Rockies climbs..?

"Josh Wharton following a pitch in the upper gully section of Infinite Patience. Sustained grade 3 and mixed up to M5 for at least 300 m"




Photo courtesy of Gripped, Josh Wharton and Chris Alstrin




Nice write up here:



http://gripped.com//08/sections/articles/rockies-lessons-from-novice-to-intermediate/

Reading Bill Strickland's Ten Points

A little while back, someone suggested that I read Bill Strickland's Ten Points, and before I knew it I was interacting with Bill Strickland himself and he sent me a copy. When the book arrived, the cover alone induced a pre-emptive sense of nostalgia. A cyclist walking his bike into the fading sun, beneath the overhanging trees, as if savouring the sweet devastation of defeat. Of course this would be on the cover of Bill Strickland's memoir.



Bill Strickland is the editor of Bicycling Magazine. He lives in Pennsylvania. He races for Kapelmuur Independent. And he writes, a lot. Articles for various cycling and sometimes non-cycling magazines, a few books, blog posts. The first time I read something by him was maybe in Rouleur a year ago, and then I began following him online. I remember it initially surprised me that a person who wrote like Bill Strickland was the editor of Bicycling. Those guys are all about nutrition and training and race coverage and roadbike reviews. Strickland's writing is evocative and sensual and self-consciously sentimental. And that's just on his instagram account.



Ten Points is an unconventional memoir. It's inextricably tied to bicycle racing, but is not really about it. Bicycling is more of a metaphor, an explanation, a case study in magical thinking. At the start of the book, the author tells his little daughter that he will score 10 points during a single racing season, then proceeds to participate in criterium races and fail spectacularly week after week.



But this plot line merely serves as a trajectory for the real story - a story of surviving childhood abuse, emerging damaged, then wondering for the rest of your life whether you're human or a piece of garbage. In adulthood, the author considers himself cursed, a monster. He struggles to stay in control, but the past haunts him and he worries about being a fit parent and husband. He believes that cycling keeps the monster in him at bay. And winning 10 points for his daughter might just have the power to lift the curse entirely.



Reading the memoir and trying to process it as such, I must admit that I found the 10 points theme to be overbearing and at times distracting. The writing is good. Bill Strickland excels at creating a visceral sense of understanding between himself and the reader. Repeatedly I found myself lost in his past, in his life, in his very sensations. In contrast to this, the overarching storyline of the 10 points feels forced, packaged. Like maybe the author had written the book differently, and then some editor swooped in and tried to make it more marketable for those who like the "top 10 ways to tackle hills" types of articles. I don't know how else to explain it.



Could the story have been told without the 10 points theme being so overt? I honestly think that it could. The book is really a rich collection of snippets, flashbacks to various incidents in the writer's life, and there are other ways in which these could have been tied together. The narrative style is jewel-like, seductive, while somehow also managing to come across as sparse and reserved. It is part American Gothic, part John Updike, but replete with its own, uniquely Stricklandian, characteristics.



In a way Ten Points reads more like a novel than a memoir, and some characters feel more believable than others. The incidents from the past, despite how dramatic some of them are, read as believable, as do the parts about racing. But in the present-day dialogue with the wife and daughter, the things they say are sometimes too well-phrased, too conveniently meaningful. In those instances I could practically feel the author trying to wrangle them into the 10 points plot.



At his best, Bill Strickland is the sort of natural storyteller who can engage an audience with a description of an Idaho cornfield. He can stir the reader into alternating states of wistfulness and fear within a single paragraph. He is a master of subtle foreshadowing. I want more of all that, less meta-narrative.



Writing about this book, I find myself wishing I hadn't interacted with the author prior. Because now I am hyper-aware of him as a real person and nervous about how he will feel reading this. But maybe that's arrogant. After all, who the heck am I and what does it matter what I think. I am describing the book as a reader, not as a critic. And I continue to follow Bill Strickland's writing with interest.

Erupting Aurora over Devil Fish Lake

This was the first "good" shot that I made of the Aurora on July 15, . This moment occurred at just after midnight after we had already been watching the sky for about two hours. My friends were starting to think that maybe we weren't going to see a sky full of active lights that night, they thought that maybe a faint glow was all we were going to get. I told them to be patient, it's not even midnight yet. Sure enough, just after midnight the sky erupted with lights. Once you've seen how quickly the aurora can erupt and fill the sky, it's a vision that never leaves your mind. It is a phenomena that makes you feel both insignificant in the universe and grand all at the same time. On the one hand you feel incredibly tiny, realizing that the source of these lights came all the way from the sun. On the other hand, when the lights are this active they seem so low in the sky that you can almost touch them... in a way almost touching the sun itself. Any way you look at it or ponder it, it certainly is one of nature's most breathtaking sights!

