Anyway, my plans have changed. Instead of tomorrow and Friday, I am going up to Stevens Thursday. (they just announced that the backside is opening thurs.) All this new snow will be untouched. Nothing like virgin backside. (uh...that didn't come out right)

 

skiing or kayaking , it's all white water.

 sorry for the rant...but here goes

  as the snow starts to fall, i generally decrease the amout of boating i do (not stop though) and go ski alot more.  seems like most of the folks that i have met touring are dumb.  they probably have  a beacon, but no idea how to use it.  do you practice with your shit?  not just how to switch your beacon between modes, but actually find a burried beacon.  do you know how to do a proper fine search after a coarse search?  now how to correctly use your probe?  how about digging...right and wrong ways to do that too.  i highly encourage you all to practice with your junk (both snow and swift water rescue gear), spend an extra hour in the upper lot at baker after a tour and bury a few beacons with your homiess.  their ability to find it may change your mind about riding ob with them again.  remember, your partners' lack of ability in this arena will likely not fuck them....it WILL FUCK YOU! 

 

now with that being said...enjoy the snow and ride hard.  if you are cool enough...maybe we could even hook up for a morning tour and an afternoon boat.

 

that is one good lookin' sandwich!

 

h

 

   You may not be, but that is okay...

   If you are calling me a drill sergeant because I require people to know how to use the gear that is going to save MY LIFE or another person's life before I go on a tour with them or creek with them...then so be it, I am a "drill sergeant." 

Don't be a dumb ass, there have been 6 AVI RELATED DEATHS in the past few weeks in OUR PLAYGROUND....so if I hurt your feelings... tough shit.  I would be willing to bet that  those connected to all the avi deaths wish that they hung out  a bit more with a "drill sergeant."  The statements that you have made are absolute madness.  I was unaware that little kid gloves were required when out in the backcountry or on some steep creek.

  

   Why don't you ask Kyle K if he thinks that way.  I bet that he doesn't.  He was with some shit hot dudes that knew thier stuff and got him out of a jam...kudos to him for selecting the right group of homies to boat with. 

   It takes more than big balls to eat at the big boys table for more than a meal or two...you gotta have brains dawgie. 

 

   Bottom line is, if that is not the criteria that you use everytime you decide who you roll with...then so be it...it is your loss, buddy.

 

Hugo

 

That is a question that only you can answer. 

 

 

In all seriousness though, do be careful if you head out this weekend...huge amounts of wet dense baker style snow on a really weak hoar frost layer...only gonna get worse before it gets better.  Probably not the best weekend to go out...especially if you don't know where the safe areas are.