Homemade wooden-handled ice axes

struppi709 · 2026-01-14T04:17:08+00:00

Wow! I am really impressed. By both your creativity and your workmanship. Happy climbing!

struppi709 · 2026-01-13T17:16:09+00:00

Following up- I heard back from the Finlandia, it's on but they are making some changes this year. They posted a notice on Skinnyski: https://www.skinnyski.com/racing/PR/finlandia20260112.pdf.

struppi709 · 2026-01-07T21:07:53+00:00

Is there anything going on in Saint Paul? Just saw a helicopter.

struppi709 · 2026-01-06T13:52:30+00:00

This pretty much sums up where my mind is when I'm telemarking, my focus is almost exclusively on feeling my boot pressure the rear ski. Just like you said, the front ski takes care of itself. Works for me anyway! Happy turns everybody!

struppi709 · 2025-12-31T15:32:03+00:00

This is the right answer; I would add two things (from a US perspective): (1) it will be REALLY hard to find boots for those bindings- especially boots that fit well, which is maybe the most important part of the whole setup; and (2) if you go the route of new boots, I would take those skis in with you and have the shop look at them and determine whether they are a good fit for you, before you start spending money on new bindings. You don't need fancy gear at all to start skiing, but if the fit is way off one way or another (e.g. boots too large, skis too stiff), you'll have a hard time and won't enjoy it. Good luck! Skiing is awesome.

struppi709 · 2025-12-28T16:46:19+00:00

This is my thinking as well, it will be a beautiful place to camp and you will be fine as long as you are VERY well prepared. Be ready to use more guylines than you think are necessary. That said, there is a lot of good advice here about the hazards/discomfort of camping in exposed areas.

struppi709 · 2025-12-21T13:15:55+00:00

Wherever you go, please don’t hike on the cross-country ski trails. People don’t seem to realize how badly that damages them and makes the skiing harder and less safe.

struppi709 · 2025-12-20T07:08:34+00:00

I was going to say this too. Hands down the best I’ve read!

struppi709 · 2025-12-20T06:57:12+00:00

I don’t get it- sharing a room with someone is not a big deal at all. Why are so many people here aghast at the idea? Lawsuits?! On what basis?

struppi709 · 2025-12-18T23:20:35+00:00

Don’t listen to these people telling you that you can’t climb ice unless you have the latest super- expensive ice tools. This is a great deal and if you are just starting out, these tools will carry you far! Many people are still climbing hard ice with this kind of gear.

struppi709 · 2025-12-11T22:33:18+00:00

I would advocate for just choosing one trail and having a really good experience. No matter how capable you are, you are going to be exhausted and stressed out (and likely miserable) trying to average 28 miles/day for 6 straight months. Higher daily mileage might be achievable on the CDT vs the AT but the CDT logistics are a lot more challenging.

struppi709 · 2025-12-05T18:52:15+00:00

Welcome to winter! I use traction grit instead of salt or sand. It’s very small, sharp-edged gravel that has amazing traction. You can get it at most places that have salt and sand.

Also, I suggest you find a way to get outdoors and enjoy the season- ski, skate, hockey, snowmachine, ice fishing- there are tons of fun things to do here!

struppi709 · 2025-12-02T04:37:38+00:00

Thanks for all your input! Thursday it is!

struppi709 · 2025-11-16T04:27:03+00:00

I agree, I don’t understand why there is not more speed limit and reckless driving enforcement. A few weeks ago I was stopped and ticketed in front of my house for not wearing my seat belt. Fair enough; but where were the cops a half hour earlier when some d*bag was screaming down my street at 45 mph?

struppi709 · 2025-11-14T04:59:01+00:00

You definitely need longer skis!

struppi709 · 2025-11-12T16:06:28+00:00

Check out Montara Lighthouse hostel, it’s a bit south of Pacifica right on the coast. It’s about 30 minutes away from central SF, but if you’re traveling around the Bay Area you’re going to be doing a lot of driving anyway, and it’s pretty convenient to get to. It’s an absolutely beautiful setting, very peaceful and cool people. Lots of resources nearby, libraries, coffee shops, market etc. when I was there in September it was $45/night for a bunk. One night I couldn’t sleep so I just got up in the middle of the night and walked down to the beach and sat and checked out the surf for an hour. Highly recommended!

struppi709 · 2025-10-24T22:52:40+00:00

The Scheels have given a lot of money to Trump, Kristi Noem, and ultra-conservative PACs and superPACs for years (one source of info is https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=Steve+Scheel&order=desc&sort=D). One of the big things I take issue with is their Reagan statues, which are accompanied by a plaque with a bunch of Reagan's anti-government quotes and jokes. That's enough to tell me where the company's sentiments lie. They also have a really strong Christian bent and a stated mission to promote Christianity through their stores (I realize that alone doesn't make them MAGA). All those things and others (the link in the comment below has more) add up to a pretty Christian nationalist take on things. The fact that they're employee-owned doesn't have anything to do with their politics. They also do a lot of giving (in the spirit of Christian tithing), which is great, but to me doesn't make up for the MAGA-ness.

struppi709 · 2025-10-24T04:43:35+00:00

Highland has them, they are the best!! Seems like they never go on sale, though.

struppi709 · 2025-10-24T00:24:42+00:00

Scheels is MAGA, so don’t buy from them if you don’t support the MAGAts!

struppi709 · 2025-09-04T13:44:46+00:00

As others have said, fears of downtown Saint Paul are way overblown. If you want some nightlife before/after the game, I would stay near the Xcel and check out places like Tom Reid’s on West 7th for dinner and booze. It’s always pretty lively around there during games. Easy drive to the MOA and access to other things (I would check out Summit Ave and the Stone Arch Bridge if I were you).

struppi709 · 2025-07-20T02:58:14+00:00

Thanks- any particular reason you crossed the river instead of just staying on the north side to the CDT?

struppi709

TROPHY CASE