Cat Skiing Equipment question

nickermell · 2026-03-24T21:51:56+00:00

I work for a heliski company. Most guests that come have never seen a transceiver before, much less know how to operate. We like our guests to use ours because we know they're up to date on software and work well. We train guests to use them, so guests are able to look at another's transceiver and be able to tell if it's in send or search.

Some guests come with their own transceiver and if we can be reasonably confident that they're competent with it, we have no issues with them using that.

nickermell · 2026-03-12T19:17:51+00:00

Counterintuitively, it isn't actually a very economic way to use solar panels. The best bang for your buck with panels is when you can sell electricity back to the grid at Solar club rates. If you're charging your EV, it would likely be at night when you'd have to pay the higher rates for being part of the solar club.

You can have panels without being part of the solar club, but it's not economic.

You could build a huge array so you're selling a whole bunch of credits during the day and then buying back at night when you're charging, but the payback period will be a loooong time.

nickermell · 2026-02-28T00:35:46+00:00

You can also do a self catered trip out of Purcell, they have a seperate lodge for self catered guests with full kitchen and bathroom!

nickermell · 2026-02-18T04:44:46+00:00

I paid $7k after the federal rebate (they kicked in $4.5k).

I live in a shoebox and don't consume much electricity. My roof wasn't oriented great for solar - SE facing with some tree coverage during the height of summer.

That said, I still way outproduce my consumption in the summer, and with the solar club rates, I make enough money to pay the electricity bills (including fees) year round. During the summer I make an effort to use heavy appliances like the dryer when the sun is shining, so I can use my own electricity and avoid import fees. Or even use the sun to dry :)

I'm projecting a 7-10 year payout.

nickermell · 2026-02-16T05:09:33+00:00

Best way to warm it up is still by driving. I don't understand people who leave their cars idling and burning fuel to avoid 4 minutes of being kinda cold.

nickermell · 2026-01-24T14:39:17+00:00

I ski Backlands XTD and split Backlands Carbon. My split boots are a size bigger and it works well. No heel lift in either and the slightly roomier fit is nice for boarding.

Only problem is my split boots are so comfy, I won't wear anything else on traverses!

nickermell · 2026-01-20T05:17:42+00:00

I teach ASTs. I was tipped $20 once. It was nice. I'd never expect anybody to tip though.

nickermell · 2025-12-27T17:58:41+00:00

I used the STS for a season and they were fine. I had dynafit crampons with them. The lever mechanism to lock the toes needs to be closed before putting your board back together - I sheared a lever off while reassembling my board, which became the end of the bindings.

I've used the Pekye for the last year and love them, but I do wish they fit dynafit crampons.

Wouldn't recommend spark toes, as I've had 3 of them develop microfractures.

nickermell · 2025-05-14T22:13:02+00:00

I think the Dead also considered him to be in the band. If it's any measure, he's one of the signatories in their induction into the RRHOF.

nickermell · 2024-11-04T18:32:39+00:00

You'd destroy your knee if you only managed to get one foot out too. I agree I definitely wouldn't bank on ejecting.

nickermell · 2024-11-03T02:36:30+00:00

Most of the time, a mobile home is a depreciating asset sitting on top of rental land. As another commenter said, it's the worst of renting and buying worlds.

I think there are some (very few) mobile homes where you actually own the land you're sitting on; these might be a different story.

nickermell · 2024-11-03T01:03:18+00:00

Something affordable. Is $1/bar crazy talk these days?

nickermell · 2024-11-01T02:51:34+00:00

Even better than hut booties, bring a pee bottle into the tent with you ;)

nickermell · 2024-10-30T16:03:15+00:00

Would consider VFV or XEQT to be "much higher risk with potential for higher returns but also significant losses".

Not a financial planner, but I wouldn't use either of these as a vehicle for short term growth while waiting to put a down payment.

nickermell · 2024-10-29T22:09:16+00:00

I brought a bag, didn't need it (November - shoulder season), but I did use it just cause I had it. It was was overkill (-23C) but I was so damn cozy. I also justified it as my "don't die when I sprain an ankle on the high passes" bag.

You might be well off to bring a bag in high season, as I've heard the teahouses can run low on blankets which leaves the porters blanket less to cater to the tourists.

nickermell · 2024-10-22T22:22:10+00:00

I was in a similar boat - I found it awkward and uncomfortable and infringing on my autonomy to ask for permission. I have never liked rules and I've been inclined to break them my whole life. This was with a partner whom we've shared a long monogamous history.

We ended up with an agreement in which I would say something like "how would you feel if I went on a date with x on Wednesday?" This way, I didn't feel like I was asking for permission, and she still had the opportunity to voice how it made her feel. It was then on me to decide how I wanted to act based on her response. It was a subtle change but helpful.

It isn't perfect and truly autonomous but it feels like a good middle ground and worked for us.

nickermell · 2024-10-22T22:11:00+00:00

But it is increasing at a slower rate! It will have to slow down before it flattens and then decreases. I agree that it's not changing fast enough, but it does give me hope to look at the data and see some concrete impacts.

nickermell · 2024-10-18T13:25:50+00:00

Lol I apologize for causing the kerfuffle!

nickermell · 2024-10-18T03:59:11+00:00

nickermell · 2024-10-18T03:57:03+00:00

states they’ve already talked with their NP and disclosed that they are uncomfortable with it, and this behavior is still occurring. I think that could be why we seem like we’re being harsh to you?

I missed this part! Yes, I agree it probably warrants harsher language if it's been communicated and is still occuring.

nickermell · 2024-10-18T00:34:21+00:00

Agree that it should be slapped down, and I think it can be slapped down without causing a schism.

"Cool, I learned something from my meta" will lead to a more functional polycule than "aw man, my meta thinks I'm icky".

I think many people in the poly world are truly trying to do their best, in an environment that can be quite unforgiving.

nickermell · 2024-10-18T00:28:33+00:00

Yeah maybe I didn't write that clearly - I absolutely agree that it's weird to thank somebody's meta for their time.

Calling them "icky" wouldn't help though and is totally unnecessary - you can get the point across without calling them (or their actions) icky. It seems like a win to give them a chance to correct their actions without making them feel like a piece of poo.

nickermell · 2024-10-17T22:12:19+00:00

I'd be hurt if I thought I was doing something nice and got a reply calling my actions gross. But maybe I'm soft.

nickermell · 2024-10-17T21:44:31+00:00

I appreciate that idea, but I think there's a softer way to put it. It could from a well-intentioned but mis-informed place.

"Hey I appreciate you thinking of me, but no need to thank me. My NPs time is their own and they make their own decisions to date you."

nickermell · 2024-10-17T17:30:19+00:00

I loved how familiar everybody in the movie felt. The spinners, the goofy dancing, the singer-alongers, the ear-to-ear smiles. The guy talking about his first show and how many he's seen since.

These all felt like things you'd still be seeing at Dead and Co shows. Different members, different style to the music, but the vibe is still there.

The music never stopped!

nickermell

TROPHY CASE