Gulf of Slides 3-5-09

[Bumpsis]

Thanks for sharing! Of course, the pics are are great.
So, I'd like some advice about this type of adventure. I looks like you use some kind of AT binding and you probably skinned up all the way from Pinkham Notch on the GOS ski trail, right?

Would I be breaking any kind of back country rules of the Mt. Washington locals if I snow shoed on that trail with my ski gear on by back? I've been really itching to get out there but AT set up is just not in the budget (tele is not a possiblity either).
I've done Tucks on a couple of occassions but that was just in hiking boots with the rest of the usual spring crowds.

 

[JD]

very sweet.

 

[riverc0il]

Would I be breaking any kind of back country rules of the Mt. Washington locals if I snow shoed on that trail with my ski gear on by back?

Slow shoes are okay on the GoS trail. That is how a lot of snowboarders get up if they don't have splitters. Keep to the side of the trail and stay out of the skin track. By late April into early May, you can probably bare boot it easily enough.

 

[andyzee]

Slow shoes are okay on the GoS trail. That is how a lot of snowboarders get up if they don't have splitters. Keep to the side of the trail and stay out of the skin track. By late April into early May, you can probably bare boot it easily enough.

Why would you want to stay out of the skin track? Are you saying people skinning have more right to the trail than people on snowshoes?

If it's a matter of not wanting to mess up the skin track, then I believe the proper response would have been: As courtesy please keep out of the skin track.

 

[Angus]

what is the steepness of GOS? Doesn't look to be as steep as tucks from the pictures. is the hike up there equivalent from Pinkham as is tucks - length and effort? thinking this might be a good start for my son.

 

[riverc0il]

Why would you want to stay out of the skin track? Are you saying people skinning have more right to the trail than people on snowshoes?

If it's a matter of not wanting to mess up the skin track, then I believe the proper response would have been: As courtesy please keep out of the skin track.

Seems like you understood what I was getting at. Sorry I did not type my thoughts in "the proper" way. :roll:

 

[andyzee]

Seems like you understood what I was getting at. Sorry I did not type my thoughts in "the proper" way. :roll:

Sorry, but just seemed kind of arrogant. My 2 cents.

 

[riverc0il]

Sorry, but just seemed kind of arrogant. My 2 cents.

Same rule applies to skinning. Don't skin in a boot pack. Not arrogance. Common courtesy.

 

[andyzee]

Same rule applies to skinning. Don't skin in a boot pack. Not arrogance. Common courtesy.

Who determines side of the trail to middle of trail? Just a question.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Andy,
Riverc0il has been around too long to bite on your trolling attempts

 

[andyzee]

Andy,
Riverc0il has been around too long to bite on your trolling attempts

Excuse me, it's not a trolling attempt. It's a valid question. What gives folks skinning up preference over people snowshoeing up?

How can you say that is a trolling attempt as opposed to a valid question. Believe me it is truly intended as a serious question. Do you have an answer?

 

[andyzee]

Same rule applies to skinning. Don't skin in a boot pack. Not arrogance. Common courtesy.

I've never been up the Gulf of Slides so before speaking I was bit ignorant to it's purpose. After doing some research, I see that it is a ski trail. That said, not being a "troll" here, serious question. Shouldn't folks skinning or snowshoeing up both stay to the side to avoid skiers?

 

[riverc0il]

Shouldn't folks skinning or snowshoeing up both stay to the side to avoid skiers?

Correct, best to stay to the side of BC ski trails to avoid skiers going down and also to preserve the snow if it is powdery. Skinners get no preference (nor did I ever say they did, you were reading a little too much into my post). On the up track, it works out best for EVERYONE if a parallel set of skin and boot tracks go up and are kept separate. Just basic etiquette. Although, by the time most folks on this forum plan to get up there (i.e. after lifts stop spinning), there isn't much snow left on the GOS Ski Trail, so the point may be moot.

 

[andyzee]

Correct, best to stay to the side of BC ski trails to avoid skiers going down and also to preserve the snow if it is powdery. Skinners get no preference (nor did I ever say they did, you were reading a little too much into my post). On the up track, it works out best for EVERYONE if a parallel set of skin and boot tracks go up and are kept separate. Just basic etiquette. Although, by the time most folks on this forum plan to get up there (i.e. after lifts stop spinning), there isn't much snow left on the GOS Ski Trail, so the point may be moot.

Thank you.

 

[from_the_NEK]

Excuse me, it's not a trolling attempt. It's a valid question. What gives folks skinning up preference over people snowshoeing up?

How can you say that is a trolling attempt as opposed to a valid question. Believe me it is truly intended as a serious question. Do you have an answer?

Sorry, but just seemed kind of arrogant. My 2 cents.

Sorry, calling Riverc0il's post arrogant seems like an attempt at a troll. My 2 Cents

Seems like when regular back country skiers provide straight forward advice around here, they are often forced to defend the advice they are giving as if they are trying to keep the back country to themselves. IMHO, Riverc0il has enough "BC cred" around here with TONS of great advice given to those who ask, that he shouldn't need to explain in painful detail about why hikers should "Stay out of the skin track".

 

[andyzee]

Sorry, calling Riverc0il's post arrogant seems like an attempt at a troll. My 2 Cents

Seems like when regular back country skiers provide straight forward advice around here, they are often forced to defend the advice they are giving as if they are trying to keep the back country to themselves. IMHO, Riverc0il has enough "BC cred" around here with TONS of great advice given to those who ask, that he shouldn't need to explain in painful detail about why hikers should "Stay out of the skin track".

We're talking public land with public access. Unless there are specific rules posted, someone with RivercOil's "BC cred" telling me to stay out of a skin track means nothing. Now if he want to elaborate and educate then it may amount to something.

from_the_NEK, you seem like a cool dude, so I won't push it any further.

 

[Angus]

what is the steepness of GOS? Doesn't look to be as steep as tucks from the pictures. is the hike up there equivalent from Pinkham as is tucks - length and effort? thinking this might be a good start for my son.

good, now that we have backcountry etiquette issues resolved...any input into the GOS versus Tucks?

 

[snowmonster]

That TR needs no words. I am so stoked for GOS!

Hey Andy. Just to chime in to a settled debate: let's just say that hiking (postholing) or snowshoeing in the ski track makes it difficult for those skinning after. Anyway, let's say we bag Tux and go for GOS instead this year?

 

[andyzee]

That TR needs no words. I am so stoked for GOS!

Hey Andy. Just to chime in to a settled debate: let's just say that hiking (postholing) or snowshoeing in the ski track makes it difficult for those skinning after. Anyway, let's say we bag Tux and go for GOS instead this year?

No denying, just saying, it would be better to educate rather than dictate where you have no right to dictate. Which I'm sorry, but that's the way I took it.


GOS would be nice, but I'm going up some friends that never experienced Tux. Maybe I could work on getting two weekends up there.

 

[snowmonster]

Cool. Count me in for Tux too.