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To clarify - here's the ski rating system (from http://www.wildsnow.com/articles/ratings/s_ratings_article_web.htm) S0, Flat ground or slightly rolling terrain. Usually a flat ski tour or nordic trail. All hills can be descended on foot or with novice downhill technique. S1, Easy. Low-angled.. Only novice downhill technique required. S1+, Slightly harder than S1. S2-, Angle up to 25 degrees. Easy terrain such as broad slopes. Ability to sideslip and stem-turn will get you down. Avalanches unlikely or impossible. S2, Longer pitches than S2-, can be a steep narrow trail or actual glisse descent. Up to 25 degrees. Novice skiers or snowboarders can handle this terrain with basic technique. S2+, Angle near or at 25 degrees, but rougher terrain or difficult snow requires more technique. S3-, Slopes up to 30 degrees, similar to an easy "expert" run at a resort. Avalanches uncommon but possible with unstable snow. S3, Slopes up to 35 degrees, similar to an "expert" run at a resort. A skier or rider capable of S3 should have solid technique in any type of snow. This is often prime avalanche terrain. S3+, Same angle as S3 (up to 35 degrees); but terrain features (dogleg turns, rollovers, trees, ridges, etc.) make the skiing slightly more difficult. Again, this is prime avalanche terrain. S4-, Slopes over 35 degrees but under 45 degrees, without terrain obstacles and with safe runouts. Avalanche danger is always a concern. S4, Slopes over 35 degrees but under 45 degrees, usually steeper than an S4-, may have fall potential and terrain obstacles such as narrows. Avalanche danger always a concern. S4+, Slopes just under 45 degrees, may have fall potential and terrain obstacles. S4+ is borderline extreme skiing and snowboarding. Avalanches are slightly less common on these slopes, but nonetheless occur enough to be a concern. S5-, Slopes at 45 degrees or slightly over. Fall potential on firm snow. This is bonafide extreme skiing. Because snow can't easily accumulate at these angles, slab avalanches are less common, but can occur. Loose snow avalanches are common. S5, Slopes between 45 degrees and 55 degrees. Technique for steep terrain required if turns are made. Fall potential almost always present. Loose snow avalanches are common, especially after new snow accumulations; slab avalanches are uncommon. S5+, Most of the route near or at 55 degrees. This is technical extreme terrain. Fall potential always exists. Death from a fall likely if steep sections are long. Loose snow avalanches are common, especially after new snow accumulations; slab avalanches are uncommon. S6-, Short sections steeper than 55 degrees. Loose snow avalanches are common, especially after new snow accumulations; slab avalanches are uncommon. S6, Most of the route steeper than 55 degrees. This is extreme terrain that's safe for only the elite athlete if turns are made. Sideslipping and ropework may be mandatory. Loose snow avalanches are common, especially after new snow accumulations; slab avalanches are uncommon. S6+, Same angles as S6, but with extenuating circumstances, such as cliffs, icefalls, and other obstacles. Avalanches are the least of your concerns. You might be better off on crampons so you can claim a first ascent. S7-, A number of sections approaching 60 degrees steep; short sections may be 60 degrees. Fall potential a given. Avalanches? Who cares. S7, Much of the route is around 60 degrees steep. Ropework may be optional or mandatory and should be clarified in rating and text description. Any avalanches probably happened before you got there. S7+, Same angles as S7, with skiable snow connected by technical maneuvers such as small jumps. Ropework may be optional or mandatory and should be clarified in rating.

70 Degrees (70% would be a nice black diamond slope) is a bit steep - but new hard descents have been in the high 50 degrees's (Robson etc.) The problem for things that steep gets to be conditions i.e. enough snow to ski, but not to sluff (so I hear).

If I hadn't just bought the Winter Bivy I'd be interested - sounds like a great product!

The zipper's fairly delicate on the winter bivy - I've broken mine already. It is lighweight and reasonably H20 proof though. Would the custom job have a tie-in loop?

If you wait till Sept/Oct you shouldn't have a problem - and I think you'd be surprised how many are hiding around this neck of the woods if you open your eyes and use a little imagination. Tenaya Canyon's supposed to be a blast.

I think you took the same one I did - not being born Norwegian.

Glen- Check out neice.com, climbnh.com, www.vtclimbing.com + gunks.com Where are you thinking of basing yourself out of? The white mountains are nice - but tend to get crowded with Bostonians. The Adirondacks have plenty of wilderness, and oppurtunities for any (and every) sport you can think of (ice climbing, rock climbing, steep skiing, canoeing, wwkayaking, hiking, mbiking - the list goes on) Carl

I would think that to be a positive....

Permits bring up the Climbers Signout required crap that the Tetons used to have - which sucked hard.

For me, it's rarely even enough time to prepare for impact.

I went up worm flows Sat (and the 30th of March) - the wet surface snow could be easily enticed into sliding, where it would accumulate more (at least on the steeper slopes in gulleys) this past weekend, but not back in March. This past weekend you could ski to the parking lot too! Beware though, the hordes are definitely out on the worm flows now.

Extreme Quiet - and time suddenly moving at about 1/10th the speed it normally does.

Amen!

Uh, yes, depending on the date, it's supposed to have a pole inside to bow it out. See http://www.abenteuerbox.de/c83.html

"A5 DAY Saturday, April 5, 2003: The first edition of A5 Day, international bouldering day organized by The North Face in cooperation with leading climbing halls across Europe. Be part of the tribe, drop into one of the participating climbing halls for an introduction under the guidance of expert instructors. Take part in impromptu challenges or watch in awe as long-time boulderers demonstrate their art. Learn what makes bouldering more than just a sport, but a way of life. Be part of the fun. A5 Day. See you there! Click here to find a location near you. "

185-190's, depending on how much you weigh (but with a pack pretty much everyone's over 200 in winter) suck for kick & glide (as do plastic boots). Leather, because of the lack of torsional rigidity, and the breakin specific flex characteristics, among other things, requires alot more skill to ski, and has a much different feel. Sure if your touring for turns, plastics are easier to ski (and there is that nice dry part). But there's no difference in weight between Dynafit AT gear and a plastic boot setup. Carl

Fish don't do retail.

I've got some old TUA Toute Neiges in a 210 that I might be willing to part with. Other skis that'd work well would be Tua Cirques or Tua Montets. If your looking to actually tour on these 3pins are the way to go for covering distance - cables (unless you loosen them substantially) will take a nice bit of energy with every stride. If you really want to learn to tele, leathers are the only way to go - you'll learn an art, as opposed to the paint by number skiing that plastics require. Extreme Pro's are a great way to start.

That is a nice site! Another one to check out if your heading out that way is www.jhsnowobs.org

Integral Designs did (does?) custom sewn Gore-tex. Check 'em out. www.integraldesigns.com

And thats 6 contiguous months - If you leave for a week or so (make sure you have proof) and return you can stay another 6 months.

Do you mean Middle Cathedral? Cathedral Peak is in Tuolumne and is readily doable, after Tioga Pass road opens. Usually mid-May to Memorial Day lately.

http://www.benmeadows.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=260 The catalog lists them up in lengths up to 36" and weights of 4lbs/100. I would think a dark colored shaft would melt out quicker, but maybe the metal conducts the heat better. As for dark colors you can get the flags in colors from Dark Green to Flouro.

Hmm. 36" is longer than most wands. Ground is about as hard as snow. Bow over yes - but you can buy PVC wands.

Along those lines - has anyone ever used the Dana Design HatTarp? http://www.danadesign.com/tents/single_wall/hat.htm