• Jack-it Night: April 2024 RS Meeting Hey Guest: Wed. April 3rd is the next Rising Sun meeting, and you won't want to miss it. We're doing our annual offroad recovery equipment demonstration and trail skills training aka "Jack It Night." Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. (early) Click here for all the details.

Winter Backcountry

On the RX

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Aside from ripping through snow inside a cab with the heat on, what else do you do in the white and drifting snow?
I'm am getting into backcountry snowboarding with power assisted rides to the top. Between my brother and friends, I have access up to 5 sleds that can pull 3 skiers behind each one. Does anyone else ride (board, skis or sled) in this group?
 

DanInDenver

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Jan 12, 2013
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Denver
Be safe, supposed to be a worse year for avalanches.
 

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AlpineAccess

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Nov 19, 2019
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Loveland
Snowboard, cross country ski (nordic and skate), snowshoe, hike, camp, love it all.

Really hoping folks have a safe year in the backcountry. Lots of people getting into skinning due to covid restrictions and the pack is super sketchy.

Think some backcountry stuff as part of a short run would be a lot of fun!
 
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On the RX

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It has not gotten off to a good year yet. Heading up on Saturday to bury some transponders and get my searching game back on point. I hope to add an airbag system to my gear this winter. It bumped a ps5 down lower on the list! The ps5 may be the safer bet though. We pretty much stay out of the 30 to 50° range.
 

AlpineAccess

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It has not gotten off to a good year yet. Heading up on Saturday to bury some transponders and get my searching game back on point. I hope to add an airbag system to my gear this winter. It bumped a ps5 down lower on the list! The ps5 may be the safer bet though. We pretty much stay out of the 30 to 50° range.

I have a lot to learn! Sounds like a good time!
 

Shuksan

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Nov 1, 2017
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Denver
I have been backcountry snowboarding (hiking and sidecountry then splitboarding) for many years now. The uphill exercise, solitude, and access to remote alpine has been something that I have found great joy and satisfaction in. Of course last February I had a traumatic accident on a backcountry hut trip, breaking my back leading to a long recovery. My group was very well prepared and our inReach devices helped save my life. My back is not quite ready for snowboarding, but its close and only been 10 months. Also don't know if my head is ready yet either.

With the terrible snowpack and massive influx of new users in the backcountry I don't know if I would be out there anyways right now. Certainly not at the normal spots. Educate yourself. Be wary of group dynamics (feeling safer in numbers, not knowing who is in charge of making decisions, etc).

There certainly are supposed to be some spring access areas that combine driving in as far as you can and then manpowering the rest of the way.
 

On the RX

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Several people in the group have taken avi and sar training as well as having an emt and nurse with us most days. Everyone but myself carry an inReach as well as back country radios. I do need to get some avi classes under my belt. I am the most novice and have the least gear, which is why I am also the most docile of the group. We also hold to the adage of sticking together and if someone doesn't feel comfortable then no one does it. The team dynamics are similar to caving, BASE jumping, canyoning, mtn biking, ect. There is no end to education while enjoying nature.
 

Shuksan

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Several people in the group have taken avi and sar training as well as having an emt and nurse with us most days. Everyone but myself carry an inReach as well as back country radios. I do need to get some avi classes under my belt. I am the most novice and have the least gear, which is why I am also the most docile of the group. We also hold to the adage of sticking together and if someone doesn't feel comfortable then no one does it. The team dynamics are similar to caving, BASE jumping, canyoning, mtn biking, ect. There is no end to education while enjoying nature.
Good partners you can trust is where its at!
 

DaveInDenver

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Grand Junction
With the terrible snowpack and massive influx of new users in the backcountry I don't know if I would be out there anyways right now.
Old timer meadow stompers like @L43dean surely must have thought the same about my generation when we started backcountry skiing in the 1990s. Back when audible Pieps beepers were cutting edge. Should've seen the place before people like us ruined it!
 

FunkyYota

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Nov 6, 2019
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304
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Evergreen
A friend of mine and myself each got sleds this year for sled skiing. We're rocking some older sleds (2008/9), and a pretty redneck trailer setup, but its been awesome so far.

Usually we do about 50/50 ski touring and resort skiing.This year its more like 69% sledding and sled skiing. Which has been awesome, but I've also been stuck rebuilding this motor for the second time this season. First time the oil injection line came off (PO didn't properly torque banjo bolt), second the c-clip popped out of the piston and KO'd the cylinder.

We've got a few hut trips planned. Those are usually a good time.

Getting a complete avalanche setup including training is a good idea. I picked up an airbag last winter, its definitely nice to have, but the goal is still to never be in an avalanche. I took avvy1 and WFR about 8 years ago. Both would be nice to take a a formal refresher on.
 

On the RX

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Let me know if you ever want to meet up and rip some lines/ dig out buried sleds!
 

