Its Baaaack: EC roll call version 4.0(beta)

[drewvw]

I wrote it up on FIS last night...I'll update it tomorrow am.

duh, should have checked there first...thanks.

[neufox47]

I think I remember from reading that the reason ropes usually break in an avalanche is that the rope is being loaded while being bombarded by rocks, ice, etc and the rope gets cut rather than breaking under pure tension.

[JerseyDave]

I think I remember from reading that the reason ropes usually break in an avalanche is that the rope is being loaded while being bombarded by rocks, ice, etc and the rope gets cut rather than breaking under pure tension.

Yea, that makes good sense if teathered climbers both get swept. In the case of a ski cut, I think a little hang-fire would be of concern, not major snowpack rippage...but depends on the situation I guess.

[Bluebird]

yeah, that is the other option. Might have a snowboarder in tow, but he is less about beer drinking so maybe we will ditch him.

I can't go this year, but plenty of time to consume a beer on the lift here:

March 17, 2011 St. Patrick's Day Special Wear green and ski for only $17 MRG www.madriverglen.com/deals/

I bet it dumps, too.

[atkinsonvt]

Today is simply gorgeous at Sugarbush.


Egan arcing.


Nice turn!


Jake dropping over the rocks.


Digfoot sighting!

If you are on the fence about the weekend, the temps look good for mostly to all snow at elevation.

John

[BigDaddy]

yeah, that is the other option. Might have a snowboarder in tow, but he is less about beer drinking so maybe we will ditch him.

You bringing Bridger?


jk... I know you have your morals. $17 is kinda hard to beat. I would be down for St Patty's at MRG.

[somerandomskinner]

I didn't see this video celebration of Ryan Hawks posted yet.
Terrible accident, amazing skier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5q0rMjaG_Uk

[radam]

Anyone going to be at Magic tomorrow that has a #3 posidrive screwdriver I can borrow? Need to pull some binders off a pair of skis.

[mtnbiker/boarder]

have a great weekend all....MRG on patty's day sounds like alot of fun.....

[PearlJam09]

Anyone going to be at Magic tomorrow that has a #3 posidrive screwdriver I can borrow? Need to pull some binders off a pair of skis.

I keep one in my bag at all times. You're welcome to it.

[PearlJam09]

Crowded is just part of the fun on St. Patty's Day. Does Mount snow get any bumps?

It was super warm and sunny last year. They left bumps on the north face and beartrap and the rest of the place bumped up nicely by the end of the day.

[Bluebird]

Anyone going to be at Magic tomorrow that has a #3 posidrive screwdriver I can borrow? Need to pull some binders off a pair of skis.

I can bring one in. Lets just hope I don't forget. If not, I can grab you one from rentals most likely.

[ex-powderbroker]

If you are on the fence about the weekend, the temps look good for mostly to all snow at elevation.

"Of course, I can get a hell of a good look at a T-Bone steak by sticking my head up a bull's ass, but I'd rather take the butcher's word for it."

i.s. not looking very good here (mount ellen, 3K): http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick...&FcstType=text

[gpcharles]

a F2 fall force is so great it can ripp out anchors, break your back and YOU DIE!!! lol would like to some photos of this happening.

avalanches never do that to people or stout trees though, so the force probably isn't there to snap a rope


look. i'm not saying every avalanche can do it... but the forces can align to snap a rope... and CERTAINLY an anchor (which would likely happen first for all but the most stout of anchors). i'm looking for some references now.

anyway that was my point. end of story. don't count on a rope being an ABSOLUTE safe option in avalanche terrain. esp skiing on belay where you can get alot more snow above you...

[JerseyDave]

avalanches never do that to people though, so the force probably isn't there to snap a rope.

Sure if your rope was tied off to a tree that was hit with the full force of a slide it would break a rope. Totally different then being tied off to a person who cuts a slope at the top of a potential slide. Apples and Oranges there.

[strawjack]

^ ya, roped ski mountaineering is or can be good for no fall zones/crux, but avi...forget it.

[gpcharles]

Sure if your rope was tied off to a tree that was hit with the full force of a slide it would break a rope. Totally different then being tied off to a person who cuts a slope at the top of a potential slide. Apples and Oranges there.

all right all right... i didn't realize the discussion was so well defined.

personally i'd not want to be tied to a person doing a ski cut though in the first place...

[jgb@etree]

Anyone going to be at Magic tomorrow that has a #3 posidrive screwdriver I can borrow? Need to pull some binders off a pair of skis.

I'll have one in the car.

Edit: Page top tunes

[talus]

sure a rope will break if it was loaded in such a way that a break would occur. neufax47 i don't think that would be the case if you ever go ice climbing ice chunks always come down on the ropes never had a problem w breakage. come on greg avalanche tug of war sounds like fun anyway freakin wild photo!