The Straw Brothers

Alex:









Just say for example you were from Colorado and youhad dual U.S. - Australian Citizenship.

Then imagine you were fanatical about snow boarding and climbing.

And your older brother was too.

Take into account that Colorado has aguably some of the best powder in the world and is not such a shabby place for climbing either.



Then lets just say you chose to live most of your life in Brisbane.

Either there's a girl I don't know about, or he's running from the law.

Eric: As above, but 3 years older.


Good choice boys?


Eric:













..The Straw Brothers taketo "Black Leather Dungarees" at Coolumand find out all about the hype, the pump, and the pure excitment of one of the Cave's best and highest.


















..










Alex on "the slab" section of the route. Not a slab. Just not as crazy steep.







Whether youclaim to be a boulderer or a boarder, you are going to need a beanie.

Otherwise who's going to believe you?






Climbers, don't just dream about being as cool as these guys, do what I do- copy their look.

Get the "Climber Beanie", hand made from un-dyedAlpaca and Merino wool, atRed Phoenix Emporium




Or at least click on the link to seethe boys represent Red Phoenix,the uber cool, cult style outfitters to the very chic.










Good choice boys.

jj






Mawsley, Old, Walgrave, Mawsley

Led by Barry, with me, Gordon and Eddie. Very cold wind, but fine and some sun. Muddy underfoot. Plenty of benches in Walgrave for a snack break. 8 miles.


We started from Mawsley Village, turned right and walked for a short distance along the road, before taking a footpath to the left through the mud of Old Poor's Gorse. We tackled two muddy fields, and arrived at a grassy track, which we followed southwest as far as the village of Old.

Arriving in Old

though the sign says "Wold"

and the pub's for sale

We walked through the village, and turned left at the pub, then right along Bridle Road. The footpath goes off to the left, over a stile, or through a gate - see below.

"You shall climb the stile" Barry is forced to follow the keep-fit regime.

A sight too common - but the boots held up

a walk of many signs . . .

. . . and the odd portent

We shall Die all
Hours fly. Flowers die.
New days. Old ways. Pass by.
Love stays.

They have plenty of grass and hay, but take some convincing that we do not come bearing gifts.

(More later)

Happy New Years Day ice climbing...

Happy New Year to all! Hope everyone survived the welcoming of . My New Years was much like the rest. Laura and I stayed home, didn't do much. We stuffed ourselves with some Kielbasa, Hot Dogs (veggie dogs), Sauerkraut, and some New Years Pretzel Bread that Laura baked up (see photo) which was bomb diggity! We rung in the New Year and made our way off to bed to rest up for my annual New Year's Revolution ice climbing! The temperatures weren't very favorable the previous days up to New Years Eve, but we still kept our spirits up as the weather forcast was for below freezing temps by morning with it going down as the day went on. Well it did just that. There was also a small amount of snow on the ground. A welcome sight from the dreary day before. We loaded up the gear and made our way to Secret Cliffs II. As we neared the cliffs, the snow deepened and winter seemed to be back in action. We hiked down to the climbs, only to find that the ice was still EXTREMELY wet and not very well bonded in most places. We seriously debated for a while whether or not Called on Account of Security would go. I'm sure it would've, but the delaminated ice at the top looked way too unsettled to rappel down from and we opted to let it go and continue to build for the upcoming cold week. After leaving Secret Cliffs we opted to continue our quest. We decided that to surely get in some climbing we should go to Lower Meadow Run to get on the mixed lines. We found that the ice there was in reasonable condition. I'd been itching to get back on Caveman and try to get the redpoint. I tooled my way up to the crux (3rd. bolt) and made it to the ice. I couldn't pull up around the corner and came off. The ice was poorly bonded and was washing out as I was climbing. I pulled back on and clipped the 4th bolt. The section above the fouth to the Rhody was very unstable as was the mucky topout. Given a little more attached ice and I think I would've got it. I can't wait to get back on it again. Laura gave it a quick go. Despite having a severe reach disadvantage she gave it her best. Captain Caveman proved to be more suited to those with long limbs. We roped up Anger Managment and took some turns on it. We did much more climbing than initially thought. It wasn't the best New Years Revolution conditions, but we climbed what we could and had a great time doing so! -As always climbing is a great way to bring in the New Year. Welcome !

