conditions. The ski is a little stiffer in
overall flex than the World and is very capable in area or out. A great
west coast all mountain board.
ALL MOUNTAIN RESORT BIAS
Atomic TM22 – 106/72/98; 160,170,180,190,200cm; 6lbs 3oz; $399
- A proven all around ski, the TM 22 has a reputation as a utilitarian
tool to meet your needs in and out of the ski area. The ski responds
well to all sizes of skiers and modern boot styles. A few testers found
the ski to have a stronger sweet spot in parallel than in tele so it
may appeal to those with an alpine background. Regardless of your
2005 Ski Guide
turn bias, from casual backcountry turns to rippin groomers, the TM22
serves well.
Atomic Femme Fatal - 106/72/98; 160,170,180cm; 6lbs 3oz; $399
– Built on Atomic’s tried and true TM 22 platform – the Femme Fatal
has been fine tuned for women skiers. The result is a responsive ski.
Female testers agreed the ski was great in the bumps and makes for
a nice all around resort ski. The waist is a bit narrow for heavy snows
but the ski should keep most folks happy for general resort fun.
Black Diamond Crossbow – 115/82/105(171cm); 163, 171, 179,
187cm 7 lb. 5 oz. (179cm); $549.00 - The Crossbow is a stiff flexing
board for aggressive AT and freeheel skiers. The ski has healthy
dimensions and skis big for its size so be prepared to step down a few
centimeters in length from what you may be used to. The Densolite
core torsion bow technology help keep the ski light for its size but the
Crossbow still responds best to big boots and big quads. Testers found
a bias for medium to long radius parallel turns. The ski bridges the gap
between new school and ski mountaineering tool. One tester added
that if he lived in the Rockies, this would be his ski of choice.
Black Diamond Ethic - 112-79-102 (176cm) 158, 167, 176, 185cm;
6 lb 14 oz; $559 - The Ethic is the next generation version of Black
Diamond’s popular Mira ski. The Ethic utilizes Black Diamonds Dual
Torsion Bow and new 3-D hybrid Densolite/wood core technologies.
The result is a stable, even flexing ski. We skied it both AT and Tele in
our test and found more aggressive skiers preferred it with a locked
heel while intermediate skiers found it a predictable tele ski. The
ski easily runs a wide range of conditions and handles a day at the
resort with ease. But testers agreed that this ski was best suited to
ski mountaineering, AT or Tele. In the words of one tester, these skis
inspire confidence when making jump turns on steep firm snow. Mid
to upper level boots yield the best results. Although it is not as hard
charging as the Havoc it fits the all mountain profile well. Beginners
found the Nunyo livelier on the groomers but the Ethic more confident
when the going got steep.
Black Diamond Mystic - 110/79/100 (167cm); 158,167,176cm; 6lbs
1oz; $559 - The Mystic is Black Diamonds first foray in to women’s
specific skis. It is cut to the same dimensions as the Ethic, but
slightly lighter and softer through its flex. Like the Ethic, the torsional
rigidity inspires confidence in steep chutes and makes for a great ski
mountaineering tool. With less side cut than most of the mid fats the
Ethic has a more traditional feel and serves more accomplished skiers
better than beginner.
Black Diamond Nunyo - 107/73/97; 159, 167, 175, 183, 191cm; 7
lb. 1 oz (183s); $499.00 - The Nunyo is a responsive ski that holds a
nice carve in firm snow. One tester found it the liveliest of the Black
Diamond skis. Although not a powder pig by today’s standards, given
the 73mm waist and healthy tip, the Nunyo is a versatile ski. The ski
rated well among our testers as an all mountain resort board whether
you live in the Rockies, the Pacific Northwest, or New England.
K2 She’s Piste - 107/68/97; 153, 160, 167, 174, 181; 6lbs; $469 –
Newly reworked from last years version, the She’s Piste has a trimmer
waistline giving it more side cut than last season. The result is a lively ski
that likes to turn. Testers agreed it was a good choice for beginner and
intermediate skiers whose primary focus is groomed snow. Although
K2 positions the ski most at home at the resort, our testers found it
tours well but is best suited to cold dry snows.
