Ready to go....

[DMC]

http://www.powderhound.org/Images/TucksPack2003.jpg Packed and anxiously waiting......

[PontiMax]

Hey Dmc (little headwall master),

do you hike up in your snowboard boots? or are they packed? in your experience what would you recommend i do as i snowboard too. i have done some hiking in snowboard boots, but they were soft and seasons old. my new pair is barely used and very stiff and my old pair went the way of the doedoe. i will be up on friday and saturday, but am staying at the JDL friday night.

regards,
Rusty G.

[DMC]

I've hiked in snowboard boots but they are really heavy on my feet and too hot... And a weekend trip with just the snowboard boots will take a lot out of them...

It's much better to pack 'em low in your pack and wear a good pair of hiking boots...

IMHO

[ski@6288]

Well, I would say if the snow on the trail up to HOJO's is frozen then it would be nice to wear your boots and get some crampons that will fit over them. Best to get an early start so you are not hiking in slush.

Just my opinion! I would prefer to have them on my feet then in my pack...then again I don't board so I don't know for sure.

[billr]

D,

Better throw another layer in that pack. Looks like it's gonna be cold. See ya at Pinkham tomorrow morning.

[DMC]

I think I have enough layers. If we made it throught last year - I think this year should be relatively - sorta - kinda - maybe - better...

As far as hiking in boots is concerned...
I wear my hiking boots to the shelters...
When I go out to climb and ride I wear my snowboard boots..

If you don't want to stick them in your pack - you can just put them in your bindings with your board attatched to your pack..

[RR]

Hey DMC, I can relate to being so ready!

Couple of boarders I talked with said they had some problems hitting the snow with their heels, causing the loss of edgepower. They were using standard boards, not wide boards. As a recent convert to risers under my Tele-bindings for my skis, I'm wondering whether risers under snowboard bindings would be good for the steep and firm?

[PontiMax]

Hello,

thanks for the input people. i will be packing the boots and wearing my hiking boots on the way up to the ravine and switch when needed. any last minute tips that i haven't seen on this board? we depart tomorrow evening.....and let me tell you it couldn't have come at a better time. just need to get outta here, be outside with my board and meet some like minded people. cheers to all!

mirthfully,

Ponti

[DMC]

RR:
I'm wondering whether risers under snowboard bindings would be good for the steep and firm? Not sure... I always make sure my heels are locked in before any major descent... I do use a riser that lifts my toes up. I think my friend who works for Burton calls it a "gas pedal". I use it so my toes don't drag on trench carves.

You up this weekend?? I'll be hanging with a few "free heelers" - I'm the token snowboarder...

[DMC]

PontiMax:
mirthfully,
Ponti I like that... It's good to be mirthfull...

If your up on Friday night - look for us..

[RR]

Regrets, next two wknds are booked elsewhere. But the plan is for a raid on May3/4...maybe both days...budget woes, gotta save some scratch for La Marmolada in June.

[notjustanotherboarder]

RR,

The problem your friends were having was most likely that they were not carving, but snowblowing on their heel edge down the face.

However, they do make risers for folks with very large feet. For those folks, its usually their toes that drag in the snow. Your friends might also try adding a little more angle to their bindings. It makes it easier to truly carve and it shortens the cross length of the boots.