TOP SNOWFALL

Hugh Conway · #**101** 09-23-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKPogue

Didn't you know, skiing is for rich white people only so anything that brings the poor to the sport so they can maybe have a little fun is BAD!!!

86% of India lives on less than $2.50 a day. Clearly I'm a horrible person for thinking working to change that would be a good thing and teaching them skiing is pretty irrelevant.

Care about the poor in Kashmir? Teach them to read and write:
http://kashmirmedia.wordpress.com/20...us-in-j-and-k/

Quote:

Then the study concludes that there is direct relationship between illiteracy and incidence of poverty.

AKPogue · #**102** 09-23-2009, 02:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

86% of India lives on less than $2.50 a day. Clearly I'm a horrible person for thinking working to change that would be a good thing and teaching them skiing is pretty irrelevant.

Care about the poor in Kashmir? Teach them to read and write:
http://kashmirmedia.wordpress.com/20...us-in-j-and-k/

I am apologize for being so stupid. I was under the impression that poor people like to have fun too, but I am so glad that you have set me straight that fun is only for the rich. Guess when I was in Iraq with the Marines we shouldn't have given the kids soccer balls and other stuff but should have given them books and educational items.

Hugh Conway · #**103** 09-23-2009, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKPogue

I am apologize for being so stupid. I was under the impression that poor people like to have fun too, but I am so glad that you have set me straight that fun is only for the rich. Guess when I was in Iraq with the Marines we shouldn't have given the kids soccer balls and other stuff but should have given them books and educational items.

They already play cricket for fun. I'm not "antifun" I'm pointing out that the painfully obvious - skiing is an expensive sport they are unlikely ever to participate in again. If you want to play MakeAWish foundation, cool.

AKPogue · #**104** 09-23-2009, 05:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

They already play cricket for fun. I'm not "antifun" I'm pointing out that the painfully obvious - skiing is an expensive sport they are unlikely ever to participate in again. If you want to play MakeAWish foundation, cool.

Especially if you think they should pay for lessons rather than get them for free!!!!

boltonoutlaw · #**105** 09-23-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

They already play cricket for fun. I'm not "antifun" I'm pointing out that the painfully obvious - skiing is an expensive sport they are unlikely ever to participate in again. If you want to play MakeAWish foundation, cool.

Oh, so their fun quota is capped off, according to you. I'll let them know that, according to you, after a few googlys, it's time to return to the spinning wheels. Dude, you are a bitter human being.

In addition, you spew when you have zero possession of the facts. In addition to teaching skills, equipment is provided, and when possible, so are lift tickets.

The goal is to create a local cadre with sufficient skills to grow and teach the sport to other Kashmiris, so that foreign assistance is no longer needed. If we were doing it solely to make ourselves feel good, why would the end goal be to teach ourselves right out of a "job"?

Hugh, I've read your posts - you only chime in to lay a turd on whatever the current topic happens to be. Rarely do you offer solutions. Go back to your sad little hole of a life.

boltonoutlaw · #**106** 09-23-2009, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Clearly I'm a horrible person for thinking working to change that would be a good thing and teaching them skiing is pretty irrelevant.

Yeah, I'd agree: You clearly are horrible - why can't Kashmiris have both literacy and a few simple pleasures?

boltonoutlaw · #**107** 09-23-2009, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

That's damn easy for me to avoid.

Please, stay TF away! Your attitude is unwelcome! Boo. Hiss.

Hugh Conway · #**108** 09-25-2009, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

If we were doing it solely to make ourselves feel good, why would the end goal be to teach ourselves right out of a "job"?

Because you all fly home at the end of winter?

D Watson · #**109** 09-25-2009, 07:59 AM

^Hard to call it a job when you are not getting paid, or getting paid very little. In some cases the Kashmiris are making more money than their "trainers". When we go home it is to see our families and for us to go to work so we have the funds to return and continue helping to rebuild tourism(and ride powder). And when we leave, that is when their schooling starts. Our company pays for an english teacher to come to the village to teach (anyone is welcome) how to read, write, count and speak english. If they can't count, how will they read the #'s on an avie transceiver? These guys are an inspiration to the others in the villages. We are just trying to keep things moving in a positive direction.

boltonoutlaw · #**110** 09-25-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by llyon

Since this [is]...the official Gulmarg thread...

