Category: Skiing
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The conservation of morale
The law of the conservation of morale in skiing (LOTCOMIS) holds true to Lavoisier’s work on mass and energy: it is a closed system. Over the life of a skier, LOTCOMIS states that for every day of clear trails, good snow, and good glide, there must be an equal and opposite amount of skid and…
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Baring Creek
The St. Mary aspens are poplars for the aficionado. Another weekend, another wolverine trip. This time Sally and I were headed for Baring Creek, containing the world famous, roadside, Sunrift Gorge. The road itself is closed shortly beyond the St. Mary campground, so we had an 11 mile ski in on the road. Taken as…
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Many manys
Sherburne reservoir: how is the second-most beautiful valley in Glacier home to an abomination driven by farming things a hundred miles downstream which shouldn’t be seen west of the 100th meridian? Our first wolverine site was up on Boulder Ridge, south of the Swiftcurrent Valley. It was hot in the sun. And cold in the…
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The Belly has no Roof
Just back from a rather challenging wolverine research trip. The east (Atlantic, though much of it drains into the Hudson) side of Glacier never fails to impress with how distinct it is when compared to the Pacific side where by fact of convenience I spend most of my time. Drier and higher, with sparser vegetation…
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How miles grow
This time last week I was embroiled in internet discussions, trying without success to convince people to think outside the visitation box of American summer in the national parks, entreating them to embrace winter. Because cold and snow aren’t so bad. And we should go into the wilderness not just on terms friendliest to us.…
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Glacier, circa 1933
Last night, in a patrol cabin in the Glacier backcountry, I was rustling through the media drawer, mostly decade-old magazines, hanta virus info, the log book, and decks of cards, when I found something magic. A very old map of Glacier, still just barely in one piece. We were enthralled at all the changes which…
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Thermomolding for Distance
Thermomoldable ski boot liners are really cool. They’ve yet to make it into many/any boots designed for touring (horizontal miles, rather than vertical), but they should. They’re warm, act as a vapor barrier and don’t absorb much moisture, and with care and proper technique can be impressively flexible as regards fit, both for a variety…
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Just skiing
Not a lot (of snow), but more than enough for the moment. Boogies and all. We counted six melt-freeze crusts in four feet of snow. Upper slopes will wait until things sort themselves out. Yep. Here, we call this irony.
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All the hats
I like hats, and my collection often and properly earns me derision at the hands of M. Rather than deny the dorkiness inherent in this, I embrace it. I’ve de facto pared the collection down quite a bit lately, such that a mere five hats get regular use. They are pictured below, and a discussion…
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The 145 Altai Hok
New skis made it this weekend. 3 lb 4 oz per as pictured above, or 2 lb 14 oz a ski naked. Compare to this photo of the 125. Not too much weight gain for the extra area of the 145. Dimensions are the same as the proto 125: 121-110-121. Inserts are more forward than…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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