Ski Mountaineering

Gmeister25

Gmeister25

Member
Does anyone here ski mountaineer? I started to get interested in it after watching/following Cody Townsend's The Fifty Project after watching it I haven't gone after any big objectives, but I did ski the South Face of Mt. Superior next season I plan on getting really into it so does anyone have any tips or helpful info?
 
I don’t know if I’d consider myself a ski mountaineer but sometimes I like to hike up the hill by my house then ski down

It’s pretty gnarly
 
Invest in quality equipment your gear is everything. besides that I'm in the same sort of situation did some research bought a new pack had an old one and then also crampons and ice axe. Recommend starting on youtube theres so much content on there and you can sift through and make your own informed decisions based on that. Also maybe look at Codys episode of whats in the bag I'm sure you've seen it but its very useful and gets you thinking about what you need yourself.
 
14292060:DummyBears said:
Invest in quality equipment your gear is everything. besides that I'm in the same sort of situation did some research bought a new pack had an old one and then also crampons and ice axe. Recommend starting on youtube theres so much content on there and you can sift through and make your own informed decisions based on that. Also maybe look at Codys episode of whats in the bag I'm sure you've seen it but its very useful and gets you thinking about what you need yourself.
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Probably have watched the whats in the bag video 15+ times
 
"Ski mountaineering" is a dumb term. It's skiing. The great thing about the Wasatch is it's so confined geographically, with a bevy of really interesting objectives that offer the ability to dabble in more involved ascents/descents. The best part about it? certain objectives are harder/scarier/closer to the edge depending on weather/snow/time of year. Oh, and you don't have glaciers to fuck with.

Keeping your pack as light as possible is important. Bringing the kitchen sink will seriously hinder the ability to ski, which is why you're there in the first place. Prioritize comfort and your personal idea of performance (in ski choice, clothing choice, boot choice) over weight savings. Nothing wrong with a 1400g boot (Hoji Free/Zero G/Hawx XTD) and 100 waisted ski if you're coming from a resort background. Last thing you want to do is stand on top of no-fall terrain with a pair of skis/boots that you can't ski the way you want. plus, the skiing is more fun. People always talk about how you "can't ski anything big with twin-tips" because you "have to be able to be able to build an anchor with your skis." Sure it's nice, but again, no glaciers to fuck with.

Semi-auto crampons are worth it. Never travel in groups bigger than four. Three is ideal.

People obsess over weight of their hardgoods, but lightweight layers, packs, helmets, clothes, can afford a better skiing setup.

take an anchor-building course. Honestly will suit you really well in this arena -- even more-so than an avi course, because you sure as shit won't be skiing these things when it's anything but green light condies.
 
14292096:e.will said:
"Ski mountaineering" is a dumb term. It's skiing. The great thing about the Wasatch is it's so confined geographically, with a bevy of really interesting objectives that offer the ability to dabble in more involved ascents/descents. The best part about it? certain objectives are harder/scarier/closer to the edge depending on weather/snow/time of year. Oh, and you don't have glaciers to fuck with.

Keeping your pack as light as possible is important. Bringing the kitchen sink will seriously hinder the ability to ski, which is why you're there in the first place. Prioritize comfort and your personal idea of performance (in ski choice, clothing choice, boot choice) over weight savings. Nothing wrong with a 1400g boot (Hoji Free/Zero G/Hawx XTD) and 100 waisted ski if you're coming from a resort background. Last thing you want to do is stand on top of no-fall terrain with a pair of skis/boots that you can't ski the way you want. plus, the skiing is more fun. People always talk about how you "can't ski anything big with twin-tips" because you "have to be able to be able to build an anchor with your skis." Sure it's nice, but again, no glaciers to fuck with.

Semi-auto crampons are worth it. Never travel in groups bigger than four. Three is ideal.

People obsess over weight of their hardgoods, but lightweight layers, packs, helmets, clothes, can afford a better skiing setup.

take an anchor-building course. Honestly will suit you really well in this arena -- even more-so than an avi course, because you sure as shit won't be skiing these things when it's anything but green light condies.
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More weight... Work harder ..... More fun.... More rewarding (within reason of course)
 
14292118:DummyBears said:
More weight... Work harder ..... More fun.... More rewarding (within reason of course)
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That's not what I'm saying at all.

More weight and working is not more fun and not more rewarding. It's actually much worse and much less rewarding. I love touring with my pescados and beast bindings, but I sure as shit am not going to hoof them up Rainier for a single day ascent. But I will take my vision 108s with ion 12s -- especially if I'm skiing something fun like the finger or success couloir.

What I'm saying is there is a point of diminishing return. Around 1400g in boots and 1650g for skis seems to be that sweet spot for skiers coming from a freeride/resort background.

Instead, focus on cutting weight in the overall package kit head to toe. Helmets/clothing/backpacks/accessories are places that you can go lighter and lighter that afford you opportunities to keep skis you like on your feet with boots that don't suck. lightweight softshell or c-knit hardshell pants. A super thin 3l raincoat instead of a hardshell. Strip all the unnecessary attachments on a pack. 200 gm helmet, no goggles. One down layer.

