Alta, UT 4/2/2008

[Admin]

Day 49: A momentary return to winter

I snuck off for an hour or so yesterday with the Missus for Free after 3 on Sunnyside with light snow falling. It was like a return to January -- groomers were soft and silent, and Bluebell was 4-6 inches of completely untracked, albeit wet 'n heavy untracked. It was a pleasure to see her have her first untracked experience!

Now, if only my new boots would arrive in time for the weekend... :evil:

 

[rfarren]

You ordered your boots online? If so you're lucky, my feet are so messed up that would be impossible.

Nice to here you had company on the slopes. Hope she enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, she'll make it out in january for the light and dry stuff.

 

[Admin]

You ordered your boots online? If so you're lucky, my feet are so messed up that would be impossible.

Not really, it was pro form. The manufacturer even has my foot's dimensions still in their computer from my last pair 4 years ago. My feet aren't particularly peculiar, and like my current beat-up boots these have thermofit liners. Hopefully they'll arrive in time to run over to Black Diamond after work to get them cooked. They were supposed to arrive FedEx yesterday but now they're delayed.

Nice to here you had company on the slopes. Hope she enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, she'll make it out in january for the light and dry stuff.

Nah, she only skis in spring. Friday was her first day all season, yet she's skiing this weekend, and we're going to Crested Butte next weekend. She went out and bought Mountain Hardwear softshell jacket and pants as well as a North Face fleece vest tonight. :lol:

 

[rfarren]

You ordered your boots online? If so you're lucky, my feet are so messed up that would be impossible.

Not really, it was pro form. The manufacturer even has my foot's dimensions still in their computer from my last pair 4 years ago.

I guess they are like surefoot. I've never thought about that, but I bet I could get a new pair of surefoots online. Are the new boots custom touring boots?

Nice to here you had company on the slopes. Hope she enjoyed the experience. Hopefully, she'll make it out in january for the light and dry stuff.

Nah, she only skis in spring. Friday was her first day all season, yet she's skiing this weekend, and we're going to Crested Butte next weekend. She went out and bought Mountain Hardwear softshell jacket and pants as well as a North Face fleece vest tonight. :lol:

Nice gear. Shame it only gets late season action.

 

[EMSC]

we're going to Crested Butte next weekend

I hope the weather holds for you. The EX terrain was mostly in great shape last week. Of course the views and snowpack will likely be pretty spectacular by then, this year, no matter what... Driving or flying?

 

[Admin]

I guess they are like surefoot. I've never thought about that, but I bet I could get a new pair of surefoots online. Are the new boots custom touring boots?

Custom? No. Touring? Yes: Garmont Endorphins. http://www.garmontusa.com/621012211.html

 

[rfarren]

I guess they are like surefoot. I've never thought about that, but I bet I could get a new pair of surefoots online. Are the new boots custom touring boots?

Custom? No. Touring? Yes: Garmont Endorphins. http://www.garmontusa.com/621012211.html

Not exactly cheap when you factor in custom foot beds! Does a boot fitter pick a touring boot based on your foot shape? Or are touring boots sized and fitted differently?

I myself will be touring with my heavy Langes, building muscles the size of texas.

 

[Admin]

Not exactly cheap when you factor in custom foot beds!

I'm pullng the footbeds from my old boots.

Does a boot fitter pick a touring boot based on your foot shape? Or are touring boots sized and fitted differently?

They're sized and fitted the same as alpine boots. I've got a Garmont foot, and the Endorphins fit identically to my current Adrenalins except that they're about 20% stiffer.

I seem to be on a shopping spree -- I just picked up a Giro Omen Audio helmet from Steep and Cheap since my last post. I have no use for the built-in Skullcandy Tune-Ups (I don't do music while skiing), but the wireless bluetooth phone interface will save me from having to dig my phone out of an interior jacket pocket every time it rings.

