Salomon XADV boots - continuing to perform

The view in my trunk: two helmets, one circular saw, pair of adjustable poles, jumper cables, Garmont Veloces,  Garmont Monashees with cable bindings, the white whales ( a waxable karhu guide?) with the SNS BC ADV Raid manual binding, Work harness, 2 meter antenna, gaiters and the XADVs.

Two years now since my first review of the XADV and I continue to be impressed with how much fun I can have on the these boots and binding.

The replaced zipper closures on the front have been solid and the integrated gaiter is really a great touch.

The picture below is from a four turn wonder hill in the neighborhood.  The majority of the the time these boots are pushing skis through thickets and in between trees- but  I can't figure out how to photograph those line properly.

I have manged to break something. The grey plastic that surrounds the black button/pivot has been cracked. Does not seem to effect performance at all.

rather be off piste- short trip report to checker mountain

Kalamazoo and the rest of west michigan got dumped on..super bowl sunday was used to ski all the hills that were paved- everyone else watched TV..i had the hills of west main to myself.  I skied some streets that I have had my eye on for a some time now.

Skiing really opened up to me when I realized that I live in a state where sudden snow falls can make streets, front yards, grave yards...and all sorts of urban landscapes completely wild and solitary again, even if only for a few hours after nightfall.  Yes, there is the occasional car, but you have planes that fly over any wilderness area in the United States..and considering it requires me only to step outside of my house.

So I toured for turns all over Kalamazoo's West Main Hill. I skied some steep streets,  post holed up to my thighs on the school grounds hill.  Put some stylish "S" marks on front lawns. This was vandalism and trespassing of course..very temporary though.

today- checker mountain/ markin glen was hit. My friends put on the plastics and rode lifts while i went xcd with system bindings. lots of up track for some really spectacular powder. 

                      

                               

                

                                                    

                        

peregrine radama 2 tent review.

So I picked up this Radama tent from Peregrine and have put it through some tests. High mountains in Washington,  Michigan Spring, and a trip to Devils Lake.  

Over all it is a very solid little tent.  The two doors are nice, the reflective cords are nice, comfortable for two and luxury for one.  For the price- serviceable tent fit for modest adventures.

                               

late season Pere Marquette fly fishing

 What follows are pictures from a late season fly fishing trip to Baldwin, MI.   Only one Fish was actually caught..well it was on my hook and as I reached in for it...lil brown trout fell off into the cold water.

 These maps are 50 years old and were used by my Great Uncle Dave. the notes are all his, these were the maps we used to navigate around. Baldwin hasn't changed a ton in the last 50 years. I think that over all that is a good thing.

 

This was also the first fishing trip when all three boys and dad went on. That was worth celebrating right there.

We cranked out the CBs and some small Dual Band radios as well. All in all it was fun trip.

 

devils lake = rad. my lead climbing = sad

     The Semi-annual excursion to Devils Lake, WI  October 2014.
   
     stopping in Chicago we found that our friends Shawn and Glen had stopped smoking, but their fish has started a pipe habit.

We utilized a group camp site this year.  It turned out to be great, with super easy access to the East Bluff.  The ritual of sorting gear was completed every morning.

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My lead climbing was especially weak.  My placements popped out...my confidence plummeting with them as they shimmied down the rope.  As you can see from the picture above I was grovelling a fair amount. A long monologue of negative self talk accompanied me as I struggled with the physical and psychological aspects of each move. 

 Climbing the Talus slope is always a high light at Devils Lake.

september sailing on lake michigan

  Michigan was just completely covered with snow for a week in a freak November snow storm.  These pictures are from a gentler month when sailing on Lake Michigan sounded relaxing and not like a Shackleton expedition.

We toured out on Peter's Birth day in Ross's boat out of South Haven, Michigan.

 2 Miles out is the new NOAA weather buoy.   During the season the Buoy has a live web cam so that you can check conditions from home. Link below.

Live information from 45168

loaded Honda Ruckus.