Knowsam

I'm too late for tomorrow or Tues, but I'd be interested in getting up there sometime this winter. What were you thinking in terms of approach? X-country skis, bc skis (maybe a ski accent)? I'd be interested in hearing more.

lol, who said it has to be secret? It could be published/public, but not living on the coast, I don't own the book.

Sorry, should have been clearer, Vancouver BC.

Hey, I'm trying to sell someone on the benefit of moving coast-ward. Awesome gladed turns would be a big help in my sales pitch. Can anyone recommend some good, well spaced, backcountry trees that are a day trip from Van? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thx

Hey all, Thinking of spending some time skiing on BC Southern Coast and Northern Washington. Coming from the Canadian Rockies where the snow is very little (though scarce) there is a tonne of value in getting skis with a bit of a rocker - is that value there with the damper/heavier coastal snow pack? I'm looking at either coombacks or sidestashes. Cheers

I just bought a new pair of BD Verdicts. I got a set 190s and they were fun for the one day I used them, but they are a bit big for my weight (190 lb). Used once and in immaculate condition - I'd be willings to sell or trade them, if that was of interest? Let me know. If not I'll mount them with normal bindings and just use them for rocketing on the groomers. Cheers

At least you've got that then, around cow town all we have is an early season snow pack and cold. I'll have to bring my skis.

Hey, Might be heading back to the coast for the new year, any recommendations on some good winter climbs? I'm looking for one/two days from Van by car, willing to go to Washington if that's what's best right now. If not, I'd desperate enough to get up high that'd I'd give aid a shot if anyone's willing to deal with a newbie/belay slave. Has this cold snap done anything to freeze up Shannon Falls? Thanks Sean

Thanks all, Saw a couple of great deals on steep and cheap and went with the Shukans for the GF and G3 Barrons for me. Sean

Thanks all for your replies. Sounds like buying/renting something in the range of 88-93 is about as good as it will get for an all mountain. I should have been clearer that I'm only interested in backcountry - with an emphasis on turns over touring. In any event the 74mm that I currently have and am looking to replace is probably too narrow. ilooked - I appearicate your concern, but as much as I'm aware you are random strangers on the net, you are also less likley to have a finacial interest in what I buy/rent, I'll listen to all of the random strangers, sales persons and reviews that I can, give each the weight I feel appropriate. Tough to test skis in the area as I live 12 hours away. As for boots I have boots already. Thanks again all

Looking at doing some coast mountain sking (around Van, say Pemberton through to Coqui), I'll be comming from Calgary. What waist width are skiers around there using under foot on their "quiver of one" skis? I'm 6"1 and 190lbs and a novice/intermidiate skier. I'm curious about your most versitile ski but I'd generally only go when conditions are decent. Thanks Sean

Thank's all for your responses. I lived on the NS for years but never backcountry skied, now that I've moved away and have started to ski I learn that the backcountry sking is fantastic out there. One more question - how practical is a split board there for single day outings (or at least outings where the downhill is the goal)? In the rockies I've had to learn to ski (which I'm terrible at) b/c there are so many flat spots, but it doesn't matter b/c avy keeps us off anything steep - on the Coast you seem able to get on the steeper stuff so my ability to snowboard over ski might actually have an effect. Sean

What is typical back country ski season around Vancouver (say 2hrs driving any direction)? I see great photos of the area but they are always taken in Jan/Feb. Have I missed it for the year? Thanks

I'll be back in Van for a few days over christmas (2 days before and 2 days after) anyone want to head out for a day's climb? Open to suggestions, but I'm thinking of just hitting a local standard. I've never done any aid but I may be talked into some if that's all that's climable at the time. Cheers Sean

Thanks all, that's exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks for the response. Is there a guide book or just word of mouth and some adventure? Are these fourweek drive logging road routes or something I can get to in my 2WD and hike in? I've flipped through Alpine Select but there seems to be very few ice routes. Any help in finding more info would be great. Thanks again for the quick response. Sean

How much alpine ice is there w/1 day of Van? I'm looking for climbs that are 1-2 days door to door. Lots, a few, rare or none is specific enough. Are they summer or winter mountaineering routes. Anything else I need or should know would be great too. Thanks Sean

We're going up Rainier end of the week, it's our first mountain of that size. We're thinking of either DC or one of the Fuhrer's - any suggestions? Anyone have any recent info (can find lots on DC but only one TR on Fuhrer? Thanks Sean

Thanks again for all the responses. My real worry is condensation. I had looked at the Lighthouse 2 but lots of the reviews mentioned problems w/ condensation when it got cooler. The Rockies get cooler a lot and I'd rather not have a soaked tent. Anyone have suggestions on a light tent that won't get soaked? I'm open to getting a single wall but I figured with a double wall - I can deal with the temps through my bag and layers and let the mesh take care of the moisture. Thanks Sean

Thanks for all the responses, digger: I looked a the EVO but the $650 price tag sucks and I really want a solid 3 season tent that'll last for the Canadian Rockies. I still don't know why everyone recommends a single wall tent though. DirtyH commented that the sky ledge is a hiking tent but what's the difference. Both need to be light (with the double often being lighter), strong and weather proof. If I'm sleeping on route I'll take a bivy sac but for the camp at base why do I want a single wall tent? I sleep in a down bag so if they are going to get wet it will be an issue for me. I can't figure out the advantage? Sean

I've been looking for a better 2-person tent for the Canadian Rockies. I think I've settled on the MH skyledge. It's as lighter than a Firstlight once you include the vestiable and b/c its double walled I'm hoping it will be drier. But after seeing all the suggestions for singlw wall tents on this site, I'm wondering what the advantage is? Am I not catching something? - I know for 4 season winter mountaineering they're better but it seems like 4 season really means 1 season, winter. Anyone help me out? Thanks Sean