Dropping down to town with ZZZ and friend. First lap was great but variable. Second lap was just powder with some serious surface hoar over it....

That seems exactly what I need - a bit more commuting focused is great. Is there anything similar but cheaper though? I thought a smaller, simpler...

Zoom in to see the rider - it’s not me. I took the below pic from his starting point earlier today, it just didn’t feel right with wind board...

Anyone have a rec for a hard tail EMTB with 27.5 or 29 tires with mounts for racks?

SAR pulled out a guy a week ago in that area who thought he was going down Sisters bowl and eventually decided he made a wrong turn and got rescued....

Not sure what you mean, why don't you tell us what you heard? Those tracks looked like they were laid down by people who knew where they were going...