Ken_p

I've always had folks around who would allow me to make mistakes to learn from and stop me if those mistakes could turn deadly. Seems Jason's friends were on the shitheaded side. While living in Canada ice climbing in the Rockies there were numerous opportunities to see some scary shit, ironically enough the worst of it came from a group from Oregon at Haffner. It seems to me to be a good course of action to kindly and calmly let people know that you noticed something in their actions that could end up getting someone hurt, or worse, give them a false sense of competence. I've found most folks respond well when you offer help, not derision. I'd rather help someone learn than keep quiet and mock them then need to cut my trip short to help evac them after some dipshit maneuver. If they don't want to listen, then fuck 'em and let 'em deal with the consequences.

Darwin grumbles, having nearly had his theories proven yet again.

forest park

Quarks, Quarks, baby!

Do ya really have to ask?

The only thing hotter that yuppie ballcapedness is a short mid drift shirt with a stretch marked preggo belly hanging out. Hotcha!

Green Superfeet. Are yours the Evos? Might try taking out the extra tongue padding and see if that works. If they're the older version, you obviously can't do that and this advice is pointless. Except for the insoles, of course.

Ah,yes! Exshaw! That should do the trick for ya. Yam and the Goat buttress nearby, plenty work noise and dust from the concrete factory, fine road biking if you don't mind drunken 1st nations follies. You shall make this your new home!!!!!

Canmore is hugely expensive, but access is tops. Having lived in Calgary for 2 years recently I can say the drive to the hills out the 1 can get monotonous, but in 45 minutes you can get way away from the city. Canmore has a good feel and you will be surrounded by an excellent climbing community way less ego fed than here in the states.

You will rarely feel a similar sensation as you get from stripping forearm muscles. Take a leather chewie with you .

REI fucking blows.After working at MEC in Calgary and seeing how a real co-op works it was an utter shit show down in the Pearl. Wanna get good discounts from a little guy shop? Go make friends. Don't expect to get a handjob just for coming into the place. If you want a little extra shop work done, bring a sixer. If you act like an entitled dick, like REI allow you to do, you'll never get a good deal from a little guy due to a shit attitude. And getting a few bucks off something doesn't add up to all the help advice and assistance I get when hitting the guys at OMC up.

Something you may try is to have a massage therapist do some myofascial stripping and deep tissue to get the muscle and connective tissue loosened up. Then get some stretches and do some balanced strength training. Massage therapist, have worked on a lot of folks with similar issues. For what it's worth.

Indeed. Barons are not for the average all around type user. It's very specifically designed to be a guides ski that is capable in all conditions not a star in any. Too many folks have gotten them thinking they are the best quiver of one ski which they are not. That being said, they are a damn fine ski when used as designed. Like most stuff.

Kilowatts! Kilowatts ! I love the holy hell out of mine . Have used them in all conditions and find them capable of taking all I can throw at 'em. Fairly light, quick turning for fatter ski, and work as well on piste as in the BC. And you can find 'em us outdoor store fairly cheap.

Reverends are a good all around mid fat ski not super for regular resort stuff, but decent. Not a great ski in AT setup for running tight trees, not the quickest turning. I have some BD Killowatts and adore the things. Similar dimensions, lighter, quicker turning and better handling on piste. Barons are 2x4s. Designed to be dead and functional, not lively.

Integral is still all Canadian made. Lived in Calgary the past 2 years and went to the factory many times to get pro deals.

Used Mammut Genesis Halves for 2 years of ice in the Canadian Rockies and some big wall stuff on Yamnuska and found them to be excellent. Wear well, good dry coat and don't have that goddamn Beal supertwist.

8 mixed between resort(5) and Backcountry. Tomorrow shall be day 9

Golden! You win!

Use all the expensive gear I accumulated working 2 years at MEC in Calgary. Shasta, Adams, multiple Hood for training and entertainment Ski my ass off out of the hospital.

That would be a solid "No". The avi conditions on the SS are a little more mellow, but that don't make it a good idea when there are poor conditions. Hood's fun, but not worth dying for. Let shit settle up a bit then giv'er.

I found verticals to shear less ice and "fit" better in ice with a lot of vertical texture where a more delicate touch was preferred. I've climbed with the new BD Cyborgs and love 'em, but have done quite well in the same conditions with my BD Sabretooths. If you want versatility, go horizontal, should you be a bad ass ice guru who wants to do a lot of mixed as well, go vertical.

"Jesus may love you, but everyone else thinks you're an asshole" always brings a chuckle

sweet!

Was plenty cold and icy in the Bow Valley and surrounding environs last season.