[thin cover]

Sure if your rope was tied off to a tree that was hit with the full force of a slide it would break a rope. Totally different then being tied off to a person who cuts a slope at the top of a potential slide. Apples and Oranges there.

this is what I think^^^^

[nihiles]

I'm seriously bummed out about the weather this weekend. My free "birthday" ski day at Belleayre, ruined. BBQ chicken and live music at Plattekill, ruined.

Someone wash a car or something, quickly.

plattekill never softened up today. the groomers were as good as it got and by 2 started to freeze back over since the clouds had moved in. making the best of it and using modern technology i set a new speed record for myself of 61.8mph. on my rock skis.

[icelanticskier]

I completely agree that a ski cut belayed or otherwise, on that slope would not be of much use. There have only been a couple of occasions when I really wanted to perform a belayed ski cut. One was last year looking down a narrow gully in Great Gulf and seeing a crack five or so meters down that I was 95% sure was old (i.e. it probably happened before a couple freeze/thaw days and no longer indicated instability, but it was Northeast facing and in the shade...). In this case I had a very clear idea where a fracture would occur (not way above me). If I'm skiing a narrow chute, and I'm convinced there is a tiny chance it might release right at the top, but nowhere else, I start thinking about ski cuts. I've never actually performed a ski cut, because I'm way to scared of dying, and on the occasions I've skied with people who I'd trust to perform such a maneuver, they haven't been necessary. It's the sort of thing wants to see done a few times, something wants to attempt for the first time with expert supervision.

This is the sort of trick I'm wary of adding to my bag. Do I want to be comfortable doing something that mitigates danger, but may ultimately lead to a greater chance of death? I think so, but it is a damn good thing my 20 year old self wasn't getting into this kind of shit, because he would not have been nearly scared enough.

i've relied on ski cuts a whole bunch over the years in certain places and have had some amazing results. set off one intentionally triggered slide with a cut in tux one year that woulda buried a small village. i had a plan, a safety spot to ski over to, and it worked flawlessly. i've also had good luck with cuts on very steep deep corn gullies that had been baking for a bit too long. cut one in oaks that ran big....... and slowly as wet slides typically do, like lava. the slope skied amazingly well afterwards. my last impressive cut was a week ago at gos. got a nice one to go. you just have to have a really solid plan and options for safety.

even if i'm pretty darn certain that a gully is safe to ski, i always put a good delibererate hard turn in from the top and poke my way down, checking things out to make sure the coast is clear for fun runs to follow.

nope dave, never a harness or ropes. i'm a surfer and cyclist. no time or interest in climbing. if i did i think i'd prefer bouldering or free climbing. being tied to something felt so limiting and uncomfortable to me. just my opinion for me.

ugh, no skiing till monday for me.

oh, oh, oh! for numbrdays (sp?) so i got my rebuild parts for my new marker f12's. i replaced the pivot rods that both warranty dudes assured me would do the trick. nope, not even close. the bindings are done, finished. 45 days of use and they are done.

how could those guys think that an alloy pivot rod would wear out and not the plastic sleeves of the toe piece and binding rails is beyond me. my toes pieces are junk and the whole rail assembly. half a season of use. luckily i had a new pair of demo binders on hand, so i put the toepieces and rods in from that pair into mine and no more play. my rails are still ovalized, but at least they are solid for a few more days

marker will be getting a call and giving me an RA # next week. i may just go with the baron if the construction is more solid.

just thought i'd get that out. i know it should go in gear talk or something, but it was asked here.

rog

[biggins]

Cannon tomorrow with the wife. Orange jacket, green helmet, slowboard if you want to say hey.

[Aldo]

Kelley's Irish alps. Green snow. Car slalom.

[lynchdogger]

being tied to something felt so limiting and uncomfortable to me.

rog

No wonder you're still single.

Glad to know you are well. Must commend you on how you've handled all the attention the last several days. No need to do it again soon though, mmmokay?.


Just got home from Wildcat with my girls - 6 and 10 years old. Sweet view today! Rog no sign of your fracture that i could see - the 7 inches and wind made it bye-bye.

Today at the CAT and Wednesday at Loon this week and I must say some of the funnest days out this year. Both kids are skiing great for their ages and time on snow - on and off the lift with little help; aware of their surroundings; know the skier code (made them learn and recite it - military style ); linking turns; dealing with the cold and weather; and most importantly, having a blast doing it! Proud papa today! Finished the day at Wild Willy's for burgers! YUM!

What a day at the CAT - cold and windy. Trails were firm with the sides and occasional protected spot blown in here and there. Skied mostly with the ladies but took a couple at the end of the day and the trees were soft! The quad lift line is all in but they had a couple sections roped off. Hairball was fun! As always, the good snow was in the trees.

Great snow year! Let's hope for more! Get after it.