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dbconlin

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Posts posted by dbconlin

  1. For sale: $200 obo

    Approach ski setup

    Silvretta 500 "easy go" bindings

    Volkl mountain skis, 158cm

    These bindings are the only AT/randonee binding I am aware of that accept mountaineering boots. Ideal as an approach ski for mountaineering and ice climbing. Mounted on short skis for improved maneuverability. 

    PM for details, questions, or to purchase. 

    David

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  2. Anyone have experience with BCA packs? The Alp 40 seems like a dialed, well thought out system. I really like the nalgene compatible hydration setup - and with 40L I could use it for long weekends or even a week if staying in a hut. I really like the dry-sack closure system when using it without the lid. Anyone have a compelling argument against BCA packs? They make a great beacon!

     

    I love my Alp40 - but I have the older model, I think it was just redesigned. No complaints a all, I would buy again and the hydration system that screw into a Nalgene is tops. I actually remove the system and use it in all my packs.

     

    Alp40 is ski-specific but I also use it for ice/alpine climbing day trips. It has 2 ice tool loops, and I added bungee to the front panel to hold crampons. It (the old version, at least) is basically a classic top loader with a shovel pocket on the front and a side "tube"'pocket that holds the shovel handle and a probe. I guess my only complaint is that the top lid is fixed, not removable.

  3. Anybody aware of any local shops carrying the new BD Prime AT boot (the high-end 3-buckle one)?

     

    The following shops I believe are carrying the Quadrant - 4 buckle version of same boot with stiffer liner - but not the Prime:

    -REI

    -Feathered Friends

    -Marmot Mountain

     

    I am in the market for the Prime - lighter and almost as stiff. Guidance would be appreciated. Cheers!

     

    BD Prime

     

    STOKE

     

  4. Trip: Rainier - Emmons Glacier (Ski Descent)

     

    Date: 7/6/2010

     

    Trip Report:

    Not going to go into a lot of detail here - I skied the Emmons Glacier Route on Tuesday for my first ski descent of Rainier and also my first solo summit of Rainier.

     

    Spent the prior night at Schurman with a 30-deg bag and 9-oz bivvy sack. Overnight low on my watch thermo read 23-degF. Up at 5AM, left camp on skis/skins about 6AM with 2L water, some clothes, shovel, stove and food. Switched to boot crampons at 11k because it was too steep/icy for me to skin, even with ski crampons. Only a couple of minor crevasse issues in the 12-13k range. Summitted at 11AM and relaxed on the summit for about an hour, melting some additional water and hoping the snow conditions would soften.

     

    Started the ski descent at Noon. Conditions were firm up high - I think the freezing level was supposed to be around 13,000'. Frozen sastrugi made difficult ski conditions down to around 12k. Some of the best conditions on the upper mountain occured in a small gully between seracs/ice ridge that I had ascended, which was sheltered and therefore not wind-affected. Below 12k snow conditions improved and below 11k really nice spring corn was had.

     

    I arrived at Camp Schurman at 1PM. Packed up/melted more water until I ran out of fuel and skied the Interglacier from 2-3PM. I was happy to find that my legs were still feeling good and carrying my full pack didn't hinder the skiing pleasure on the Interglacier at all! Snow was good until about 7k at which point it got sloppy. Took off my skis at Glacier Basin and hoofed it down the makeshift trail back to the car at 4PM.

     

    All in all a great trip, although snow conditions could have been better up high (higher freezing level or later descent?). Proud to have completed my first solo/ski on Rainier!

     

    Pictures can be viewed here: Photos

     

    Gear Notes:

    Carried 2 ice screws and some makeshift etriers for self rescue in case of crevasse fall - not sure if that is the best method... otherwise, didn't take too much gear really.

     

    Approach Notes:

    Trail is bare below about 5,500' - new trail under construction but for now follow the makeshift trail developed after the flood.

  5. Great job persevering through some less-than-ideal conditions! I knew you guys were still up there when I showed up at the TH and saw your car and was glad to see you on your way down the interglacier glissading - unfortunately below me by the time I figured out it was you or I would have shouted out. Anyway, well done and great photos!

  6. Well the good news is they are having a sale...discounts on their mediocre selection of clothing, packs, climbing gear, etc.

     

    The bad news is that there is now nowhere in the Tacoma area to get backcountry gear. REI has a limited selection of climbing and backpacking equipment, but no ski gear.

     

    Anyone know of a good b/c ski shop relatively close?

     

    I am not surprised this is happening - all the good stuff always went to the Bellevue store and Marmot/BS Tacoma always had a very limited selection. I almost never found anything I wanted to buy there when I went. There were hardly ever any customers there either. Their location absolutely sucked. But their ski techs were good and you could special order anything that the Bellevue store carried.

     

    C'est La Vie.

  7. AquaMira: I traveled for 4 months in Thailand, Laos and Nepal; 2 months in Peru and Bolivia. I have used it on countless backpacking and climbing trips in Colorado, Idaho, California, Wyoming, Utah and Washington. I never got sick. I think it can handle Appalachia.

  8. What Feck said - you will most likely end up booting it. It is pretty steep in places for skinning even with ski crampons. Boot crampons may ease your mind or even be necessay if you go early; however there is usually a well-worn boot pack all the way up.

  9. I consider skiing the SW chutes on the decent. It is especially rewarding in comparison. BTW if your fitness is good, camp at the car and do it in a day and save carrying all that weight. As for crampons, that all depends on the weather/snow conditions. I would throw a light weight pair of aluminum ones in the pack to be safe and I always carry my ski crampons. They hardly add any weight.

     

    +1. If you want to ski the SW Chutes (much better line) it is more convenient to do it in one day from the car, so you don't have to return to your campsite/gear at the lunch counter.

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