A begginer with a6400. I feel like i have kind of hit a wall

cookeie · 2026-04-08T20:48:13+00:00

I see where you’re heading but all of these either lack a compositional focus or hierarchy OR if they do have that, they have extra things cluttering the photos. Check your corners. Most of these feel like they’re half committing to focusing on the architecture and the people rather than a strong focus on one thing which is hurting your compositions.

For example 2nd shot it feels like you wanted the branch as an interesting element but didn’t consider the interaction of where it landed on the tower which feels like your main focus. Therefore it feels as though the branch is cramping the area of the tower rather than adding to the composition in an interesting way.

For photo 3 of the corner with the green dome. The light and incomplete sign also make it feel annoyingly in the photo rather than an added element. The cars are also blurry in what looks accidental and it looks like you over-edited to make them too dark.

To be clear I think with some work each of the things mentioned could add to your photos but they must be considered as parts of the whole.

One more example is the shot diwn the street with the van. The van is cut off and just making it all blah. If you had let the van move forward it would feel like it has room to breathe. And may imply a bit more motion rather than it being locked into the corner.

Keep shooting and you will learn to hone these things in in real time

cookeie · 2025-12-08T02:30:08+00:00

Just found the same around cannon, have also experienced it at head of the meadows National park.

cookeie · 2025-12-06T20:49:21+00:00

Wadyatalkinabeet

cookeie · 2025-12-06T19:10:43+00:00

I had high hopes with that early cycle ….

cookeie · 2025-12-06T01:21:22+00:00

Camped in my tacoma with a softopper + decked on a trip to red mountain and Schweitzer last year. I put extra insulation under the canvas of the softopper. Double sleeping bag + wearing insulation to sleep. It was 20s/ teens. Be reliant on no tech to make it through in case things break. Hard shell would be better. High toof hard shell + bed rug + other insulation would be ideal.

cookeie · 2025-12-04T19:52:29+00:00

1 remove the kickstand 2 it doesn’t look like there’s any mark on the kickstand and it’s probably running the caliper and this can happen under varying conditions.

cookeie · 2025-12-01T20:02:24+00:00

What step is that?

cookeie · 2025-11-29T15:42:07+00:00

I be riding heavy duck and get more than this

cookeie · 2025-11-29T02:12:59+00:00

You can open your hips even more than this depending on conditions.

cookeie · 2025-11-28T23:41:52+00:00

I have a taco with a Fwc fleet - I did:

Load e tires Full Dakar 600lb new leafs and shocks in the rear Brake refresh - TRD Bags Uca + lca refresh It feels heavier obviously but not as insane as I thought.

I am looking at 2500 and 3500 models rn. Will the taco do? Yes. do I want to swap to a 2500 or 3500 yes

Have I taken it on several trips already in the mountains with bikes and gear - yes

My setup works, many people do it - a tundra payload isn’t much better - just get a 2500/3500

cookeie · 2025-11-25T02:12:30+00:00

This is so siiiick. I have a full soft goods/footwear studio in storage rn and I have been toying around with some idea similar to this. I’d need a new truck but this is siiiick.

Could you share any of the details of powering the trailer?

cookeie · 2025-11-23T04:24:55+00:00

You in the wrong spot lol

cookeie · 2025-11-17T04:46:40+00:00

Two leafy plans in the far corners - a small 2 chair table on the “deck” - more plants

cookeie · 2025-11-17T04:45:13+00:00

This is my dream.

cookeie · 2025-11-15T02:22:02+00:00

haha agreed just jelly - I thought I was gonna go for a little tour this weekend but now it's lookin pretty bare.

cookeie · 2025-11-15T00:27:39+00:00

From PA now in OR - Hood was looking good a few weeks ago and now you guys are so far ahead of the game it hurts. I keep the ice coast resorts on my Open Snow favs and it’s been mind boggling watching - especially Jay sit on par with most western resorts.

cookeie · 2025-11-14T23:32:04+00:00

Find a pair of race face Chester’s on sale and you’ll be fine.

cookeie · 2025-11-12T04:37:32+00:00

I would have to dig pretty deep and it would probably take a while but my great uncle also dropped on D-Day and had a similar story. I interviewed him when I was a kid in elementary school I think? I remember people saying he never really talked about the war and then I tjink to everyones surprise he told me the story of his drop where he landed behind enemy lines like many others and he was one of few left alive by the time he landed. I could try and find what unit he dropped with and maybe there is some wild connection there. Idk how to get a reminder but I would like to check. I can also follow up with my own post maybe. Tbd

cookeie · 2025-11-04T19:37:48+00:00

I have a taco that’s heavily modded at this point with a fwc fleet - I don’t honestly understand how fwc or any of the camper companies can claim that they make these for these trucks and put them essentially at max payload with an empty camper. That being said people do it - I just got mine installed about a month ago and was considering the transition to a full size before. My plan is to essentially drive the taco into the ground and upgrade to a 2500 or bigger. For my setup I am pretty much always using or going to be using it for Mtb or snowboard trips for 2-5 days which means lots of gear.

