Planning On Snowobarding Non-Stop For 3 Hours? Go Light
E365> Snowboarding - Tuesday November 20 2007
E365 -- Here's the message three top international skiers and snowboarders had on the topic of high-altitude downhill: go light. But once the two days of hiking is over, and you're up there, strap on your board for a non-stop ride that could last for hours!
Hiking meets skiing and snowboarding in a fantastic new craze that, according to ExplorersWeb.com, is just blowing up. Ladies, gents, and Michael Jackson, we introduce high-altitude snowboarding!
"It was more than 3000 vertical meters of skiing in mostly powder snow down to base camp," says Fredrik.
These guys the core behind hardcore. Sometimes taking on 55 degree slopes with your camping gear on your back, reaching intense speeds. This is the stuff of ironmen.
And so it goes, for the most hardcore boarders and skiers around. Sure, pulling a 1080 requires serious technical precision, but keeping on your feet for three hours is an exercise in mental endurance.
"I'm sure that the experience I have from ski touring in the Alps helps me when I'm climbing," he says. "Skiing here in Chamonix often includes climbing up steep slopes and I think that is good training. It also gives me good confidence."
Italian Emilio Previtali has two rules for his climbing: without oxygen and he must ride down.
"The boots and the board is the most important part of my gear," Emilio told ExplorersWeb. "First of all in Himalaya, you have to stay warm and dry. Then (and only then) you have to ride boards and boots with the right fit and stiffness for snowboarding. Basically I have two snowboard kits, one of them uses soft bindings (the classic snowboard binding) and the other one uses hard boots (ski mountaineering boots + hard plates)."
"The most important thing I can say about snowboarding (or skiing) on high altitude is this: Go light!" Emilio ends.
"To try and ski/snowboard down an 8000m peak is a lot more difficult than to just climb the mountain. You have many kilos more to carry. Moreover, you walk with heavier boots not designed to dry fast or to use for many days in cold temperatures. Climbing the mountain with this gear is a different challenge, believe me. Everything you need must be super-light."
Enjoy the coffee when you get back, gents.
| FURTHER SURFIN' |
 |
| EXTREME INSPIRATION |
| "If you want a symbolic gesture, don't burn the flag; wash it." |
Email Us
Mail article
Print article
