What the... ???

[surf88]

http://www.timefortuckerman.com/forums/showpost.php?p=78632&postcount=19
I don't know if anyone else remembers this posting from last May. But it has bugged the heck out of me all summer, and not for the obvious reasons.

I have a gut feeling that this one time posting was not a serious question, but more of a statement to "rile the masses." But regardless, although I didn't reply it provoked alot of thought. I went from confused to amused to annoyed to confused again. I should have prefaced by saying that although I primarily love Back Country, I also love doing laps in the terrain park. Its as if this posting exposed some dichotomy of my mind. Maybe a hypocrisy. Why? Because the whole premise seems blasphemous, and I Knee-jerkingly want to condemn the idea like some conservative zealot. A hypocritical zealot like Ted Haggard whos dirty secret is "I like hitting rails and kickers."

I don't know... maybe I sound like a weirdo but that posting opened some unresolved issues for me. Does anyone want to play Dr. Freud?

[RR]

I went up there with the Student when he was still under 10 years old and saw snowboarders building a good sized kicker at the level of the rocks below the Chute. My first thought was, "Cooool!"

Bro, if you want to hack out the world's steepest half-pipe and a T-Park next to it...you rock on.

[surf88]

Bro, if you want to hack out the world's steepest half-pipe and a T-Park next to it...you rock on.
No thats not what I mean. Personally the idea of such things in the ravine are as repulsive to me as a chair lift. I love its natural beauty and needs no modification. But I'm torn to condemn it, because if it was there I would probably try to hit it. Maybe I just put to much thought into the post, and he was just asking about the logistics of the whole thing.

[RR]

Sure, I get that, but let's get outside the box....

Look, it's snow and Ice. They are ephemeral!

Some people believe, with murderous zeal that they have the right and even obligation to force a way of thinking on others. We have only the right and obligation to pursue happiness, the general welfare and such mutual support that enables those things....which are in their turn, ephemeral.

What's so rotten about ephemera?

Would I help him carry the pipe up? Beats carrying an ironing board for an Extreme Ironing boast...still shaking my head over that one...so you can bet I'd help carry it and take it to the bank....I'd hit that grind!

[Rider.Steve]

As long as they don't create a hazard or obstacle for others below the Chute who cares?

As a community service however, they would do better creating a kicker built over a beer cache and distribute the frosties when they break up their session.

[NtrentT]

Remember the punisher???

[Affix Snow]

Punisher!!!!!!

[Luddite]

Hmmmm. Let me first admit that in my mountain biking days I built some stuff tucked way back in the woods. Got good and injured on it too :) Still I have to say I hate the sight of iron pipes sticking out of ski runs. I guess I just see it as an attempt to turn the world into a big skate park. Even so, there are places where that's OK I guess, terrain parks at least concentrate that stuff. Places who's inherent beauty comes from the wilderness, I draw the line. I see no difference in sticking pipes in the ground in the bc than in placing cell towers or junk food concession stands. Need a prop for stunts? Use the rocks, or ice. I think building a kicker is fine, it will melt, but not permanent stuff in the bc. And yes my previous devious activities on bikes does make me somewhat hypocritical in this feeling I know. Move over on that couch...

[RR]

....Move over on that couch...That would be the Group W bench...

The guy who carried an ironing board up also carried it out...no reason a rail couldn't be sectionalized, carried in, assembled, used, disassembled and then carried back out.

Wilderness, with 2500 visits within an 8 hour period?? With a ski patrol???

Sorry, it was a wilderness and it has wilderness status, but it ain't a wilderness any more. When is the last time anyone saw a moose or fox or bear up there?

[Luddite]

It dawns on me that I need to change my login from Luddite to Curmudgeon! So yes, I suppose carrying a rail up, assembling/disassembling and carrying out probably is no different than riding right gully on an inflatable doll. Of course I don't understandd that either, but hell I'm old now, have an AARP card and don't have to actually understand things to condemn them anymore. Wow, I've finally become my parents....




That would be the Group W bench...

The guy who carried an ironing board up also carried it out...no reason a rail couldn't be sectionalized, carried in, assembled, used, disassembled and then carried back out.

Wilderness, with 2500 visits within an 8 hour period?? With a ski patrol???

Sorry, it was a wilderness and it has wilderness status, but it ain't a wilderness any more. When is the last time anyone saw a moose or fox or bear up there?

[RR]

It dawns on me that I need to change my login from Luddite to Curmudgeon! So yes, I suppose carrying a rail up, assembling/disassembling and carrying out probably is no different than riding right gully on an inflatable doll. Of course I don't understandd that either, but hell I'm old now, have an AARP card and don't have to actually understand things to condemn them anymore. Wow, I've finally become my parents....It's just the verdammter cobwebs! When the snow flies our blood pressure will drop, our smiles will get big and we will go skiing/boarding!

[scottie4183]

so if real snow brings down blood pressure do you think a snowglobe would do that same trick? These kids i teach are gettin on my nerves...if it doesn't snow soon i might have to quit my job.

Back on topic....i can see both sides of the argument. On the one hand i'm all for preserving wildnerness but RR is right....things have gotten outta hand up there. I mean come on...they sell shirts and candy bars a 10 minutes hike from the bowl!!!

I can't say i'd be thrill to see a rail in the bowl but as long as it's not there when I come back in the summer i say let the boys have their fun.

[RR]

so if real snow brings down blood pressure do you think a snowglobe would do that same trick? These kids i teach are gettin on my nerves...if it doesn't snow soon i might have to quit my job.....snowglobe?? only if they are very small or total stoners. Try a pair of ferrets in the classroom...or just rent "Kindergarten Cop" for home viewing.

[Luddite]

OK, I give, but I havee dibs on location. For the general well being and entertainment of all I propose that all rails must be situated on top of the Icefall.

[RR]

OK, I give, but I havee dibs on location. For the general well being and entertainment of all I propose that all rails must be situated on top of the Icefall.Rail to Big Air!...you are sure to get takers on that!

[adh24]

Now that would be crazy!!!:eek:

[Jolly J]

I was talking to a kid on the weekend that has taught himself to weld and builds his own rails. They found a hockey rink that is open during the summer that has a hill behind it. The Zamboni dumps the snow at the top of the hill every couple of hours when they clean the ice. The kids setup their rails. Shovel some snow to set it up and session all summer long. At the end of the day they lock their rails to a telephone pole and a tree and then do it all over again the next day. This sounds like a much better project then hiking a rail up Tucks. I just don't see the point or maybe I'm just lazy. Then again I don't see the point to a lot of the stuff that goes on in tucks. Maybe that's why I avoid it when it's busy.