It's still ice season here! but for how long?

Went out at the crack of dawn to check conditions. We still have plenty of ice (currently). The next 5 days forcast to be really warm. Not sure if it'll hold to the weekend, but we'll see. If there's ice we'll be climbing. Here's a few photos of our outing this morning.





Sunrise through the forest



Laura ready to hike in, 22° and crust packed snow



Snowshoeing in. Still 3'+ of snow under the packed surface



Walking down into the left wall. Best overall shot we got this am.



Still lots of snow under there as I quickly learned



Please stay in, just a few more days.



Enjoying some "bouldering", couldn't resist!

That's the report on what it looked like today. The past several weeks we've hardly seen any other climbers out despite the great late season conditions. We (L and I) know the end is near, but we'renot ready to give up just yet!

Toour fellowice climbers: we hopeyou got out and enjoyed the great seasonwe've had here this year in SWPA.Laura and Ihad a great timeclimbingwith friends old and new.Thanks everyone for the great sesason and memories! To our ice friends... see you nextwinter! To our rock friends...see you in a few days after we put the ice season to bed!

The Dunfee Family :: Eliza and Aquilla Hoff

Eliza is presumed to be the daughter of James and Sophia (Hazlett) Dunfee. The primary link is the fact that Eliza was living with Jonathan Haslett in Mifflin Twp, Ashland County, Ohio in 1850. We're making the assumption that Jonathan is probably the father of Sophia. Bottom line is that I really don't have any “proof” that Eliza is the daughter of James and Sophia.



Census records put the year of birth for Eliza Dunfee at 1811, 1813, or 1815 and place of birth in Maryland or Pennsylvania. In 1850, she is 39 years old and born in Maryland. In 1860 she is 47 and born in Pennsylvania. And in 1870 she is 55 and born in Pennsylvania. Chances are, her age in 1850 is probably closer to the truth ;-) since she seems to lose a few years with each census.



Eliza married Aquilla Hoff on September 4, 1851 in Ashland County, Ohio as recorded in volume 2, page 70 (license 1134) of Ashland County Marriage Records.





The image above is from the FamilySearch online database of Ohio County Marriages. There seems to be some “confusion” on the part of the clerk that recorded the marriage or the “authority” who performed the ceremony. Under “Names of Parties” it shows that the record is for Aquilla Hoff and Eliza Dunfee. In the far right column, it states that R. D. Emerson is certifying that “on the 4th day of September Eighteen hundred and fifty one I joined in Marriage Mr. George W. Brown and Miss Eliza Dunfee.”



In actuality, it was Eliza Dunfee who married Aquilla Hoff. When the property of Jonathan Hazlett was sold on October 25, 1853, the majority of the items were sold to Aquila Hoff.





Sale Bill from the estate file (#190) of Jonathan Hazlett. Ashland County, Ohio.





The last entry in the above image (a portion of page 299 of the Ashland County Tract Book) shows that Luke Selby, administrator of the estate of Jonathan Hazlett sold in March 1854 the land that had been owned by Jonathan to Aquilla Hoff. The transaction is also recorded in Ashland County Deed Book 10 page 206.



Aquilla Hoff and his wife Eliza, sold that land to Christian Vesper on March 27, 1857 (Ashland County Deed Book 15 pages 162-163).



That was, essentially, all the information I had on Aquilla and Eliza. Until in November .., when I received an email in response to an 11 year old query I had posted on the Hoff Family Genealogy Forum. My correspondent passed along the information that Aquilla and Eliza had moved to LaGrange County, Indiana where she had found them in the 1860 census.



I'm guessing that they probably moved to LaGrange County in the spring of 1857 after they sold the land that had belonged to Jonathan Hazlett. They are listed in the 1860 and 1870 census in Bloomfield Township, LaGrange County, Indiana.



Aquilla Hoff is 45 years old in 1860. He is a farmer with real estate valued at $3000 and a personal estate of $342. He was born in Maryland. Listed in his household was Eliza, age 47 and born in Pennsylvania; Jonathan, age 6 and born in Ohio. Also included was Lucetta Dumbar, 12 years old and born in Indiana.



In 1870, Aqula Hoff is 54 years old. He is still a farmer but has real estate valued at $5000 and a personal estate of $1000. He was born in Maryland. Included in his household were Eliza, now 55 but still stating she was born in Pennsylvania; and Jonathon, who is 16 years old and born in Ohio.



