Yep, I'll take some of that.
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Confucius: "There is no tapestry if no one makes thread." Thank you, thread makers! 🧵
Weather 1/25: Cold, Cold, Cold, Wind, Wind, Wind, Wind
- Thread starter Glenn MacGrady
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Nicely done!
First tracks. I miss telemark skiing a lot.
Only tracks! I teled for 27 years, and then realized the error of my ways--AT gear in the photo. I still have some gear, and dust it off every now and then for craps and grins.
I'd like some of THAT.. Were you solo and how long did it take you to get to the top of the pass?
It was a good day! Just the two of us (me in the pic, partner (faster) with the phone), at Thompson Pass. The uptrack was probably two hours or so from the car. We had to do this one twice!
My skiing is more exploring than making turns, but I like to get a few turns in for practice. That photo was at the apex of a local ten mile loop. We could use some more snow here.
I've wanted to try Hok skis for years and this year I finally bought a pair. No 'real' skiing for me. I hope they'll be more of a snowshoe substitute. So far we haven't had more than a dusting of snow and it really wouldn't bother me if I never had a chance to try them this season.
I like getting out in the snow for a little fun but I personally find it more trouble than it's worth. It's so much easier in the auto shop working on cars that aren't packed with snow and dripping all day.
I remember one winter where we had near record snowfall totals and snowshoeing was the only way to get around on my 'walks' all winter long. That's when I realized I really don't like snowshoeing much at all. It's a fun novelty but it soon wore thin.
Cold with no snow sometimes seems wrong but I do enjoy being able to just walk normal on my outdoor excursions.
Alan
I like getting out in the snow for a little fun but I personally find it more trouble than it's worth. It's so much easier in the auto shop working on cars that aren't packed with snow and dripping all day.
I remember one winter where we had near record snowfall totals and snowshoeing was the only way to get around on my 'walks' all winter long. That's when I realized I really don't like snowshoeing much at all. It's a fun novelty but it soon wore thin.
Cold with no snow sometimes seems wrong but I do enjoy being able to just walk normal on my outdoor excursions.
Alan
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So far, January around here has reminded me a lot of winter when I was a kid. (Of course, I'm not liking it nearly as much now that I'm paying the heating bills.) Picked up another 3-4 inches today and it's starting to feel weird if I look outside and it's not snowing.
Supposed to get above freezing the next 2 days though.
Supposed to get above freezing the next 2 days though.
Alan, could you tell those are Hoks in my photo? I don't like snowshoeing either. The Hoks are just plain enjoyable to use. I'm such a believer in them for practical snow travel that I've collected all three sizes. The family loves them. I've tried to get them excited about skiing off-trail with more conventional skis, but they haven't been confident on anything like they are on the Hoks. So very easy to control, and the universal binding makes dedicated boots unnecessary.
What size and bindings did you get? Did you get the skin wax?
Steve, I knew they were Hoks. I'm more of a Kom kind of guy and may get a pair if I ware out my current skis. Did you know that it's common for people to use that type ski with a single pole? It's called a lurk and they are about 6 to 8 feet, I think.
We've had lake effect snow flurries, showers and squalls over the last two weeks. It's kept things nice and white, but not enough to ski. Today might be the day. If not we may get more on Sunday from a storm coming up the coast.
I did get out for a hike with a friend the other day. The plan was to build a fire, make some cocoa and Geta little fresh air. We didn't go far. We made our fire in an old campfire ring that I had found over ten years ago. It's situated at the edge of a swamp under the protection of some
hemlocks. There are a couple seats made from large rocks there, but no sign that anyone had ever camped there with no suitable spot for a tent. There hadn't been a fire in it for many years judging by the thick moss that had grown in the pit. When I got a stick to use to support my pot over the fire I found that a rock had been placed behind the pit that had a notch in the bottom to hold a stick just for this purpose. Another rock was there that was used to adjust the hight of the pole.
When I found this pit I assumed it was used by deer hunters for a mid day break, which was a custom around here back in the day. I also assumed it was used by the guy who originally owned my cottage. He had a reputation for being quite the hunter. Legend has it that he had a stand in this area that was 60 feet high in a tree and that he got a buck every year for over 40 years.
It was a great day. We got a little exercise and it felt good to be out in the cold air. We had our cocoa and some meat sticks made from a bear that my friend had shot earlier this season.
