Ski Mountaineering: Connecting Two Ropes
Keeping it simple in technical terrain is a mantra to make systems less complex and fail proof. Thoughts on connecting two ropes while ski mountaineering.
Category: Skill Building
Skill Building
The place to find all The High Route's articles about building and refining your backcountry specific skills.
Master the Shoulder Axe Carry
There are situations when having quick access to a stowed axe is desirable. Imagine you’re on that big and bad and burly line you’ve eyed all spring. The first few hundred meters of turns are steep, but the snow is forgiving and edgable. Then, a few turns ahead, a slick and shiny patch of blue ice elicits the international distress signal: puckering. Make the pucker factor in the steeps less puckery. Here’s how to master the shoulder axe carry.
BD and Smiley Provide Useful Information on Building Effective Snow Anchors
Mark Smiley and BD’s QC Lab collaborate in “The Art and Science of Building Snow Anchors.” Consider it a valuable guide to better practice and understanding of the physics in play.
A Clear and Concise Dave Searle Video on Rappel Extensions
Dave Searle, a Chamonix-based IFMGA guide, has a robust catalog of instructional videos for ski touring/ski alpinism and the sorts of adventures absent snow sliding, too. He recently released a video on rappel extensions that we are keen on.
Developing Mountain Sense with Eyes off the Screen
Get off your damn phone in the backcountry! But also use it; it’s such a great tool. Confusing? Welcome to a moment of zillennial madness while I repeatedly get on and off my high horse regarding technology use in the backcountry with a slew of opinions you may or may not share.
How to kick turn: Community Note from a Curmudgeon
Two words: kick turns. An art. A science. A timeworn skill set. To some frustrating. To others, ballet. Kick turns. It’s what’s on the skin track. Here’s a THR how to.
