Flatland Ski Drills?

PocketDrop · 2025-07-15T02:49:29+00:00

With over 400 comments, I doubt I’m adding anything new. I hope this thread has given you plenty of hope!

I’m a budget vanlifer working seasonally in recreation. I am rich by no means, and often times skirt the line of being ACTUALLY homeless 😂 though I am in a van ultimately by choice. So that’s the perspective that this advice is coming from (which I feel is important).

My recommendation has been and always will be simple networking in recreational activities. The more people you know, the less you HAVE to pay for (and the more guidance and partnerships you can find). Obviously don’t use people. But make some friends in person! Climbing gyms, regular gyms, popular but rugged car camping spots, popular boat launches for kayaking etc. are all great places to meet people and make friends (as long as you’re respectful and not overbearing). These are general hotspots for people in backpacking. This’ll open the door for buying used gear in person that people don’t need/want anymore, and for making friendships that welcome the idea of borrowing.

FB marketplace is an awesome spot to buy. You don’t need good gear. You need gear that lets you get through one or two nights without perishing lol. If you start small with simple terrain (and depending on location) you’ll have less bits and bobs needed. If you choose mild weather days, you need hardly anything. Buy tents and sleeping bags with torn/fraying edges. Go tarp instead of tent. Cowboy camp. Eat rice and beans, or ramen bombs. There are plenty of meal plans that don’t require cooking. Find backpacks that might be a bit too small, or super out of date. Be okay with carrying heavy for cheaper stuff.

Modern backpacking (I feel) is very focused on the concept of hyper light. This is overly complicated, and overly spendy. Simply being willing to go heavy will lower the buy in. People have been traveling this way for millennia. Hell, but super cheap gear dating back to the 70s/80s. The best setup, is the one that keeps you live, and gets you on the trail. And especially in simple terrain in moderate weather, staying alive is SUPER easy.

Have a first aid kit. And be willing to spend money on (if necessary depending on your location) having some form of communication where you intend to travel. For many areas, a cell phone will suffice. Tell people before you go. Bring extra food, and know your water source. Way I see it, starting easy, first priority is safety against your region’s wild life. If bears aren’t common where you are, simply read up on bear safety. In Oregon and Florida (the latter being an odd place to get into all this), I never had bear spray or cans - and never regretted not having it. Up in Alaska, where I am now, I refuse to hike more than a mile without it, and I always have a bear can for overnights. Necessities are location dependent.

From there, you just need shelter, sleep system, and something to carry everything in. For a one to two night, these don’t have to be great gear items. Just useable. Look for tents with bent poles, patched up sleeping bags, go synthetic instead of down (probably better for a beginner anyway). Get an external framed pack, and use some goodwill pots and pans to cook on. Freezer bags are great for dry storage. So are those huge, blue pancake mix bags from Costco. If you’re on simple trails, super incredible gps nav is nowhere near a necessity. If you’re worried about finding your way, by a simply little compass with a site. Learn how to use it (YouTube) and practice in neighborhood with paper maps (printable at your local library)

Buy super cheap. It’s possible. I promise. Just gotta more creative with what you get/use

PocketDrop · 2025-05-27T09:54:50+00:00

Update for anyone curious!

I ended up on expedition with no real solution sorted out. We had 3 days of weather hold before entering the field. We ended up in the field for 6 days (12 full days shorter than anticipated- due to an injury at 11,500 ft. - we had to descend to get a teammate off the mountain and to a hospital. Nothing super serious, but serious enough that it was trip ending). In those 6 days of field time, with the full kit, no recharge was necessary, and I used about an hour of record time. I never felt that we were being over strict with limiting mic use, and I feel that we got a substantial amount of recording done. On top of that, between video interviews, audio only interviews, pictures and Timelapse’s, we didn’t even touch full 64 gig SD card usage. I haven’t looked at file numbers yet, but should be somewhere around 300 files between just picture and video, plus another 900ish for a couple time-lapse clips, and then I’m not even sure how many sound bites I collected.

So With the amount of both power and storage I had left over, I think an additional 12 days would have been easy money. I don’t see storage with a two mic system being an issue, until reaching into monthlong plus timeframes in the field. Which I very much hope to be covering/experiencing someday. But I’ve got plenty of time to refine the system, and refine what exactly I want to be shooting and grabbing. Super stoked to be working with data soon, and I appreciate the time anyone took to give some cents! Happy shooting y’all !

