Real men sit down to ski!

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Messages 1 - 54 of total 54 in this topic
Maysho

climber
Soda Springs, CA
Topic Author's Original Post - May 1, 2011 - 10:07pm PT
Just got this email from Jon Arnow...Bad Ass! Imagine double poling for 44 miles...Congrats Gentleman on the ski achievement of the year!


"Mark Wellman and I completed our 3 day trans Sierra sitski from East to West yesterday.  It was 3 days and 2 nights , 44 miles of double poling on our sitskis carrying our own gear strapped to our sitski..  Rick Sylvester came along too. We started at snow line on Tioga Pass Road , .5 miles below Ellery Lake and finished at snowline on the West side , 5 miles above the Tioga Pass road closure.
   We had a great trip with favorable snow conditions for sitskiing. We had Toulumne Meadows, Tenaya Lake, and the rest of the route to ourselves in this huge snow year. We need very firm conditions to double pole  and we had good freezes at night.  Mark did this 18 years ago and I guess this is the second repeat of this by 2 paraplegics on sitskis although that doesn't matter to me - it was just a blast to be on a multiday backcountry ski trip again after 9 years of abstinence."
TGT

Social climber
So Cal
May 1, 2011 - 10:27pm PT
Man, double poling to the entrance shack even in "perfect" conditions!

That's an upper body workout!

'Pass the Pitons' Pete

Big Wall climber
like Ontario, Canada, eh?
May 1, 2011 - 11:28pm PT
Doesn't that Rick Sylvester ever quit? Tell him I was typing at his buddy Claude Wreford-Brown today, and I expect his imminent arrival here at McTopo. As soon as he checks his computer, anyway.

Congrats on a great achievement!
Brandon-

climber
Done With Tobacco
May 1, 2011 - 11:31pm PT
I've never met Jon, but in my brief encounters with both Mark and Rick, I found them to be pretty great human beings.

That's a hell of an accomplishment for Jon and Mark, Congrats!
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
May 1, 2011 - 11:34pm PT
More than most fully able bodied folks would dare...
rottingjohnny

Sport climber
mammoth lakes ca
May 1, 2011 - 11:34pm PT
Was Rick sitting down also...?
nita

Social climber
chica from chico. spring days..yeah!
May 2, 2011 - 12:14am PT
Congratulations you guys!!.

Peter, I hope you have some pictures to post up, would love to see them.

xo
nita...


klk

Trad climber
cali
May 2, 2011 - 12:21am PT
Wow.

My shoullders hurt just thinking about it.
Delhi Dog

climber
Good Question...
May 2, 2011 - 10:55am PT
Badass indeed!
Inspirational.

Cheers,
DD

andy ya accident prone hoser
ron gomez

Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
May 2, 2011 - 06:50pm PT
Good to see people still doing GUD stuff!
Peace
Maysho

climber
Soda Springs, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 2, 2011 - 09:02pm PT
All right, here is a video clip that Jon sent out, wild...inspiring...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvg_4I6Mas

nita

Social climber
chica from chico. spring days..yeah!
May 2, 2011 - 10:16pm PT
Peter,.......... WOW!, Very inspiring video can't wait to see more.. Phenomenal upper body strength....
ron gomez

Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
May 2, 2011 - 10:22pm PT
Damn Peter that was inspirational! Thanks.
Peace
labrat

Trad climber
Nevada City, CA
May 2, 2011 - 10:28pm PT
Wow!
deeski

Trad climber
North Carolina
May 2, 2011 - 11:33pm PT
Congrats Jon, Rick, and Mark....ya hoo Mark 18 years later!!
Dee
neebee

Social climber
calif/texas
May 3, 2011 - 01:41am PT
hey there say, peter... thanks for the share!

not sure where it was, but years back, winter sports had a neat race or something going on, each year--not sure if was try-outs FOR the races, or, the race itself...

*couse, they most likely still do, but i don't use tv cable stuff...
so i miss a lot of these events...
Maysho

climber
Soda Springs, CA
Topic Author's Reply - May 3, 2011 - 10:32pm PT
Bump for badass efforts and adventure...
arndog

Social climber
NV
May 3, 2011 - 11:31pm PT
Thanks Maysho for this thread and posting my youtube movie. I felt compelled to join SuperTopo. Here is a narrated version of the video that I just finished. I think it tells the story better. Later this week, I will edit it in HD on Adobe Premier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsKVqPQ0VRg

Enjoy!
nutjob

Gym climber
Berkeley, CA
May 3, 2011 - 11:40pm PT
That is some serious gnarlhood. Hats off and big round of applause!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
May 3, 2011 - 11:43pm PT
Hey Jon,

Proud outing you guys! I hope that the alpine picks worked for you!