GUNFIGHTS KILL EIGHT IN KASHMIR - Gulmarg '09/10

Quote:

24 September 2009
Srinagar, India (CNN) - An Indian army officer, a naval commando and two top militant commanders were among eight people killed in two extended gunfights in Indian-administered Kashmir, a senior police officer said Wednesday.

The officer said an army major of the elite counterinsurgency Rashtriya Rifles force and a soldier were killed by militant fire Tuesday evening when security forces stormed a house in Banyari, a village in the northern Kashmir district of Bandipora.

Sh*t! I just sold my Ogio Flak Jacket yesterday...

kickflip · #**111** 09-25-2009, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewmc

This is the link:

http://www.skihimalaya.com/gulmarg/m...powdercats.php

I spent a month skiing there in 2006. Found out that the Kashmir Powdercats are not actually a Powder cat operation and people I met on my trip felt extremely ripped off by the service provided by this company. If you are an idiot and need travel help planning and like to get ripped off then go for it. But if you are capable I would highly recommend doing it on your own. Feel free to send me any specific questions.

boltonoutlaw · #**112** 09-27-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kickflip

...Found out that the Kashmir Powdercats are not actually a Powder cat operation...

That is because "Powdercats" refers to the snow leopards that live in this area, and it is the name the guides chose for themselves.

For the record, cat skiing is not offered, and never was, by this operator, nor any other at Gulmarg. When customers were brought uphill by machine, it was as an initiative prompted by an unusually long mechanical failure of the gondola.

mc_roon · #**113** 10-22-2009, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kickflip

I spent a month skiing there in 2006. Found out that the Kashmir Powdercats are not actually a Powder cat operation and people I met on my trip felt extremely ripped off by the service provided by this company. If you are an idiot and need travel help planning and like to get ripped off then go for it. But if you are capable I would highly recommend doing it on your own. Feel free to send me any specific questions.

i didnt book with them, but some people I met there who did had the exact same reaction. I posted my views in a thread started by the owner/operator, but that thread appears to have been deleted.

DWatson and boltonoutlaw are affiliated and are both great guys who do great work with the locals so I will refrain from going on a long rant.

just go, you won't regret it.

it may be about time to start a new thread compiling who is going and how long. Who knows, a group discount may be possible for some of these hotels.

Hugh Conway · #**114** 10-23-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boltonoutlaw

For the record, cat skiing is not offered, and never was, by this operator, nor any other at Gulmarg.

That's untrue. The powdercats were instrumental in getting us dragged up the groomers by the brand new Pisten Bullys (which didn't do much grooming because fuel was sold on the black market) when the lift broke.

Your organization is the long arm of an occupying power - hope the pulse of deep thrusting GOI cock feels good in your asshole. They do the great work of the White Man's burden.

samthaman · #**115** 10-23-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

That's untrue. The powdercats were instrumental in getting us dragged up the groomers by the brand new Pisten Bullys (which didn't do much grooming because fuel was sold on the black market) when the lift broke.

Your organization is the long arm of an occupying power - hope the pulse of deep thrusting GOI cock feels good in your asshole. They do the great work of the White Man's burden.

hugh -

When were you there? I'd like it if you could fill us in a bit more with what actually happened in india while you were there. I ask because you seem to be gulmarg's jaded local and have lots of strong opinions about the place.

Hugh Conway · #**116** 10-23-2009, 09:53 AM

I'm in India at the moment. Was last in J&K last month.

Gulmarg ski area is funded by Government of Jammu & Kashmir and the Government of India directly/indirectly. Why? Because they need to legitimize their claim to Kashmir when you get down to brass tacks.

It's an area with great snow, decent terrain, it's just been massively oversold by the ski media which gets (mostly free) trips to pimp it. The constant media assisted pimping is something I'm tired of in the ski industry and this is a great example.

