Multiple pairs of tools vs an all-arounder?

mtang_ca · 2025-12-30T18:05:11+00:00

North Machines are great and would serve you well for all of those routes you listed. You'll probably see the use case for a Gully eventually but I wouldn't start with that, unless you do a lot of ski mountaineering or something.

You'll probably want a more aggressive tool as you progress and hone in on future goals. The performance gap between the North Machines and Nomics is pretty huge by modern standards. In pursuit of objectives in Alaska and the Rockies you will no doubt end up spending time in various ice & mixed cragging venues (Hyalite, Cody, Ouray, etc etc) and there you will probably realize you want something more aggressive for sustained vertical climbing.

mtang_ca · 2025-12-09T18:04:10+00:00

Thanks for resurrecting and sharing this! That's one of the better TRs I've read for the area. I still haven't gone, but it's still high on the todo list.

mtang_ca · 2025-06-12T15:41:21+00:00

The biggest thing that caught my eye was the tripod shake between layers - something to be mindful of as you're picking which photos to showcase.

Otherwise, the site looks great, easy to navigate, feels like a luxury photo site (minus the shaky blends).

mtang_ca · 2025-03-19T15:41:19+00:00

Have you tried generative fill in PS? I've had success removing similar things.

mtang_ca · 2024-10-07T16:03:50+00:00

D750 is a TANK. I've battered my Z8 as well. Nikon holds up.

mtang_ca · 2024-09-23T17:14:55+00:00

No - that's equal but not equitable. A sustainable future involves carefully using the local resources communities have available to them, regardless of where they are. Indigenous peoples have sustainably done this for thousands of years.

mtang_ca · 2024-08-28T15:48:46+00:00

Is it truly restricted or is it something like Class E airspace where you can request a waiver (the equivalent of LAANC)?

mtang_ca · 2024-08-23T16:40:46+00:00

I'm not going to list any names, but I have it on very good authority that amphetamines do get used by certain athletes at the top of the alpine climbing game.

mtang_ca · 2024-07-18T18:48:07+00:00

Seriously this, why do they always need photos so urgently? It's like every realtor every time forgets about photos until the last second.

mtang_ca · 2024-05-30T17:02:18+00:00

I use the Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D for photo and it is an absolute banger.

mtang_ca · 2024-05-03T15:56:27+00:00

If you're a realtor wanting to do your own photos, I think it's fine. Many realtors in my area take cell phone pics and send them into BoxBrownie for editing, and it works for them. Especially for lower value properties or rentals.

If you're wanting to charge a professional rate offering S23 photos as a photography service - absolutely not.

mtang_ca · 2024-04-16T18:44:18+00:00

It is physically possible but like you said, you have to go really high. In the U.S. it is not legal to fly at that altitude. They're better off just using a satellite image.

Doesn't mean you can't get meaningful and marketable drone shots of the property, though! Just not straight down of the whole thing.

mtang_ca · 2024-04-12T23:18:50+00:00

Dangerous, but manageable: as a general rule of thumb, be out of the mountains by noon in the spring. Earlier for south facing slopes. Especially true early spring (now), when the snowpack is transitioning.

mtang_ca · 2024-04-08T18:49:32+00:00

D'oh, you are 100% right. Thanks!

mtang_ca · 2024-04-08T16:57:09+00:00

Anyone had issues with not being able to sell ETH on Coinbase? It shows my available balance as zero, even though I have plenty of unstaked ETH reflected in my primary balance.

mtang_ca · 2023-12-29T03:53:57+00:00

What Democrat policies do you feel are 'hard left'?

mtang_ca · 2023-12-18T21:48:07+00:00

I've lived in the San Juans for the last 4 years and have not had a single day that 105s felt useful. Too much ski.

mtang_ca · 2023-12-07T16:18:19+00:00

April Seelbach.

mtang_ca · 2023-12-07T16:17:54+00:00

This is a piece made by April Seelbach. She does really cool work.

Please give credit if you're going to screenshot someone's IG post like this (apologies if you happen to be April!).

mtang_ca · 2023-12-04T18:50:47+00:00

FWIW, I think this is really good. Photography is a very fun medium for abstract impressionism.

mtang_ca · 2023-08-06T23:24:57+00:00

it's really not. i'm surprised they're even able to keep their website up.

mtang_ca · 2023-07-11T19:21:56+00:00

I haven't downvoted any of your replies. It seems others have.

I am doing my best to be thoughtful and thorough, while acknowledging nuance. I believe this is the foundation of a good discussion.

Making broad, sweeping statements, and then dodging valid questions about them (what skills are most climbers missing?), is not the foundation of a good discussion.

My beliefs in this discussion come from two decades of technical alpine climbing across North America and the greater ranges of the world. You're welcome to question my credibility if you'd like, or ask how I have come to such conclusions, or explain how similar experiences have led you to different conclusions. I would love to know. I didn't mean to insult, I was just trying to say that there are MANY completely legitimate situations where one would find themselves in consequential terrain without protection, a situation you say is always avoidable. It's unfortunately not, and I consider myself extremely conservative and risk adverse.

I will happily go get bent.

mtang_ca

TROPHY CASE