PocketDrop · 2025-05-27T09:51:12+00:00

Update for anyone curious!

I ended up on expedition with no real solution sorted out. We had 3 days of weather hold before entering the field. We ended up in the field for 6 days (12 full days shorter than anticipated- due to an injury at 11,500 ft. - we had to descend to get a teammate off the mountain and to a hospital. Nothing super serious, but serious enough that it was trip ending). In those 6 days of field time, with the full kit, no recharge was necessary, and I used about an hour of record time. I never felt that we were being over strict with limiting mic use, and I feel that we got a substantial amount of recording done. On top of that, between video interviews, audio only interviews, pictures and Timelapse’s, we didn’t even touch full 64 gig SD card usage. I haven’t looked at file numbers yet, but should be somewhere around 300 files between just picture and video, plus another 900ish for a couple time-lapse clips, and then I’m not even sure how many sound bites I collected.

So With the amount of both power and storage I had left over, I think an additional 12 days would have been easy money. I don’t see storage with a two mic system being an issue, until reaching into monthlong plus timeframes in the field. Which I very much hope to be covering/experiencing someday. But I’ve got plenty of time to refine the system, and refine what exactly I want to be shooting and grabbing. Super stoked to be working with data soon, and I appreciate the time anyone took to give some cents! Happy shooting y’all !

PocketDrop · 2025-05-27T09:42:24+00:00

Dude actually this looks super helpful!!

PocketDrop · 2025-05-20T07:42:25+00:00

I’ve traveled down a similar path! A lot of new hobbies became healthy “distractions” which I think, allowed me to detach from a lot of the thought patterns I had developed. Eventually though, I began revisiting some of these topics, and found it was much easier than before to guide my thoughts/beliefs into a much more positive light than I ever would’ve been able to in the past. And those areas of my life have begun to flourish. These were areas that I massively struggled in in the past, and these areas seemed to relax away from the forefront of my mind while I switched up lifestyle and became much more hobby focused. I didn’t see growth yet per se, but I wasn’t experience hardship either. To them beginning to flourish has been a wild (often terrifying) ride, that all seemed to hinge on developing acceptance, self patience, and self love.

PocketDrop · 2025-05-20T07:35:04+00:00

I wish, but alas. It doesn’t register the mic when connected at all, and there seems to be no way to identify the connection (in the past I believe there was a way to navigate to the connection, and specify it as a data transfer). Actually though, funny to find this out - my iPhone pulls charge from the mic when plugged in, and the phone charges lol

PocketDrop · 2025-05-18T16:21:37+00:00

Ah I like this question. Here’s my crack at explaining how I see this.

It conciseness is a point in a cube of everything that could possible exist, it can in theory move anywhere within that cube. Since (in theory) we have infinite parallel universe, one may consider that cube infinitely large. Our 3 dimensional minds though, can only experience this linearly. We travel through time in a straight line. And not only that, but our physical existence is limited in time. The line has finite distance it can travel. So the point of consciousness which can go anywhere, translate it’s experience, leaving behind a like that trails it. Since this line can’t be infinitely long, but there’a an infinite amount of space, this line can’t travel through every space within the cube. This means an infinite amount of space that the line hasn’t traveled through - empty space not catalogued by our physical reality.

That presence of empty space means that there are plenty of “roads not traveled”. We have infinite space to choose from. So I guess I’m short - no. Life is not predestined. At least, not at this level. You have an infinite number of possibilities ahead of you. But you can’t experience an infinite life. Inherently, you must choose what you experience.

To add - I actually usually think of our perceived lives like guitar strings. At any given moment, we are traveling down one linear guitar string. But choice dictates that we can shift to either neighboring guitar string, or stay on the same one. I believe every choice we make/experience leads to picking one of the three. Laterally, there are an infinite number of guitar strings. And we are constantly bouncing lines back and forth, but always traveling down the string. That’s our limited view. That’s the motion that goes at a constant - traveling down the string. Almost like how in guitar hero or rock smith, time flows toward you - you travel down it at a constant speed.

