mtnpig

To Pat for a common sense approach to use a flat wall to determine contact points. That WC190 will be the death of me but it is my choice! Hey Sean does a FC171 have any setback advantage or is it set up centered on the hole pattern. I noticed that the Rossi WC had the hole pattern set with a 1.5cm set back in mind.

You can figure it out if you have a flat surface by measuring contact points and set backs and on and on but its difficult to get a true flat bench some times when the lengths get over 180cm. Why don't the board builders put a center line mark on the blanks? Is this a kook meter thing or am I missing the point?

Would any one know what the Sims Burner 197 edge bevels would be when the boards are new (in the wrapper)?

Hard boot or soft boot I was wondering that with linking half circle turns do you have to have a more foot forward stance to be more consistant. Do these guys have the front foot forward or are they parallel stance, is it just personal preference?

That was the alure of carving for me. Surfing in the open bowls and glades, or slashing at new corduroy it felt the same as when the surf was mackin. Left Long Island ( West End jetty local-fags compared to the guys out east) to move west for new surf and discovered the wide open faces of Mammoth. I first saw carving in Austria on the glaciers. So I put the two together. I've finally felt the release surfing gave me without having to worry about my car getting vandalized or myself beaten up. Same lifestyle just a different medium.

I'm 5'7" at about 140lbs. I used both the 168 & 178 as my only boards for two seasons in all conditions w/plates and hard boots. They both carve very well on groomers but the width makes it hard to get on the extreme edge. The nose will start to flop around at speed but does not seem out of control or contact with the snow. The boat nose is very responsive in any glade or tight area. I broke two of the 178's (i just like bigger boards and the speed they carry) cuz they delaminated on the die cut logo on the bottom. Seems at that size with my plate setup put the stress on that exact spot. No problems on the 168. I wasn't a real "carver" then (still not) but they would hold an edge real well with the soft flex pattern. Bottom line is.....I love them. I now am into race boards like the Rossi WC190 and Rentiger 178 and now use the swallowtails exclusively for powder. If I could only have one board from this quiver to chose as my total ride it would be the O-Sin #4807 168cm. I have a brand new 178 never used that I'm contemplating on selling.

Maybe something to the tune of "carving, is the rut I live in".

If my bus trip fills up enough I'll be there on the holiday weekend. Bus leaves out of the South Bay/L.A. area Friday eve 1/16/04 about 6pm and returns Monday eve about 10pm, costs is $269 for transport and lodging. If anyone is interested in hooking up drop me a line.

Just wondering about where people will be lodging. My wife Sandy (a skier but I still adore her)) and I are thinking about the Frisco area for the Summit County portion and no idea for the Aspen location. Aspen is new but where were people staying in the past at Summit?

I totally agree with KT. It was just an incredible experience. To be self taught is only a start. The results could be years away and there is no guarantee that you would be successful. I learned so much in such a short amount of time. I also learned that there are people out there who really believe in you and support you. The comradery between students and teachers was excellent. Our coach (Mark Harris) was able to tailor his suggestions for improvement to each individual. Needless to say he spoke many languages with the many different personalities/styles that were present. I'm trying hard to remember the lessons learned but I will never have to worry about forgetting the people that I met in this clinic. All these people were a true inspiration for me. KT simply rips (for an old guy). Marty-I wish we could have a barrel session, Mark-it would be a pleasure to bang handlebars with you, Eric-you flow like the rivers running seaward. Charlie-seems happiest on a course with something to devour. Oh yeah, Jbird-I never beat you down on that last 5-mile run, I was off the side releaving myself so wipe that look of confusion off your face, trying to catch you? Yeah sure I would have a better chance of running down a Greyhound bus with a new set of Nikes. Thanks Sean and Gavin and to everyone else for a warm welcome and a hot time! Mountain Pig (Gavin #2)

Hey, this is a perfect time to mention this. I just came back from a Snow Performance Carve Camp at Sun Peaks B.C (a very well thought out triple peak w/lotsa groomers). It was incredible. We were taught about set up (stance-width/cants/lifts) to help adjust some funky technique/style tendencies you typically pick up in the past year or two. Alot of times you have a trouble spot so you alter something to compensate for it. However you may also just be stapling feathers on your arms (thinking you will soar into the sky) and find they only soften your inevitable impact with Ular's remains. These coaches were right on the money in calling out miniscule adjustments in technique and style to get the job done. Whether it be freecarving or gate training they would help you plan an attack and still maintain some dignity thru out. You could see for yourself (along with alllllllllll the other students) where improvement should be made cuz alot of it was on video. For some it could be a situation of glory or gory. I learned years of development in just days not only from the coaches but the so called "students" were total rippers and stylists. Everyone was supportive and helpful, definitely one of the most satisfying things I have been involved in. The people that attended this camp are what I will never forget. I strongly recommend this camp for learning to carve and just ripping it up.

I'm immature. That an age, right?

Are any people riding with full face helmets? In glades and for just general face plant protection it seems a good idea. I've bled about the face abit from some close encounters.

My main stick is a Donek fc171. I'm starting to use longer stuff more regularly. I was wondering if the area you are at would let you go bigger or is it just a mind set. The east coast has more traffic on tighter trails? is this maybe a reason for the smaller lengths having the bigger market share? Big sticks can carve tight but it takes alot of effort, however speed is fun.