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As many of you know, I live on the flatlands of the prairies and over a 1,000 miles from a “real” mountain. But Jack’s passion for backcountry skiboarding caught my interest and I have been working with the BTK design team for the last number of months and have been buying backcountry gear that Jack has suggested on the forum in anticipation of the backcountry days at Shredfest.
Several times during the development of the BTK, Jack suggested I consider using the BTK to skiboard tour, just like others snowshoe tour on the flats. Bill also talked about doing the same when he gets some snow at his home.
Overnight we finally got enough snow to try some skiboard touring and to test the various equipment and clothing I have been accumulating this summer. My tour was not as picturesque as the terrain Jack gets to tour but it did let me learn how to use the equipment and work on my technique. Here is how my first tour went and what I learned. (I will post my observations on the equipment and clothing on separate threads.)
I woke up this morning to -5º Celsius (23º F), light winds and about 6 inches of light fresh powder on top of 2 inches that fell a few days ago.
I scrambled to get my gear together and I hiked out from my house while my neighbors took a second look to an odd sight as they shoveled snow off their driveways. My driveway would have to wait until I got back.
The hike was less than a hundred yards to a pond near our house where I locked into my BTK equipped Condors.
Once around the pond, I crossed the street to get into a school yard.
A few hundred yards later breaking trail in 6 to 8 inches of powder; I was at the edge of a small forest.
On the other side of the forest is a large open area with a number of ponds and a few small mounds. I was surprised to see a Canada goose, expecting it to have been well on its way to the southern USA or Mexico by now. Unfortunately the goose looked injured and will probably not make it.
I looped around the numerous ponds and climbed a number of the mounds to get the feel of climbing with and without the toe lever as a heel elevator. The grip the climbing skins provide was way beyond my expectations. But also to my surprise, the glide down hill with skins was less than I expected. I had to sit back to make sure I did not do a face plant. Maybe I was supposed to use the glide wax on them before I left?
The forested and open area with the ponds is Canadian federal government property and the location of one of the only two coin minting facilities in Canada. The flags in the background represent the countries that are supplied with coins out of the facility, including many of the coins in circulation in the USA. There is a good chance that a coin in your pocket came from here.
It was time to head back home thru the forest on another of many trails.
The distance I traveled was 3 miles in less than two hours. In that time, I learned some important touring lessons including:
It was a very good experience and a great work out. I encourage others to try flatland skiboard touring if you are unlucky like me and do not live near a ski resort. It will certainly get you into shape for when you do get to the resort.
With some luck, the weather will not go into the deep freeze and I will be able to get out a few more times before Shredfest.
Several times during the development of the BTK, Jack suggested I consider using the BTK to skiboard tour, just like others snowshoe tour on the flats. Bill also talked about doing the same when he gets some snow at his home.
Overnight we finally got enough snow to try some skiboard touring and to test the various equipment and clothing I have been accumulating this summer. My tour was not as picturesque as the terrain Jack gets to tour but it did let me learn how to use the equipment and work on my technique. Here is how my first tour went and what I learned. (I will post my observations on the equipment and clothing on separate threads.)
I woke up this morning to -5º Celsius (23º F), light winds and about 6 inches of light fresh powder on top of 2 inches that fell a few days ago.
I scrambled to get my gear together and I hiked out from my house while my neighbors took a second look to an odd sight as they shoveled snow off their driveways. My driveway would have to wait until I got back.
The hike was less than a hundred yards to a pond near our house where I locked into my BTK equipped Condors.
Once around the pond, I crossed the street to get into a school yard.
A few hundred yards later breaking trail in 6 to 8 inches of powder; I was at the edge of a small forest.
On the other side of the forest is a large open area with a number of ponds and a few small mounds. I was surprised to see a Canada goose, expecting it to have been well on its way to the southern USA or Mexico by now. Unfortunately the goose looked injured and will probably not make it.
I looped around the numerous ponds and climbed a number of the mounds to get the feel of climbing with and without the toe lever as a heel elevator. The grip the climbing skins provide was way beyond my expectations. But also to my surprise, the glide down hill with skins was less than I expected. I had to sit back to make sure I did not do a face plant. Maybe I was supposed to use the glide wax on them before I left?
The forested and open area with the ponds is Canadian federal government property and the location of one of the only two coin minting facilities in Canada. The flags in the background represent the countries that are supplied with coins out of the facility, including many of the coins in circulation in the USA. There is a good chance that a coin in your pocket came from here.
It was time to head back home thru the forest on another of many trails.
The distance I traveled was 3 miles in less than two hours. In that time, I learned some important touring lessons including:
- Do NOT use a stainless steel water bottle – it freezes to your lips!
- Do not walk fully upright - a slight bend at the knees keeps your toes from being pushed into the front of the boot and the back of the boot does not irritate the back of your leg at the calf muscle.
- A ski pole is threatening enough to scare off big dogs.
- Do not go thru slush with climbing skins – they freeze and then do not work. (duh!)
- Follow the deer tracks – there are reasons (hidden branches, logs, stumps) they do not go in a straight line.
- Pacing yourself is important – slow to go fast.
- Use your arms / poles to help propel yourself – my arms are more spent than my legs from lifting / dragging the poles.
- Do not over dress – it is a lot of work.
- Sun glasses that fit to close to your face fog up.
It was a very good experience and a great work out. I encourage others to try flatland skiboard touring if you are unlucky like me and do not live near a ski resort. It will certainly get you into shape for when you do get to the resort.
With some luck, the weather will not go into the deep freeze and I will be able to get out a few more times before Shredfest.
!
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