Dave's Not Here

Brad, Amy, and I enjoyed a great pow day today. I had to host the video locally, because I wanted to add music. Add Facebook to my “list”.

Anyway, we did very few runs with names. Basically we went from pow field to pow field, and just crossed the “runs” everyone else was doing.

I’ll add a couple of versions of the video as they get uploaded . . right now, it may buffer a bit.

Large Version, hosted @frascone.com
http://frascone.com/Snowboarding%202014-DEC-29%20Pow%20Day%20-%20Solitude.wmv

Smaller one hosted @scriptonomicon.org
https://scriptonomicon.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Snowboarding%202014-DEC-29%20Pow%20Day%20-%20Small.wmv

Yes, you read it right. This morning, thanks to my new AT setup, I hiked up Snowbird on skis!

Last week, I was skiing with Tammy, and did one run on blues (Gadzoom -> Lunch Run -> Big Emma). It killed me. My thought was, why am I hiking up, then doing an easy run on my snowboard, when I could be working on my ski skills?

So, I hiked up. The last time I hiked, I found the cat track by Willbarre that made an easy climb to the top. I went straight up this time, since my skins were holding so well . . . until they weren’t.

At the top of Big Emma, about 10′ from the lip, I couldn’t get enough traction to get up it. I was stuck. So, I sat down, removed my skins, set my bindings to downhill, and then got stuck. It was too icy, and too steep for me to get my skis back on. I tried for a while, then slid down my butt about 100 yards, to try again. And fail again. By the time I could finally buckle in, I was at the top of Mid Gad. Note to self: From now on, take the cat track, so you can stop where it’s flat to remove skins.

Anyway, here are the stats . . . maybe a video to follow, if my camera worked:

This page is going to be used to keep track of my ski journal, so I know how many days I have skied / boarded this season!

Total Days Skied / Ridden
=====

TODO: Add google docs link — maybe.

* Pre Season: 0
* Post Season: 0
* Hiked: 1

Had a great hike up Snowbird this AM. Got to try out my new (used) Oakley jacket, chest mount on my go pro, and my new helmet . . . all toys worked flawlessly!

My cardio is crap — here’s the garmin info:

And, finally, here’s the video. Enjoy!

Snuck away from work for a Half day at Snowbird, on opening day!

It reminded me a lot from two years ago, my first season in Utah. I had forgotten how to ride. I was getting tired, and couldn’t do heel-toe transitions properly. I wasn’t sure if it was my new board, lack of skill, or fear . . .

With: Brad, Dennis, Derek, Ryan

Skinned up Brighton

Getting better at skinning.

Nice powder runs.

Fell a lot.

With: Brad, Dennis, Derek, Nick, Sean

Skinned up Alta. Ate me up cardio wise. Top half of the run down was awesome. Bottom half was skinny, cat tracky, and brutal.

Near the bottom, something that “looked” like fresh pow ate my lunch. Solid ice camouflaged as powder. You can see my arms try to find balance in the video. Damn shadows 🙂

Excited about the new season. First run last year was on October 7th! Now I need to get my playlist in order, and decide what “tool” I’m going to use . . . . leaning toward Mog.

This page is going to be used to keep track of my ski journal, so I know how many days I have skied / boarded this season!

Total Days Skied / Ridden
=====

* Pre Season: 2
* Post Season: 1

This season, I bought / received the following gear, that I can’t wait to try out. Well — I don’t want to really try out the avalanche gear . . . but I want to play with the rest of it!

* Avalanche Probe – I got this for my birthday in march . . . but now I have something to carry it with (see below)
* Shiny Green Pants – Not to be confused with the Shiny Green Suit on *Good Morning, Vietnam!* – Tammy bought me some new ski pants on sale . . . hope they fit my larger, summer, bottom.
* [2010/2011 Rossignol Experience Snowboard – 159](http://www.neilprovo.com/2010/09/2010-2011-rossignol-experience.html) – This is the same size as my old board (now a rock board), but more of an all mountain one. I could have used one a bit longer, but, $100 for a used demo board fits nicely. Found it at used @ Snowbird.
* Avalanche Shovel – $20 @ sniagrab!
* [Voile Mojo Split Decision](http://www.backcountry.com/bcs/review/Voile-Mojo-171-Split-Decision/137413.html) – With bindings from Second Tracks. Much love for that store.
* Black Diamond Covert Avalung Pack from Snowbird swap. (Now holding all my avalanche gear)
* [Voile Splitboard Skins](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FWVHD6/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00) – New from Amazon
* [Ortovox 3+ Avalanche Beacon](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003CMQB4W/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00) – New From Amazon