Cub Assisted Skiing

[Dave Calkins]

Jerry, I am flexible. I usually wait for Paul E.'s call, love to get YOUR call.

Three of the local Kitesurfing crew were on the water in Turnagain Arm last evening. All three are backcountry skiers and kiters.......I'm worried that folks are getting spring fever and forgettting that the best time in the mountains is JUST STARTING!

[cubflier]

Was lucky enough to have ski dog with me today. He was mad at me last night because we lost a day stuck in the slush at the cabin.
I was able to make it up to him with two runs today that were 100 miles apart. Can't believe I'm still on skis at Palmer. What a year.


Jerry

[BatPacer]

Looks like you are having a great time, Jerry. Good on ya'!

We did a little skiing/climbing off the Northland and Spencer Glaciers knocking out Carpathian and Isthmus Peaks last week. The airplanes sure make short work of the approach! What a spell of weather....

Paul

[Steve Pierce]

Awesome shots guys. I wish I was up there, mid 90s here this week.

[cubflier]

Paul,

Glad to see someone else enjoying the winter. There actually a fair amount of folks using cubs to ski now. It's the next best thing to a helicopter.

I spent the day on a recon of the back side of Mt. Illiamna. What a ski playground. I took a short run and did a bunch of video and picture recon for a possible future trip in May. I wish that mountain was up the Knik. What a place.

Question - What do you use to anchor your ropes. I use a couple of 2x6 but they are a bit cumbersome. Just wondering if you have a better mousetrap.

Jerry

[BatPacer]

2x6's for me as well Jerry. Hole drilled in the middle and knotted rope then buried about three feet deep. Two per wing. Plenty stout but, yeah, a bit of extra kit to tote around. Have thought about canvas parachutes as well but not sure they would really save much (if any) bulk.

[Dave Calkins]

Jerry, I've been carrying 12" square pieces of 3/8ths inch plywood with a hole in the middle. They're less bulk than 6 pieces of 2x6, but not a whole lot less.

I've been thinking of tying a thin line to a corner of each 12" square so they can be retrieved without digging.

I like the idea of a buried bag.

I made a bet that Lake Hood would still be safe for skis until tomorrow. I might get one more operation. You done with the Cub? on to the Maule on wheel/skis?

see you all. Bye.

[cubflier]

Dave,

I was up at echo yesterday. Still on skis with the cub and trying for today but I think the word wind has killed those plans. There was a lot of wind yesterday. Gust to 29 when I landed in the grass. My shortest landing yet. I'll be Mauling it from here unless the wind goes away and I can squeak in a run today.

Jerry

[schnell49]

A-3 Kit bag (military) works good, the handles on the bag are already box stitched--i.e. pretty bomber stitch

haven't used in snow (it's what i would take though)- i use them in summer

maybe wheel skis after valdez jerry, I am so busy between now and then I don't want to temp myself!!

anything different/configuration landing on grass?

[cubflier]

anything different/configuration landing on grass?

Just leave the skag bolts out if you have them. Dry brown grass gives a fair amount of friction and is not what I would want to take of on. If it's wet it works for takeoffs and landings just fine. When you take your skis off in the spring just drag them over to the corner of the hangar and don't looks at the bottoms.

The snow out there is going to be good for a while so those wheel skis will pay off. I'm looking at some 8:00's on the Fluidine 3000 if they really fit on the short arms and maybe some wider bottoms. That may keep the Maule (heavy) afloat.

Jerry

[cubflier]

It's still happening out there.

This was memorial day and ski dogs last run for the season. He tried to fall in a little crevasse. Dogs are not wise that way nor are they equipped.

skiing-3830.jpg

And this was today.

skiing-3852.jpg skiing-3899.jpg

What a year.

Jerry

[courierguy]

I have a great shot of three skiers heading down the Grand Teton, about12.5K. Cant show it, not mine. They had to climb clear the hell up there first....a buddy in his plane had a pro photographer with him, thats why I can use the pic.
I use 12x12 scraps of 7/16" Osb, and tie them so i can leave them if in a hurry. Free so no biggie.

[cubflier]

First time on the glacier. Believe it or don't the snow is not too bad up there. No much sunshine though.

Jerry

[Dave Calkins]

...dog!

beat me again. Good on 'ya.

[cubflier]

Yesterday



Jerry

[Scouter]

That is the calendar cover shot next year. Excellent pix. Can you land on the top and ski down?

Jim

[JB]

Took my buddy to this spot. He still has a perma grin . Been getting some great snow, its stacking up.

[cubflier]

JB,
Now that's one hell of spot you have. I'm grinning just looking at the photos.

Jerry

[hottshot]

p14033-EscapeDeployed.jpg


We all run the ABS Packs for sledding (Snow machine riding) and after seeing them in action I would not go where I do with out one and the $1000.00 price tag is nothing compared to the loss of life. I would agree with the 60-90% increase of survival with te pack.

north-face-patrol-24-abs-avalanche-airbag-pack1.jpg

[Alaskabound]

Took my buddy to this spot. He still has a perma grin . Been getting some great snow, its stacking up.

