Check out this video of a slide near Montezuma just a few days ago. Apparently this was a run in a “friendly, winner-take-all” competition. Plenty to talk about regarding backcountry competitions in questionable terrain with the sketchy CO snowpack this year, but we’ll leave it up to commenters. Thankfully the BCA Float Airbag worked well…
Wonder if they sell the most important piece of backcountry gear here:
Kudos if you know what it is. Stay safe out there folks.
I’ve never considered my dream AT boot to be that difficult to find. More than anything, I just want an AT boot to perform on the way down in the same manner as an alpine boot. If I can’t tell that I’m in an AT boot, then my dreams have been fulfilled. Just add a good walk mechanism and a rubber sole with tech fittings, and I’m in heaven. Did Tecnica fulfill my dreams… read on.
L-R: Dynafit Zzeus, Tecnica Cochise, Tecnica Diablo Magma (alpine):
In 1985, as a J3 racer at the Winter Park Comp Center, I started skiing in my first pair of Tecnica boots- the neon Grand Prix racers. Since that time, I have skied Tecnica boots almost exclusively. Yes, I’m a Tecnica fan. They fit my foot and the flex is natural for me. So to say I was excited about the Cochise AT boot is a bit of an understatement. As I slid my foot into this boot, it indeed felt like coming home to an old friend. Still, like other reviewers of this boot, I noticed that they have a lot of room- but that’s easily remedied with some shims under the liner. That’s about all I had to do to get them dialed with my feet.
The ski/walk mechanism on this boot is a thing of beauty- simple, easy to use with gloves, with a solid, positive click between modes. What was more impressive, however, was the smoothness of the boot in walk mode. After dealing with the clunky, herky-jerky motion of my old Dynafit Zzeus boots, the Cochise felt amazing in comparison.
In fact, the smoothness of the Cochise walk mode made me assume that the range of motion was far greater than that of the Zzeus. Turns out it’s about the same in a rearward motion, but less than the Zzeus in the forward motion. Still, in practice I would say that the Cochise is a far more capable touring boot than the Zzeus. Comparison shots:
So, the question remained… would the Cochise ski as well as my Magma alpine boots? The answer, I’m pleased to report, is yes. I’ve skied the Cochise boots inbounds quite a bit this season, something I wouldn’t even consider with my Zzeus boots. They handle it well. Still, I will always have alpine boots for inbounds days- for someone who skis as much as me, it makes no sense to ski an AT boot inbounds except when traveling. In my view, any time you add moving parts (the ski/walk mode), you’ve got a part that can wear out or break, so why stress it pounding out more vert in a day than one might get in a month of touring. The same goes for touring bindings, in my opinion. And then there’s the folks who insist on skiing rubber soled boots in standard alpine bindings- might as well just put a bullet in the chamber and play Russian roulette with your knees. But I digress…
The liner is mediocre. I’ll use them for the rest of this season, but then I’ll upgrade to an Intuition or Palau liner next year. One problem has been a fold in the tongue which is meant to help the touring motion. While it sounds good on paper, in practice it ends up being a part of the tongue which always wants to fold over and produce a sharp pain. The tongue needs to be positioned perfectly for me to avoid this. The oval area in this photo by my finger is the area I’m talking about:
The other issue with the liner is the plastic liner covering clashes with the plastic cuff of the boot in tour mode. This produces an annoying click from time to time when the boot is getting the maximum range of motion, as on a flat section of skintrack or while walking. Look at the red spot on the liner and I think you’ll see what I mean.
Still, these are minor quibbles thanks to the downhill performance of the boot. Last season, I found myself using my alpine boots for short tours, not willing to sacrifice performance for the sake of touring comfort. Thankfully, that will not be a type of torture I will endure any longer. Surprisingly, with all this performance they’re still lighter than many other boots in the same class, including the Zzeus and Titan boots from Dynafit, and Black Diamond’s Factor boots.
In summary, I am extremely pleased with these boots. The downhill performance was somewhat expected- the touring capabilities of this boot are much better than I could have even hoped for. They’re the boots I’ve been waiting for. It’s been a long wait.
For a “first-look” at next year’s Cochise line, including the Cochise Pro and Cochise Light, click this LINK.