Eliza (Dunfee) Hoff died on August 6, 1876 and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Lagrange County, Indiana. There is a memorial for her on Find A Grave. Looking closely at the photo of her gravestone it appears that the word “AGED” is written below the date of death. If so, it might pinpoint her year of birth a little better than the census records.



In the 1880 census, Aquilla Hoff was found in Drum Creek Township, Montgomery County, Kansas. He was 65 years old, retired and born in Maryland. Listed with Aquilla was his son, Jonathan H. Hoff, who was 26 years old, a farmer, and born in Ohio. He gave his father's place of birth as Maryland and that of his mother as Pennsylvania.



According to my correspondent, Aquilla Hoff was born February 15, 1815 in Washington County, Maryland and died June 27, 1883 in LaGrange County, Indiana. However, I suspected that he died in Kansas since that was where he was living in 1880. Turns out, Aquilla really did die in LaGrange County. There is an entry for him in the book “Indiana Deaths, 1882-1920” that was compiled by the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration). It shows that he died in Newbury Township and was 68 years old.



What happened to their son Jonathan H. Hoff? Jonathan does not appear to be in the census records after 1880 (ancestry online index).



I did find a John H. Hoff in Kansas census records, 1900 through 1930, that I think is a likely candidate to be Jonathan H. Hoff, son of Aquilla and Eliza. However, there is a six year discrepancy in their ages.



But, this John H. Hoff has a daughter, his first born child, named Eliza... and his middle name is Hazelet!



See The Dunfee Family :: Are Jonathan H. Hoff and John H. Hoff the same man?



See the Index for previous posts on the Dunfee family.

Free Rice

Increase your vocabulary and donate Free Rice at the same time.

Check out their FAQ to learn how it works.

Hat tip to Only Crook In Town (a non-genealogy blog with an occasional post on genealogy) for the link.

A Visit to Moultrie Creek

As I waited in the dark parking lot I wondered if we would get along, if we would like each other, if we would have anything to talk about... I shouldn't have been the least bit anxious though. When Denise stepped out of her car to greet me with a hug and a big smile it was like being reunited with an old friend rather than meeting someone for the first time. In a way we had come to know each other, through our blogs (she at Moultrie Creek and Family Matters), but now we have actually met, face-to-face, and I'm delighted and honored to say that we are truly friends.

It was Friday evening (December 11th) when I met Denise and her husband for supper. It's hard to believe it was 10 days ago. Good golly, how the time does fly!

Saturday morning (12/12) Denise and I attended a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Cemetery in St. Augustine. It was impressive, especially with the Florida Patriot Guard Riders in attendance. It had been raining all morning but as the ceremony was about to begin the skies opened up and it just poured. Denise had loaned me her umbrella since she had worn a jacket with a hood and the sound of the rain on the umbrella pretty much drowned out the voices of the speakers.

After the official ceremony was over, Denise and I were honored to lay a wreath at the grave of Emily Kennedy – the only female veteran buried in that cemetery. Emily served in the Army Nurse Corp from 1905-1907 and in the Navy 1909-1912. She also enlisted in 1917 the Army Nurse Corp, when in her 30s, serving during WWI. On facebook, Denise linked to the online article but here's the link for those who missed it or don't “do” facebook...

Since it was raining, we just “hung out” at Denise's place Saturday afternoon. Talking. Army, Navy, National Guard, Travel. Family. With a little bit of internet, checking email and reading blogs. But mostly talking. After a supper of Denise's own chili and rice, which was quite good, I departed for the night (I stayed at Anastasia State Park).

Sunday morning saw warmer weather and sunshine! And that meant sightseeing in St. Augustine and the Historic District. Denise was the best tour guide, ever. Very knowledgeable about the history of the area, the buildings, and the various ethnic groups who have lived in St. Augustine. It was, quite simply, delightful. It was a beautiful day, weather and otherwise.

We got together again for a “farewell” supper Tuesday evening at the neighborhood Mexican restaurant, about two blocks from Denise's house. I certainly enjoyed the time I spent at Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine but the time I spent with Denise and her husband was enjoyable as well, but moreso. Their friendliness and hospitality was greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Denise Olson and Becky Wiseman - December 15, ..

