The skinny on the up coming CT ski reviews?

Heli turns bitd


If someone had told me I would have the interest in writing a ski review on Cold Thistle a couple of years ago I'd have laughed. "No way in hell!"



A couple ofreasons for that. I really don't have that much interest in skis or ski gear. The other is I don't have the technical knowledge to do as good of job at it as I would like.



But...just as my original hunt for a good "climbing down jacket" ended up starting this blog and the gear reviews. My hunt for a decent ski for my own use has convinced me to write down what I have been learning over the past few seasons about skis (boots and bindings as well)and go back to the base of knowledge I gained in the early '70s through mid '80s on ski technology working in shops as a mechanic and boot fitter. I am not trying to apply the old knowledge base to thecurrent technology andcrop of skis.



My typical answer when questioned about skisin the last decade or so has been, "they are fine..they turn left and they turn right". Some thought I was actually joking,,,I wasn't. Skis are simply tools to me. It helps to know the tool you need and to be able to choose the right tool asrequired. But it is apoor craftsman that blames failure on his tools.A couple of winters ago I got an awakening that my unused ski skills had degraded to an embarrassing level as had my ability to judge what really was "good ski gear" for my own use.






Pulling off an ill fitting ski boot high on the Vallee Blanche.




Funny now that I think back on the time I spent skiing. All the info here on Cold Thistle about climbing boots? The foundation of that info is based on what I learned and know about ski boots. Early on my skinnyfeet were ridiculously hard to fit in a ski boot. I had simply forgottenwhere it all started for me about how important a good boot fit really was until recently. That in itself surprises and inspires me.



My first three pair of plastic ski boots from the late 60's and early '70s. The ones prior were leather!






Lange Pro





Lange Comp





Lange Comp










My last pair of Langes, The Banshee,1973


I first saw a pair of Dynafit TLT Performance boots at the OR show several years ago. Then again as they first became available in the Chamonix shops. I scoffed at the $1000 price tag at OR and again in Chamonix. By that spring I was desperate to own a pair. Now? The TLT and the second generation boots (Dynafit One) that came from the original TLT idea are my favorite boots for more than just skiing. As acrossover forski mountaineering andice climbing they are exceptional boots for the amount of control you can have while skiing in them. In a lot of ways the TLTreminds me of the old Scott Superlight series of boots actually. I had a buddy thatadded a Vibram sole to his and climbed in them as well.








Jeff on steep ice with a TLT.







And I would eventually find all sorts of uses for my ownTLTs.


What I didn't realise at the time is just how import the skis would/had become and just how different the skis designs were now. If I am going to be an advocate of ski mountaineering and the use of ski boots to climb technical ground with,I had better square away a few thoughts on skis as well.



I founda few of us out herelooking for the same things or very close to it in skis. If you have a mountaineering back groundthe current rando race gear is going to have some appeal. If you learned to ski (as most do) at a lifted served ski area you are likely looking at good down hill performance as well. I want a good skis on a groomed slope as well as off piste when in really bad snow conditions.

All that is possible btw.



My bet is with a similar back ground we have all been looking at similar skis. To that point I'll eventually be writing up reviews on the skis I have been on in the last couple of seasons.



Most importantly the choice in ski is as individual or may be even more so than a well fitting pair of climbing boots. What works for me you might hate. Or the other way around...which is what got me started looking for a "better" ski in the first place.



How a ski performs depends on so many things, your ability, your own boots and the snow conditions. So you will see a lot of back ground info and detailson each ski test (mine and others).



The idea here is to get you into a ski you will enjoy for your own purposes not sell you any particular ski. If you happen to have the similargear, physical attributes and skill set as Dave Searle, Jerry Johnsonor myself, lucky you! If not hopefully you'll be able to glean enough info from the reviews to at least get started in the right directionon a decent ski choice for your own use.



But I can tell you quite clearly the gear available now will enable a decent skier to easily..as in really easily...ski terrain and snow conditions that even a decadeor two ago was unrealistic for anyone but an expert, very experienced skier. There are some down sides to that fact...like the need for more snow, avalanche and forecasting knowledge. The knowledge is now required because the newest skis have opened up so much more terrain to less experienced skiers. It is a double edged sword. You can ski more places easily. But you can also get yourself killed a lot quicker as well by making a bad choice in the wrong snow conditions.



Oh, and you poor bastards on snow boards? If you want to climb and explore the back country? Get a pair of skis :-) You'll go farther, faster and with less effort in places you simply can't go on a snow board. Same places you would also behard pressed on a split board. More on that subject at some point as well.

Exploring by Land

While we were having fun on the boat, we came across this place that we just so happened to hit the tide right so we could get out and explore by land some. This had the kids very excited! The boys hopped out and pulled us as close to shore as possible. Austin carried Lauren so she didn't have to deal with water creatures.