Things are bad in Colorado, Utah, and many other areas of the Western US right now. Everyone knows it. The snowpack right now comes right from an evil mad scientist’s worst dreams- almost exclusively rotten facets and dense windslabs. So it goes without saying that we’re toning it down here at 14erskiers, and hopefully everyone else will do likewise. The snowpack hasn’t looked like this in about 10 years- 2001/02 was a rough one, but I was luckily spending that winter in Whistler/Pemberton, enjoying a banner year there. We’ve enjoyed a string of relatively excellent years in Crested Butte, and we’ve been able to enjoy some fairly aggressive skiing in the backcountry as a result. In all likelihood, the backcountry this season has no chance of a full recovery- it will be dicey, possibly even in the spring.
The rime (or was it rain?) layer in the Anthracites yesterday:
Skiing 7th bowl through the rime crust was interesting- Zach’s skis made the most fascinating sound skiing through it, and at first I thought it was his carbon DPS skis. But no, it was just a weird snowpack.
So, we’ll be spending more time than usual at the resort. Heck, I’ve been spending most of my time on my tele gear. The bummer in this case is that the resort needs a ton more snow to get the steep stuff open, and once we do get snow all the steep terrain will likely slide right back down to the ground. There hasn’t even been enough snow this season for the bootpackers to stomp the sugar down in much terrain other than the Headwall and Teocalli bowl. So we’ll need some really big and prolonged storm systems to get much of the steeps open, and even then it’s doubtful that all of our terrain will open this season (i.e. 3rd bowl and the frontside and possibly even Phoenix/Spellbound).
Yes, I realize I’m being pessimistic, but the reality is that it is late January and Crested Butte Mountain Resort has recorded 40-some inches for the whole year. So we’re finalizing plans to get the heck out of here. Girdwood Alaska looks like our first stop in late February. I hope to find myself in BC at some point in March. April will hopefully find us in the Tetons and/or the Wind Rivers, and if all goes well, we’ll finish out the season on Rainier and other peaks in the Cascades. Suddenly, I’m looking forward to this winter again.
Brittany and I have both been using the CAMP XLC 390 Crampons for a number of years, and both of us would place them near the top of our lists of ski mountaineering gear that we love, for their light weight, easy adjustabilty, and solid connection to our ski boots.
The XLC 390 is a lightweight aluminum crampon whose number, 390, refers to the number of grams a pair weighs (about 13.8oz for the metric-impaired). For comparison, similar steel offerings commonly weigh about 2 pounds, 2 ounces. We’re no weight weenies, but at less than half the weight, we wanted to at least give them a try. We have found over the years that these crampons perform beautifully- so long as they’re used as intended. These are not the crampons to take for a day at the Ouray Ice Park- they probably wouldn’t even last one pitch. In fact, they’re not a great choice for any route that contains a lot of ice or rock. But for ski mountaineering in places like Colorado, which are more often than not just simple snow climbs, the XLC 390 is a perfect choice.
Aluminum crampons definitely require a bit more “babying”. If you’re the type of climber who likes to repeatedly stomp their foot into the rocks to find a hold, you’ll wreck these crampons in a hurry. Same goes if you’re 6’6″ and 250 pounds. The only 14ers we didn’t bring these crampons on were Pyramid and Capitol. For everything else, they were a great choice and truthfully we could have used them on all the 14ers.
Where the XLC 390 really shines, however, is at the trailhead. You know the situation- you’re packing your backpack and out comes the question “Do you think we’ll need crampons?”. Colorado is full of moderate routes that may be safely climbed without crampons- so long as the snow is perfect and you feel completely comfortable with the route. Tossing a 2+ pound set of steel crampons in a pack when you’re not even sure you’ll use them is a tough pill to swallow. 14 ounces and it’s pretty easy to answer, “What the heck, I’ll throw them in.” That’s the real beauty of the XLC 390 crampons.
For those of you wondering, yes- those are the Tecnica Cochise AT boots. Review of these amazing boots coming soon…
Check them out:
While the 2011-12 ski season here in Colorado may be one of the worst in many years, old-timers are saying that this is one of the best years ever to skate Blue Mesa, Colorado’s largest body of water just outside of Gunnison. This really shouldn’t be much of a surprise, since snow is the enemy of good skating ice and there hasn’t been much snow to speak of this season. The few inches that fell last weekend up in Crested Butte only added up to a trace on Blue Mesa. While the trace of snow didn’t slow us down, it was a little disappointing that we missed out on the clear black ice that everyone had been raving about before the snow. Andy Eflin, Pete Sowar and I laced them up at the Elk Creek marina, which was a little surreal frozen in the ice:
I’ve skated on many ponds over the years, but this was my first time on such a large lake (20 miles long and 96 miles of shoreline). I was in for a surprise, as pond skating has as much in common with large lake skating as a one-run bunny hill has with a mega resort in the Alps. Pond ice doesn’t talk- Blue Mesa does.
