I usually write these posts right after getting back from any tour, this one is no different. I imagine I do this in an effort to capture all those moments and feelings in fine detail. Or maybe I just want to get it out of the way? In any respect this is, like all, a special entry. You might find yourself asking why...probably the Cho Oyu skis as mentioned in the title you'd suspect... mostly. But I'd also like to revisit the La Sportiva Spectre Boots I received at the beginning of this season.
After logging 5-8 tours in these hunks slippers of molded plastic I've noticed a few things.
Light, at about 3lbs 4oz per boot (28.5) these are currently the most feathery light four-buckles on the market. Additionally, they are the only four buckle I'm aware of that has 60 degrees of ankle liberating cuff rotation. The 'quick-step' now standard on the Dynafit line of boots isn't that great. These lack this grove, but instead have white arrows pointing just above where the holes are for the toe. I think this small bit of paint is more helpful than the quick step groves of the Dynafit fleet.
The buckles are still nothing short of genius, but DO require time adjusting the micro nobs so that you can open them and retain tension. If tension is not there while they are in the open position, they tend to unclip themselves. Once you get this object properly adjusted is quite literally takes mere seconds to transition the boot into walk or ski.
Finally, the fit... perfect. So much in fact I haven't bothered to get them thermal molded. Took approximately two tours before they were beginning to rival the comfort of slippers. Fit true to size. The Dynafit Ultralights required a 29.5, but were absolute murder on my 'normal' width foot. These are perfect, both in length and width for me, who tends to wear a 10.5 US shoe.
Now, the new ride for the Sportiva Spectre and myself....
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| 182cm Dynafit Cho Oyu |
the bran-spankin' new Dynafit Cho Oyu skis. If you know me, I like aesthetically pleasing objects for the eye. These skis certainly deliver the goods on that front. Not many things in life are more pleasing to look at than carbon fiber; functional yet such a seductive material. (More attractive than a bacon weave?)
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| 182cm Dynafit Cho Oyu w/ Speed Radicals = 3lbs 8.4oz |
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| For fun; 185cm Armada JJs w/ Radical FTs = 6lbs 6.8oz |
Besides, look at that top sheet, proudly displaying the wood core and what's that? Strips of carbon fiber? Of course, looks alone won't get you down the mountain, so I was excited to take my new toy out to play, to see if it was more than just a looker.
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| Not that the Cho Oyu is a "Skinny" ski, they are certainly dwarfed by the Armada JJ boats |
As I was avidly scouting and searching for friends to join, the skies had opened up and dumped about a foot on the Bitterrroot; thus many chose lift service than join me in swimming. I thought I'd do an easy first day and take the snowmobile up to Trapper Peak (south) trailhead and get some mellow glade skiing in.
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| Night before, this is my go-to; eggs, "Dave's Killer Spelt Bread", apple sauce, and of course copious amounts of syrup. Judge me as you see fit. :) |
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| 'Boss Hog' a bargain '94 Yamaha V-Max 600 w/ a 136" - 2" paddle track, putting in the work. |
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| When Boss couldn't handle it, I went human power. |
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| Logged and ready to play. |
I knew there were those fantastic mellow glades up on south Trapper, but why work my way through the thick when there was enough snow to play on in the logged out areas right off the road? Might as well lap these a few times..
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| Fun and more fun |
After playing in the glades of lower Trapper, Sunday was approaching quickly, and who was I to say no to a two-fer weekend? Camas was next on the list. No intention to summit, my goal was to initially ski the mellow un-named peak about a 2-3 miles past the upper lake north of Camas. Severe direct wind made this uncomfortable, getting closer to see the windblown bare conditions on it made it useless to try. Thus, a state of 'wing-it' was enacted and w/ much success.
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| Broken Trail!! :) |
Those little things in life, when a trail is carved out for you. Unfortunately for me, it only lasted about a mile or two before it (they) veered left and off into the thick.
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| No more broken.. :( |
Not too much of a bother though, as it happens a path is still there under the 6-8 inches that came down over the weekend.
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| Lovin' life. |
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| That freshy gnar gnar powdery pow pow! (FGGPPP) |
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| First glimpse of Camas. |
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| Camas Lake |
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| Memories of trans-versing this god-less rock field of death w/ Mike and Matt last spring. |
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| Working up to the second un-named (I think) lake. |
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| Those sink holes come outta no where! |
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| The upper lake, and the intended initial goal, but after getting across the lake and up on the hill, it was obviously a wind-blown mess. |
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| Eyeing the options... |
After the first goal of getting to that back peak in the Camas drainage was FUBAR'd, I opted to also visit the lake at the base of Camas, Kidney Lake. A trio-lake tour was in mind. Found that I could take a shelf between two cliff bands around the hip of Camas. Came down nearly to the lake when I remembered my watch told me of the most terrific news; I had time for a run through trees on the lower half of Camas!
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| Eyed this fellow from across the way, thought Dave and Matt might enjoy once it fills in. |
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| Kidney Lake. |
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| Kidney Lake, w/ some point in the background Mike and I skied last year. |
Arriving at the lake from the first run of the day, I got a better eye at my intended route out of the place and onto the 'saddle' between these two points of terror. Post first run of the day, and on better snow than the day before, I was amazed at how quickly and eagerly the Cho Oyu wanted to turn. It's hard to sink the big Armadas, but once I got use to the Cho Oyu playing a bit of harmless submarine in the fresh it was a dream. Just a slight tweak of the hips, maybe even the thought alone of turning, and wha-bam; turn done and asking for another.
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| My ticket out! |
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| Looking back, at Kidney Lake |
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| On the saddle. |
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| My failed selfie. |
When I had gained my bearing with the Cho Oyu, I was bewildered. All this time I had thought I needed a 100mm+ ski to fully enjoy power. No doubt the Armada JJs are simplistic, mindless, pow-slayer when it comes to skiing the deep, but the Cho Oyu only requires a subtle change in style and becomes equally as fun. At 89mm waist, they aren't skinny, but they certainly aren't fat either. The tip comes in at 125mm, and tail (tapered) comes in at 111mm for the 182cm. (cuts vary slightly w/ length choice).
The magical 'Scoop' rocker I believe plays a role in the mystery of how enjoyable this ski is. I certainly owe Doug a huge thanks for suggesting these! Doug is the joint owner of Cripple Creek Backcountry (
CrippleCreekBC.com) a local touring specific gear shop in Colorado operated by some fanatical backcountry-gear-heads. Be sure and get in contact with these established alpine touring individuals if you're in the market!
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| Can you spot the fun? :) |
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| It was nearly a mile section of fun pillow hopping |
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| And then it all came to an end, followed by a two mile hike through this... Worth it. |
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| The stats. |
Thanks for looking,
