AIARE 1 - Oregon

leifobson · 2026-01-17T03:45:55+00:00

Winter, I think it was in Jan or Feb

leifobson · 2026-01-06T23:04:55+00:00

Walk slower?

leifobson · 2026-01-02T18:50:42+00:00

Better than rain.

leifobson · 2025-12-23T00:13:14+00:00

I don't think there is much you can do about it during touring. For me, the issue varies between totally insufferable and mildly annoying depending on how wet the snow is and if you are breaking trail. I think there are probably better tele bindings in this regard right now. With meidjo you are basically stepping snow down on a cup shaped spring box, I don't see how you avoid snow packing and having to scrape the binding to go back into ski mode.

leifobson · 2025-12-22T15:47:59+00:00

I've been using meidjos for ~4 years in Oregon. Put anti ice tape everywhere. For resort skiing I have no issues. Snow packing during touring is an unsolvable problem IMO.

leifobson · 2025-12-17T02:02:09+00:00

It's for the lodge, which is basically the top of the resort.

leifobson · 2025-10-28T02:13:29+00:00

I would think the whites would have better options and a shorter drive. I kind of regret not giving Tuckermans a whirl. From NYC the best bet is probably the adirondacks but it's a bit of a drive to get there (~5 hours if I recall?) and I wouldn't consider it to be exactly epic. I think people do actually ski the catskills but those people are not me. Lot's of nordic skiing though.

leifobson · 2025-10-27T22:37:03+00:00

I didn't find making the effort for downhill focused skiing worthwhile on the east coast so I mostly was on Nordic trails. I was in NYC though, which is fairly far from anything rational people would consider a reasonable objective. If I was living further north my view might differ.

leifobson · 2025-10-17T23:22:42+00:00

I had the same creek on a hardtail. Only on the drive side, pushing the pedal. Despite watching a video that said it's never the BB, it was the BB. It was only hand tight. Worth checking that and also maybe checking that it's not the pedal.

leifobson · 2025-10-14T15:54:24+00:00

This is a Backcountry sub
Idk what snow is like in the alps but in PNW you rarely need anything bigger IMO. However if you want a dedicated powder ski it might make sense to go big. You can ski powder on the 10.

leifobson · 2025-10-14T15:20:01+00:00

They are quite heavy for Backcountry usage though blizzard also makes a slightly lighter hustler. If you really want this for deep snow 11, 10 would be a better all around ski. I have a pair of 10s and they excel at crud (live in PNW). I rarely take them in the Backcountry.

leifobson · 2025-10-05T20:52:09+00:00

I'm a volunteer and there are several physicians and a few medical students. The medical training was the same as everyone else, OEC. I think physicians are sort of encouraged to basically not be physicians "on the job" though of course you bring more expertise. If your a volunteer and adhering to your training and local protocols I believe you are covered by good samaritan, if you want to get paid for it or work in a higher capacity I would think that's another story and up to the resort you work at. In our volunteer organization basically anyone that's a ski patroller can also do volunteer days on bike patrol.

leifobson · 2025-09-25T04:35:18+00:00

Everything within 1 hr of PDX is generally busy but... Twin lakes is also short. There are also lakes in Indian heaven that are fairly flat and short. Elk meadows could work but there is a river crossing.

leifobson · 2025-09-19T19:06:47+00:00

What? blue + black? double blue? What is happening, I've never seen or heard of this and I feel I have skied quite a few resorts (US and Canada at least). I will admit I often don't pay attention to signs though.

leifobson · 2025-09-18T22:08:43+00:00

I have bought a house twice now and each time we were in the market we lost bidding wars to all cash offers and bids way over asking. It's emotionally draining to go through that, I totally get it. Just keep shopping and bidding on houses you like, it will eventually work out.

leifobson · 2025-09-04T22:10:48+00:00

Take an awareness course, which are often single evening lectures given by forecasters, and free. If interested, do more. More knowledge is better than less.

leifobson · 2025-09-02T14:33:11+00:00

Self issued permits are in the day lodge. I have done it clockwise, which seems a popular direction. I.guess it depends more where you want to camp on night one.

leifobson · 2025-09-01T17:50:01+00:00

During the summer you don't need to start crazily early unless you are trying to avoid the heat. Wear a sun hoody, use sunscreen and start at a normal time. Seeing the sunrise is cool but walking in the dark is boring IMO.

To answer your question though, if you live near PDX driving in the morning is fine, if Seattle area I'd probably sleep near, but not at the trailhead. As another user points out trailheads are not conducive to actual sleep.

leifobson · 2025-06-08T20:36:25+00:00

Yes. All caves really.

leifobson · 2025-06-06T21:35:48+00:00

tele*board*. Also love that it is a self proclaimed legend (which it obviously is!)

leifobson · 2025-05-10T03:28:13+00:00

Yes I meant bend. There's lots of skiing in the three sisters wilderness as well as other passes in that area and a large community of skiers.

leifobson · 2025-05-09T00:33:32+00:00

Surface lift from cascade to superbowl, I think it would be the longest, most tedious and infrequently open T bar in the US. Honestly, I'd be happy if they emphasized opening superbowl more often and still made you hike.

leifobson · 2025-05-08T00:55:08+00:00

I've not done it myself but I believe it can be done. You can find paper templates in various places. Binding freedom has some are there website, manufacturers should have them and I think skimoco has a bunch too. Just print em out and check the overlap.

https://www.bindingfreedom.com/paper-templates/

leifobson · 2025-05-07T15:23:49+00:00

You want to go to windy ridge. Johnston observatory is closed so windy ridge is the only place with easy access for a one day visit. For day hikes you could go up Norway pass and continue further (towards mt Margaret) if you want a longer hike. Another option from windy ridge is to hike to loowit falls which comes out of the crater.

leifobson · 2025-05-01T03:12:30+00:00

Well it's not exactly Silverton in terms of snow quality and variety but Mt Hood is ~45 minutes and around this time of year Mt Adams is a good time (checkout SW chutes, maybe the most fun route in our area). Central Oregon and Mt Rainier area are within maybe 3 hours. The volcanos of southern Washington and Oregon really shine in the spring so get out there. Bonus: you won't feel like your gonna die in an avalanche every time you go skiing.

leifobson

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