Christmas rains bring drytooling ambitions

Christmas day Slammed the local ice. The 40+ degreees and rain were devastating. The ice delaminated, the locked in tundra turned to mush. All bad things! Well as a last minute plan, Joel Toretti who had planned a trip to VT for the weekend, bagged the idea of heading north for the rainfest. So we made the best of the warm 40+ degrees for some drytool training. Joel, Laura and I met and decided to head to Ohiopyle for some picking and scratching. We first made a trip to the Upper Meadow amphitheater to look at the steeeep cave feature. We managed to get about halfway up one of the lines to the right side. Quite a bit loose rock to be found. Very steep and pumpy, we each took 2 burns on the new line. It still awaits an ascent. After our attempts at Upper Meadow, we went downstream to Lower. We all three tooled around on the various lines, Anger Management, Season Finale and var., we also rigged up the overhang to the left of Season Finale. Which is a short but stout technical route that Joel and I managed to get up. It was Laura's first day out after taking an illness absence for several days. She climbed well with her most impressive showing on the left Var to Season Finale. All in all it was a great day out in unreal "ice" conditions. The 10 day forcast looks very promising and should have the ice lines firmed back up to a climbable state. The annual New Years Climbing Resolution should have ice this year. We'll wait and see.

Dynafit Huascaran Ski.....take 2

Ya, after my exposure to Jason and Eric,back to my reality now :-)



Funny how I can write a blog and have all these great ideas in my head about training andnutrition. And weigh out my gearto the gram. Then on a 2am start at the last moment ditch the plan (THE PLAN) and grab totally different gear for a specific reason. Which may or may not be even remotely reasonable. I never do that climbing.



Classic example of thatthis morning. We took Sunday off to get some rest and prepare for a skion Rainier. At the last moment I intentionally and mindlessly grabbed my 177cm Huascaran instead of my 168cm GTR La Sportiva. Which added 3+ pounds to my kit. Instead of my typical 1 literbladder I grabbed a full 100 fluid oz or 3 liters of water. 6.6 pounds of water weight instead of 2.2 pounds. Up 7.4 pounds before I even left the house!



How to plan defeat? Jerry and I were both tired. Him from driving 10 hrs and a day of skiing in trying conditions. Me? From a late night social dinner and not enough sleep. Few ever call me social.



The last time I had skied the Nisqually chutes the one thing that kept popping into my mind was how bad the snow was (it hadbeen exceptionally warm that day) and how good the skiing might have been on a fat ski. When we left the house late for the two hour drive and then missed a crucial turn and added another 45 minutes I didn't careabout what skis I'd picked up or the additional water.



When Eric, Stano andNick blew by me on the Muir snowfield I was feeling like a dolt. (see http://coldthistle.blogspot.com//05/new-speed-ski-record-on-rainier.html) I could hear their skins ripping off the skin tracks from a long ways down the mtn. I'd just stopped for a bite to eat to cheer myself up. Jerry a full 30 minutes ahead of me by now.



I had promised myself not to rethink the extra liters of water or the fat skis for this trip. "Make a choice and live with it" was to be my motto that day. My mind kept returning to this picture on the Muir snowfield a month ago.











A short day trip where I not only caught everyone I saw on ski or on footbut passed them all with little fan fareand no extra effort. Something that literally never happens to me these days. I was pretty stoked. But Marker Dukes, downhill boots, long fat ski, big packs by comparisonand a helmet didn't make passing them allmuch of a challenge either.



Yesterday I was all too aware, I was seemingly "them". And while happy to be out.......I know the difference between "us" and "them". And it aint the Lycra. My "skinny"skis and bootswere a big part of the fun previous. Stripped to long johns and a minuscule race pack helped. And the gear isn't even "light" versions oif the skis or bootsby comparison to what is easily available. I have never been disappointed in the lightchoice of gear in the mountains.










Ok, that said how were the Huascarans skiing down from Muir yesterday? Well we abandoned the summit attempt after being totally demoralised in no small part by the Canadians running by and the lack of motivation earlier in the morning.



This is how I found Jerry @ Muir ;-) Wrapped snugly in his Mont BellMirage jacket (review comingsoon) and his favorite Patagonia Mixed Guide pant,sound asleep on his skis. "I told you I was tired". Unusual for Jerry as he's been the energizer bunny for the 40+ years I've skied and climbed with him.



http://www.montbell.us/products/disp.php?cat_id=70&p_id=2301365






Our fate now sealed, thankfully as Jerry naps;)




Despite what Eric said in his blog about their speed ascent, "It was warm and windless so light gloves and race suit were hot!" more here:

http://coastmountainskiing.com/race-mount-rainier-fkt/#comment-405



After aquick food and water break I found the Muir snow field both a littlechillyand breezy just after sunrise just below where Eric and crewskinned past. Hood up and puffy on. The difference in effort involved obviously. Jerry and I both had warm gloves and puffies on for the first part of our ski decent from Muir.



