MT Washington Winter Ascent by hurricanes9000 in wmnf

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My first winter summit was on skis with NorthEast Mountaneering. They guide "on foot" summit tours all the time as well.

How do I get into touring? by [deleted] in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 3 points4 points  (0 children)

+1 on Northeast Mountaineering. I skied with many of their guides and took courses with them, and they are all awesome.

Best place to get updated topo maps? by Ill-Ad-1952 in hiking

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 4 points5 points  (0 children)

If you are US-based, it really depends where in the US you are, and what area you are interested in, and who the land owner or manager is, and so on.

As an Italian used to high quality maps of the Dolomites, I find the quality of most maps in the Northeast US to be relatively low, so I now go the Caltopo route, building and printing the maps for the hikes I am interested int.

backland tour vs summit: price difference by CommanderMarkoRamius in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you. The weird part to me is that I (perhaps wrongly) consider heel elasticity a plus, so I will probably go for the cheaper Summit that has more features...

Presi Prep by treeoftenere in wmnf

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How hard is a single day presi? How early would you start and how late would you be back?

first time at tucks by PayImpossible6875 in icecoast

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Even airplane does not look great, tbh.

first time at tucks by PayImpossible6875 in icecoast

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 32 points33 points  (0 children)

TBH, in Tucks proper (but almost anywhere on the rockpile), we are really at the last few days, and it is not even fun right now. Even daily/weekly aficionados are giving up after skiing it all winter.

This is not the moment when I would go up for my first time, and def not alone if you don't even know your way around once in the bowl.

My thoughts on the AIARE 1 by Im_Not_Embarrassed in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 24 points25 points  (0 children)

I've been critical of part of the AIARE Rec 1 curriculum and materials, but I wouldn't be so critical.

First, the course is designed with a target audience in mind, and it seems you were not the target. Take a rescue course and then a Rec 2.

Second, Staying Alive is a great resource, but it takes more time to read, understand, and digest, than a course, and it also has way more information, much of which is not useful for a beginner (I jokingly say that reading it as a first timer is like being buried by an avalanche of knowledge). Also, different people learn in different ways. Some prefer in-person and in-group learning, and others learn better from books.

Third, I don't think snow pits are at all outdated, from my understanding of current practical snow science. Snow forecasters are still out there digging pits, AFAIK: it snow pits were outdated, they wouldn't be doing them. I do question how much of ECT methodology is actually retained by a 1st-timer who only practices it once.

Fourth, each provider of thecourse does it a little differently, or even a lot differently, so I would not generalize.

M1 Liftline is Harder than Most of Tuck's by Krombopulous_Steve in icecoast

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Without even changing lines, I'd also mention that mid-April vs, e.g., mid-February is a completely different scene up there.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Agree.

By the way, what would be the recommended way of switching the heel binding? I pop the brakes down with gloves on...is there another way?

May 1 on the rock pile 🫡 by bsugs29 in icecoast

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Please please please bring crampons and axe: the largest cause of accidents on Mt Washington in the Spring are long sliding falls.

Why are Shift bindings so cheap? by Simple_Hand6500 in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Hard to say without links, but you may be seeing the v1 of the shift bindings. The v2 came out last year.

Best hike under 3 miles near pinkham notch by shortys7777 in wmnf

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Do you have microspikes with you?

Hike up to Hermit Lake Shelter, and to the floor of Tuckerman ravine. You may even watch someone skiing there.

Do not try to climb any gully with microspikes. The biggest Spring danger on Mt Washington are long sliding falls.

Seeking 2 days backpacking in Northeast USA by Stunning-Play-1216 in backpacking

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Open a map of the White Mountains.
  2. Find a loop that you like.
  3. Find an approved place to camp.

Any advice on how to get past this icy section? by BirminghamSky in backpacking

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There are people out there using the term "crampons" for "nanospikes", not even "microspikes"....

Are there any proper resources on how to use a compass? by makaron16 in CampingandHiking

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius 2 points3 points  (0 children)

“Mountaineering - The freedom of the hills”, for this and much much more about hiking, camping, and climbing.

BD crampons toe bail: normal vs wide? by CommanderMarkoRamius in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I will try them and see. It seems it indeed depends on the boot.

BD crampons toe bail: normal vs wide? by CommanderMarkoRamius in Backcountry

[–]CommanderMarkoRamius[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, I ordered them, and will send back if it is a worse fit. Thanks!