When I say that Blue Mesa talks, I’m referring to the ice creaking, groaning, and straining as we skated on it. Imagine a snowpack that constantly whoomphed, and you’ll have an idea of what skating on Blue Mesa is like. It was disconcerting to put it mildly.
We explored a few of the inlets, and they had some fun play areas along the shore. Pete:
Occasionally the ice has small cracks, which may not be a concern as far as falling in, but they do pose their own hazard:
Then there’s the big cracks, know as pressure ridges, also something you don’t see on a pond. Kind of crazy, and a scary obstacle to cross.
Experienced skaters actually seek out thin ice, as it tends to be the fastest and can sometimes even forms a wave of ice for extra speed. Yes, this sounds crazy, and no, I don’t think I’ll try it. But we did have a great time and I’ll probably head back down there if the snow doesn’t start falling. I might even make some lag bolt bracelets to claw my way out if I fall in, as Andy is sporting here, along with his rope:
Think snow!
It snowed last weekend for the first time in a long, long time. Sure, it was only about 8″, but it felt more like 8′ considering the way we’ve been deprived of snowfall this season in the Crested Butte area. Brittany and I headed out to the Kebler Pass area, where amazingly people are still driving, to check things out. Beautiful light on a beautiful day:
Brittany shredding it up:
Given the state of this year’s snowpack, it didn’t take much new snow to increase the avalanche danger. You can see a small slab that broke loose, but didn’t move, in this photo:
It will take a lot for avalanche conditions to improve this year in Colorado and Utah, so keep it mellow in the backcountry this year, ski the resorts, and travel to places with a better snowpack. Do a little snow dance- it sounds like we might have a better chance at snow in the near future.
Last week, the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” translated into “When life gives you bare ground in the middle of winter, make tire tracks.” This was doubly true last week when temps in Gunnison Colorado, which usually struggle to reach single digits in January, were in the upper 40′s last week. I’d rather ski, but with ski conditions this bad, I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to ride my bike in shorts, in one of the coldest places in the lower 48. It’s kind of like Bodie’s 50 year storm in “Point Break”, but it’s a 50 year winter of the kind skiers don’t even want to think about.
The parking lot was busy, filled with like-minded mountain bikers, trail runners, and dirtbikers. If someone told me it was October, it wouldn’t be hard to believe. Conditions were incredible- every trail is rideable and the short sections of snow have been ridden enough that they’re barely noticeable. If this winter stays like this, I’ll be back. Here’s a short video, with a few photos mixed in as well:
Biking was fun and everything, but I’ll still be thinking snow:
It’s been a long time since I posted anything, mostly because I haven’t been in the mountains much the past month or so. Since the skiing wasn’t very good in December, I took a small job in Denver, and followed that up with family Christmas visits. Surely the skiing would be better by the time I got back around New Year’s, I thought. Sadly, the skiing went from bad to worse as December wore on. Crested Butte, like much of the West from Utah to California, is in the midst of an extremely dry winter. Certainly the worst I’ve seen here since my arrival in 1996. Don’t be surprised when I do a bike trip report- sadly the biking is excellent right now.
In any case, Brittany and I will keep trying our best to keep the faith and have fun with what little snow we have. So rather than party hard on New Year’s eve, we stayed in and were joined by our friends Ben and Jonathan on a tour up Richmond. In addition to the lack of snow, we’ve also had a steady diet of strong winds, so rather than attempt to seek out powder, we were actually hoping for smooth wind buffed snow. We found some, as well as punchy crusts and scree-covered snow. The conditions weren’t all that surprising, but what may have been surprising was how much fun we still had despite it all. On with some photos…
Skinning:
Last year, we posted a last-minute gift guide for skiers. So, without further explanation, here’s the 2011 version of some of 14erskiers’ favorite ski gear.
Brittany’s Top 5 List:
1) A Buff – I carry a Buff with me every time I go backcountry skiing. The Buff has become a permanent fixture in my backcountry ski pack. Those who have tried a Buff, will generally rave about it. Put me in that praising category. The Buff can be worn in many different ways- converting from a face mask to a hat, to a helmet skull cap, to a “doo-rag”. It’s a multifunctional piece of clothing essential for every backcountry skier. I’ve even used it to tie the tips of my skis together when I’ve lost my ski strap!
