backcountry newbie

[skididdie]

so i was thinking of trying some backcountry skiing, ive never been so im looking for an easier location. id say im a good skier but i cant do moguls, well i can, but i look like a flopping rag doll when i do it. another question is my skis. ive got volkl 724 exp's with a 74mm waist and they are 177cm. would that ski work? lastly, any information on books or websites out there about backcountry in new england would be appreciated.

 

[riverc0il]

for reading material, start with David Goodman's Backcountry Skiing Adventures books. AZ is starting to get quite a few BC'ers so here is a good source. FirstTracksOnline still gets a lot more BC reports and Time For Tuckerman is probably the best web site for new england BC reports and info.

you can backcountry ski with any equipment; however, if you do not have skins and BC gear such as trekkers or AT bindings, you should look into snowshoes for hiking. best bet would be to invest in some BC gear. the more important gear is appropriate clothing, pack, etc. any one can hike for turns with any equipment, but doing so easily and comfortably go a long way towards your enjoyment of the entire tour, not just the downhill.

a good first time BC trip that i like to suggest is hike to HoJos on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail and ski down on the Sherbie. the TRT is normally well packed though some sort of stabilization tool could be helpful at certain times.

getting comfortable in moguls would certainly help your BC enjoyment. even though you may not see moguls on all BC trails, you most definitely will on more popular runs such as the Sherbie. in BC, you really need to be able to make turns in any condition. you don't have to look good doing it, but you need to be able to get yourself easily down anything you hike to, so just start out within your comfort zone and work on bumps and natural snow skiing when ever possible.

 

[dmc]

http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Sense-Evaluating-Avalanche-Hazard/dp/0964399407

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Sense-Evaluating-Avalanche-Hazard/dp/0964399407

A good sugestion. I'll start with a real basic one:

http://www.amazon.com/Expert-Map-Compass-Bj%F6rn-Kjellstr%F6m/dp/0020292651

 

[atkinson]

www.couloirmag.com

John

 

[rogue rider]

Here is another good book:

Staying Alive In Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper

 

[maplevalleymaster]

I've never skied it (I hope to this year), but I heard Slidesbrook Basin has some good backcountry terrain. Can anyone confirm this? Also, a question about that, how do you get out of there once you have gotten to the bottom?