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    Calling all bootpackers

    • mitchesan
      2011-02-02 22:44:58

      Calling all bootpackers

      So just thought I'd resurrect an old chestnut with a question for you bootpackers - what goes through your mind when you see a nice smooth skin track and you completely trash it?


      Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I think its great that you're teaching me how to be a better skinner. A steep off-camber icy kick turn? Normally I'd struggle, but with your boot print right in the middle, you are teaching me levels of skill, balance and patience that I never thought I had.  And I really do love burning excess energy by sliding backwards doing a moon walk, when my skins don;t have enough surface area to grip cos there's holes everywhere. 

      So I'd love to hear from you guys. Do you even realise that people skin up these tracks? Do you even know what skinning is? Maybe you think these perfect climbing tracks you stumble across (that just happen to lead to the best BC runs) are left behind by moose? Spill da beans!


    • 2011-02-02 23:12:06

      The gloves are off - let the battle rage. While we are at it may as well throw in this little carrot: "likely the work of knuckle draggers (a.k.a. snowboarders)


      That'll stir the pot,.... a-n-d discuss.

    • jerrett
      2011-02-03 02:14:41

      A friend calls it "Bootfucking the skin track" :(  


      Damn snowshoers/bootpackers! Buy some skins!

    • Zorba
      2011-02-03 13:06:10

      At least the bootpack doesn't go beyond the slackcountry, but on occasion I'm amazed at how far some people walk...thanks to the nice skin track. What's concerning too is it's unlikely any of the packers have any avalanche gear or knowledge. I see many skiers packin as well. I realize this is going to happen regardless as we all share a passion for seeking out fresh snow, but my one gripe is when skiers set a new uptrack as the other is ruined by foot traffic and they walk on that one too! A little respect is order.
    • crystaline
      2011-02-03 13:51:16

      I think it just calls for a little edumacation. I really don't think bootpackers are aware of the issue. It seems to me like common sense though. If I am walking along next to a xc-country track, I don't step in the track. What seems like common sense/courtesy to one person may seem unnecessary to another. Especially if they are totally pre-occupied with getting the goods. It's actually the same kind of attitude that might put one in harms way. It is about respect too ~ respect the mountain, respect your fellow traveller, even..gasp..respect yourself.


      I love that term Jerret. Can I use it and pretend I made it up?

    • jerrett
      2011-02-03 15:23:00

      Sure! 

      What's even worse is snowmobilers screwing up the skin track... they have no excuse at all because it doesn't even make it any easier for them, it's just plain straight up ruining it. At least that usually only happens in snowmobile friendly areas...

      All of the snowboarders I know that tour (including myself) have splitboards and skins, so don't go jumping on "knuckle draggers" as ruining your skin track! By the way, you are welcome for the extra wide and well packed skin tracks!

      I think a lot of it is like crystaline said, education - somebody who has never set a skin track before (let alone used one) isn't going to have any concept of how much work it is to set, or how valuable it is to not ruin it - I would imagine they probably just see it the same way somebody would see footprints on a beach, as something left behind as a side effect of people skinning... Only way to fix that is to politely let people know, if you see them doing it :)

    • powder
      2011-02-04 23:48:28

      "Boot-fucked" even better than "wind-fucked"


      learn something new every day.

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