3 days of shenanigans

Laura and I planned to go ice climbing with my buddy Matt Johns from Kentucky, Joel Torretti and his buddy Josh Hurst from Maine. Yeah you read right, he came here from Maine. After a start consisting of breakfast at Valley Dairy, shopping for - drill bits, a six pack, twice forgotten pants, non-alcoholic drinks, snacks and probably more. We've learned that buying a sixer around 9:00 am is harder to do than you think... Oh yeah I almost forgot it was raining. Not the best weather for ICE climbing, or is it? Well Matt had to stay in Kentucky so we sadly were Mattless. It ended up being Laura, Joel, Josh and I. After our morning shenanigans, we decided to drive to Meadow Run in Ohiopyle to check out the Upper Meadow amphitheater for potential mixed lines. The rains stopped by the time we arrived in Ohiopyle. Upon pulling into the parking lot we saw the quantity of ice along the Lower Meadow cliff band and decided it was clearly time to climb and check out the Upper later in the day. We spent the morning cranking the mixed lines and even added an alternate left var. to Captain Caveman that traverses left more under the roof before pulling the lip around the last hanging curtain. Slightly longer and harder than Captain Caveman. All kinds of shenanigans going on there. Fun stuff... short and pumpy. Laura busted herself up falling on Anger Management (which some asshole stole the draws off of) so she stayed to climb Hemlock with me and following the advice of Dr. Torretti, decided to head home to heal for tomorrow and Sunday. The 3 of us stayed and climbed a couple more lines and decided to walk to Upper Meadow to eye the amphitheater while we still had a couple of hrs. of light. What can I say... Its steep, burly, has free hangers and pillars galore. Its impressive to see. We explored around looking at potential lines out the steep cave. We decided to work on a line that starts on some ice in the back of the cave and heads up through several overlaps to the free hanging curtain at the lip. Burly, but by no means the most difficult line there. Joel rigged a line from the top while Josh started up the ice and got the first bolt in. I put him on belay as he worked up, go into position and placed the 2nd. He came down and I was up. I went up on lead to the high point and continued up into position and located where to put the 3rd. I didn't get more than a 1/2 inch when the drill was doing no good. The battery was dead. I lowered the drill and proceeded to get myself stuck for a while. After much effort, I was back to the ground. We cleaned up and walked out as it was getting dark. Good ice, good laughs, good fun. 1 down 2 to go. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings... Enjoy the photos!

DPS Wailer 112 RPC review...aka "DPS Lotus 115"

Happy man on a DPS RPC




















Product: DPS 112 RPC (Pure Carbon construction)



Length Tested: 192cm

Turn Radius: 20-23m

side cut: 144mm-115mm-127mm

Tip rocker: 480mm

Tail rocker: 384mm

Running length: 1510mm

Weight: per skis: 4lb. 5oz.

Binding: Dynfit Radical Speed

Mount point: +1cm forward of suggested

Ski weight with bindings: 5lb. 2oz. per ski



Environment & Conditions:

Location of Test: Crystal Mountain Washington

Number of Runs: 5 full days over a10 day late springstorm cycle

Snow Conditions: from hard packed, rain ice, to3 feetof new mid winter snow

Demo or Own: own



Tester Info:

Height/Weight: 6'1" 190lb

Ski Days/Season: 30+

Years Skiing: 30+

Aggressiveness: Moderate

Current Quiver:Huascaran,Aspect, GTR, Lo5, Hi5, 112RP, 138, Broad Peak, 112RP, 138.

Home Area: Silver Mtn Idaho, Crystal Mtn andAlpental WA.

Preferred Terrain:off-piste, trees, steeps



DPS sez: The RPC shape gives up some of the Wailer 112RP's hard snow carving performance and versatility in exchange for enhanced crud and powder velocity.


1 (worst) to 5 (best) star ratings

Value: ***** (hard to believe on a $1250 ski but there it is!)