Go to google earth and compare the terrain around Manali vs. Gulmarg for BC skiing. the Kullu has 10x the terrain, 1/100th the people and if you are looking for "backcountry" is where to go. It's also cheaper to get to, cheaper to stay in, and IMHO, more scenic (aside from the fucking bongos)

xyz · #**117** 10-23-2009, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samthaman

hugh -

When were you there? I'd like it if you could fill us in a bit more with what actually happened in india while you were there.

the upper lift broke down for like 2 weeks. the weak departed, the smart skinned up and had world class top to bottom untouched pow decents.

mc_roon · #**118** 10-24-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Gulmarg ski area is funded by Government of Jammu & Kashmir and the Government of India directly/indirectly. Why? Because they need to legitimize their claim to Kashmir when you get down to brass tacks.

the lift was also built to ferry troops and gear to their mountaintop outpost. Lets not forget that. And having a bunch of foreigners around is a big incentive for Pakistan to not lob a bunch of artillery shells onto the base lower down.

If we are getting down to brass tacks.

As for its 'pimping' by the ski media, sure its far better known today then it was 5 years ago, but still what is the total number of visitors(from western countries) each winter? I would guess that it is around 500 and would be shocked if it was more then 1000.

llyon · #**119** 10-27-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Go to google earth and compare the terrain around Manali vs. Gulmarg for BC skiing. the Kullu has 10x the terrain, 1/100th the people and if you are looking for "backcountry" is where to go. It's also cheaper to get to, cheaper to stay in, and IMHO, more scenic (aside from the fucking bongos)

On that note, anyone planning on spending time in Manali this winter? Ive been reading through Ski Touring India's Kullu Valley, and Im thinking about going there for March maybe.

boltonoutlaw · #**120** 10-30-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

That's untrue. The powdercats were instrumental in getting us dragged up the groomers by the brand new Pisten Bullys (which didn't do much grooming because fuel was sold on the black market) when the lift broke.

Hey Doucher: How is that ^^^ so different from what I said? I said the machines were used in an emergency, and as you know, since you are in India after all, these machines do not belong to Kashmir Powdercats, and they do not offer the use of the machines for commercial purposes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Your organization is the long arm of an occupying power - hope the pulse of deep thrusting GOI cock feels good in your asshole. They do the great work of the White Man's burden.

Hunh? You got a thing for cock, Hugh? You mention it at every opportunity.

xyz · #**121** 11-03-2009, 12:24 PM

probably best to dig your own snowcave...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...in_kashmi.html

samthaman · #**122** 11-03-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xyz

probably best to dig your own snowcave...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...in_kashmi.html

that's the most entertaining/interesting headline i've seen in a very long time.

boltonoutlaw · #**123** 11-03-2009, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xyz

probably best to dig your own snowcave...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/worl...in_kashmi.html

Going for the Win/Win:

Quote:

Ironically, wild animal populations like bears and leopards have flourished since the armed conflict intensified - a fact attributed to the absence of poachers in areas of heavy fighting, the BBC reported.

samthaman · #**124** 11-08-2009, 09:45 PM

a few Specific questions for those that have been there:

- Electric outlets: I've read all outlets are 240v @ 50hz, is that correct?
- Internet: To what extent is it available/where? more curious than anything.
- Anyone fly Spicejet? it looks to be a bit cheaper than kingfisher air and Indian air.... is there a reason to worry about that?
- Green heights hotel: listed at 750 ruppes a night. is that correct? possible to negotiate for a long term stay? Thoughts on the place?

thanks.

Who's committed at this point?

xyz · #**125** 11-09-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samthaman

a few Specific questions for those that have been there:

- Electric outlets: I've read all outlets are 240v @ 50hz, is that correct?
- Internet: To what extent is it available/where? more curious than anything.
- Anyone fly Spicejet? it looks to be a bit cheaper than kingfisher air and Indian air.... is there a reason to worry about that?
- Green heights hotel: listed at 750 ruppes a night. is that correct? possible to negotiate for a long term stay? Thoughts on the place?

thanks.

Who's committed at this point?

outlets? bring a head lamp.

internet? bwhahahaha. in 2007 there was nothing but rumors of internet.

airline? i flew with Jet Airways (i'm pretty sure at least) from delhi to srinagar. it had better service and newer planes than United.

hotel? everything is up for negotiation (you haven't learnt much from this thread yet, have you?)

PS, PM Hugh Conway.