Cheers!
cleo

Social climber
Berkeley, CA
May 3, 2011 - 11:48pm PT
That's a great trip! I'd *love* to run into those guys out there sometime. And in 3 days? Really? That's hella fast, well done!

John Moosie

climber
Beautiful California
May 4, 2011 - 12:29am PT
Wow.. Thank you for posting the video and congratulations on a successful trip. That put a smile on my face. Thanks again for sharing. Woot for getting out there !!!
Mighty Hiker

climber
Vancouver, B.C.
May 4, 2011 - 12:32am PT
Hey, what's the big deal? I "sit down" all the time when I'm skiing. Sometimes inelegantly, but still.. :-)
rhyang

climber
SJC
May 4, 2011 - 12:53am PT
That is cool !!
cleo

Social climber
Berkeley, CA
May 4, 2011 - 12:59am PT
WELCOME arndog, aka John Arnow!

10b4me

Ice climber
Happy Boulders
May 4, 2011 - 01:32am PT
inspiring
Captain...or Skully

climber
or some such
May 4, 2011 - 08:39am PT
That's badass, Arndog. Thanks for the link, too.
maldaly

Trad climber
Boulder, CO
May 4, 2011 - 10:47am PT
Alright arngog. Now that you're an official "taco" you'll have to be the voice for that luddite Wellman. Great job on the crossing. My shoulders are talking to me just thinking about it.
Doug Robinson

Trad climber
Santa Cruz
May 4, 2011 - 11:21am PT
Man, you guys can sure scoot on those thing! I love it when that badass base jumper has to whine about not being able to keep up. Kinda puts you guys in perspective as athletes.

Jon, your video is getting better with each iteration. Using the ice axe crossing the steep slabby section by Olmstead Point really drives it home. You mention some kind of spike on your good foot. What is that? Like a crampon point? A cutaway of what it looks like would help us to get it how your traction works there, with the sled sliding along below and potentially dragging you with it.

I like how low-key you are about the danger there. But any indication of how slippery the crust really is would help too.

This video is going to be killer in HD!
TKingsbury

Trad climber
MT
May 4, 2011 - 11:27am PT
Very cool! Thanks for posting this
arndog

Social climber
NV
May 6, 2011 - 12:17am PT
Thanks to everyone for the props. I can't tell you how much pleasure I had returning to multiday ski touring after nine years of abstinence thinking this was forever beyond my reach - I felt like I returned home.

Pete - Mark is a Luddite. He doesn't even have a wrist watch. I have iTopo on my iPhone, a garmin foretrex 301, etc.

Doug - I spent 3 hours today working on the HD iteration using Adobe Premiere. What an improvement over iMovie! We could zoom into the video on Olmsted Pt. to get views of Half Dome, did color correction, sharpened images, played with audio. I will heed your advice on the narrative and I think it will turn out well. I will have to force everyone to see the HD version though.

On my good leg, I used a Kahtoola Microspike which is a great tool for the Sierra firm conditions.

Hey Steve G - thanks for the ice pick - It is going to come in handy when I 'crutch hike' up Shasta this spring.

kunlun_shan

Mountain climber
SF, CA
May 6, 2011 - 03:11am PT
Amazing trip! Totally hardcore!

I really like the narrated version of the video, arndog. Adds another dimension. Am looking forward to seeing it in HD.

Just got an email from Alpenglow (in Tahoe City). They've picked up on your trip and this thread in their blog. Cool!

http://alpenglowsports.wordpress.com/2011/05/06/trans-sierra-sitski-crossing/

Rick Sylvester

Trad climber
Squaw Valley, California
May 6, 2011 - 05:17am PT
Mark and Jon are the real story. But in answer to Rotting Johnny's query, I was standing up on very very slow no wax, ie. fish scale, skis. Due to this and some other gear problems and frankly mistakes I found myself wishing I could sit down on a sit ski.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
May 6, 2011 - 10:55am PT
Jon- Since you are here now, please post a shot of your extreme "crutches."

