Looking at some of the winter photos of our top forum photographers I'm curious as to how other photographers get around in the winter. I have done limited snowshoeing, cross country skiing and obviously just hiking with boots (I did just get some microSpikes which makes the icy/packed snow trails a lot easier).
What areas do you go?
What method do you use and why?
Does it require special expertise?
Thanks!
Posted by Chris Rice on January 31, 2011 at 2:20 PM
Hey Jason,
An AT (alpine touring) setup is a good way to get out there, because you can skin up the trail and ski back down to the TH. Snowshoes are highly recommended also if you plan on going off-trail.
If you do invest in some of this gear, consider an avalanche safety class with a field day. You will need to buy a locating beacon which is somewhat of an investment.
The AT setup is ideal because of the quick return, so if you plan on shooting a sunset you can get back to the car pretty quickly without having to come back with your headlamp.
In terms of expertise you have to know how to ski (through trees and deep stuff)...
Splitboard for me, I tried AT Skis for a winter and quickly learned I wasn't as good as a skier as I remembered. I do enjoy snowboarding much more though so I'm glad I found a reasonably priced split-board, Thankfully I'm much better at that than skiing.
I've got cross country skis as well for really mellow stuff, anything with much of a slope is quite scary with those though.
and Snowshoes for early/late winter when there isn't enough snow down low to glide on.
I much much prefer the split-board setup and use it whenever I can.
Posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 31, 2011 at 6:38 PM
Jason,
I have skied to the top of table mountain ( just west of the Grand Teton) from West side, 3 times. Skied up on tele ski's with skins. Not being a very good skier i feel down many times coming down. Had the best time skiing up and snowshoeing down the steep parts. Next time I will use my BC skis with skins and snowshoe down. Started at 3:00 am so we were on top at sunrise, worth every effort. 6 hours up 4 hours down.
Posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 31, 2011 at 6:41 PM
Table Mountain
Posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 31, 2011 at 6:53 PM
one more
there is only one way to capture the high country in the winter. This shot taken on the summit of Table Mt. 11,000 ft +
Posted by Mel Ladewig on January 31, 2011 at 7:18 PM
I used to do a fair bit of winter mountaineering up the fourteeners when I was in my late teens/early twenties and still do a fair bit of backcountry winter hiking now when time permits.
The technique will depend on the terrain quite a bit.
If you want to get up high, typically its best to get up on a ridge where the wind will have blown it clean and you can hike much faster in just a set of boots. But you may have to work your way up tree covered ridges where there will definitely be deep snow.
If you're hiking a heavily used trail like Dream Lake, or above Loveland Pass they're often sufficiently packed to walk in boots as long as you stay on trail. Its much faster to hike in boots than snowshoes if you won't punch through.
Snowshoes are pretty versatile if you're going to be going in and out of rocky areas or have to climb relatively steep snow covered slopes. But you'll pay for that uphill traction when you're coming back downhill. No gliding on snowshoes :(
XC skis are my favorite if the terrain is relatively flat. The ability to kick and glide can save a ton of energy. With a pair in the 215 range, you can get some serious float on powder too.
Tele or AT or splitboard gear with skins is the in between option for steeper terrain. With the skins on, you can't really glide, but you can climb pretty steep stuff. With the skins off, you'll have to herringbone if you need to climb up a short hill. I've skied some backcountry bowls on my old metal edged 215 fisher E-99 XC skis, but its MUCH easier on a pair of true tele skis. Like Chris said, you need to be a solid skier able to ski trees, bowls, crud and deep powder if you're going this route. You never know what you're going to come across.
Regardless, of any of this, you need to be well versed in avalanche safety.
Posted by Dan Walters on January 31, 2011 at 7:42 PM
I really like using snowshoes when looking for winter wildlife.
Posted by Lance Burch on January 31, 2011 at 9:33 PM
Snowshoes and tele's. Skins on the tele's are a little more work, but I've gone the waxing route and feel like I never get the colors correct. If you are wanting to get more serious about improving your skills check out Colorado Mountain Club (I'm a member, but not a serious one). They have some back country ski classes every winter (cross country and tele) as well as classes on avalanche awareness. I did their Wilderness Trekking School a few years ago (to keep up on my skills from the Army several years ago) and thought they did a great job. Doing their basic mountaineering school this year starting in March. I've been impressed with a lot of what they do. Oh, I almost forgot, when I was in the Army they issued us Randonee ski's. These you can lock your heel in to for the descent so you don't have to learn the tele turn (but what fun is that?).
