WA Splitboarding

I'll hopefully be picking one up this season, as well as the related gear, but not until closer to spring. I got to try one out last season and I was insta-hooked.

DrnknZag said:

I know a few of you guys on here splitboard. Figured I'd start a thread here to get some groups together to tour. I typically stick around Stevens but I'd love to get out to Baker for some tours this year to.



Also.....Ale, if you're out there, hit me up! I promised Gary I'd get out there and tour with ya this year!

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You definitely want to get out with the mayor of Stevens Pass. I can confidently say no one knows it better.

I've had my avy gear for several years, but finally getting a splitboard this season, so I'll be down! Still need to get some skins and telescoping poles though...

2nd Ascent in Seattle probably has Z poles. They are pretty nice and fold up small. If you are ever planning on rocking an airbag they are the ones to get. I believe the Wilderness Exchange in Denver has some for $69 a pair. Peevious season's of course but like that matters.

If you a really looking for a dea l on skins, climbing skins direct is the cheapest. They have a splitboard kit. It is no frills and basic but it works. They hold up and climb great. I did eventually kit mine out with the Spark tail kit, but otherwise the nose wire and such are the same.

In and will make the trip to see the Mayor of Gold Bar. Just waiting for the bindings...yesterday was told Dec 1-15....ugg...gut told me not to sell the burners till the afterburners arrived:icon_scratch:

He's the mayor of Stevens Pass, he just happens to live in the country club of Gold Bar

The country club of gold bar! Lol. Now that is fucking funny.

Triple8Sol said:

I've had my avy gear for several years, but finally getting a splitboard this season, so I'll be down! Still need to get some skins and telescoping poles though...

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Just picked up a pair of Black Diamond Expedition Poles from Black Diamond's website for $58. Also last season's model but who cares. :thumbsup:

I'm up for splitting Baker atleast a few times this season.

Triple8Sol said:

I've had my avy gear for several years, but finally getting a splitboard this season, so I'll be down! Still need to get some skins and telescoping poles though...

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I really like my BD Compactor z-pole. They're a little more expensive but collapse way smaller than most telescoping poles. Highly recommended.

DrnknZag said:

I really like my BD Compactor z-pole. They're a little more expensive but collapse way smaller than most telescoping poles. Highly recommended.

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^ditto, sold my expeditions and found last year's compactors for $64...now they're going inside.

Anyone interested in some dawn patrol at Stevens on Sunday morning? Gonna head up for a run or two before the Hawks game. Let me know!

Man, if I had my skins, I could possibly be all over that.

Probably going to hike around a bit on saturday at Stevens..... See what I can find.

J.Schaef said:

Man, if I had my skins, I could possibly be all over that.

Probably going to hike around a bit on saturday at Stevens..... See what I can find.

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Pick some up Saturday, come tour on Sunday. Problem solved!

DrnknZag said:

I really like my BD Compactor z-pole. They're a little more expensive but collapse way smaller than most telescoping poles. Highly recommended.

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wrathfuldeity said:

^ditto, sold my expeditions and found last year's compactors for $64...now they're going inside.

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I could see them collapsing to a shorter overall length, but wouldn't they take up more volume since the poles aren't collapsing into themselves like with telescoping poles? I'm not too concerned with the tiny difference in grams between a lightweight 3pc telescoping pole and this style, but moreso about durability and longetivy in transit and if I were to fall on them while they're on/in my pack...

There is only one telscopinh piece with the Z poles. So you don't quite have as much range. Something like 20cm of adjustment. The thing is a rarely adjust the lenght of my poles. I just grab the pole from a lower section if I need too.

The only time I'll change it is on a steep boot.

So the z poles are awesome but you can not do the whippet mod with them. Not a huge deal in my neck of the woods but they sure can be hand in WA. I know I've done some sketchy ass boots where I was very happy to borrow a whippet. K2's new shovel with the axe head you can put on the shovel handle may not be a bad investment for those with Z poles.

I also do not store them in my pack. The BD rep was selling the carbon fiber version of Z poles at a gear swap in town. Had to pick them up simce they were so cheap. Fixed length, around 115-120, which is what I generally use for hiking. Super light.

I wish the compactors got shorter to fit in the pack, but the z poles fit in the pack though a tad balky. The z poles seem pretty beefy and don't think falling on them will do damage.

Messing around with the k2 shovel you can insert the handle through the bottom...kind of backwards and it might work in assisting a self-arrest if you had to go down a steep but you would perhaps need a bit of looped webbing through the axe end to keep you attached.