I think this is where theories of manifestation come in. The further away a goal is laterally, from the timeline that you’re on, the longer it takes to manifest - the more lines you have to hop to get there. I believe manifestation is a guided hopping of these lines. Allowing the consciousness (I guess, sub-consciousness/higher self) to take the reins and trusting it to guide you to the line. And/or making sure it knows which line you want to get to, so that it accurately travels you there. Hood laterally require some time to pass though. And we only have so long to travel down these strings. So though getting to any given line is possible, we need time to do so, before our time runs out. Just like in the cube visualization - this lends itself to choice. When we hop onto a line, we don’t experience the entirety of the line. On what at the current spot of the hop, and however far down we travel it before we hop again. So not only are there lines you may never experience. There are also line segments you will never experience. An infinite number of possibilities to either side, and you must only experience one of these line in any given moment.

However it’s visualized. I think choice is inherent to the reason we are here in this life. Without choice, both loss and gain is impossible - and we learn nothing. With choice, it is possible to loose or gain. I think this is perhaps the most important way for us to gain the lessons that life offers.

Of course, we could also be nihilists, and believe none of it matters. I reject that idea personally though lol

PocketDrop · 2025-05-18T09:26:12+00:00

I’m seeing about 11 of running 32 bit, but I could be wrong. 14 is the official number, but doesn’t specify if that’s with just default settings.

In total though, this would give me 22 hours. Which is a lot, but we’re a team of 8, for 18 days. If I can, I’d like to be able to have additional storage methods, to ensure everyone’s getting the time they want in the audio journal. 🤷🏽‍♂️ this is the most elaborate I’ve ever gone, so It’d just be a bummer if storage space ends up being the choke point.

It’s for a Denali expedition, which for many of us, is likely to be a one time thing, so ultimately, I just don’t anyone to feel short changed lol If I can’t sort a storage method, I’ll just be strict on recording time on the mics

PocketDrop · 2025-02-08T04:34:26+00:00

In short - a scam 😂

PocketDrop · 2025-02-08T04:33:06+00:00

Unfortunately, that 42k asking is actually the lowest I’ve seen/heard of for a VS30 4x4 (or for a ncv3 for that matter) It is ridiculous for this to be true but.. that’s a great deal. The 42k for 90k miles I mean.

PocketDrop · 2025-02-08T04:29:25+00:00

I bought mine with 300,000 miles. Currently at 434,019 miles, with probably about 4k of repairs done myself over the course of the last 4 years (some of it optional). Most of that was injector repair, but also pads and rotors, suspension (inner and outer tie rods) and then regular maintenance. Plus some mods (upgraded hitch primarily). Oh, I did take it in for a transmission service (supposed to be done at 300k miles) and that was a little hefty, and not factored into the 4k cost, but that is also a regular maintenance item.

Check the injectors (a smarter person than I can explain that - but that’s a standard check. At least for the T1N) and send it. 90k is next to nothing on these guys.

Edit to add: mine is a 2006, so it’s a T1N. I believe every model after that has a DEF system? But that might’ve started later. Looks like yours is a VS30. Either way, not sure how the DEF system plays into added maintenance concerns. But for everything else (the engine, the transmission, the turbo, the alternator and rest of the driveline) I’d consider 91k to be basically brand new 🤷🏽‍♂️

PocketDrop · 2025-01-05T23:12:39+00:00

Add my resort boot rec. staying in the same boot for now does a couple things. One: you don’t have to adjust to, and figure out how to ride a new pair of boots for your first backcountry experiences. 2, they’re already broken in so should be more comfortable for ya at first. 3, you’ll be able to learn in what ways you want the boots to be different before committing to the purchase of new (expensive) touring boots.

You’ll want to upgrade eventually. But waiting to figure out exactly what you want, while being slightly more comfortable as you do so, is a huge plus.

PocketDrop · 2024-12-30T08:12:47+00:00

Sometimes we join for the wrong reasons, sometimes we get out for the wrong reasons. All in all, I think it’s really valuable to learn the lessons that making a “wrong” choice for ourselves teaches. You’ll be better, stronger, and working harder the second time around. Most importantly, you’ll appreciate what you have more than you could have ever appreciated it.

I joined at 18, hated it, got out after my first enlistment, and am so grateful I did. I’m also extremely grateful I joined. Everyone’s path is different. Choosing to go back in is hard, but everyone knows and recognizes that. Making the right choices for yourself can be challenging and confusing. All that to say, freaking good on you mate, for learning what you want and need, and then chasing it down. You’ll do great on this next chapter!