Durability: unknown at this point but they still look good







Edge Grip: considering the 115mm under foot *****







Maneuverability:******







Performance:******



Up front. I have not beena big fan of the 112RP.Some seem to thinkit isthe *magic ski*. I liked the 112RP enough to have kept a pair for a season. Almost everyonefrom professional mtn guides to timid intermediates seem to rave aboutthe 112RP.To me it is a quiver ski. And not one currently in my quiver. And not oneto be replaced. Not nearly versatile enough to be my only skis. Not to say it is a bad ski. Just not the ski to end my search for the perfect ski. I am glad I had a chance to spend a season on them. But not unhappy when I sold them either.




Like everyone else reading this review specifically for 112 RPC hands on info,likely most of you haveread the less than stellar review on the RPC, Blister had posted previous. (It is linked below) That review (and more recently a second on the 2014 RPC) and my dislike for the 112PC kept me off the RPC for most of this season. In retrospect that was a big, BIG mistake on my part. I get sucked in on the Internet reviews just as easily as the next guy. Damn it!



What I like about theRPC compared to the RP? Less rocker in the tip and tail as a start. And a stifferover all ski flex. Theski is best described as "a sidecut version of the lotus 138, than similar to the wailer 112RP". Same shapeused, with slight variation, on the Lotus 120, 112RP, the 112RPC and the 99, and is exceptional technology imo.



I am blessed by good fortune to get on a lot of skis. A dozen or so this season alone. Not a professional ski tester by any meansbut more skis than I have ever dreamt of skiing in any oneseason previous. Best of all I own the skis..so nothing owed to the manufacture here past an honest appraisal of the skis.. All of which just keeps mesearching for the next "best ski".



A good many friends (mostactive outdoor ski professionals) have decided that the 100mm under foot is *the* magic number for theirevery day skis. I need to keep looking for that 100mm ski. And I have most of the 100mm ski my buddies have suggested. From my own search the 112mm/115mm seems to be my magic number.I am typically a strong skier (physically) and able to ski any terrain given reasonable snow conditions. And now with a modern115mm under foot ski, even what I use to think as "unreasonable" conditions I can generally ski with little effort.



One of my most fun and agile pair of all around skis right now isa short 177cm, and 112mm under foot, skis. But I prefer something longer when riding lift served terrain. Something more like190cm+.FWIW I generally like alight weight167/168cm skisin the BC if I am looking at covering an sort of distance.



I am using a tech or Dynafit style binding on all my skis these days. Even the skis reserved just for lift skiing. The RPC is going to be a lift served ski 90% of the time for me. I commented on the 112s earlier. From DPS's original comments the 112RP seems like a much betterpowder ski than a resort/powder skis to me.I've not skied the newest Rossi 7 Series but hopefully will shortly. I have skied similar skis to the DPS RPC fromBD, La Sportiva, DPSin 100 and 115 formats. I like the newest light weightskis and the lightest Dynafit style bindings. Amountaineering back ground has me looking in that direction..instead of back at my old school Rossi and K2 roots. Just the weight when picking up a 115mm under foot from Rossignol orK2stops mefrom looking any further. The huge tail rocker on any of those skis would, if weight did not. Even though I know some of those skiswill ski very, very well.



Beloware a few questions from a different forum that were asked when I mentioned I really didn't like the 112RP.



"Were you on the 190cm RP's? Interesting that DPS describes the RP to be more capable on hard than the RPC, and more versatile, but you found just the opposite to be true for you."



Here is the video I found most enlightening from DPS. This is what convinced me to give the "112" another try even if it is a 115 version :)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq2VAjV8bJo


Yes, I was on the 190cm version of the PURE 112RP. And a 192 on the PURE 138 Lotus. (Zero4 and One boots) But one of my all time favorite skis is the Dynafit Huascaran in a 177cm (TLT boots) as a playful, fun ski in most any conditions and unsurpassed *for me* in tight trees. I like a stiff tail and little or no rocker in the tail on a shorter ski. The rocker up front I don't want flapping around at speed and the ability to carve bullet proof ice with some acuity important as well.



As much as I did like them both I thought both the 138 and the 112RP too much of a quiver ski instead of a all around ski (duh! that is obvious on the 138 and not nearly the versatility of the 112 everyone else describes ).




