cracked

Well, I'm young and dumb, but I like having the full use of my lungs, though I know many who disagree. I just don't see the attraction in getting high. And I'm not a shitbird!

Is it worth bringing skis?

People (most notably Twight) claim that there exist 2lbs 20 degree synthetic sleeping bags. I can't find any that light. I weighed the TNF cat's meow, and it was right about 3lbs, and that's supposed to be the most efficient synthetic insulation around. Anybody know of a company that makes synthetic bags light? I know of none who make synthetics with the same fabrics and features as the down bags made by the likes of FF, WM, or Nunatak.

I've got four: one Monday, one Tuesday, two Wednesday. Studying sux. Sux more than the weather.

Dude, smoking pot is stupid. I don't much care if you do, but it's still dumb.

FUCK, quit making me feel like a kid.

Have fun.

WTF? Can you even survive a weekend without skiing? C'mon man, the mountains are waiting!

I just stopped by Second Ascent and picked up a like-new pair of Gucci Guide pants. Nice fit, VERY comfy, but I'm not sure about the wind resistance. Once I've used em I'll give an update.

Hey, AlpineK, I was just out at Index for the first time today. It's a really nice area, and I liked the trees. Now, I'm not a hippie, and like Sphinx, if I can eat it, it can't be sacred. Leave the trees alone, I like the area the way it is.

if we were ghetto...would we be married ChrisT? uw student (too young) Hey now!

I cranked them up to 6.5 or 7, thanks for the screwdriver, Sky. I can't blame Marmot, after all, if they ajusted the DIN too high and someone broke a leg, they'd get sued. Still, prereleases suck.

John, you never fail to make me jealous. Nice photos, excellent climb, .

Thanks for the update, I know Marmot wouldn't be responsible, as actually the ski tech didn't adjust the bindings. He showed me how to change the DIN. We checked what Fritschi says would be appropriate for my weight, and that was 5.5, where the bindings were set at. I would never blame Marmot for not adjusting them, I just wondered why they didn't know that 5.5 would be very low for me. Oh, and a to Marmot for mounting the binding the same day, I'd buy you guys a six-pack, but I'm underage.

I skied my new setup yesterday, around Long's Pass, while Skykilo and his buddies showed off their manliness by skiing Stuart. I decided not to climb after my binding prereleased and I fell over a five foot boulder. My pack broke the fall. Back to the gear: The Denalis . We hiked about three miles on mostly dry road, up and down, no pain, no problems. Hiked snow up Long's Pass, no problems. Skinned probably a thousand feet while yoyoing in the valley. COMFY boots, just unbuckle everything (inc. powerstrap) and they hike and tour great. As for skiing, they rock. Mucho power, a lot of forward lean, good times. Bindings: Marmot set the Diamir 3s at a DIN of 5.5 for some reason, telling me to crank it up if it prereleased often. I figured out this was pretty low when I tried to turn at the edge of a snow-covered boulder. The binding released, and I cartwheeled over the edge, but luckily fell on my back, so my pack broke the fall. I walked away, but it was scary. Sky's two buddies both had minimalist Dynafit bindings, so it took them ten minutes to get in. I like the step-in of the Diamir, I'm slow enough already, thanks. Skis: Mira=nice. Turn well, tour well. Only thing I noticed, on the 40 degree HARD snow off of the pass, I couldn't edge worth a damn. I really couldn't stop side-slipping. I'm rather knock-kneed, so I think I'll have to play with the cant thing, maybe that will help. Overall, I like the setup, love the area, and now I want to go back and ski that damn mountain. Oh, and to Sky and Co. for the descent, and for taking my slow ass along. Thanks guys!

Damn, these things are stiff. Their "walk mode" is a joke. But they should ski well.Yee-Haw!!

That phrase has been used before. Who was it that used that before? It was one of the youngsters as I recall. T'was I.

I've hiked in my T3s enough to realize that ski boots prevent ANY ankle flex. But as you point out, REAL men front-point. Now go write another trip report Sky, I'm bored!

Yeah, I read the trip report.... Thanks for the input, all, but I ordered the above setup, for $725 it was too good to resist. Now I can spend all my time complaining that if I had bought the Dynafits I would be skiing SO much better.. I realize that all skiing well takes is equipment, so bring it on, Sky! I am so suck.

Too heavy? Any recommendations?

But on the skimountaineer.com site that Amar guy says he has hiked 5 miles one way with those boots. What do you guys use? Oh, I'm not interested in tele cause I want a boot I can climb in.

Denali XT, Diamir 2, Mira. For all-conditions backcountry/mountain skiing. Any opinions?

Anyone? What routes?

I realize that college is the best thing to do right now, I can be a climbing bum once I've finished my education. I also realize that I'm lucky that I have that option, that my parents support me, etc, etc. But when I have a bad week or two in a row I get cranky, if nobody's noticed. As for better options, I see a few. 1. Go to college. 2. Work at Burger King. 3. Join the Army. Of the three, #1 is probably the best one, considering I got a scholarship and my parents are paying the rest. Only another three years to go! I'll still be young when I'm done.

About overdressing in the snow: it is very common. A few weeks ago when I skied Great Scott Bowl, it was snowing hard when we started up. But it was way warm. I was overheating too much, so I skinned up without a shirt on. All the people coming down, dressed in fleece and goretex looked at me like I was an alien. It's amazing what preconceptions people carry around. I never wore more than a light windshirt (no base layer, even!) that day, and was still too hot. It's not ONLY the mounties...