It’s not exactly backcountry ski season yet up here in the northern hemi, but it is certainly backcountry skiing “prep” season. Most of our junkshow is in good shape, but we’ve got skin issues — and not the kind that a trip to the dermatologist takes care of. Namely, just about all our climbing skins got dropped in the dirt last spring during our epic corn season. I’m looking at the best options for re-gluing, stay tuned.
Another concern is the amount of money we spend on athletic gels. They work, but can you face spending about 2 bucks on a tiny little packet of food the size of your thumb? I mean, as gasoline prices go through the roof, do we have to pay through the nose for body fuel as well? How much extra coin do you really have? This guy makes his own, and that sounds like a good idea. Google it and you’ll find all sorts of ideas — I guess we’re not the only ones getting tired of expensive fuel.
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.