Rossignol T3 - 113/73/103; 150, 160, 170,176, 182, 190cm; 7lbs
14oz; $475 – Rossi’s mid fat board, the T3 fits the all around profile
for most skiers. Its healthy side cut makes it responsive and beginner
and intermediate skiers found it very turnable. Like all Rossi skis, the
T3 is damp making for fun turns on the groomers. It is Rossi’s best ski
for touring but given its overall damp ride we placed in the resort bias
group.
Rossignol T2 - 109/70/99 150,160,170,176,182,190 The T2 is a
resort oriented ski that will keep an attentive driver happy in consistent
and firmer snows. The ski will track just about any turn radius and
easily initiates turns. The ski inspired several positive comments
about skiing bumps and cruising groomers. Although the dimensions
are narrow relative to many of today’s skis, the T2 can still handle
soft snow. This is a good all around resort running board.
Off-Piste Issue xxii 19
Tigers On The Road
results and told them to move
right.
Second shot.
Hole.
Andy once again got on the
radio.
“Hey why don’t you try the
far right shot, it looks like the
snowpack’s
slightly
thinner
there.” Spatial Variability!
Once again the howitzer sounded
and once again both Andy and
I raised our cameras. What
happened next will stay with me
until the day I die.
The shot placement was perfect.
A small plume of grey smoke
rose skyward from the shell’s
detonation point.
Initially I thought there was just
going to be another dirty grey
hole marking the impact point,
but then through my camera’s
viewfinder I began to see
movement. Cracks darted in a
multitude of directions.
“It’s moving,” I heard Andy yell.
The initial seconds after the shot
saw the slab lose its internal
strength, become an amorphous
mass, and increase in velocity. It
was running big. Real big!
“It’s definitely moving,” I heard
myself yell.
The slide gained momentum and
before too long the full extent
of what we had unleashed was
evident. A nebulous giant. A
foaming white monster intent on
destruction.
At the exact time that part of my
brain was marveling at the slide’s
beauty, splendor and magnitude,
another more primal part started
to think of self preservation.
I turned to Andy. “Do you think
we should move?”
The reply was non-verbal. There
was a blur of motion and there
Andy was, five meters ahead of
me running with the sole intent
of escaping the air blast.
It took me a fraction of a second
to come to the same conclusion.
Run away, run away, run away.
The thought of running from
an advancing powder cloud
whilst simultaneously trying to
take holiday snapshots seems
ludicrous now. But that is what I
did. It was obvious the blast was
going to overtake us; what we
tried to do was distance ourselves
from the zone of highest impact.
It definitely worked as both Andy
and I were to find out later.
The force exerted when the
powder cloud finally reached us
was impressive. I had prepared
myself as best I could; I was
close to the ground, I had my
head between my legs, and
my camera was stashed in my
20 Off-Piste October 2004
continued from page
jacket. The initial wave must
have registered between 40 and
60 km/hr. It soon dropped to 2030km/hr, but this continued for
about 3 minutes! The sensation
was exhilarating to the extreme.
My heart pounded, adrenalin
pumped, and I found myself
laughing hysterically.
AMGA Backcountry Skiing Exam
continued from page 9
8. The three top reasons it is more fun for men to pee in the outdoors
include
a.Three or four opportunities for quality time with your
closest friend;
b.Can you say, “Hand warmer?”;
c.If you can write the word “hydrated” – you are!
When finally the blast’s velocity
dropped to a manageable level
I stood up and began to brush
myself off. It wasn’t too long
before I made a mental note
to myself: when dealing with
powder clouds one should always
make sure that all one’s pockets
are closed, especially those with
expensive electronic devices in
them.
