[Off-Road Lighting]

I was a bit worried about the average life as well, but I've probably got closer to 200 hours on mine, and they still run fine. I had one burn up right after installation -- I was running them while stationary, and I think it overheated without any cooling air.

And, unless you need to light up a mile of roadway, 250w lamps are totally overkill. Kind of like having a racing board made with titanal world-cup construction to lay out lazy carves under the chair. :)

-jon-

[Off-Road Lighting]

I thought conventional wisdom was to put fog lamps low, with a wide flood pattern to illuminate the road lines better. Then driving lamps near the headlamps, to get more distance with the tight beam pattern to see objects in the roadway. For off-roading, powerful lamps at rooftop level, with a wider beam to illuminate the terrain.

BTW, aircraft landing lamps in cheap 6" housings from JCWhitney make a fine alternative to expensive off-road lighting. They're rumored to nicely illuminate the brain defects in slow drivers, as well.

-jon-

[Snowperformance camp @ Sun Peaks]

I'm planning to be there again, just waiting for the man to greenlight the vacation time. Talked one of my colleagues into trying it out, too. Should be a blast, I'm really looking forward to it.

[Wood Shop Hobbiests? New Saw]

Sawstop.com

$2800 for the cabinet saw, but what's a finger worth? They've also got a contractor saw coming, and they're testing on bandsaws, chopsaws, and circsaws. If I used power tools in the woodshop, they'd be getting my money.

-jon-

[Air Travel with boards/boots...]

I like the hardshell case made by SporTube. Carried 2 alpine boards last year with SI binders, no problem. Packed a few hoodies between them and all's well. Some of the longer boards won't fit, but they usually hang out one end of the padded soft bags, too.

-jon-

[into the demon's lair]

I saw a couple last year fishing "my" river, looked like they drove straight from the Eddie Bauer store downtown. Each of them was wearing and waving a few grand in gear, and completely oblivious to the fish. Looked like they were having fun regardless. I fish the same water with ratty sneakers, waving a hand-me-down rod, and I doubt I have any less fun. And, given a better budget I expect I'd be looking at handmade bamboo not the latest hi-tech Sage rod.

I wonder how much money Burton makes from their boards, compared to how much they make from clothes? When I see their boards lined up at the store, they all look the same except for the topsheet -- which is really how their target market shops for boards. I'm so far removed from their target market, it's no wonder I'd rather hang out with tele riders than Burton riders.

-jon-

[Need a ride from Reno to Mammoth Snowperformance camp]

I'm planning to fly into Reno on Thursday afternoon, and was hoping to catch a ride with someone down to the Mammoth camp. Anyone else flying into Reno and driving down?

-jon-

[PNW/Seattle area boot fitter]

I got my hardboots fitted by Brent at World Cup last season. Really nice guy, going to have him try and fit the GF's softboots this weekend.

-jon-

[T-line 4th of July weekend?]

Anyone heading up to Mt Hood this weekend? I'll be there, trying to remember Sean's tips from the NW Carve Session in May.

-jon-

[FS: Trench Digger 1's - $125]

Sold!

[FS: Trench Digger 1's - $125]

Standard Trench Digger (4 hole) in great condition.

(1) 0 degree cant disk

(1) 3 degree cant disk

(2) toeside red bumper

(1) heelside red bumper

(1) heelside purple bumper (thick)

$125 + shipping from Seattle

-jon-

[WTB TD1 step in kit]

I bought my first carving board complete with standard TD1's, and need a set of step-in hardware. My boots already have the Intec heels installed, so I really just need the binding pieces.

-jon-

[NW Carve Session Thanks...]

What a killer weekend! I came down to check out the gear and see if hardboot carving was something I might pursue. MikeT loaned me his spare boots for Sunday morning, Sean setup a 163 FC1, and everyone was very supportive of my attempts. Two runs later, I'm convinced. Time to start shopping. :)

Mucho thanks to MikeT for putting this together, and to Sean for the demo gear. And to everyone who showed up and was super friendly, answering my endless questions.

-jon-

[Mt Hood Carve-Fest in May?]

How wicked are the available runs? I've been softboot boarding a while, but usually keep to gentle blue groomers on Snoqualmie. My friend just started this season, and I suspect he'll be grumpy if all the runs are slick & steep race courses.

-jon-