JB,

Is that a split board or Skis in your picture?

Jeremy

[cubflier]

Last Thursday was truly an epic day. Nothing like New York strips around a weed burner fire after a 10,000 plus vertical day. Thanks to all that came.

email-2500-120-9947.jpg

Jerry

[Dave Calkins]

"New York"........ In honor of Bob Breeden's steaks and Greg Niesen's grilling skills!!!!!

..instead of "Wolverine".

......will have to see what sticks for a name of that line.

Thanks for documenting in photo and video JK! D

[aktango58]

I am presently breaking in snowboard boots to my feet, or is it feet to the boots.

It hurts anyway!

I begin the quest to learn snowboarding this week. Once to many times I have watched the helis lift full of skiers, wishing I could go... so I will one day.

Maybe I can come join you folks when I get to the skill level I need. Might need a lesson on flying in these silly things though!

Hoist one for me up there guys, thinking of you!

[aktango58]

Couple of things:

Airbag or Angle wing packs: snowpulse packs have some front bags that come out and protect the sides of your head... In rocks that would be a great thing...

One company here is going to change packs due to the nitrogen canisters being hazmat to get here, so they will be selling some ABS packs if anyone here is interested. Price should be good.

Last, I am working on getting up for the airman's show, will be a last minute deal I bet, but if I do, anyone want to take me up snowboarding in their cub?????

I am a solid beginner, told I am intermediate level. My signature trick is a "front 360 to the throne".

[cubflier]

One company here is going to change packs due to the nitrogen canisters being hazmat to get here, so they will be selling some ABS packs if anyone here is interested. Price should be good.

I'm interested.

Jerry

[Dave Calkins]

Jerry, Steve and Chris got 8 runs last time. I'm gonna go ahead and call it 16,000 feet of vertical. ...Not bad for buying gas for an O-320 for an afternoon.

[cubflier]

Jerry, Steve and Chris got 8 runs last time. I'm gonna go ahead and call it 16,000 feet of vertical. ...Not bad for buying gas for an O-320 for an afternoon.

That's a record. Those guys are pretty damn good on those boards. Amazing. The time is now to hit it. We will pack some snow today and see you out there.

Jerry

[cubflier]

It's been an amazing spring.

[Bill Rusk]

Wow, calendar shot with the Northern Lights.

NICE

Bill

[aktango58]

This is sled Access, but we are starting on the highway, and our turn around on top is actually a Heli landing spot... A cub would land there no problem

Here is part of my fifth day out on a board:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=145637738943441

And yes, this is to show that even a beginner can have a good run.... here is the final run:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=145789892261559

[180Marty]

cubflier, That shot with the glowing tent etc is about as good as it gets. Thanks for sharing.

[Darrel Starr]

Can I get a poster size copy of that picture?

[cubflier]

Thanks for the comments. Darrel, I'm not so sure it would blow up that well because my focus was not quite on but if you want a full res version just pm me your email.

Yesterday I was on top of Yellow Knife but left the big camera in the plane. So I put my GoPro H3B on my helmet, balanced it on a mono pod, set it for continuous shots ever 2 sec and came up with this shot.

gopro_h3b-0010021.jpg

(I'm posting it as a thumbnail to the full res so those of you that are wondering what this little cam can do in still mode can take a closer look.)


I know that the GoPro H3B has been the subject of discussions in many of our video threads but much to my delight it seems to take an excellent still shot also.

Jerry

[soyAnarchisto]

We lost 5 very experienced backcountry snowboarders and skiers in an avalanche on Saturday here in Colorado on Loveland Pass. Be careful out there kids - always vigilant in your risk assessment - get proper equipment and training and stay current with your skills. Cross risky terrain 1 at a time to minimize exposure - and maximize chances of self-rescue by other members of your party. Beacons are not just for body recoveries. Avalungs and avalanche float packs work too. People spend thousands of dollars on skis, boots, skins, and poles - don't skimp on backcountry rescue gear and training.

RIP and deepest condolences to family and friends...

https://avalanche.state.co.us/acc/ac...05&view=public

[aktango58]

Here is another video posted that shows more heli-ski stuff...

and my dog is famous again!

http://www.redbull.co.nz/cs/Satellit...21243347206916

[cubflier]

George,

That was a cool video. To ski or board those kind of lines is just incredible. I like your dogs name.

I still glance back at the footage I shot this year and smile at what a season this year became.

Take care - Jerry

[SJ]

Very cool, George!

sj

[SJ]

Jerry, your shots are amazing as always!

sj

[aktango58]

Just a note: my involvement in the video is that of GROUPIE! I serve coffee, clean the toilet, clear the snow and supply tools and snowmobiles... my snowboarding is more like this:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater


Please remember, most of these videos are of folks at the top of the heap. Like some of the cub videos: follow at your own risk!

Yes, we do send a few home a bit broken also...