Andy had come to halt a couple
of meters away. He was plastered
with fine particulate snow and was
almost spectral in his appearance.
He was also convulsing in fits of
laughter. “Can you believe it,” he
kept repeating, “Can you believe
it?”
The hilarity of the situation was
interrupted by the sound of the
radio, “Did you get any results?”
It was the gun crew. We both
doubled over and laughed
uncontrollably for a minute or so
before we responded. “I think we
can move on and shoot Cement
Fill (the next slide path on our
control route) now,” Andy said.
The Battleship had run full track,
wall to wall, 3000 vertical feet.
There was a five- to eight-foot
crown line and, as Andy and I
discovered, the air blast had
knocked two live fifty-foot trees
across the highway.
Ten minutes later and the gun
crew arrived on the scene. I went
to find Jerry. I’m sure I looked
comical with my big cheesy grin
and snow-covered clothes. I
didn’t care. I held out my camera,
pointed to it, and exclaimed, “I
think I just got the money shot!”
The day was by no means over.
We still had to shoot a host of
additional slide paths. However,
my head and heart weren’t into
it. How could it get better than
the Battleship? I floated from
firing site to firing site, until finally
close to five in the afternoon the
road was officially reopened.
Jerry turned to me and said,
“Well mate, let’s go home and
get a nice cuppa Tetleys.”
“That sounds like a great idea,
Jerry.”
And that was the end of the
beginning!
Mark Rawsthorne is an itinerant
adventurer who spreads his time
between the San Juan Mountains
of southwest Colorado and the
Chilean Andes. This story first
appeared in the Avalanche
Review
published
by
the
American Avalanche Association.
www.avalanche.org.
9. Though traditionally used as a protective device in climbing, more
recently the “bong” has found popular acceptance among backcountry
skiers as a.The only possible explanation for nipple rings;
b.An antidote for that Barry Manilow lyric that keeps going
through your head every time you start climbing uphill;
c.The sound of finally realizing that, hey, this skiing thing
would be a whole lot easier if you just fastened down your
heels.
Section V: Extra Double Bonus Question
1. The name, “Off-Piste” is a.A French expression implying dyslexic outrage;
b.The technical name for those little drops found on the
bathroom floor surrounding a toilet seat;
c.A major lifestyle publishing conglomerate currently con
ducting affirmative action hiring for people over 5’7”.
Geof Childs is a guide and author who is currently auctioning off his
collection of 1970’s Hexcels to fund his son’s college education.
Anticipating Winter
by Nils Larsen
H
ere it is already fall. It seems like just
last week I was swimming in the river,
living solely in my shorts and T-shirt
and whining about the heat. The summers are
longer these days and it seems we can expect
this trend to continue. Sadly, winter is on the
wane in our world and we have ourselves to
thank for that.
That said, we do still have a winter and I am
very much looking forward to it. I was lucky
enough to ski some winter snow last week
on Mt. Hood before the day warmed and, yes,
it was still fun. The snow, about 3-5 inches,
had fallen in its usual northwest volcano wind
hammered fashion so it was strewn about the
slope like a Republican tax break – piles of it
in some places and totally lacking in others.
It was not really winter though, just a glimmer
of it. The snow, cold and buttery in the morning
soon transformed to warm and peanut buttery in
the afternoon – but it was skiing. Coupled with some
recent frost and even the sighting of a few flakes down
in the Sierras, it was more than sufficient to get me in
the “I need to get ready for skiing” mode. Everyone has
their own regime fore this. Some go to gyms, start (or
continue) running, or ramp up the time on the bike. Some
just plug in ski videos. And many, in that great American
tradition, simply go out and buy new gear.
For me, skiing is about being outside in the mountains, just
rambling around and taking it all in. I love the wandering of
skiing, where you head out to a general area and just poke
around until you find the good skiing. In the fall, I like to do
the same thing. Around my house (which is lucky enough
to be nearly surrounded by National Forest), I go out and
wander around cutting weeds down on favored downhill
slopes, cleaning trails, and generally skiing vicariously
while doing what I consider “ski prep”. I can see the run
unfold on every slope or trail and can almost feel the
skis gliding with a soft hiss through the cold snow.