2) Merino Wool Long Underwear tops – After spending a couple of years working in a backcountry shop, I’ve been converted. Highly moisture-wicking, warm when you want it to be warm and cool when you want it to be cool, new Merino wool blends provide some of the best fabric for baselayers. Plus, it doesn’t hold the stink like so many of the synthetic baselayers do! My preferences – Icebreaker or Smartwool.
3) Gordini Fuse Gloves – I’m critical about my gloves. I have the classic “cold fingers” syndrome. My hands never seem to stay warm enough- enough that I often sport mittens. Still, the Fuse gloves rival any mitten I own. Warm, moisture-wicking, and highly durable, my Fuse gloves have suffered a season of Brittany-abuse unscathed- which is nearly unheard of. (Frank’s note- I use these gloves as well- top notch)
4) Smartwool PhD socks – My feet sweat- a lot. It’s a gross practice, but my body simply can’t help it. Thankfully, my Smartwool socks keep my feet nice and warm even with all that moisture and help to guard against the dreaded sweat-foot stench. The PhD socks are padded in all the right places necessary for a backcountry skier, helping prevent against blisters on those long touring days.
5) Glop Stopper – Among every backcountry skiers nightmare are skins glopping with snow. Many can attest that glopping skins have ruined ski days. Worst yet, it seems unpredictable. I’ve had my skins glop during all times of the year. Glop stopper can the rescue in scenarios like this. It’s a must-have in every BC skiers backpack.
Frank’s Top 5:
1) GU brand energy gels – I love gels, and GU makes the best. Quick easy energy, easy to digest, tasty, and they don’t freeze and break your teeth like energy bars can in the winter.
2) BCA Float 36 Airbag Pack – Yeah, I know- a gift in this price range is almost as ridiculous as those “Lexus with a bow in the driveway” ads. But nothing says “I want to see you come home safe” like an airbag pack. See our review.
3) GoPro POV Camera – Sometimes it seems as though everyone on the mountain has sprouted one of these “teletubby” helmet cams, and they’re a little silly in some ways. But more than anything, they’re just FUN. I look forward to re-watching my footage when I’m an old, old man. The GoPro is my choice for POV cams since it has a wide range of mounting options…
4) Altimeter Watch – Just how big (or small) was that face you just skied? How much faster did those Carbon boots and tights make you on your dawn patrol? Why did that 10 mile bike ride take so long- must have been a lot of vert, right? Where are we on this topo map? The answer to all these questions and more can be found with an altimeter watch. This one is nice and affordable:
5) Nikwax Leather Protectant – Leather gloves and boots last longer and stay waterproof with a little love and care. Try this:
There’s our list for this year. By all means, if any of you have a great gift idea, leave a comment- we’re not done with our shopping either! And if you’re still stumped, there’s always a gift certificate from Backcountry.com:
The silver lining during a mediocre early season? The ice is usually as good as it gets during a dry year. Climbing ice is something I really enjoy, but I tend to blow it off for pow turns. The way things are going this season, however, ice might just have to become my activity of choice.
I gave Ethan Passant a call and we decided a trip down to Silverton was in order, which boasts a number of long, beautiful, natural routes. The ice park in Ouray is fun, but I’ll take long moderates like these any day of the week. The ice was in, the avalanche danger from above was minimal due to the lack of snow (not the case anymore), and the temps were perfect. Stairway to Heaven (WI4, 280m) was day one’s objective:
A quick hike got us to the base of the route and Ethan began leading up the first pitch.
This was my first time using modern leashless tools (Ethan has an extra set), and like fat skis or full suspension, they change the game and make things a lot easier. We had the route to ourselves, although there were several other groups in the valley.
Climbing is such a mental game compared to my normal activities like biking and skiing. Especially on the dead vertical 3rd pitch, there were times when doubt crept in and I thought “I can’t do this, this is way above my head”. But then I tried anyway and I made it- that sense of overcoming adversity is sky-high when it comes to climbing. It takes challenging oneself to a level that skiing and biking just can’t match, at least for me. Which isn’t to say that I prefer climbing by any stretch, only that the mental experience is a lot different.
We had to skip the last pitch- after driving from Crested Butte that morning, we simply didn’t have the time to complete the route. We still ended up rapping in the dark:
