Comments on: A Yellowstone Steep Skiing Classic- Abiathar North Couloir

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 22:26:42 +0000

In reply to tony s.. I was kind of wishing I had used my axe on that climb, Tony- just for the leverage factor. That's why I was doing that goofy upside-down poles trick for the last 200' or so...

By: tony s.

tony s. — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:30:21 +0000

No airbag pack here, probly didn’t need the axe either but last time up that line I could have used one and forgot to bring it.

By: Yep

Yep — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 03:42:25 +0000

Don’t really ever need and axe as I’m not on anything that steep. If I did I suppose I would sew on a strap in the middle upper of the pack and put the axe right side up with the adze below the zipper line or just carry a shorter axe. I have a black first year BCA float and that would work on that one.

Enjoy the posts you guys put up, thanks again.

Yep

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 01:19:31 +0000

In reply to Yep.

Yep, Yes, I think that is a problem for sure. Here in CO, we normally don’t get on routes that require an axe until spring, at which point we switch to non- airbag packs, so it’s a non-issue then. On both this Cooke City trip and an earlier one this season to B.C., I was aware that my axe was probably significantly impacting the airbag’s ability to work. If I was skiing in areas where this was a concern more often, I would need to come up with another method- and I have to admit that I’m not sure what that method would be with this particular pack.

Thanks for noticing and pointing it out- I was curious if anyone would. Share your method if you’ve got one.

By: Yep

Yep — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 17:50:40 +0000

Ever think you may pop your airbag if deployed with the ice axe pointing up? Nice looking run.

By: Brennan

Brennan — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:45:23 +0000

Sweet! The top of that line is impressive – super powerful place to find yourself and your skis. Had to be fun to share that experience with a good friend. Thanks for the stoke, Frank and Co.