photo: Tommy Chandler
It’s April already, and the ski touring season is winding toward its close. (Of course, after over 600 inches fell in the Wasatch this winter, we still have a hearty base for the die-hards who prefer to keep on skinnin’.) Many tour-ists are deeply indebted to their local avalanche forecasting centers for another season of life-saving information provided on a daily basis.
We Utah skiers are spoiled by more than fantastic snow and terrain; whether we plan to dash out of the resort gates for a glory lap or we’re plotting a hut-to-hut trip in the Uintahs, all we have to do is consult our local Utah Avalanche Center’s website (or podcast, or phone recording, or radio announcement) for an in-depth avalanche forecast and analysis. On the site, easy color-coded charts explain what types of danger exist, how high each type of danger is, and where to watch for each type. This information is a daily complement to one’s own snow safety education and experience. Everyone, from the newbie to the expert, can find invaluable beta to use while planning a tour. Read More …
In December, The New York Times ran a basic
10 Reasons Not to Ski the Himalayas
By: Kate Showalter | September 22nd, 20103 Comments »
Ski the Himalayas? Better think twice.
Does exploring Nepal’s 1,300+ peaks higher than 6,000 meters (19,685+ feet)—many of which haven’t been climbed let alone skied—sound like your kind of adventure? Here are ten things that might make you think twice before you pack your bags and jump on a plane with your touring gear.
Then again, for the masochist/devil-may-care crowd out there, maybe these are ten things that’ll make the whole adventure sound even more appealing. Read More …
Tags: alpine climbing, avalanche safety, ski mountaineering
Posted in Commentary |