Post sponsored by our publishing partner Cripple Creek Backcountry, quiz them about Camox.
Editor’s note: In the annoying fashion that’s all to common these days, Black Crows is retaining the “Camox Freebird” moniker for an entirely different ski (2018-2019 version) than that reviewed here (2017-2018). The new version appears to be nice, lighter weight, same color. It’s built with more carbon. Julia gave the original version high marks as an all-around touring ski. That doesn’t surprise me given the Black Crows reputation. Thus, I’d venture that either “model” is excellent, and perhaps the originals can be found deeply discounted.
Camox and me, Glacier Peak.
The temps are decreasing, it finally smells like fall. Though winter is still a few months away, I embrace denial by watching last year’s ski films on repeat, while dreaming about pow hitting me in the face.
Camox and me , Eldorado.
As a distraction from winter fantasy (or tease?), I’m here to tell you more about the Black Crows Camox Freebird. Since our first-look post, I’ve been skiing the Camox Freebird for one season. While a bit skinny for the PNW, it is now my favorite ski (I do have wider options available in the quiver). Bottom line: beginner or expert who straps a pair of these on their feet will have a killer time.
I have exclusively skied the Camox in the backcountry. We have adventured through the PNW on numerous trips. Our relationship began on the way to Camp Muir in October of last year, and we finished the season with a one day push on the Emmons Glacier on Mt Rainier during early July. Camox and I have traveled as far as Glacier Peak, bonding on our long walk in the woods and then skiing the Cool Glacier to explore nearby landscapes. We enjoyed an icy skin up to Pikers Peak on Mt Adams on a blustery day in late June, with a perfect corn harvest down Southwest Chutes. A solid affection was built over mushy potatoes on Bakers’ Squak Glacier, enhanced with tight turns during creek hopping through the woods. And how can I forget the long boot up the Cascadian on Mt Stuart, and the numerous skinning laps up Hyak and Summit West in rain, ice, slush, pow, you name it? We even caught a few sneaker pow days in the Snoqualmie and Crystal Backcountry, those surely were a treat. Anyways, you get the idea: Camox and I grew to like each other very much.
2018-2019 Black Crows Camox.
What I like about Camox Freebird:
What I don’t like:
Eldorado. Photo by Steph Peterson
I give Black Crows a big high five for their incredible product. The fit was about as perfect as Cinderella’s crystal slipper, if Disney characters were into skiing.
Specs for my setup:
Spring corn on Mount Stuart, photo by Nick Webb.
WildSnow Girl, Julia Dubinina, is a weekend warrior chasing snow in winter and sun in summer. A lover of long tours and steep skin tracks, she explores the Pacific Northwest and beyond. When she is not out adventuring, she is working away at her corporate desk job for a software company to make her next adventure happen.