Most people bring too much shit and don't think about the overall package, instead obsessing over light skis and light boots. Which I think is dumb, and not seeing the forest for the trees.
 
14292130:e.will said:
That's not what I'm saying at all.

More weight and working is not more fun and not more rewarding. It's actually much worse and much less rewarding. I love touring with my pescados and beast bindings, but I sure as shit am not going to hoof them up Rainier for a single day ascent. But I will take my vision 108s with ion 12s -- especially if I'm skiing something fun like the finger or success couloir.

What I'm saying is there is a point of diminishing return. Around 1400g in boots and 1650g for skis seems to be that sweet spot for skiers coming from a freeride/resort background.

Instead, focus on cutting weight in the overall package kit head to toe. Helmets/clothing/backpacks/accessories are places that you can go lighter and lighter that afford you opportunities to keep skis you like on your feet with boots that don't suck. lightweight softshell or c-knit hardshell pants. A super thin 3l raincoat instead of a hardshell. Strip all the unnecessary attachments on a pack. 200 gm helmet, no goggles. One down layer.

Most people bring too much shit and don't think about the overall package, instead obsessing over light skis and light boots. Which I think is dumb, and not seeing the forest for the trees.
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If that how you feel I definitely like feeling like I'm getting my ass kicked.
 
topic:Hellbrook_Labs said:
Does anyone here ski mountaineer? I started to get interested in it after watching/following Cody Townsend's The Fifty Project after watching it I haven't gone after any big objectives, but I did ski the South Face of Mt. Superior next season I plan on getting really into it so does anyone have any tips or helpful info?
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Go take avalanche courses, weather courses, and read the book staying alive in avalanche terrain for starters! Assuming you aren't skiing in the backcountry already, I'd set your sights on non technical ascents and build from there. It seems like common sense to me, but jumping into complex terrain (anything in The Fifty) from the get go could be disastrous regardless of how strong of a skier you are.

It's probably a little too soon for this rather inexperienced advice, but my MO when choosing objectives is to consider everything that can kill me on that line/slope regardless of my actual ability to ski it and apply the following:

- If there are multiple hazards I haven't navigated (many times) before, its a no go.

- If there is one hazard I haven't navigated (many times) before and there is no turning back once you're up/in there... it's a no go

- If there is one hazard I haven't navigated (many times) before but there is opportunity to bail at the top, AND safety islands in the middle of the line.... it MIGHT be a go subject to conditions and how much time in the mountains I've spent with my partner.

Obviously the goal is to progress into bigger terrain and that's rad as hell, but I think being cognizant enough to isolate your experience with specific hazards (ie: cornices, glaciers, terrain traps) in each line and incrementally progressing "through" them is one of the smartest things you can do to decrease the chances of some serious type 3 fun and/or dying.

Tl;DR: don't future spin until you can throw a 3... but with avalanche assessment, weather assessment, and group dynamic experience.

**This post was edited on May 25th 2021 at 10:44:02pm
 
14292280:Hellbrook_Labs said:
Oh ya for sure it was nothing too big I just wanted to keep it easy, it's more of a tour than anything.
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Yeah just not much of mountaineering, I didn’t even need an axe last season on it, granted post storm cycle day. I avoided most of the classic big line ish spots this year, always looked crowded as hell, but still found plenty of good stuff where people just wiggle or walk by..

If you’re interested in rappel shit though there is a course someone offers in the Wasatch mid winter which is sick.
 
14292823:Skibumsmith said:
Learn to climb. Ski mountaineering is just a combination of skiing and alpinism.
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Truth

Skimo usually doesnt involve ropes, other that dealing with cravasses or cornices. Its more about efficient ski climbing than boot packing.

To do what Cody is doing; you have to be fully trained on rope management and build the experience for years before considering doing that level. He makes it look fun and easy; the truth is that style is scary, painful and physically demanding.

Ive done some roped ascents for skiing, but in the snow it was quite a different experience from normal rock climbing. Your gear freezes, ropes are stiffer, gear is heavier, weather can suck all of the sudden; I dont recommend you jump on these peaks to replicate someones videos. You have to build up.

1.Take up rock climbing and rise to the level you can trad climb at least a 5.10a

2. When it starts to get cold, bring ski boots and campons to your training crag and get a bunch of these climbs in

3. begin combining the alpinism into your ski tours. Bootpack a bunch of steeps and get used to a near vertical ascents.

4. Bring the ropes out and practice freeclimbing, belaying, anchors, rapels and rescue techniques. Start on easy ascent and gradualy start getting into rocky climbs

Id say 3 years of good climbing skills and comfort in shit fuck conditions should at least keep you safe.

Remember this quote: Mountains will try to kill you in every possible way, including your actions.

Or this one: You will end up on the evening news, not by peaking a mountain, but by dying from your own dumb decisions along the way. That will be your epitath.
 
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