After walking across some very, very slimy water and dodging jelly fish, we hit the land. Once we hit land, we were all super excited about this venture.

The kids rushed ahead to see what exactly was here. They liked the bird blind. Josh filled us in on what he thought this place was all about. Josh knows everything about everything, so we learned a lot!

We all liked the nature we found there. Can't you just smell the sand and sea salt?

Sometimes we approach learning differently in our households. Sometimes it looks very similar. Today was an example of where we approach learning in the same way. In both our homes, it is a daily thing where learning looks just like what you see here. Someone finds something interesting and eventually you find the whole gang gathered around discussing it.

Well, except for Josh...who has his own path to explore at the moment!

I love how we will all roll up into the learning and enjoy it together, each adding something to the experience. It's one of the things I most enjoy about traveling with Daryl and Diana. So what kinds of goodies did we find?

Pretty cool, huh? Diana graciously took a picture of us, and right after that my battery died so I did not get one of them.

This place ended up being so awesome, I'm putting it down as one of my faves. It's been a long time since I did that, so I guess we were due one! Thanks, Daryl and Diana for making our day so great.



Living the life in beautiful Virginia!

Change in Guardianship for the Fisher Children - 1847

In the will of Michael Fisher, signed by him on March 19th 1845, he appointed John Shear and Christian Grosman as guardians for his children. This record changes the guardian to Robert Reed. These records were located back in the mid 198Os when I was just starting research on my families and I don't recall now whether I couldn't find additional records at that time or if I just didn't look any further. It seems like there should have been additional records since the guardians were supposed to make periodic reports to the courts. I need to investigate to see who John Shear, Christian Grosman, and Robert Reed were and to see if they are related to the Fisher family in some way. There should also be a record of the sale of the property that Michael willed to his wife Christenia. Lair Fisher is most likely the daughter Leah who was named in Michael's Will. The oldest daughter, 18 year old Louisa, is not mentioned in this guardianship record. She would marry Jacob Phend on August 27th 1847, eleven days after this record was dated.

Spelling and punctuation retained as in the original. Paragraph breaks added.

Carroll County, Ohio Probate Record C August Term 1847

page 52 (The top portion of the page is concluding another case, signed by WR Lloyd, Clerk)

Caroleine Fisher. Catherine Fisher. Sophia Fisher. Rachel Fisher. Samuel Fisher. Lair Fisher. Solomon Fisher. Lydia Fisher} Minors.

Be it remembered that heretofore towit: at a Court of Common Pleas began and held at the Court House in Carrollton, within and for the County of Carroll and State of Ohio, on Monday the 16th day of August AD 1847. on the first day of said Term. Caroline Fisher & Catherine Fisher came into Court and chose Robert Reed to be their Guardian who is approved as such by the Court, and on motion the Court appoint Said Robert Reed to be the Guardian of Sophia, Rachel, Samuel, Lair, Solomon and Lydia Fisher. Thereupon Said Robert Reed gave bond to the State of Ohio in the sum of One Hundred Dollars Conditioned according to Law with John Reed his Surety who is accepted as such by the Court.

Thereupon Letters of Guardianship issued to said Robert Reed, as follows, to wit.

The State of Ohio Carroll county } By the Honorable John

page 53
Pearce. President of the Court of Common Pleas for the fifth Circuit in Ohio. Thomas Cummings. John Ebersole and John S. Hunter Esquire, Associate Judges of said Court in and for the County of Carroll, To Robert Reed. Greeting! Be it Known that the Said Judges, confiding in your care, prudence and fidelity have by these presents, Appointed Robert Reed Guardian for Caroline Fisher, Catherine Fisher, Sophia Fisher, Rachel Fisher, Samuel Fisher, Lair Fisher, Solomon Fisher, Lydia Fisher, minor children and hers at law of Michael Fisher late of the county of Carroll, deceased investing you the said Robert Reed with full power and authority for them and to their use, to ask, demand, sue for receive and take into your possession and Custody all and Singular, such parts and portions of Estate both real and personal, which is or may be coming to them as heirs to the Estate of the Said Michael Fisher deceased. or which by any other way or means whatsoever doth of right belong them the said minors, and to manage, employ and improve the same for the best advantage and profit during their minority. and to do all and whatsoever May be Necessary to be done in and about the premises As fully and Effectually to all intents and purposes. As they might or could do personally, being of full age.

In testimony Whereof, I William R. Lloyd Clerk of Said Court have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of Said Court at Carrollton, this 16th day of August, Anno Domini, one thousand Eight hundred and forty Seven. W R Lloyd Clerk, By Geo F Kenedy, D. C.

Bamboo Forest

The bamboo groves of the Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, California.

