Jeremy Jones and crew have been up in the sunshine state of Alaska for a month or so, filming for the movie Deeper due out sometime in 2010. If you’ve been following the blog you’ve noticed that I’m anxiously awaiting this movie like a 12 year old girl waiting for a Jonas Brothers concert. From posting about Travis Rice’s and Tom Burt’s splits for the trip I’ve been following it closely. Jeremy just posted his latest blog entry (along with photos) from the trip on his site and all I can say is WOW! As someone who had been burnt out on snowboarding the past few years relative to how I used to be these kind of trips and pics bring back the stoke I felt in the mid-90s! Good stuff. If you haven’t been to his site yet GO THERE NOW! Seriously, get out of here.
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David J. Pfahler! Is that pronounced ‘Failer’? What’s worse, the fact that he sued for this or the fact he found a lawyer willing to take the case? Mr. Pfahler, please accept your award below.  David J. Pfahler wins the prestigious bowl! Three words: lucky motherf*cker (or is that two words?) The crowd cheering is an odd touch. Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air decided today to start charging for your first checked bag when you travel with them, joining the ranks of United, American and many other US airlines in charging you for your first checked bag. I’m all for what it takes to make you a viable, competitive business, but my beef if that most of the airlines cited rising fuel prices in their reasoning. Now that fuel prices are nearly half of where they were last year, and first bag fees still in place, it’s starting to look more like they were opportunistic. Alaska has yet to update their policy on sporting equipment on their site as it still mentions free luggage, will be interesting to see if they take it as far as United has, whom I’ve sworn off altogether after getting different stories from different agents and employees (even going as far as calling their customer service a week prior to a trip) prior to a surf trip, and thus accruing $$$$ extra charges (and this was prior to their checked bag fee). Southwest appears to be the last of the major carriers that doesn’t charge for baggage and has the most snowboard friendly baggage policy out there.  Southwest's snowboard policy Yeah, I know most of you out there have probably seen these vids, but I was thinking about the Avalung and other ‘avalanche safety’ devices this morning (it’s 80 out, you’d think I’d be thinking about surfing or something right?). I actually own a standalone Avalung that was a gift from the lady friend for Christmas, but I’ve honestly yet to wear it in the backcountry (shhh, don’t tell her!). Fortunately it hasn’t been like the first day I got my helmet, forgot it in the car initially, and later parked my dome in a tree (luckily a friend reminded me to grab my helmet at lunch), demolishing helmet #1. Between my beacon, my SLR chest harness, and constantly shedding layers (yes, I’m a fat, sweaty bitch) it’s yet to make it out – though granted most of the days I’ve gone out have been low risk days. For days that I deem a bit sketchier I’ll definitely wear it. Yes, they make the Avalung packs, and damn they’d be convenient, but my issue with them is being married to one pack design and size (Black Diamond please license the technology out to others!). Excuses excuses, I know. On to the vids. Vid 1: Chris Cardello’s first person view of his burial in AK earlier this year. I know this made the rounds earlier this year, but still pretty amazing. Vid 2: Non-embeddable, but interesting. Craig Dostie of Couloir Magazine (now Backcountry Magazine) volunteered to be buried for an hour while wearing an Avalung. It’s a longer vid so you may want to fast forward through parts, but definitely makes you think. His first person recount of the burial can be seen here.  Craig Dostie buried while wearing Avalung The naysayers will continue to say it’s inconvenient, not a guarantee as you’ve got to get it in your mouth and keep it there, and can lead to bad decision making. The opposing view points out that if you are in an avalanche you’ll want every advantage you can think of to extend your life. I’ll continue to fall somewhere inbetween with my thinking – though I have to admit I am fond of living. Dying tonight in our heatwave (RIP snow) and melting on the couch figured I’d snap a few pics of the Osprey Kode 38 that recently came into my possession. I’ve only got two days on the pack so want to hold off giving any real review yet as I’m still getting used to the Kode v. my tried and true Dakine and there’s an obvious adjustment period needed. A couple first impressions/early thoughts:
If there are any angles/measurements/etc. you’d like to see let me know in the comments section and I’ll get’er done. Also, if you have any questions you’d like me to address in testing I’ll do my best. On to the pics. Front view. Pack is empty thus it looks a bit flat. Will get better pics when I drop a review.  Osprey Kode 38 front view Back view  Osprey Kode and IKEA chair caught on film in hot steamy embrace Back panel open. Threw a Downmat 7 in there to give some perspective to interior size.  Open up and say aaaaahhhh Unlike the Kode 30 the avy tool pocket on the Kode 38 isn’t zippered.  Drawcord avy tool pocket closure Interior shot of avy tool pocket  Osprey Kode chewing with it's mouth open (just like my co-workers...) Nice zipper pulls  Pull my zipper Buckles and load lifters  Osprey Kode buckles If you can’t find it at your local outdoors shop the Osprey Kode is available at a few online retailers. I’m trying something new by throwing a bunch of retailers in the below banner, hopefully helps you find the best price quickly and save you from clicking from site to site (I used to just have a big list of retailers here). Ping me with any feedback you’ve got on the widget. Wow. Check this out over on the Extreme Ice Survey website. Click on ‘videos’ on the top left. This week has been a good beer week – Bear Republic double IPA, 2008 and 2009 Avery double IPAs among others – but after Monday’s TR this week’s winner was no secret. As much as I hate doing back-to-back Sierra brews there was no choice but to feature the Sierra Harvest Wet Hop Ale this week after it’s feature spot in last weekend’s douchebaggery. They say:
I say: Smells like a Sierra brew. Flavor starts slow with a ‘fuzzy’ mouthfeel, than hits you with medium sharp bitterness, fading to that classic Sierra aftertaste. A decent brew, makes a good Saturday night Gatorade.  Wet Hop Ale *warning: blurry photos ahead, do not adjust your eyes*
Step 1:  Step 1: Hike up east facing/melted out peak Step 2:  Pondering Step 3: Drink and ponder Step 4:  Midnight Wintersteiger Step 5:  Sand meets snow Step 6:  Mission: accomplished Came across these photos last night from yet another avalanche in the Clemina Creek area (last week posted this vid). Sadly this time didn’t have a happy ending, with one ‘biler being caught. His buddies were able to dig him out but unable to revive him (full report from the Canadian Avalanche Centre can be found here). Ass puckering pics below. Click to see full-size versions and notice the highmarking – the slope didn’t fail on the first try. Would you have been lulled into a false sense of security if a few of your buddies had already ridden down a slope? This season has been crazy.  Clemina Creek avalanche  Snowmobiles in lower left give size perspective  One helluva terrain trap at the bottom |
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