We've had lake effect snow flurries, showers and squalls over the last two weeks. It's kept things nice and white, but not enough to ski. Today might be the day. If not we may get more on Sunday from a storm coming up the coast.
I did get out for a hike with a friend the other day. The plan was to build a fire, make some cocoa and Geta little fresh air. We didn't go far. We made our fire in an old campfire ring that I had found over ten years ago. It's situated at the edge of a swamp under the protection of some
hemlocks. There are a couple seats made from large rocks there, but no sign that anyone had ever camped there with no suitable spot for a tent. There hadn't been a fire in it for many years judging by the thick moss that had grown in the pit. When I got a stick to use to support my pot over the fire I found that a rock had been placed behind the pit that had a notch in the bottom to hold a stick just for this purpose. Another rock was there that was used to adjust the hight of the pole.
When I found this pit I assumed it was used by deer hunters for a mid day break, which was a custom around here back in the day. I also assumed it was used by the guy who originally owned my cottage. He had a reputation for being quite the hunter. Legend has it that he had a stand in this area that was 60 feet high in a tree and that he got a buck every year for over 40 years.
It was a great day. We got a little exercise and it felt good to be out in the cold air. We had our cocoa and some meat sticks made from a bear that my friend had shot earlier this season.
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Add another Hok user to the group. I picked up a pair a few years ago from LL Bean (got to love Bean Bucks!) and love using them to explore off trail in my local state forests. Mine have their universal bindings so I've worn both my mukluks and a pair of true winter hiking boots at times. The boots give me more control but there are times that I just enjoy being in my mukluks. The only downside to using the mukluks is the bindings have worn through the canvas numerous times. I've sewn all those places but finally purchased a new set of mukluks that are reserved for snowshoeing and general woods walking.
That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.
snapper
That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.
snapper
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Good grief, why? Just like people, deer don't tend to look up so 10-12 feet is the norm around here. Sure they didn't say "16"?
I won't (usually) pass up a mature buck but I shoot mostly does. They're better eating and you thin the herd that way (deer eat the same food as cows so the farms around here love doe hunters).
I may have to look into those Hoks if it keeps snowing like it's been. I could stand to get back to old-fashioned winters and my cross country skis are long gone.
Yeah, those universal bindings seem like a good idea. It sounds like you like them.
I'm happy to hear about the happy Hok experiences. I got the 125cm length with universal bindings. They were out of wax when I ordered. Have you found it to make a big difference? If so in what conditions?
I was planning to use mine with mukluks in cold weather so it's good to hear about possible wear problems. Maybe I can put some tape over those areas?
Alan
I was planning to use mine with mukluks in cold weather so it's good to hear about possible wear problems. Maybe I can put some tape over those areas?
Alan
Very nice. All the old and abandoned firepits I find are circles, and there are many of them on the island I usually paddle to. I should start rebuilding at least some of them to be more useful, and keep this idea in mind when I come across others that are in out of the way places.
I know about skiing with the single 6' pole, but I I'm using different gear entirely when I ski where I think that would be useful.
Believe it or not, I have the Koms too, and had them before the Hoks. Switchback bindings on those. They were my first really fat ski, and I like them a lot - but if I was buying new stuff right now, I'd be picking up a set of Voile V6 BC. Spent just enough time on a borrowed set to know I like them a little more.
A few weeks ago, I was out in about 32°f with wet snow falling and ice was building up on the skins and the bindings - robbing all the glide, of course. I scraped the ice off of the skins and applied the wax, and was good for the rest of the day. Doesn't take much, and I think it works best if you apply it before the skins get wet.
I have used other brands of skin wax that seem to work just as well, but I like the small container and applicator the Altai wax comes with.
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@Steve in Idaho - I've used ski wax plenty of times but never heard of skin wax. Where did you get it? Is it made especially for Hoks? Any info you can share will be appreciated. Sounds like it would be good to have it in my pack when changeable conditions occur while out in the woods.
That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.
snapper
That's all for now. Take care and until next time...be well.
snapper
The skin wax Altai sells should work on any synthetic climbing skins, I would think. I have also used a Nickwax waterproofing treatment for skins that is a liquid in a bottle with sponge applicator. I can't say I know which works best, but I haven't experienced either not working. The Altai wax is easiest to carry, as it's in a 2.5" diameter by 1.75" tall screw-top can.
