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Michael's Perspective | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SnowBoarding: Freeriding the backcountry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Snowboarding is much more than just sport. It is the binding of gravity, the fluid dynamics of snow, the flat base of a kewl board, and personal freedom that comes from staying in control when these things are put together. Many boarders enjoy learning how to stay on top of a board at an early age. Some learn later. Snowboarding has many aspects or arenas of enjoyment: grooving the groomers; cruising for hits and jibs along runs at a resort; riding and jibbing in the terrain park; hucking and dropping ledges for secret couliors and gulleys of snow; or hiking into the backcountry for spectacular untracked runs and big glory tails (tales) from carving deep fast turns in the powdery landscape. The latter is for me the purest essence of what i seek from my snowboard. Hiking into the spectacular beauty of the backcountry one should be sure they have packed some essential equipment. 1: Knowledge and awareness of avalanches, what causes them, how to assess the danger, practice at assessing them, and practice at locating individuals who may have become caught in them. 2: A shovel is a must as a backcountry tool. It helps you dig your buddy out (or others since we are in this together) of an avalanche if one occurs. Make sure each person has one since you may never know who or how many may get caught in the catastrophe. A shovel also allows you to build a kicker if there are not any natural features offering something to jib on. 3: A transciever is an expensive tool you always carry on your body hoping to never have to use in an emergency. Initially it sends out a locating signal. Make sure it is turned on when leaving the parking area and test each unit for receiving and sending. During rescue practice or in an emergency a dial is turned to receive the signal from the avalanche victim. Understanding and practicing with this life saving instrument is a must. It goes in tandem with the first element of backcountry riding: knowledge. 4: A good pack can carry your board and shovel comfortably (the transciever is worn on your person over your inner layers but under your jacket). The pack should also carry water, some food (I carry enough snacks for a couple breaks) and an extra inner layer or fleece. An extra inner layer is handy if you have perspired during the climb or accessing the backcountry. Putting on a dry inner layer next to the skin can keep you from chilling. An extra fleece is a good idea in case you get stuck out there overnight. May, i repeat, may keep you alive long enough to be found. Can't make any guarantees about frostbite, but being alive is a big deal. Enjoying the backcountry and being alive to enjoy it another day is the greatest gift a snowboard can offer. Be safe and conscientious about other backcountry users. Take a picture of your favorite terrain or you riding it and send it to me. That would be cool, sharing your experiences with others. |
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A buddy going heelside in Avalanche Gulley. Teton Pass Backcountry. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
American Avalanche Institute | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Teton Meteorology | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Colorado Backcountry | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
my profile | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
About me: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name: | Michael Adams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Email: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
iknowmichael@yahoo.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Soon to be added: New snowboard backcountry pix from Teton County, Wyoming and Grand Teton National Park. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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turning the Claw, Teton Pass, Wyoming | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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If you are ever in Jackson, Wyoming, look me up. We can hook up for some of the Grandest turns to be made. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From the Web. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Adam, Nick and myself at a little known resort. Lost Trail has some great chutes and tree runs if your interested in going to a place with relativlely no crowds. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Sunrise over the foot of Sleeping Indian from Grand Teton Park, Wyoming, USA. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||