But as I said Jerry is usually full of energy. So we aint waiting long for softer snow. I'm game! I brought full on "mountain" skis, and my TLT Performance boots, tongue and my innovative power strap add on to solve any skiing problem I might have imagined from the summit. The upper hard pack and the Nisqually chutes are going to be kid's play after the GTRs in the windcrust and slush of the last time out here.



For those interested I'm using Voile strapsfor the TLTs in either version. Makes the boot skin easier without the bolted on version and easy to add or remove. I also like the progressive supportthey add differing fromatypical Velcro power strap.












Jerry was in a pair of TLT Mountain (no tongue or power strap)and short (166) Kilowats. Jerry is likely capable of skiing any terrian, on any gear. When we first met he was on 220s and a PSIA instructor. He's 5' 9" and 150# on a good day and skiing prior to kindergarten. Now he patrols in Montana after his last decade old gig as a full cert race coach. I alwaysbelieve I know how to ski, until Iski with JJ again.






Jerry dropping off the Muir Snowfield yesterday








So the upper Muir snow field was some pretty hard snow. If it were at a ski area it would no doubt simply be called ICE. We skied it anyway. Not a edge mark to show our passing for the first 2000'. Hard and almost baby ass smooth terrain. Fun skiing. Sort of. Jerry's feet and my knees were taking a beating from the hard conditions.For the first time ever, I admit we are well worn. Hard snow on fat skis and soft boots will do that. And I had the advantage in every way with the Huascarans and carbon cuffed boots here. (tongue and power strap in place)



We took a short break to see if the sun would soften the snow enough to be really pleasurable. Because it was pretty good skiing even being that hard. 30 minutes and things were starting to rock. The right aspect and my Huascarans were cutting a razor's edge on the snow surface. Just barely noticeable. We both were getting huge grins and admiring the grand scale of the terrain on the mountain.






Note the distinct lack of Jerry's ski track in the dragon skin. The tracks that do show are from the previous day's much warmer snow conditions.





Yes, "GRAND", would be a good descriptor here!






So the Huascarans had skied a couple thousandfeet of ice and now we are switching to some amazing corn snow for another 3000' and we'll end in 1000 vert feet of wet snow, almost slush. Not terribly bad conditions any where and something any ski can handle easy enough. But few skis will give you the kind of pleasure a mid fat, 113mm under foot, rockered tip and a shaped pin tail will with a decent side cut, in ANY snow condition. I have 3 such skis in my quiver. All coming inat progressively more weight. All of them amazing skis. But only the Huascaran am I willing to pack up to Camp Muir or the summit of Rainier. Because at least for me it is never "all about the down". A quick (for me)three hour hike to Muir gets you a casually paced ski to the Nisquallybridge in 2 hours, even if some boulderhiking is thrown in.






The bridge just 10 minutes away






I had promised myself early on yesterday to "make a choice and live with it". There wasn't a single turn I made yesterday (and I made a lot of them) except that missed turn on the drive over where I regretted my choice in skis. I savored every single one of those turns. I earned them after all.



The extra 2.5 liters of water? I gave that away at Camp Muir to some needy climbers suffering through a bad night.






Jerry was gone 30 minutes hitching a ride and fetching the truck. I took a nap in the bright sunshine . "I told you I was tired". Falling asleep staring at our route off the mountain and thinking just how much fun I had just had.....much of it due to my choice of boots and the Huascarans. As I dosed off I promised myself to take a few lessons and learn to ski more like Jerry for next year. And rethink how much water I really need to carry;-)



Better to think ofyour own efforts along the lines of Stano, Nick and Eric than "them other guys" You'll likely enjoy the outdoors more more.





For anyone interested in my previous thoughts on the Dynafit Huascaran look here:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pxlqsK9liI



http://coldthistle.blogspot.com//03/all-mountain-skis.html



I have yet to do a proper review of this ski. I have the 177cm that I've talked about a couple of times now. I was so impressed with the 177s I bought a pair of 196cm Huascaran's as well. This review turned into a short story of our day out as much as it did a review of the Huascaran. I can't say enough good things about this ski. But I'll try again in a proper review of both the 177cm and the 196cm version shortly. Bottom line imo? I own fourreally, reallygood, mid fat, 115+/-mm under foot skis. The Huascaran is the lightest version. If weight is important to you buy a pair of Huascarans on sale this summer and get ready to rip next winter!



Trevor seems to agree. And he actually does RIP!










http://www.coaststeepskier.com/wphome/