I bought 196cm Huascarans and the 192 RPC at the same time. Expecting GREAT things from the longer Hauscaran and not much from the the RPC. Knowing that the 177cm Huascaran is one of my all time favourite sets on any terrain using theTLT Mtn boot. It turned out the other way around on ski likes and dislikes.I was making the comparison ontwo hour intervals during a 3 day dump of new powder overa hard ice (west coast standards) base that was rained on before freezing up solid. Add two feet of fluff to that while you are still skiing the ice as the base was interesting for the first day and a half.



Every time the place got skied out and I thought the conditions just sucked I went back to the RPC and found it was the ski lacking and not the conditions. Harsh reality and eventual glowing accolades for the RPC (much to my surprise!)



In all my Internet surfing I found two guys describing the RPC as a *115 Lotus* on another forum...which I found intriguing. Marshal Olson and Stephen Drake of DPS were saying the 112RP was a combo of the 138 and the Cassiar 80. All those comments and the newest technology from DPS built into the RPC had me intrigued. My bet is the RPC was the ski DPS was really trying to make when they came out with the 112RP.


DPS sez:



• “The RPC is designed to ski more in the fall line with a shallower turn shape. It’s for the charging, directional skier …who wants to put less emphasis on the RP’s hard snow performance and more on its abilities in crud and soft snow.”



***I found the RPCbetter at fall line/faster mach 1 type GS turns, ski with no lack of hard snow (or ice for their 115mm under foot) performance. I also found them easy to do slow, super tight turns on steep or even really moderate terrain with ease. Little difference in the 112RP and the RPS here it is only a matter of a little (very little) effort.



• “The RPC gives up some of the 112 RP’s hard snow-carving performance and versatility in exchange for enhanced crud busting and speed through powder.”



*** I didn't find that to be the case. I think the RPC has some serious added attributes and literally giving away nothing to the 112RP....other than a more skilled/stronger skier will be happier on the RPC by comparison. Blister's review hints at this btw.



• “The RPC will allow skiers to surf powder in the morning, then charge leftovers all day as they sniff out stashes.”



***this I found spot on.....



Blister sez:



"the RPC is absolutely a Wailer 112RP at heart, as it shares some of the same characteristics that helped put the original RP on the map".



***Not IMO....I think the RPC is best described as a "115 Lotus" Forget all that nonsense about it's connection to the112 RP. Bad marketing on DPS's part IMO.



"I’m not sure I knew what “torsionally rigid” really meant until laying down some blisteringly fast, high-energy carves out the bottom of Alta’s Collin’s face on the RPC. In this respect, DPS’s engineering and construction of the ski is seriously impressive."



I mention Rossi 4G 207s below. It is atorsionally rigid ski is. I had the chance to ski some of the best made for several decades. The 138s and the 112RP are good examples of torsionally rigid skis. The RPC even more so I think. If you want to ski ice...serious ice... get a torsionally rigid ski. Make the skirigid enough and you can even ski ice on a soft boot and 115 under foot.



Blisters' review here:

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/--dps-wailer-112rpc-2#comment-16640



Follow up:

To prep my RPCs I simply ironed in a thick coat of some spring wax on the Hauscaran and the RPC and took them to the hill. No detune on either and I wouldn't call either ski hooky or even anything close to hooky.




Easy to describe the 112RP as the ski for the guy that doesn't know how to ski powder.....and you'll never have to learn on the 112RP. The ski will simply give you a majority of the skill required. The 112RP is a super easy ski to ski...any where but hard snow. But for me it is a "beginners" ski. I come from old school Rossi and K2 SL/GS 203 and 207 race skis if that helps. The newest (rockered and 5 point shaped) skis have made me a much, much better skier with less effort involved.


Bottom line?




I can rip groomers on the RPCwith literally no speed limit. Big super fast GS turns if I like (and I DO like!) or quick turns straight down the fall line at Mach 1. Easy. Pow? If it is of this ski things are easy. Not as easy or as playful as a 177cm Huascaran but just as playful as the RP in my opinion.Looking for those last tiny powder stashes at your favorite resort? The 4 to 6 turn pockets of the last remaining stash? The RPCwill make that patch and if you work at it add an extra turn in there as well. Yes they are a tiny bit more work than the 112RP. And I do mean TINY! But the advantages the rest of the day are immense. Even if it is just getting between stashes at Mach 1 with a huge smile on your face. Slow speed tight trees or just tight turns? Easy enough...so easy....enough. I am still amazed at just how versatile this ski is. Some of my skis will do most of what I have described.The RPC finally seems like the one "full meal deal".