Admittedly, some friends think I am a bit whacky to
go out and climb up and down hills grooming runs
by hand. “ It’s not very efficient”, they say. But
I see it differently. What’s goofier, going outside
on a beautiful fall day and working your body
while at the same time enhancing your skiing
future, or driving to a stuffy gym to spend an
hour going nowhere on the latest variation of an
exercise machine initially designed for rodents.
Oh yeah, and paying for it.
When I am more ambitious or want a longer
workout, I drive to my closest backcountry
area with a small saw or an axe and do some
“safety pruning”. This involves hiking up and down
mountainsides trying to make areas safer by removing
branches, leaners, and other obstacles that might snag
an unsuspecting skier trying to make his/her way down
the hill. After years of careful observation, selecting the
skier friendly terrain is second nature. The best terrain
tends to be in the falline and in areas that are somewhat
open to begin with. It tends to be on steeper slopes and
typically on north and east exposures which, in the winter,
have the deepest snow. It’s always more productive if one
can concentrate safety efforts where they are most needed.
The other benefit to being outside – other then being outside
– is it acclimates and tunes you to the changing, and hopefully
cooling season. Fall is a beautiful time. The light changes as
the angle of the sun declines. Colors change as plants die or
go to sleep and animals (other then us) prepare for winter. Fall
strengthens, days shorten, and then one day you wake up and
look outside to flakes whispering down on a new world softened
by a white blanket, and you are ready.
Off-Piste Issue xxii 21
powder as orgasm
by denise rowcroft
carving turns that rock your hips back and forth
back and forth
arching one foot in front of the other
letting body lower then rise
lower then rise
as each movement threads together
in a smooth dance down gravity’s breast
over the belly laugh of the mother
blanketed in these magic crystals of water held frozen
just for a short while
just for you
just because you like to orgasm
ladies, remember your first real orgasm?
how all the while leading up to that moment you thought you’d been having them
you even came to enjoy that mild hiccup of pleasure
making peace with the fate of all womankind
until you hit the spot
when exploration curiosity and play all made love so perfect
and everything was where it needed to be at just the right moment
and together you hit that sweet sweet spot
and that’s when your world blew open
and without meaning to guttural sounds are emitting from your pursed lips in moans
and you realize…oh!…so this, is an orgasm!
which is kind of like your first real powder day
when you realized that lots of ungroomed snow isn’t really powder at all,
it’s just lots of ungroomed snow
until you hit the spot
when sun air water and earth all made love so perfect
and everything was where it needed to be at just the right moment
and alone you hit that sweet sweet spot
and as you linked your first turns so right and oh so light
gliding effortlessly to the next one and the next one and the next one
and without meaning to guttural sounds are emitting from you dry lips in moans
and you realize…oh!…so this, is powder!
