how much do you weigh?

There was once a time when I weighed 130lbs. I was a pro bike racer and "power to weight" ratio was very important. I was a gaunt looking man who was ONLY good at riding a bike. Now I don't care so much about weight but more so I care about performance, cause IT'S all about performance! I now weight 152lbs, I know right, fatty mac fatterson, I picked up some arms from white water kayaking and some keg muscle from eating Oreo cookies, but 20lbs?

I just picked up an ABS back pack. I've used the pack now about  5 times. I really like the bag a lot. The ABS system is one of the best in the world. Twin bags, Nitrogen canister, wireless activation pneumatic pull (there is gun powder in the handle, pimp!). You can zip on different size bags to the base unit as well. The pack is really well built and the fit is very nice. However all these life saving devices do come at a cost, the weight difference from my bag last year is about 6lbs. Is carrying 6lbs extra around in your bag going to kill you? But maybe 6lbs can be the difference between enjoying the pow and make you feeling a sore back. In that case you need to man up and grow a pair. Here are the essentials I carry in my bag to mitigate the weight on my back.

This is what I bring with me on an average day of ski touring in the south coast. If you live in the Rockies and ski in -200c everyday you might want to bring more clothing.
so I got in my bag.
-shovel
-probe
-buff
-when the shit hits the fan gloves, I never wear them I just bring them in case the shit hits the fan.
-down sweater
-water
-food
-GoreTex shell jacket
-helmet
-goggles
-sun glasses
-skins
-camera
-spot GPS
-head lamp
-two way radio
-multi tool
-car key
-sun block

The zip on I got was a 25l. My helmet fits in the bag which I really like. The bag with all the gear weighs a grand total of 21lbs.   

good looking bag I think. 

This is the bag I used all last year. Its a black diamond 18l. I also loaded it up with all the gear. The helmet goes on the out side of the pack in a handy helmet holder. total weight of the the BD loaded was 15lbs. 

So this all got me thinking, what on earth do I weigh with all my gear on? skis, boots, poles, bag and the trucker hat. Well there you see it just a hair under 200lbs. Crazy! this is why touring makes you a beast! its like doing lunges with a 50lb weight all day. 

yup 200lb Ricky. bring it. Max looks pissed, he want s to ski I think.

Duffey

After looking at hwy cams, weather forecasts and ski hill reports all day thursday and friday Mel and I decided that the Duffey Lake area would be the best bet for pow in your face.

Not really liking the drive to the duffey we left crazy early saturday morning. The duffy looked like it had a ton of snow and everyone was saying how wicked whistler was. When we got to the duffey it was less snow then we expected and we bashed some alder and did some interesting creek crossing on our way to Keiths hut in the Cerise Creek drainage.

Once we got to the hut after an hour and a half the snow started getting really good. We did a couple runs above the cabin and the snow was ideal. epic pow. The best run we did was the last one of the day on a north facing aspect. 

Mel skiing down the ridge above Keith's hut. 

The higher up we got the better it got. This is the last run of the day and it was just unreal! Still a little low on the snow coverage but enough to slay the pow. 

this was my favorite section all day, just a nice steep pitch with great snow. 

The ski out was not to bad, but we need more snow for sure.

send it bro.

Full Charity Ski

We took Mike "I get way to fat in winter" Levy out for his first ski ever today. Myself and the Nathan's took him up to the Mt baker ski area for some pizza and french fries. Mike ended up doing a lot of cross ups and stared to learn to turn near the end of the day. "oh oh oh my quads" was a very common phrase for Mr Levy. yeah mike its not so easy eh? "oh my foot hurts" I dont think I've ever heard anyone swear as much as Mike today. I guess learning to ski can be frustrating for a first timer. But Mike was really was a champ and will be pro soon.   

getting ready to have some fun.

Mike picked up the skining part really fast, its just like walking with planks on your feet. 

"I practiced so much in my living room. but its another ball game out here" Mike Levy regarding getting into his bindings. 

this was a very common shot on the day. Man down!

hummm I guess mikes foot was bad, crazy!

I went to London Drugs and got this photo blown up for the walnut frame I made in the summer. 

Cookies, White Room, and Woodworking

It's been a while but I think winter is here. We got a little taste on Sunday of that bottomless powder feeling. On Sunday Chris, Connor, Melanie and I hit up mt baker. We skied "in bounds" but the hill was closed so it may as well been the back country. It was great, so much fresh snow! It nuked all day, we skied for about 4hrs and there was 6-8 inch on the car after. We got soaked and now my car smells awesome.

My Aunt Lynn made cookies and I was in the right place at the right time and scored this bag, (Hey Craig, see this, Sucka!!!!) sweet sweet ski food!

The up track, this is at Austin Pass. I love trail breaking when its deep! it means its going to be fresh and deep on the downs. 

Corn Dawg Master 

Chris

Mel

Headboard and footboard of the bed frame. Not bad eh. its going to be painted so that will cover up any mistakes(there is no mistakes). I feel like full husband material. word. 

This is what the paint job will look like. Full Antique. 

Waiting for winter.

Oh its been warm and wet as of late. There was a great week of rocktober skiing but lately I've just been working like a slave, but trying to work not to hard. Mel and I are still working on the bed frame and we even got to fish a couple times. The bed frame should be finished soon and winter will be here real soon........

Will and Shani Routley are living at the farm again this fall. Last week the doping control guy showed up to take some blood and pee from the man. Will and I go on rants about doping and how the cycling associations are such a gong show and we kinda solve all the worlds problems, oh the good times. Once a doper always a doper. Dopers suck.

fishing on the chilliwack. Last weekend Melanie was just on fire at the river she was catching fish for everyone. 

The big Chief was working overtime.