Posted by Scott Bacon on February 1, 2011 at 9:04 AM
Same for me. I snowshoe, XC, or AT ski depending on terrain and distance. The difficulty of the learning curve goes pretty much in that order... Snowshoeing is pretty simple, just takes some getting used to. XC skiing isn't all that hard either as long as the terrain is flat (it can be very difficult on the steeps). AT skiing, is similar to XC skiing on the flat or climb, and just like downhill skiing on the downhill. I just picked it up this year, but I'm a good downhiller.
Whatever you do, definitely check out some of the avalanche courses at REI - they're free. As with many things, knowledge is your best tool. Have fun and stay safe!
Posted by Tom Stermitz on February 1, 2011 at 10:52 AM
This is probably an appropriate place to ask for a back-country skiing companion for the Boulder/Estes area. I'm pretty skilled, but know enough not to go on my own.
I'm busy but am often available weekends and Mondays. Possibly Tues or Thurs if we don't go late. PM to my email which is on my website.
Posted by Tom Stermitz on February 1, 2011 at 11:00 PM
This is probably an appropriate place to ask for a back-country skiing companion for the Boulder/Estes area. I'm pretty skilled, but know enough not to go on my own.
I'm busy but am often available weekends and Mondays. Possibly Tues or Thurs if we don't go late. PM to my email which is on my website.
Discussion
12 repliesWhat areas do you go?
What method do you use and why?
Does it require special expertise?
Thanks!
An AT (alpine touring) setup is a good way to get out there, because you can skin up the trail and ski back down to the TH. Snowshoes are highly recommended also if you plan on going off-trail.
If you do invest in some of this gear, consider an avalanche safety class with a field day. You will need to buy a locating beacon which is somewhat of an investment.
The AT setup is ideal because of the quick return, so if you plan on shooting a sunset you can get back to the car pretty quickly without having to come back with your headlamp.
In terms of expertise you have to know how to ski (through trees and deep stuff)...
I've got cross country skis as well for really mellow stuff, anything with much of a slope is quite scary with those though.
and Snowshoes for early/late winter when there isn't enough snow down low to glide on.
I much much prefer the split-board setup and use it whenever I can.
I have skied to the top of table mountain ( just west of the Grand Teton) from West side, 3 times. Skied up on tele ski's with skins. Not being a very good skier i feel down many times coming down. Had the best time skiing up and snowshoeing down the steep parts. Next time I will use my BC skis with skins and snowshoe down. Started at 3:00 am so we were on top at sunrise, worth every effort. 6 hours up 4 hours down.
there is only one way to capture the high country in the winter. This shot taken on the summit of Table Mt. 11,000 ft +
The technique will depend on the terrain quite a bit.
If you want to get up high, typically its best to get up on a ridge where the wind will have blown it clean and you can hike much faster in just a set of boots. But you may have to work your way up tree covered ridges where there will definitely be deep snow.
If you're hiking a heavily used trail like Dream Lake, or above Loveland Pass they're often sufficiently packed to walk in boots as long as you stay on trail. Its much faster to hike in boots than snowshoes if you won't punch through.
Snowshoes are pretty versatile if you're going to be going in and out of rocky areas or have to climb relatively steep snow covered slopes. But you'll pay for that uphill traction when you're coming back downhill. No gliding on snowshoes :(
XC skis are my favorite if the terrain is relatively flat. The ability to kick and glide can save a ton of energy. With a pair in the 215 range, you can get some serious float on powder too.
Tele or AT or splitboard gear with skins is the in between option for steeper terrain. With the skins on, you can't really glide, but you can climb pretty steep stuff. With the skins off, you'll have to herringbone if you need to climb up a short hill. I've skied some backcountry bowls on my old metal edged 215 fisher E-99 XC skis, but its MUCH easier on a pair of true tele skis. Like Chris said, you need to be a solid skier able to ski trees, bowls, crud and deep powder if you're going this route. You never know what you're going to come across.
Regardless, of any of this, you need to be well versed in avalanche safety.
Whatever you do, definitely check out some of the avalanche courses at REI - they're free. As with many things, knowledge is your best tool. Have fun and stay safe!
I'm busy but am often available weekends and Mondays. Possibly Tues or Thurs if we don't go late. PM to my email which is on my website.
I'm busy but am often available weekends and Mondays. Possibly Tues or Thurs if we don't go late. PM to my email which is on my website.