22 Off-Piste October 2004
OFF-PISTE SHOP DIRECTORY
ALASKA
Alaska Mountaineering & Hiking
2633 Spenard Blvd
Anchorage, AK 99503
www.alaskamountaineering.com
Orion Sports
1247 Mill Bay Rd
Kodiak, AK 99615
907.486.6780
ALBERTA
Freewheel Jasper
618 Patricia st.
Jasper, AB T0E 1E0
www.freewheeljasper.com
BRITISH COLUMBIA
Rivers Oceans And Mountains
579 Baker Street
Nelson, BC
877.271.7626
Rip Curl Factory Outlet
1365A Dalhousie Drive
Kamloops, BC V2C 5P6
250.377.8899
Valhalla Pure Outfitters
615 Broughton St.
Victoria, BC V8W1C8
250.360.2181
CALIFORNIA
The Backcountry
2 stores - Tahoe City &Truckee
888.625.8444
www.thebackcountry.net
Bear Valley Cross Country
#1 Bear Valley Road
Bear Valley, CA 95223
www.bearvalleyxc.com
The Fifth Season
300 N Mt. Shasta Blvd
Mt. Shasta, CA 96067
www.thefifthseason.com
Mammoth Mountaineering Supply
3189 Main Street
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546
www.mammothgear.com
Marmot Mountain Works
3049 Adeline St.
Berkeley, CA 94703
www.marmotmountain.com
Mountain Sports
176 E 3rd Street
Chico, CA 95928
530.345.5011
Rendezvous Sports
408 Main St.
Salmon, ID 83467
www.rendezvoussports.com
Mountain Tracks Ski and Board
Huckleberry Inn
Government Camp, OR 97028
www.mtntracks.com
Olympic Mountaineering
140 W. Front St.
Port Angeles, WA 98362
360.452.0240
Sierra Nevada Adventure Co./SNAC
2293 Hwy 4 - Arnold, CA
173 S. Washington St., Sonora, CA
www.snacattack.com
MAINE
Aardvark Outfitters
108 Fairbanks Road
Farmington, ME 04938
www.aardvarkoutfitters.com
Pine Mountain Sports
133 SW Century Drive
Bend, OR 97702
www.pinemountainsports.com
Outdoor Research Factory Store
2203 1st Ave S.
Seattle, WA 98134
www.orgear.com
Redpoint Climber’s Supply
639 NW Franklin
Bend, OR 97701
www.goclimbing.com
Pro Ski Service (2 shops)