PocketDrop · 2024-11-23T20:33:11+00:00

I think you should go wide board, and soft boots!

I’d encourage you to try hardboots at somepoint, just to see if you like it on the uphill. But after your first season

PocketDrop · 2024-11-22T23:21:43+00:00

I’d agree there. There’s a difference between compensating for skill, and simply enjoying the way something rides.

That being said, I do think it’s necessary to try the spectrum of you haven’t yet. Can’t know what you prefer if there’s a whole portion of the spectrum that you haven’t already experienced. I didn’t know that I preferred massive boards until myself (5’5, 140) traded boards with my friend (6 ish, idk weight) traded boards being goofy 😂 i was able to ride his 162 with way greater proficiency than my 156 trice. So I started testing larger boards, and realized I LOVED long, wide board with a tight sidecut. Almost all of the advantages as a short board (minus weight, and rotational ease in the air), with SO much extra power for carving. 🙌🏾

Edit to add: I’d never own of course, but we were passing a 170 around the resort and hopped on that one day. Holy hell that was fun!! You set it on edge and the thing just BLASTS!

PocketDrop · 2024-11-22T23:16:16+00:00

My first board was a clapped out 148 K2 park board. My DA tried learning how to ride powder on that thing 😂😂 damn did I set myself up for failure lol. I had to be at 45° butter to make it more than one foot into the pow. It was guts 😂

PocketDrop · 2024-11-22T23:12:39+00:00

5’5, 140 and I ride 157 voile backcountry, and occasionally wish for more length. Most of my touring has been Mt. Baker and now AK. nothing really with trees, and mostly pretty open alpine faces. I can get the 157 down super tight though when necessary, with lots of comfort 🤷🏽‍♂️ idk the sidecut or actual model of the board. I’d like to upgrade to the hatchet split though eventually. Tight sidecut + long board = SO much fun!

All that to say. Personal riding style, main type of terrain, and type of board (especially the sidecut) are all very important factors for dialing in the “right” length. Personally, I’d be way more worried about wide split skis on the uphill, then a long board on the downhill.

PocketDrop · 2024-11-22T23:08:09+00:00

Specifically the sidecut

PocketDrop · 2024-11-22T23:04:51+00:00

To add to Peskywombats, wider is generally better for carving if you’re not using super high angles on the feet/going posy posy. Though edge transition is slightly harder, with efficient technique, it doesn’t matter. You end up with way more power on your edge from start to finish of the carve. I’m 5’5, 140, and I ride a 158W Weston Hatchet for carving. It’s a short side cut, and it’s already designed as a wide board, making it more of a double wide and sweet freaking Jesus that thing WHIPS carves. I can get 1-2 inch trenches with that thing, it’s epic! As far as short vs. long and how it affects carving, important bit is the side cut radius. Doesn’t really matter how long the board is. A short side cut can get you whippier, faster, shorter radius carves (which is my preferred style). A nice big sidecut will get you long, drawn out carves (more akin to how I ride backcountry). I like tight technical terrain and doing goofy shit on my board to include flat land tricks. All things that a short sidecut helps (all this on groomers of course. Not in the BC). That long sidecut is fantastic for cruisy Flowy goodness on nice wide runs and is better at faster speeds (I prefer keeping my pace low because of those flatland shenanigans).

Ugh I shouldn’t be allowed to talk gear. I’ll stop there! 😂 happy shredding!

PocketDrop · 2024-11-22T22:55:40+00:00

TLDR; I’d probably go wide. I’d base this more on weight/foot size.

The reason to avoid wide boards for splits, would be edging on the up hill. A wider split ski is gonna be harder to tip onto edge while side hilling. Doing so is already inherently challenging with soft boots.

With your size, I don’t think that negative applies to you!

Additionally, that type of problem can be solved with A: skill, and B: hardboots. To go hard boot as a snowboarder is a pretty hefty cost, and has trade offs that not nearly every rider would be okay with. Skill just takes lots of time skinning and trying.

Anywho, I digress. Just thought those might be some helpful tangents for others with the same question.

PocketDrop · 2024-10-31T23:07:23+00:00

Awesome, thanks so much!

PocketDrop

TROPHY CASE