Twice as much touring, half as much riding…
Sometimes just to try is to succeed.
I decided to use my split-board to head off the property on Sunday and find some turns. It worked out…I didn’t cross another track all day (whether riding or skinning)…including the first line off the hill…
Dropping In...
Now instead of taking the trail all the way to the bar, I decided to pick up a side trail and get another descent under my belt.
Ready to ascend...
As I ascended i saw all sorts of possibilities but I decided to stick to the marked trails (most of which I had been on before in one shape or form).
Follow the Red Markers
My original goal was to make my way around the Ranch Valley (just under the ridgeline) and then grab a descent on the far side, but I’ll be the first to admit I misjudged the time to get there. The tube of my Camelbak had also frozen a second time when I hit the Dishpan; I got it to defrost in my coat early in the trek but when it froze the second time it didn’t want to come back, no matter what tricks I had up my sleeve. So that set me up to call it earlier (distance-wise) than I wanted.
Devil's Dishpan (You have to love the names)
So I hit another junction and headed down. Now I’ll also admit that what I headed down was flatter than I expected, but I was riding untouched snow so it was still fun. Unfortunately due to the lack of pitch I eventually had to switch back to “travel” mode and get back to the Nordic center. In no time, I was back at the Tollhouse and back on the resort.
So didn’t quite make it around to the the line I wanted, but still had a fun day.
(Stowe is littered with trails cut by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the Great Depression. Some have become an integral part of the resort; others are outside the boundary and frequented by tele skiers. Please research your trip when heading out. There’s lot’s of resources so make sure you use them. Also, please make responsible decisions regarding what you ride and when to call it a day.)
PS- sorry for the lousy pics, apparently the batteries I was putting into the camera should’ve been thrown out, so you got some more phone pics
Tags: Splitboard, Stowe
January 12th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Thanks man. The pics look great despite taken from a camera. Just curious what size split you use for the side country at Stowe? I’m heading up in Feb for a week. Won’t be splitting any but stoked to ride my Notch 158 through Mansfield’s trees.
January 12th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
The split board was based on the Notch 1985 162. We made them up for the skinning trip that Runke wrote about in the catalog http://www.romesnowboards.com/syndicate/perspectives/rome/entry/4/
For trips like this I almost back the “make your own” split-board. The pre-made boards are so expensive that you are almost afraid to hit anything. The reality on the east coast is that you’re gonna ride gully’s, riverbeds, and over fallen timbers so it’s inevitable that you will whack something. If you take a rock board and split it you won’t feel bad when you do a heelside across granite that’s barely covered. Plus, we have no plans to sell Rome split-boards in the near future and we want you only buying Rome boards (jk). That said, it is nice to have edges on both sides.
I was going to add a gear part to the post and I never got around to it…Those are BD 3-piece poles (I personally like the baskets; it’s the little things); I have also found Masters poles to be really great for the price. For trips where I don’t have to carry a board I wear a super small pack; more of a Camelbak type of thing to strap a shell to. We have a new pack called the Blitz next year that is smaller than the Insurgent (but based on it). That’s probably the ticket. I toured in Emblems, rode in LT’s, it was about 15-20 degrees. Means pants and a soft-shell. I always bring a second base layer shirt to switch into before riding.
The weather’s been good, I can’t recommend riding here right now enough.
January 14th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Again thanks for the post and the info. I was originally looking at Prior or Venture for a split board but in this economy and for where I’ll be using it (east coast) I think I’m going to stalk craigslist for one. It’s a sign of the times what great, unused gear people are unloading for cash on there. There are some unbelievable deals if you can catch them. Or I’ll just pick up a used 161 or 162 and split it myself. Can’t wait to get up there. I’ll be staying with Bud at the Fiddler’s Green Inn. Hope to grab some first chairs and pow pow pow.
January 21st, 2009 at 8:18 am
good on you man.
skin to win.
see you out there.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Just to update my progress. I found this guy on splitboard.com His website is customsplitboards.com He’s based out of Salt Lake City and does some really nice work: inside edges, etc. I’m handy but I’d rather be seasoning a fillet than trying to saw through a board.
Cheers for now.
B