Inspector Gadget rocks on! :lol:

 

[rfarren]

I seem to be on a shopping spree -- I just picked up a Giro Omen Audio helmet from Steep and Cheap since my last post. I have no use for the built-in Skullcandy Tune-Ups (I don't do music while skiing), but the wireless bluetooth phone interface will save me from having to dig my phone out of an interior jacket pocket every time it rings.

Less time searching more time skiing. 8)

 

[Admin]

Less time searching more time skiing. 8)

I'm workin' on it...Saturday will be day 50. What are you up to? :wink:

 

[Admin]

Driving or flying?

Sorry, just noticed this post. Driving -- it's only about 6 hours.

hope the weather holds for you. The EX terrain was mostly in great shape last week.

From talking with their communications department this afternoon I just hope they keep it open for next weekend.

 

[rfarren]

Less time searching more time skiing. 8)

I'm workin' on it...Saturday will be day 50. What are you up to? :wink:

:-# I'm just a tad envious.

 

[socal]

how's this weekend looking? I see 4-8inches of new snow Friday night, should I expect a repeat of last Saturday? Does 40 tomorrow and a high on the 20's on saturday mean crusts in the am on Saturday?

 

[Admin]

how's this weekend looking? I see 4-8inches of new snow Friday night, should I expect a repeat of last Saturday? Does 40 tomorrow and a high on the 20's on saturday mean crusts in the am on Saturday?

Not likely on north-facing lines. West-facing will likely get warm today and probably east as well. Judging from late Wednesday conditions I'd expect that north-facing will stay good.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Admin: how many days do you put on your boots before they cry "uncle?"

 

[Admin]

Admin: how many days do you put on your boots before they cry "uncle?"

I've got 250-300 days on those Adrenalins. The liners are so packed out now that I can't close the buckles any further -- they're on the last notch.

More for SoCal, today's avalanche report includes the following:

Under clear skies this morning, temperatures have cooled into the mid teens to low twenties at most mountain locations. The winds are generally from the northwest in the 5 to 10 mph range, with the high elevations gusting into the 30’s. It will be possible to squeak out one more day of good, consistent powder by staying on high northerly facing slopes, above about 9,000’. All other aspects and elevations have their own character problems – a medley of breakable crusts that will warm to slop, including a shallowly buried funky crust on mid and low elevation shady slopes.

 

[ChrisC]

Admin: how many days do you put on your boots before they cry "uncle?"

Not really, it was pro form. The manufacturer even has my foot's dimensions still in their computer from my last pair 4 years ago.

multiplied by Day 50

 

[Marc_C]

I've got 250-300 days on those Adrenalins. The liners are so packed out now that I can't close the buckles any further -- they're on the last notch.

Did you ever reheat/remold the thermoform liners in that 300 days?
You can always try sticking a ferret in each boot to take up the extra space. They'll keep your feet warmer, too, but you have to watch out for the nibbling on the toes.

 

[Admin]

Did you ever reheat/remold the thermoform liners in that 300 days?

No, but there are other issues. for example, the lining of the inner boot is tearing. The walk/ski mode switch doesn't engage reliably anymore. The velcro power straps won't even stick to each other anymore.

You can always try sticking a ferret in each boot to take up the extra space. They'll keep your feet warmer, too, but you have to watch out for the nibbling on the toes.

That's so, so..."Marc_C". I'll limit my critter carryin' to the avalanche poodles in my pack.

 

[Marc_C]

Did you ever reheat/remold the thermoform liners in that 300 days?

No, but there are other issues. for example, the lining of the inner boot is tearing. The walk/ski mode switch doesn't engage reliably anymore. The velcro power straps won't even stick to each other anymore.

Oh, I'd totally agree with that. Wasn't realistically suggesting it as a fix, I was just curious if you had ever gone through the exercise and if so what the results were. I'm at that point with my Lange alpines - the shells are still fine and only one or two tiny wear spots on the liners, but they've certainly packed out a bit after 170 days or so.