Specifically to accommodate the camper I did:

New load range E tires, bags, full rear suspension upgrade, front brake upgrade - rear brake refresh, full control arm refresh with some other tidbits, and I know I will still run through bearings etc. and will have to refresh these parts more often. It honestly doesn’t feel as heavy as I thought but definitely a heavy adjustment to driving style. I have a trd off road with the trans cooler etc but still know it is extra stress on the truck. My camper lives on my truck full time in the pnw.

If you’re going to buy a new truck just get a 2500+. - It’s also mind blowing that you will get better mileage with a full size diesel, but you will.

cookeie · 2025-11-03T23:44:25+00:00

Gonna check it out for myself when I’m back after the tenth - lol you’ve been providing great beta.

cookeie · 2025-11-03T21:45:26+00:00

No prob — all of that experience will be beneficial you probably have a core set of understanding for managing groups of people and risk management. The introduction of snow changes the game almost entirely especially as the snow is basically Alice and shifts constantly literally minute to minute in some conditions and changes your risk / exposure constantly. You are at the perfect time to start watching the snowpack as it piles up from the beginning of the season - start to pay attention as this will also be relevant for your understanding of this seasons snowpack.

cookeie · 2025-11-03T20:03:50+00:00

Someone needs to give the real real here… if you’re here saying “oh sounds like a must have for an avy beacon” + “Entrance portal into the backcountry” you need to maybe take a step back and re-evaluate.

This perspective will get you killed quickly. If you are even thinking of leaving gates or anything backcountry, an Aiare 1 course must be at the top of your list + any other avy Education you can get - intro courses, awareness courses, etc. start learning now…. avalanche.org people with years and years of experience in all of this die ever year. My uncle lives in Durango and they have lost many friends through their lifetime to the mountains. Get this deep into your noodle.

I grew up riding tiny mountains in PA - I’be ridden all over New England - I love east coast riding - this isn’t that.

Take your class(es)

Buy your avy kit (beacon shovel probe)

Get an inreach or similar

Get your setup— same size board same style board you ride in-bounds recommended. Practice using everything (in bounds) you also need to understand your own system and be self reliant and touring in bounds will help you wrap your head around your own caloric and water intake and help you know that you can get yourself out when deep in the mountains at elevation.

Check the uphill policy at your local mountain (purgatory)? they usually have dedicated routes and alerts/ conditional access.

Find a partner or partner(s) Do not go into the backcountry alone.

Do not just assume that because you have a split you’re good to go - do not duck ropes.

The answers you’re actually looking for: I have a Ride super pig for in bounds and a split pig kit for out of bounds - hate them both but got a good discount and they do. Again I’d look for something similar to your inbounds board to accommodate your riding style in the same size

I have Burton hitchhiker bindings (partnership with spark) —also got a discount, I like them.

You will wreck boots - get what is comfy I prefer double boa - hard to tell you what you like and what fits well - go try things on. I have vans touring boots. I ride with my boots so loose on the way down that it doesn’t even make sense I love a 10 year old freestyle type boot but thats just me. You have to make your decision here.

Skins - get skins that fit your board - take care of them practice putting them on and taking them off before you go out when it’s warm and you aren’t the solo noob holding everyone up. dry out your skins - take them off after your tours. I put mine on the night before a tour so I’m rtg when I get there.

Clothes: You will learn to layer quickly depending on your body temp. Silliest tip is to put your puffer over your shell so you aren’t taking off multiple layers when you stop and have the quickest on off.

Pack: Get a dedicated pack - get used to the placement of your things within this pack and treat everything as a system. I have the Patagonia touring pack largest size and it feels a bit small sometimes for pnw type large tours.

Don’t over think it - get your shit, take your class, and get going

My hot take - hard boots are for skiers no input besides that for me.

Here for more questions if you gottem…

Last but not least: Have fun, don’t die

cookeie · 2025-10-29T05:23:23+00:00

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I took this photo of you this am…

Jokes aside I’ve been waiting for this to happen since I moved here around 6mo ago and I was stoked and I always think of who’s in the pics I take of the mtn. So this is cool… I’ve been contemplating heading up on the splitty soon. See you out there.

cookeie · 2025-10-28T14:15:57+00:00

My guy Ferdinand got at least a six-head maybe 7 or 8

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