Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I picked up some new skins at Rappie's on saturday evening. As all my friends were busy snowboarding on the baby slopes and the pistes were pretty icy on Sunday, I decided to give them a test run with a light hike up from the Grat quad to the first peak along the ridge. No skiing and no long distances as I was all on my lonesome. I was pretty glad that I had selected shaped skins. Previously I had only skinned on powder, which was very easy going. On the pitted crust that was coating the ridgeline, grip was occasionally a little trickier. I even slipped over one time and started sliding down the face. It took me a couple of secs to stop myself as well as I hadn't factored in the free-heels, which meant that it was a little harder to just jam my skis into the ice. Anyway, the extra surface area definitely made a difference. Here are some photos from the top. You've all seen the same views captured far better by the usual Hakuba crew (I am a bad photographer, and on top of that the weather was cloudy), but it was a real pleasure to take them in with my own eyes. I will see them again in just a couple of days! Just to prove it Please forgive the jacket pattern... Some of the views Link to post Share on other sites
me jane 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Nice pics. Wear that jacket to the station and we'll have no probs finding you tomorrow Link to post Share on other sites
grungy-gonads 54 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thanks King... don't be put off by the Pro Photo Geeks - they are fine shots. Thanks for sharing. Link to post Share on other sites
thursday 1 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Fine photos. Yeah, dun let those photo nerds give you a hard time. Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Good pics! Always good to see photos of beautiful mountains! Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Hey, I like the photo geeks! Makes you realise what's possible. Link to post Share on other sites
Stuntcok 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 I don't see any reason to appologise for the jacket either. Not until FT appologises for his purple getup he wears this year at least. Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Nice going Kin! Did you end up dropping somewhere? Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Originally Posted By: Stuntcok I don't see any reason to appologise for the jacket either. Not until FT appologises for his purple getup he wears this year at least. The trousers are quite... eyecatching. Still, I think he can back up the style with his skiing a little better than I can! Link to post Share on other sites
Kumapix 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 nice pics king. Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Originally Posted By: tsondaboy Nice going Kin! Did you end up dropping somewhere? I wanted to, but I didn't. The visibility was great and I couldn't see what might have gone wrong, but I've read enough stuff here and elsewhere to let caution win over, especially considering that I am inexperienced and was alone. I hadn't even checked any avy forecasts that morning. I'm basically "all the gear but no idea", although I am super keen to get more experience under my belt. It was so refreshing just to go for a short hike in the open - although my heart was hammering on the steep sections, it's hard work! Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Fear is the mindkiller (borrowed line ) when coming down a slope but your best advisor when going up. I hardy ever hike alone and I am not that more experienced than you. Just did my ARAC course last season. You should try do take an avie course someday. It wont make you a BC expert, but it will open your eyes to what's out there. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Good job and good choice not to drop anything. Getting up there and taking a look is a great idea though. The ridge is a safe walk and a safe ski back down. The conditions in the high alpine are horrible at the moment. Your ski wouldve been on wind loaded slopes or just plain ice! Baby steps and youll get into those lines sooner than you think. Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thanks guys. Yes, I think I am beginning to lose the fearlessness of youth at an ever accelerating rate. I am going to do the Evergreen course at the start of March, should be helpful. I think this thread: http://www.snowjapanforums.com/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Main/5707/Number/100997#Post100997 has been a good guide for as to the good things and the bad things that can happen in the big mountains. The terrain looks gorgeous, but brings its risks. Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Are you taking the 2 day RAC or the 5 day ARAC course? I want to take CAA Level 1 next season. Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Author Share Posted January 24, 2008 Ah, just the two day course for the time being... sadly mountains and investment banking are not always happy bedfellows... Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 Thats enough for the time being. It will get you pumped and asking for more. Link to post Share on other sites
contender 0 Posted January 24, 2008 Share Posted January 24, 2008 How much is the 2 day course? Link to post Share on other sites
2pints-mate 0 Posted January 25, 2008 Share Posted January 25, 2008 Good photos! I'll be taking some myself soon I hope. Link to post Share on other sites
BagOfCrisps 24 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Good pics, King-san. Your jacket is also lovely. Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 I'm going to keep the jacket for comedy resort days. Could have taken some awesome pics (for me) this weekend but too busy getting covered in snow head to foot! Link to post Share on other sites
Ewok 2 1 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Originally Posted By: Kingofmyrrh Originally Posted By: Stuntcok I don't see any reason to appologise for the jacket either. Not until FT appologises for his purple getup he wears this year at least. The trousers are quite... eyecatching. I noticed some fish on ft's purple outfit King-san, nice pictures and you look very different with your ski jacket. Link to post Share on other sites
Kingofmyrrh 0 Posted January 28, 2008 Author Share Posted January 28, 2008 haha, yes everyone says it looks nothing like me... Link to post Share on other sites
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