The Team Sherpa Blog

The start of the year has been slow going and we’ve been suffering from a most awful weather in Finland. No snow means no skiing, so training has been mainly easy jogging three times a week.
I have also tried my new Ecco boots by just walking in the woods to see how they fit.
The Chamonix X-Factor model is very rigid and even though they feel very comfortable first time out, it’s very, very important to drive them in really well before any longer hike or use. I recently got introduced to those quite popular new inner soles which you can heat and mould to fit your own feet very well. I will try them in the hiking boots also to see how they work, but they do feel very good in the regular and running shoes.
For my next trip though, I yet probably won’t be needing much of my new Eccos. I finally got my winter skiing trip confirmed and the tickets have been booked to Jackson Hole, Wyoming USA for two weeks in February. I am very exited to finally have a chance to go to the Rockies and find out how skiing over there is. Even though I have been skiing a long time around the Alps and Scandinavia, the American powder have so far eluded me.
Since this is my first trip to Jackson, I would appreciate any tips or info about the place and skiing spots. So if there is anybody who has been there and knows the place, kindly leave me a short comment.

Here’s a short check list of my off piste gear:

1. 22L Backpack where you can attach the skis if necessary. I use Black Diamond Covert Avalung
where I like the new integrated breathing tube.

2. Small First Aid kit with the basic necessities.

3. 1L Platypus filled with water (I normally don’t like that much about energy drinks).

4. Climbing Skins

5. Multi tool ( I also carry 50cm of wire and off course the duct tape with which you can repair almost anything).

6. GT Map (I have a compass in my watch), Binoculars, small short-range walkie-talkie, gsm.

7. Extra gloves and beanie, micro fleece vest.

8. Light snack (a sandwich, tried fruit and nuts).

9. Goggles and sun classes. Also sun- and lip cream.

10. And off course A.R.V.A. Avalanche Beeper, Probe and a Shovel.

For a glacial skiing I add these items:

1. Light climbing harness. They make very compact and light weight harnesses now days which do the
trick, but weigh only a couple hundred grams.

2. 20m of 8mm randonnee rope. If the route requires climbing or rappelling, then I’ll take a longer one.

3. Crampons, two ice screws, few slings, few carabiners and an ice axe.

If the main purpose is to ski, I want to keep my back pack as light as possible. If we do glacial touring involving climbing, I’ll take a bigger rucksack (35L). If the route is long and more demanding, little extra food, drink and warm clothes would be good to have also.