Devil Track River Adventure

What a great day. Hiked up the Devil Track River for the first time (I know... one of those things... I've livedin CookCountymy whole life and never gone up there before!), got a LOT of cool new pictures, then headed into Grand Marais and had a late lunch, pizza at Sydney's Frozen Custard, WOW was that ever good! The strawberry banana smoothie made the meal unforgettable! THEN saw a CRAZY COOL storm front come over Grand Marais with some freaky clouds and a lot of lightning. AND last but not least, an awesome double rainbow over the lake as we drove back home to Grand Portage!










Devil Track Riverwas such an amazing, mind-blowingly beautiful hike that I myself can't believe I had never done it before. I had so much fun photographing the many bends and cliffs along the river. We spent almost 6 hours on the river and I could have easily spent 6 more that day. Each curve in the river revealed views even more interesting than the ones we had seen just moments before. Jessica commented that she felt like she was in a different state :-)I can't wait to go back and explore it some more!














During our hike we saw a lot of cool and interesting trees, but one stood out from the rest as being by far the most fascinating. On one bend in the river this large cedar tree was protruding out from the bank and upon closer inspection we realized that the trunk itself was no longer touching the ground at all! This large tree is holding on by nothing more than its roots... due to erosion the soil between the trunk and the bank had all washed away. It was a mesmerizing tree and even had small colonies of ferns growing on some of the larger roots.



















After our hike we headed in to Grand Marais and when we arrived in town the weather was absolutely perfect for a late summer/early fall day. Virtually no wind, sunny sky and lots of "popcorn" clouds. A couple of hours later a storm front moved in from the west and before we knew it the sky was dominated by this huge wall cloud that was rolling in overhead. Lightning flashed every few seconds as the storm approached. There was an eerie calm that preceeded the storm, but once the "wall" was over us, the wind hit shortly after and then the rain came. It poured for about half an hour, the wind blew and the lightning flashed. As we drove back home we were following the storm and were treated to a nice display of lightning ahead of us while a rainbow floated out over the lake to our right. By the time the sun went down everything was calm again.

A serious question about Arcteryx insulation?

I am sitting at my desk with a ton of information at hand. But nothing on the Arcteryx ThermaTek or Coreloft that I can verify. I asked Arcteryx directly twice but didn't get an answer. I want to make an informed decision on a jacket purchase and this isn't making it easy. When the jacket is $699 retail one might pause before "jumping in".



"Fisson SL (76g) and a
Duelly (152g) of ThermaTek"



The question I want answered is: How does the



Arcteryx Fission SL, shell is2 layer Gortex, 76g g/m fill, weight27.6oz and $699 retail



compare with some thing like a



RAB Alpine Generator Hoody,shell is Pertex® Endurance, 100g/m fill, weight20.7oz and $235 retail










Or very close to the same if not equal warmth....below, the Arcteryx Atom SV Hoody, 100g/m Coreloft, weight 18.6oz and $259.00










I find the difference in retail pricing troubling and the extra weight even more so. Having both jackets here at hand makes a physical comparison easy enough. I might believe the Gortex Fission will bethe equal to the Generator for warmth. But theGeneratorand the SV both show more insulation thickness.The Rab version has more insulation and it's insulation is 5% better than Coreloft according to the Arcteryx source. Where does the high tech Polarguard Delta (aka ThermaTec)fit into that equation? Because 76g/m sure doesn't look very warm compared to 100g/m sitting here at my desk! ThermaTechad better be some amazing stuff. And if it is such amazing stuff as the price would indicate how come there is no comparitive numbers to show us?



What am I missing? Because it looks to me like any one of the 100g/m jackets will be warmer (although not water proof like a Goretex garment) and a LOT cheaper. Enough so you could easily still buy a Gortext or Neoshell and still be ahead with only a 8oz penalty on the FissoionSL (Super Light?).



I'd really like to keep the Fission SL. It is a nice jacket. Just wondering how that price point is some how justified. Anyone have an answer they care to share?



This is a letter from Arcteryx to a customer I have seen:



"Currently, Arc'teryx does not have a recorded clo value for Coreloft. Apparently, there are two standards for testing clo value when it comes to Coreloft and even these tests vary with weight. In some instances Coreloft was tested and found to have a higher clo value compared to Primaloft. Other instances, Coreloft was tested with a lower value compared to Primaloft. Overall, I was told

that the accepted standard is Coreloft falling 5% below Primaloft One when tested head to head.



With regards to Synthetic fiber fill there's two factors that relate to warmth.



One is clo and the other is loft.



Insulations with high clo values, like down, are very fast acting. A garment with a high clo value, once on, traps your body heat very quickly. In comparison, insulations with high loft, generally have a lower clo for a given weight. The higher loft takes longer to heat the insulation and feel the insulation warm, but there is the potential to trap a lot of heat. Down being the ultimate combination of both clo and loft.



