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.