Ski Touring Tips
Compiled by Scott Johnston
Backcountry Skis
How to Choose a Backcountry Ski
Death of the Avalanche Danger Rating
I guess a more appropriate title for this post would be "The Death of the Avalanche Danger Rating (for educated backcountry travelers)". For years, as a guide, I've struggled with the difficulty of having to classify a particular avalanche problem or problems as being Low, Moderate, Considerable, High or Extreme. To me, it always felt like a very blunt tool to describe a very complex situation.
Italian lessons in the Ortler mountains
Originally Published in the MVSTA Trails magazine, October 2010
The Tipping Point
It looks like there is a storm forecasted to hit the region today and tonight. This storm could lay down a fair bit of snow. Something we’ve all be waiting for. With that in mind we need to make sure we are keeping our desires for pow in check.
The High Route
As we’ve gotten older here at NCMG, we have started to think more and more about milestones. Most of these milestones revolve around our kids – first birthday, first bicycle, first black diamond run etc., etc…. These milestones and our families are by far the most important things in our lives, but the milestones around NCMG and the life we’ve chosen as guides are also very important to us.
Ode to a Mountain Dog
Scooby in her Prime near the Callaghan lodge, BC. Photo by Dave Waag
Ode to a mountain Dog
Untracked Line - Happy Valley
The Methow Valley is far from an undiscovered place, though it remains one of the quietest and most special backcountry ski destinations in the United States. Read the story of a bunch of professional journalists who come out to ski with NCMG and become completely enamored with the Methow Valley and the North Cascades.
Skiing Magazine Article by Sam Bass
Training for Alpine Climbing
By Scott Johnston
The following is not meant as a training manual for you personally, but more as introduction to some general training ideas that will hopefully spur you into developing a plan that works well for you. Keep in mind that there are many ways to increase your endurance through training. Entire books have been written on the various methods; we are proposing here a couple of simple basic ideas.