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http://kootenayskier.wordpress.com/
Red
Mountain
Another great snowy season at Red is finally done.
I’ve a patch of grass opening up in my yard, but the
bike trails are a long way from clear, and there’s
still a 3 meter base up on the peaks.
Elise and I.
The last couple of days
on the lifts had some pretty sweet spring skiing
conditions, sunshine, lots of funky retro outfits,
and even a bit of nudity.
Big Smiles all around.
Rossland News.
My first ever cover
shot.
Kirkup.
It’s not all powder and
velvety corn. This time of year we get to ski the
full range of snow conditions, from boiler plate to
mashed potato.
50′s Ski Movie Peak.
With a snow-pack that
should last well in to June, opportunities for ski
touring adventures remain for the motivated. I’m
just waiting on weather and snow stability to head
out on a traverse of the Valhalla Range.
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GUIDEBOOK
Ski Touring India's Kullu Valley
Welcome to
alpinetouring.com, a site dedicated to
touring the world's greatest mountain ranges.
It is also the
best
and probably only
place to purchase the Kullu Valley ski tourer's guidebook.
SKI TOURING
INDIA'S
KULLU VALLEY
The
world's first and only skiing guidebook to the Himalaya, targets the
Kullu Valley in northern India, in the mountains around Manali. It
arrived at the end of 2003 after six years behind a keyboard and
contains indispensable route information on a variety of brief day
tours to complex multi-day expeditions on some of the most spectacular
terrain imaginable.
◦
An intriguing and comprehensive guide to
a
beautiful part of the world.
- 'The Ski Mag' (winter
2003)
Campbell
 Spooner
at alpinetouring.com
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Gear of the Week
Patagonia
Backcountry Guide Pants
Although they've been around for a couple of years, I
purchased the current BC Guide Pants for touring this winter.
Although they are the best touring pants I've worn, they are far
from perfect.
Firstly, these softshells use a double weave
polyester for the majority of the pants, with a lighter, ripstop
polyester for the knees and butt. The ripstop has their H2No
waterproof coating, which is an excellent feature, but overall, the
heavy weave of the pant translates to a hefty 822gms. Although I
never seem to notice the weight on day tours, I would much prefer a
lighter pant for most of my touring. The standard polyester material
relies on a DWR treatment for maximum water resistance and excellent
breathability, but DWR's, as we all know, rarely last a few seasons.
The suspenders are beautifully made, and unfortunately necessary for
a secure fit. The thigh vents are short, foot long zips with mesh to
stop unwanted snow falling inside but again, they fall short for
being major heat dumps, which I'd prefer. The pockets are ample and
adequate, as I generally use jacket pockets instead to carry heavier
items. The fit is slim and athletic, with an appearance that
suggests that its audience are alpine climbers and not ski tourers.
The tight fit around the thigh is a common complaint. My biggest
gripe, however, is the lower cuff/gaiter area. Again, trying to
appease too many user types has made a narrow opening that adjusts
with zipper to fit over burly, plastic ski boots. The fit, even with
cuff open is tight and slow to adjust and remains permanently open.
Why make it adjustable? How many times will I use these pants with
walking boots in snow?
Overall, and despite the criticism, the backcountry
guide pant is an awesome, soft shell pant that breathes well, keeps
me dry and is comfortable to wear. I wish the designers at Patagonia
could look at the Arcteryx style of similar soft shell pants, which
are straighter and broader, but double the price, and with a focus
on tourers and not climbers, we'd have an irresistible pant I'd be
proud to wear.
- Cam |