FunkyYota

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haha yea that sounds like a good time. I'll send you a PM
 

60wag

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Aug 23, 2005
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Not exactly backcountry but very impressive. I'm trying to imagine climbing Copper mountain 21 times in one day. Just doing 21 runs down the mountain was enough for me 20 years ago.

 

KC Masterpiece

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Not exactly backcountry but very impressive. I'm trying to imagine climbing Copper mountain 21 times in one day. Just doing 21 runs down the mountain was enough for me 20 years ago.


That girl is a beast. She beat me at this year's Imperial Challange in Breck (10k run then uphill to peak 8 and ski down) by a huge margin. She also kicked my ass in all the uphill races I did this season.

I am planning to race the power of 4 in Aspen next year and am 100% sure she will kick my ass again....

Late to the party but I have gotten very into splitboarding the past two years and racked up over 60 self powered days (so far) this season. Definitely interested in getting out on the snow with some club members next year.
 
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powderpig

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Aug 25, 2005
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Well, back in the 80's in Alaska. There were a few huts I used to ski out of in the winter. About 8 hrs of total light (about 5 hrs direct and 1.5 hrs twilight on each side on shortest day of the year) start out in the morning before sunrise. I use to pound out about 10-11K in those low light days. Sometime with friends, most often by my self. Most of the Mts and glaciers are low by Colorado standards, and it was nice not having to suck low O2 air while working hard. Day into and out of some of these huts, use to haul in kerosene for the heater we used, in the summer when we could use the trucks to get closer to the huts. Back in those days I would ski a 100 plus days(close to 10 years of that life style). I do miss those carefree days, work hard, play hard. All on Tele equipment, Supersingle boots, or later the the First Scarpa boots.
Yup, that gal is an Animal to climb and ski that much in a 24hr day. Does not sound like she had to break trail, doing it at a resort. But still a feat of human strength, endurance.
 

nakman

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@KC Masterpiece I feel like split boarding is my next winter hobby.. I just can't take the time and cost penalty of traditional resort skiing anymore. Plus I'd prefer to be alone, and sweat. If you ever get a line on a decent used setup hit me up! Or lmk if you decide to upgrade, etc.
 

KC Masterpiece

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@KC Masterpiece I feel like split boarding is my next hobby.. ship has already sailed on this season but hoping by next I can get into it. If you ever get a line on a decent used setup hit me up! Or lmk if you decide to upgrade, etc.

As luck would have it I actually do have two Split setups right now and was considering parting with one. I might be interested in using that as partial payment on some Gamiviti items as a proper rack may be in in my future this year. Right now your gutter mounts are working great with my hillbilly unistrut crossbars.

My first split was from Prowder, small one man shop. Essentially a guy in Conifer making them in his garage. Quality was great especially considering he is doing carbon boards for a really good price. I would definitely reccomend checking them out.

This year I started racing and am at a constant disadvantage due to the weight. No matter what you do a splitboard is always going to be heavier than ultralight skimo gear. I did make the switch to the darkside and I now ride with hardboots which has been a night and day difference. With a lighter boot / board combo I was able to shed 2lbs of weight off each foot.

If your ever in the area or I am heading down to Denver I can bring both setups so you can see how they work. Now that I have moved over to hard boots I am not sure if I will ever go back. A few of my training buddies keep telling me that I am dangerously close to reinventing skiing. :cool:
 

Shuksan

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@KC Masterpiece I feel like split boarding is my next winter hobby.. I just can't take the time and cost penalty of traditional resort skiing anymore. Plus I'd prefer to be alone, and sweat. If you ever get a line on a decent used setup hit me up! Or lmk if you decide to upgrade, etc.
Making your own is certainly an option too and well within your skills. I made my first one ~5 years ago from one of my old boards and I was much worse at building/making things then. That board actually worked great for a couple years.

IMHO bindings are a more important investment than a factory board if you aren't sure you want to fully commit to an expensive setup.

Also this time of year companies are selling their demo boards. Weston has some for ok prices (https://westonbackcountry.com/colle...demo-splitboards-20-21?variant=39371243618409). If you are interested in their stuff let me know before you buy.
 

nakman

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Making your own is certainly an option too and well within your skills. I made my first one ~5 years ago from one of my old boards and I was much worse at building/making things then. That board actually worked great for a couple years.

IMHO bindings are a more important investment than a factory board if you aren't sure you want to fully commit to an expensive setup.

Also this time of year companies are selling their demo boards. Weston has some for ok prices (https://westonbackcountry.com/colle...demo-splitboards-20-21?variant=39371243618409). If you are interested in their stuff let me know before you buy.
I didn't even consider that... and I have a couple old snowboards that I could consider doing this on. I need to understand more about the bindings though, how they would connect in both configurations... also also best way to latch the two halves together. if only there was a way to search stuff... :rolleyes:
 
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