I am a little stuck on a skied nameda "112" when it is actually 115mm under foot. And I think it is much more ski than the 112RP. More than the 3mm implies.


This is no 112RP. It really is a Lotus 115. Big Mountain? All mountain? The RPC will do both easy enough. "My bet is the RPC was the ski DPS was really trying to design when they came out with the 112RP". The limitations of the 112RP is obvious for the skilled practitioner. I've not noted any limitation on the RPC. And I really don't consider myself a very "skilled" practitioner. I just get to ski a lot of skis.



Heli ski? You bet. I'd be OK with leaving the 138s at home.




FWIW I am skiing the RPC with a Dynafit One boot or the Scarpa Maestrale RS. And I am very pleased with the combinations. More so with the RS and this ski. Makes me think I might be leaving soem on the table here. Which makes me think Lange and down hill bindings.



The RPC isn't my all time favorite ski...but it is damn close. For aresortski on any sort of soft snow? It might well be my favorite ski ever. Either way hard not to get a smile on your face with these guys on your feet. If I am earning my own turns on any sort of soft snow, corn to pow? This ski (even in my 192s) islight enough to consider for any mid winter snow pack, boot or skin mission. You earn the turns might as well savor them.

Cancel the Luau, Winter is Back!

As we approach the month of Juneuary here on Mt. Rainier our weather has done a 180. Monday was sunnywith great corn skiing on the Muir Snowfield, now we are looking at breaking out the powder skis again!








Yesterday, NOAA published a Special Weather Statement reguarding this front moving down from the Yukon. Snow is expected Wednesday thru Friday. So far we have 14" of new snow is on the ground!

Today, 5/23/13 rangers in Paradise woke up to another7" of fresh snow and no sign of it letting up soon. If your a powder hound you will be stoked! If you are traveling to Paradise, Chainsor 4x4 have been required for the past two days.




On the climbing front, this storm system has provided a reset for the mountain. Last week was bluebird andclimbing felt likeJuly. This weekclimbers should be prepared for winter conditions and the subsequent avalanche hazard from heavy snow fall and wind loading.


Further, crevasses are going to be a increasing hazard. The recent warm spell produced significant melt on the mountain with NPS natural resources speculating that 2 meters of snow was lost. Lots of craks have started to open up and combined with this recent snow the possibility for thinly covered and wind-liped crevasses is very high. Be sure to travel in rope teams anywhere on a glacier.



The Climbing Rangers are still on the Mountain and Rainier is open for business. Come up and enjoy the weather.

For My Northern Friends :: Spring is on the Way!

Wednesday, March 30th - - Even though the calendar says it is Spring, it seems as though Winter still has a tight grip on parts of our nation. Just this past Monday I awoke to find several inches of snow on the ground – and I was in Springfield, Missouri.



Yesterday I was driving west through Alabama. It was a little cold (in the 50s) and dreary, with cloudy skies and drizzling rain. Eventually, the rain stopped. As I traveled along the Natchez Trace in northeast Mississippi I was greeted by an ever-increasing array of green. Yes, it is true. I do believe that Spring has arrived – at least in parts of the south!











Note to Babs: I made a right turn before reaching Birmingham. Changed my mind about going to Pensacola! Are you surprised?



Note to anyone else: US Route 278 in Alabama (from Cullman to Hamilton) is not a road you want to take if you are in a hurry! Lots of hills and curves on that two-lane highway! I wasn't in a hurry so it was an enjoyable drive.



And, yes, I'm Back on the Road Again!!



Westward Ho!

A New Day

Another View

This is a view of the Indian Market Place from the other end.

Indiana Sunset

These were taken less than an hour ago (at about 7:10 p.m.) just a few feet outside my back door. . .

Looking west - The two "hills" in the center are piles of dirt left behind after land was cleared for the foundations of a building.

Looking northeast - It has a rather painterly, soft-focus look to it as there really wasn't enough light for the camera to focus on anything specific.