Thread: 11/12 Mt. Hood

Originally Posted by blackdog102395

Skiing the backcountry requires a different mindset. It's just as much about the up as it's about the down. Also, you make every decision knowing that you only have you and your partner to count on not if but when it hits the fan. If you can get your head wrapped around these two concepts, then the backcountry is a good place to be.

Southeast Maggot, thanks for the report. I'm looking to make some turns tomorrow with White River and Gnarl Ridge in the running.

i can get my head around it. that's why i have to decide whether it's worth the risk at this point.

i also don't want to limit the possibilities for a family member in the future, and bc touring would be pretty special.

anyone up for a tour on Rainier this friday? Looks goood..

Originally Posted by blackdog102395

...you make every decision knowing that you only have you and your partner to count on not if but when it hits the fan.

I get the gist of what you're saying, but you plan for the best, and prepare for the worst. The hierarchy is avoid > mitigate > manage. When you say "not if, but when", you're omitting the first two steps.

Originally Posted by The SMP

Bowl delivered today. I had to leave around lunch, but the soft stuff was really starting to pile up, outback opened around 11. And surprisingly there was no traffic even after i left portland around 730, although there were some downhill accidents. Tomorrow should be great.

Rope drop was at 10:29, first tracks just past OB3 and in Gunsight Notch...SWEET!

Hell, yeah!

18F and 18"

I'll be at meadows for lineup with the wife - the boy is conveniently at a friend's for a sleepover

Bring on the pow!

i looked around and settled in for 25 laps of 1 and 2 bowl. i'm not very exciting.

Originally Posted by pisteoff

I get the gist of what you're saying, but you plan for the best, and prepare for the worst. The hierarchy is avoid > mitigate > manage. When you say "not if, but when", you're omitting the first two steps.

You are absolutely correct that prevention goes a long way to avoiding the need to "manage." However, every experienced BC rider has their "management story" to tell. There is just too much variance in such a dynamic environment to limit all risk through avoidance and mitigation (short of staying home). Your point is well taken, but spend enough time in the BC and you will eventually have a matter to "manage." That being said, just how big a matter is most often inversely correlated to the amount of avoidance and mitigation employed (with the exception of plain bad luck), which certainly supports your point.

Skibowl delivered the goods tonight. Deep pow with tons of fun airs. Puking the entire night. Face shots and cliff hucks with an old HS friend were a great way to celebrate an injury free year after breaking my leg one year ago today in the Baker backcountry!

Telemetry says 25" !!!

Woohoo!

EDIT: I'm all taken care of!

Help!

my ski/work buddy just bailed on me for a half day session @ skibowl. I bike commute, mrs. nic.a needs the car for work today. Any portland area maggots help a brother out?

My office is in SW Portland [pow gear is here and ready to slay] next to the bridgeport mall. I'll cover your gas and beers if you can help me get to the pow.

PM me, post, I don't care.

Thanks. Nic-

Originally Posted by Nic.A

Help!

my ski/work buddy just bailed on me for a half day session @ skibowl. I bike commute, mrs. nic.a needs the car for work today. Any portland area maggots help a brother out?

My office is in SW Portland [pow gear is here and ready to slay] next to the bridgeport mall. I'll cover your gas and beers if you can help me get to the pow.

PM me, post, I don't care.

Thanks. Nic-

good luck, man.

Jealous. Stuck at work with the boss in from out of town. Yet another window will pass without me. My bitterness is fading though, stoked for those who get up there! I might get in Thursday night at the Bowl, or perhaps a day at Meadows Friday.

Thanks, man. Might have to make it a 5pm trip. If any other mags want a ride up, hit me up. maybe it won't get racked out too fast.

EDIT: I'm all taken care of!

THAT IS ,UNLESS SOMEONE CAN GET ME TO ANY OF THE RESORTS this am/afternoon[but if you take me to T-line, I might decline cause T-Line is for touring, and I'm jonesin' to hot lap it up on the lifts. I'd sooner buy you a ticket to skibowl].

Originally Posted by spook

good luck, man.

Pissed I can't make it today.

^^^Same - wife gave me her head cold (don't start!)

Hope you assholes have a good time today...

Originally Posted by telebobski

^^^Same - wife gave me her head cold (don't start!)

Hope you assholes have a good time today...

At least you have an decent excuse. my flaky 'friend'/co-workertold me he was having a hard time getting his stuff together. WTF!

Originally Posted by Nic.A

At least you have an decent excuse. my flaky 'friend'/co-workertold me he was having a hard time getting his stuff together. WTF!

that's grounds for finding a new friend/coworker today. add me to the list sitting at home jealous.

Looks like people are getting pitted at Meadows.

Originally Posted by blackdog102395

experienced BC rider has their "management story" to tell

Yep... partner with a broken leg, and broken heel-piece makes for long one-skied walk, to name a few.

I agree with you. What I was trying to say is advice to newbies often puts too much emphasis on companion rescue vs. avoidance.

its so over. sad to say, this isn't the first time he's flaked on me. but there are about 20 reasons why today matters...thats 20" and counting.

Okay. Im outahere.

Originally Posted by spook

that's grounds for finding a new friend/coworker today. add me to the list sitting at home jealous.

Originally Posted by pisteoff

Yep... partner with a broken leg, and broken heel-piece makes for long one-skied walk, to name a few.

I agree with you. What I was trying to say is advice to newbies often puts too much emphasis on companion rescue vs. avoidance.

In my original post I think I was also trying to get at the idea that new BCers often enter the backcountry with the a "resort" mentality. They think they can drop a cornice or cliff band because they have the skill set without thinking about the repercussion if it goes all wrong. Switching from an in bounds to and out of bounds mindset is very difficult for people when they're use to accessing the mountains at an advanced level.

Anyway, I wish I was accessing the mountains at this very moment instead of having an academic discussion on my lunch break.The snow totals are impressive to say the least. Hopefully things stabilize by Saturday. I'd like to tackle something a little longer and bigger.

Just got a half day off. Leaving NE Portland at 1pm if anybody wants a ride. Skibowl. Just want to get there early to play with the dog before sticking her in the car for 3 hours.

Originally Posted by telebobski

Hope you assholes have a good time today...

[lunch break]

Thanks!!!

Kids, who can say"shit eatin grin"?
I knew you could!



[\lunch break]

Just throwing it out there, as I may have a flakey friend problem also. Anyone up for carpooling to Meadows Friday morning for an early shift? I can drive. (Outback with studs)

Not 100% I am going yet as I have to clear this on the home front...

Only issue, need to be back in PDX by 3 p.m. or so...