Frequently, to make up for Primaloft having a higher clo, Coreloft has a little
more loft.



I was also informed that when determining the warmth of down,
knowledge of the weight is really important because the density of the down can
vary. However, synthetic insulation is different because the density does not
vary. When comparing 2 comparable synthetic down jackets, the higher the g/m^2
the warmer it will be."





More to the point I think depending on what is true and what is merely speculation on the author's part:



"This one is warmer and also will be way better at resisting any moisture pickup due to the totally waterproof Thermatek fill. Another consideration is the construction;the insulation is laminated to the inner shell so there are no cold spots from baffle stitching, and this also makes it's loft last longer.



Thermatek is the Bird's trademark name for taking Polarguard Delta insulation, and then dipping it in DWR, and then LAMINATING it to the face fabric. It's spendy because it's just as labor intensive as it sounds, and no one else does anything like it.



The ThermaTek uses a bit different construction so this will be equivalent warmth to the Atom SV.



Therma-Tek and Primaloft-2.7 (78gm)Thermatek and 133gm Primaloft offer the same loft"



This is a good read:



http://www.verber.com/mark/outdoors/gear/pl1-or-pgdelta.html



RYAN JORDAN is the Founder/CEO of Backpacking Light



More:

Polarguard is the most popular insulation for synthetic sleeping bags. It is an extremely long strand fiber, and it is possible that the insulation in a sleeping bag might consist of one continuous strand. This fact helps the insulation last longer, as the long strands are less likely to clump. Because it is comparably stiff, you don’t see Polarguard in applications other than sleeping bags very often. There are four generations of Polarguard out there, and you still see all of them floating around. In order of ascending performance and cost, they are: Polarguard, Polarguard 3D, Polarguard HV, and Polarguard Delta. Delta is the pinnacle of the Polarguard line, and consists of hollow fibers for the lightest weight and highest efficiency. You will see this fill in most higher-end synthetic sleeping bags.



Primaloft has occupied the opposite end of the construction spectrum from Polarguard, with soft short-strand fibers made from microfiber polyester. Primaloft is highly compressible, very soft, and feels a lot more down-like than any other synthetic insulation. It also has remarkable water-resistance properties. The principle drawbacks to Primaloft are durability and price. Because of its short fibers, Primaloft is more prone to bunching and sees limited use in sleeping bags. While it is still cheaper than down, it is at the top of the price range for synthetics. There are a few varieties of Primaloft, but the most commonly seen are Primaloft Sport, the value option, and the higher-end Primaloft One, which features finer fibers and more water resistance. The newest material from Primaloft is called Infinity, and it is Primaloft’s entry into the continuous filament field. Look for it to compete against Polarguard Delta in sleeping bags.

Wedding Belles :: Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob

The topic of the upcoming edition of Smile for the Camera is 'Wedding Belles' and since I have no family pictures (none, zilch, nada) of any ancestors in their full wedding regalia, these will have to do.



The photo on the left is one of my all time favorite family photos. They look like movie stars! It was taken in the spring of 1945 and is the engagement picture for my Aunt Pat and Uncle Bob.

The other photo was taken on the occasion of their 50th Wedding Anniversary in June 1995. Time took it's toll, they aren't as "glamorous" as they had been 50 years earlier, but they were still a nice looking couple. And they were both very nice people. Their two older children were about the same age as my brothers and I and we spent a lot of time at their place while growing up. They only lived a couple of miles from us until 1960 when we moved closer to North Webster.

Patricia Eileen Phend, the daughter of Victor and Hazlette (Brubaker) Phend, and Robert Glen Reiff, the son of Ralph and Lillie (Wissler) Reiff, were united in marriage on June 17, 1945 at the Larwill Methodist Church in Larwill, Indiana. Pat was born in Columbia City and Bob in Pierceton. In 1943, Bob enlisted in the U. S. Army. He served 6 months then the government thought he could better serve the country helping his parents on their farm.

Aunt Pat was a busy "stay at home" Mom while her four children were growing up. She, and they, were very active in school, church, and 4-H activities. After all of the kids were out of high school she worked for nearly 20 years as an attendant at the Mid-Lake Laundry in North Webster. Uncle Bob was a farmer, and for 36 years was also a bus driver for North Webster Schools, which in the late 1960s became a part of the Wawasee School Corporation. In addition to being a bus driver, Bob was also the head custodian at the school in North Webster. At that time, one building housed the elementary, middle school, and high school. (It was the same school that I and my siblings attended, as had my father. In fact, we had some of the same teachers!)

Uncle Bob passed away on February 17, .. and Aunt Pat still resides in the old farmhouse where they lived so many years together.