It might inspire someone else to follow your lead and get after it again!
arndog

Social climber
NV
May 6, 2011 - 07:27pm PT

Steve:

Here are a pair of modified forearm crutches that has ice axe picks in the hand grip, with a ferrule on the tip and ski basket. I have tried this out and it would enable me to self arrest.
arndog

Social climber
NV
May 6, 2011 - 11:21pm PT
Okay - I finally finished the HD FINAL VERSION of the Trans Sierra Crossing on Sitskis 2011. I apologize for making this the 3rd iteration but I was so excited initially, I posted the raw footage, knowing that I would lose some people who won't want to look at the HD narrated, new and improved version. BUT, here it is. Make sure you select "720p" to view in HD and turn up the volume.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fui5zYx732Y
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
May 15, 2011 - 01:35pm PT
Thanks for sharing your adventure guys!

Way to get after it and soak up some of that High Sierra beauty!
museman

Big Wall climber
Poway, Ca
May 24, 2011 - 06:30pm PT
Wow,
Just got off the phone with Mark, telling me about this trip and to see the vid. Way awesome man! Makes me proud to see gimps doing badass trips! Thanks for posting this up.

Your pal,

Steve

zBrown

Ice climber
Chula Vista, CA
May 15, 2012 - 04:23pm PT
^^^
Bump - I wonder how many folks may have missed the updated video.

mouse from merced

Trad climber
merced, california
May 15, 2012 - 04:46pm PT
I would not have missed that for the world.

It is so astounding how young Old Rick looks!

I was expecting Jack Crabbe.

They were lucky to have you around, though, Rick.

You are the Biggest Little Man. lol
mfm
oldcragster

Gym climber
WA
May 15, 2012 - 10:41pm PT
You guys made my day! I love it. You look great John...it's been awhile. Rick, glad to see you and Mark too on video...and to hear your voices! I want Cindy to check this out. Thanks Peter for starting the post. I just can't say enough....how inspiring.

Gene
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
May 15, 2012 - 11:01pm PT
Wow, I missed this a year ago. Good to see you're still a badass Dr Jon, and that you're on the Taco, and to see that the Tour D'Arnow has taken on new dimensions!
Jay Anderson

Oh, and Hi Gene!
zBrown

Ice climber
Chula Vista, CA
May 16, 2012 - 12:26am PT
Jon and Mark:

I don't know either of you guys, but I'm so proud of your spirit and endurance. I'm recommending the video to everybody I come in contact with. Keep on truckin'. I guess around here the phrase is good on ya.
Jan

Mountain climber
Okinawa, Japan
May 16, 2012 - 01:00am PT
That was the best trip report ever!

You guys are such an inspiration!

Not to mention that never again
will I have an excuse not to do something..
Francesca Drake

Trad climber
California,Truckee
May 17, 2012 - 02:04pm PT
Wow Jon it's been a long time good to see your still doing what you best getting out and enjoying the back country,loved the video good to see Rick also,I'm coming to Truckee this fall would love to see you guy's I'm hoping Gene can make the trip with me.
Cheers............Cindy Drake!!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
May 17, 2012 - 03:34pm PT
Hi Cindy!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Jan 26, 2013 - 02:23am PT
Out for some track skiing last weekend and I am still a bit stiff.

I thought about the poling prowess of these guys at points.
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Dec 25, 2013 - 02:08pm PT
Real men get fun for Christmas!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Dec 24, 2016 - 07:42pm PT
Again...
nah000

climber
no/w/here
Dec 25, 2016 - 03:09am PT
thanks for the bump... missed this fantastic "tr" until now.
Bad Climber

Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
Dec 25, 2016 - 08:31am PT
Thanks for the bump. A great effort.

BAd
Flip Flop

climber
Earth Planet, Universe
Apr 28, 2019 - 10:39pm PT
Bump fest for Skiers who climb. Wellman and Rick Sylvester for example
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Apr 29, 2019 - 12:45am PT
Great bump. Makes me want to get out there!
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Apr 29, 2019 - 04:33am PT
Another bump for that badass Jon Arnow, Who still owes me a mocha!😎
Messages 1 - 54 of total 54 in this topic
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