8954 Aurora Ave N. - Seattle
108 W North Bend Way - North Bend
proguiding.com
Storm Warning
112 Oak Street
Hood River, OR 97031
www.stormwarning.biz
Second Ascent
5209 Ballard Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98107
www.secondascent.com
WASHINGTON
Arlberg Sports Inc
25 N Wenatchee Ave
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Winthrop Mountain Sports
257 Riverside Ave
Winthrop, WA 98862
www.winthropmountainsports.com
Cascade Crags
2820 Rucker Ave
Everett, WA 98201
www.cascadecrags.com
WEST VIRGINIA
White Grass Touring Center
Canaan Valley, WV 26260
www.whitegrass.com
Enumclaw Ski & Mountain Sports
240 Roosevelt E.
Enumclaw, WA 98022
www.snowways.com
WYOMING
Skinny Skis
65 W. Deloney
Jackson, WY 83001
www.skinnyskis.com
Wolf Creek Wilderness
595 East Main Street
Grass Valley, CA 95945
www.wolfcreekwilderness.com
COLORADO
Backcountry Experience
1205 Camino Del Rio
Durango, CO 81301
www.bcexp.com
Troutfitter Sports Company
PO Box 969 313 Elk Ave
Crested Butte, CO 81224
www.nordicskiis.com
Pine Needle Mountaineering
835 Main St. #112
Durango, CO 81301
800.607.0364
Switchback Mountain Gear
468 Pagosa St.
Pagosa Springs, CO 81147
970.264.2225
Trail Head
565 Sherman
Ridgway, CO 81432
970.626.5365
IDAHO
Alpine Designs Bike and Ski
312 Fifth Ave
SandPoint, ID 83864
208.263.9373
Backwoods Mountain Sports
711 N. Main St.
Ketchum, ID 83340
www.backwoodsmountainsports.com
Hyperspud Sports
907 S. First St. / 402 S. Main
Yakima, WA 98901 / Moscow, ID 83843
509.248.2093 / 208.883.1150
Idaho Mountain Touring
1310 Main Street
Boise, ID 83702
www.idahomountaintouring.com
Mahoosuc Sports
PO Box 70 Rte 26
Locke Mills, ME 04255
www.teleskis.com
MONTANA
Barrel Mountaineering
240 East Main
Bozeman, MT 59715
800.779.7364
www.barrelmountaineering.com
Rocky Mountain Outfitters
135 Main St
Kalispell, MT 59901
406.752.2446
The Trail Head
110 East Pine Street
Missoula, MT 59802
www.trailheadmontana.net
NEVADA
Reno Mountain Sports
155 E Moana Ln
Reno, NV 89502
www.renomountainsports.com
NEW MEXICO
Wild Mountain Outfitters
541 W. Cordova
Santa Fe, NM 87505
www.wildmountainoutfitters.com
OREGON
Bergs Nordic Ski Shop
367 West 13th St.
Eugene, OR 97401
www.bergsnordicshop.com
Doug Sports
101 Oak Street
Hood River, OR 97031
www.dougsports.com
Mountain Shop
628 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
www.mountainshop.net
Feathered Friends
119 Yale Ave N.
Seattle, WA 98109
www.featheredfriends.com
Marmot Mountain Works
827 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
www.marmotmountain.com
Mountain Goat Outfitters
12 West Sprague
Spokane, WA 99201
www.mountaingoatoutfitters.com
Mountain High Sports
105 E. 4th
Ellensberg, WA 98926
509.925.4626
Northwest Snowboards
2805 Bridgeport Way
Tacoma, WA 98466
www.nwsnowboards.com
UTAH
Wasatch Mountain Touring
702 E. 100 S.
SLC, UT 84102
www.wasatchtouring.com
Wild Rose
702 Third Ave
SLC, UT 84108
The Trailhead
117 North Main
Logan UT 84321
435.753.1541
List your shop
in our Directory!
Call or e-mail
for details
509.999.2208
freeheel@offpistemag.com
Off-Piste Issue xxii 23
AVALANCHE HOTLINES - RESOURCES
General
www.avalanche.org
www.avalanche.ca
www.fsavalanche.org
nimbo.wrh.noaa.gov
www.winterwildlands.com
www.wildwilderness.org
Alaska
www.fs.fed.us/r10/chugach/glacier/snow.html
http://www.avalanche.org/~seaac/
California
www.r5.fs.fed.us/tahoe/avalanche
www.shastaavalanche.org
Mt. Shasta 530-926-9613
Tahoe 530-587-2158
Mammoth/Bishop 760-924-5500
Canada
www.weatheroffice.com
Vancouver 604-290-9333
Western Canada 800-667-1105
Rockies 403-243-7253 x7669
Banff 403-762-1460
Colorado
geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche
Boulder 303-275-5360
Summit Cty 970-668-0600
Southern CO 970-247-8187
Durango - 970-247-8187
Fort Collins - 970-482-0457
Vail - 970-827-5687
Aspen - 970-920-1664
CO Springs 719-520-0020
Idaho
www.avalanche.org/~svavctr
Sun Valley 208-622-8027
Panhandle National Forest
www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/visit/conditions/
backcountry/index.html
208-765-7323, 208-752-1221
Payette - 208-634-0409
www.fs.fed.us/r4/payette/main.html
Montana
www.mtavalanche.com
www.glacieravalanche.org
www.fs.fed.us/r1/lolo/avalanche/advisory.htm
NW MT -406-257-8402 - 800-526-5329
Bozeman-406-587-6981
Cook City-406-838-2259
New Hampshire
www.tuckerman.org
Oregon
www.nwac.noaa.gov
Southern WA / Mt. Hood
503-808-2400
Utah
www.avalanche.org/~uac
Tri-Canyon 801-364-1581
Alta - 801-742-0830
Park City - 435-658-5512
Provo - 801-378-4333
Ogden - 801-626-8600
Logan - 435-797-4146
LaSal - 800-648-7433
Washington
www.nwac.noaa.gov
www.avalanchenw.org
Cascades 206-526-6677
Olympics 206-526-6677
Wyoming
www.jhavalanche.org
Bridger-Teton - 307-733-2664
Europe
www.lawine.org
New Zealand
www.avalanche.net.nz