DRep

Fully

TGR is definitely a less "sophisticated" site than CC.

The solar panel is probably for a snow-tell site?

That's the most snow I have ever seen there! unreal.

Word!

Looks great Graham. I'm writing my copy right now. Seriously, this place is freeking AMAZING and we need to save it!!!!

Good work anyway Sky! I gotta ski that someday.

I think the Lotus Flower Tower is my choice. Got a trip planned there with 2 friends for summer 2009!

OK Hugh, I see where you're coming from. I think in terms of ski mountaineering and touring for faceshots. My setup is used strictly in the backcountry with occasional sidetours. I won't argue with you about the great features that the Fritschi has, its a great binding; I used to have Fritschis. However, My experience in the shop, and the feedback from customers leads me to believe that Dynafit is a more reliable binding granted you're not hucking cliffs on them or any other binding. I guess the only way to settle this is to have a debate for the sales reps for each binding to duke it out (like we'll ever see that)!

Soooo, it's Sunday now, how'd the TC go?

Yeah, I would be interested in the % as well. What kind of breakage issues?

At the local backcountry shop I just quit working at, we saw tons of Naxo and Fritschis come back for warranty compared to the small number of Dynafit. Our shop actually quit carrying Naxo because of all the warranties. This is in Bozeman where about half of the people who are serious about backcountry skiing use Dynafit. My neighbor fell off a 100' cliff in crap conditions on Gorra Blanca only cracking his heel piece. I'm not saying that Dynafit is indestructable, but it does have less moving parts and has far less plastic than others. From my past experience and education on this subject why would I choose another binding? Whats your story?

not as easily as that other crap out there.

He was using the NX21, the beefiest model. Naxo must be dealing with alot of waranties this year.

So, last saturday my friends Steve, Ryan, and I decided to take advantage of some perfect conditions for ski mountaineering. A new line had filled in on the north face of Black Mountain that has never been skied before. Alex Lowe and Hans Sarri made an attempt on it but the conditions didn't grant them entry onto the face from above. We were stoked from seeing a recent picture of it and decided to go get it. If the face wasn't in we would ski the awesome 50-60 degree Y-Couloirs. The only thing that we thought could potentially hold us back was this appocalyptic storm that the local weather "experts" were calling for in the afternoon. Due to the seven miles and 6,000 vertical that the peak requires we decided to leave Bozeman at 3:30am and start skinning in at 4:15. On the approach we came upon a pack of wolves (kinda scary, but they wanted nothing to do with us), and tons of recent avy debris. We were six miles in and 4,000 feet up by 8:00am and were in view of the face, IT WAS IN!!! We had to scramble over a rock band so we stepped out of our skis (Steve=Naxo, Ryan=Fritschi, Dave=Dynafit). Upon stepping out, Steve snapped the entire heel piece off of his Naxo! OH S**T!!! After determining that we couldn't go on we tried to find a way to get steve down. Tried duct tape, straps, everything, nothing would hold his boot on given the approach conditions. Ryan and I decided not to go further because the oncoming storm had us concerned about Steve descending safely. we turned around and reached the car in the same amount of time it would have taken us to summit and ski out. This is not the 1st time I have heard of these heal pieces breaking off. It has happened to another friend 3 times this season. I find it ironic that I get made fun of for going Dynafit by the people whose bindings are breaking? Moral of the story is that Naxo's slogan of "Stomp the landing, not the approach" is at least partially true We were just glad that the binding failure didn't happen on the face because Steve would have probably gone over the 1000'+ cliff in the face. NAXO SUCKS!!!!! I have a cool video from the day that I will get on here soon. vMqtRQQHyco

Whoa, sketchy..... So that explains why my rope snapped on its second whipper. Silly Backcountry.com! "Be a Yokle, buy local."

A good approach shoe such as the La Sportiva B5 will do great for those routes and the approaches. I did the Exum last summer in my running shoes. Hiking boots would be a wise choice if you're going to camp at the base of the climbs, due to the extra weight of the pack. There is alot of talus hopping on your way to the Lower Saddle of the Grand, so extra ankle support would be good.

effin sick. Inspiring.

Beautiful choss. What does that route go at? I don't have any sound on my computer.

Once again, I'm blown away. Thanks for the TR Porter and thank you John!

Good luck with that.

Dain bramage? Me? No!

I saw a Nomic with the head of a Quark Ergo? Yeah, it was pretty sweet. The guy took the pin that holds the shaft and head together and simply switched them. However, I'm not sure exactly how to replace that pin. He also added another thumb rest way up the shaft. As for my favorites; Quark, Cobra, Reactor. -Quark - has such a nice and natural swing. -Cobra - soooo light! -Reactor - leashless, nice swing for wrist flick sticks, amazing on moderate mixed routes, and neon green!

Wow, those pictures are amazing. I know you're looking for some desert climbs, but I hope you don't overlook the Tetons. You're so close, living in SLC and they are so fun!

Can we have a link please? I must be out of the loop.