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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jun 18, 2016 - 06:58am PT
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How many of you have tried sand dune skiing?
Looks like a blast. Seems the best thing to do is dedicate an old pair of skiis and boots to the endevour. Could be really fun even in the early morning during the summer. Great way to get more turns in our World of global warming.
Need to find big, tall, steep dunes to max the fun time. Very cool. Or maybe very hot is the better description.
Mars probably has some excellent dune skiing. Something to dream about. Lol.
Taking Turns with The Dune Skier:
http://www.powder.com/stories/travel/taking-turns-with-the-dune-skier/#Y8G47d8Yjp0l3Kij.97
Ski Namibia videos:
http://www.ski-namibia.com/?id=1602
Post up your dune skiing images and video if you have any. : ))
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2016 - 08:04am PT
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Climbing and skiing go together like eggs and sausage. C'mon, all these BC skiers and no Sand Dune skiing experience? Gotta be someone on ST who's done it.
I haven't yet but I'm gonna do it. Getting ready to do so when schools out soon. Should be a blast.
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rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Shetville , North of Los Angeles
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Jun 18, 2016 - 08:44am PT
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I skied the pumice on Mono Crater before i learned to like sand...
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Jun 18, 2016 - 10:04am PT
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Oregon Dunes
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Jun 18, 2016 - 10:27am PT
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Looks like a good idea to me.
One time I "skied" down the west talus slopes of Black Kaweah, feet parallel and jumping side to side, in a controlled mini-avalanche of fist-sized rocks, including occasional 1-2 foot drop-offs. That was pretty exhilarating.
Kids and I ran down from the highest points in Mesquite Dunes in Death Valley... not as high as Crescent Dunes or Hidden Dunes. Also down a pumice cone south of Moo Lake.
I'll be in Oregon this summer, will make a point of checking out Oregon Dunes.
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splitclimber
climber
Sonoma County
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Jun 18, 2016 - 10:38am PT
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Nut- you and your kids would love it. you can rent boards in town, but look around for "good" boards. the ones we rented were total crap but we had fun anyway.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2016 - 05:24pm PT
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I'm not gonna toast my good gear. I'm looking for semi good gear used that I can buy for cheap. I'll dedicate a set of skiis, boots, and poles to sand dune skiing.
I'm really looking forward to it. Don't know why I hadn't thought of this before or given it a go. Didn't really think of it before until I accidently bumped into an image or video on YouTube recently and then it just took over my imagination thinking of the possibilities. Many videos out there of people really shredding and having a blast.
Looks just like snow skiing but Sun, warm or hot, shorts or bikinis. Very very rad. Could be the excellent primer for the new ski season or could really extend the ski season year round : ))
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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Jun 18, 2016 - 06:53pm PT
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you can rent boards in town, but look around for "good" boards. the ones we rented were total crap but we had fun anyway.
Ding ding ding winning beta that elevated this into a core trip-planning element.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2016 - 07:29pm PT
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But earning your turns this way is already working.
You can hike it in shoes, or while wearing ski boots, or using BC free-heel bindings and then using just your skiis with no skins to climb. That's what they seem to be doing in Namibia. Check out the videos. There is enough friction to ski up while traversing without skins on.
The thing with sand dune skiing is that you have to ski the fall line mostly and keep your speed up. You can ski steep lines but it's slower than on snow.
People are doing it! Ski Namibia is bringing in some tourists to do just that. They can ski all year. Early morning only for the heat of summer. That's pretty cool if you ask me.
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tornado
climber
lawrence kansas
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Jun 18, 2016 - 07:34pm PT
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Hey Klimmer, where do you think all of the future sand dunes in the U.S. will be?
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 18, 2016 - 08:28pm PT
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I'm thinking the dust bowl. Kansas? Lol
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tornado
climber
lawrence kansas
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Jun 18, 2016 - 08:30pm PT
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Right on Klimmer you're alright!
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Splater
climber
Grey Matter
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Jun 18, 2016 - 10:34pm PT
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After browsing some links & videos about sandboards,
it sounds like they use harder plastic laminate like formica.
HDPE is too soft. Still use wax after most runs.
Ski bindings don't like the sand.
http://www.gizmag.com/khw-sand-toboggan/35818/
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i'm gumby dammit
Sport climber
da ow
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Jun 19, 2016 - 01:22am PT
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Tami you skin back up, without skins
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
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Topic Author's Reply - Jun 19, 2016 - 02:11pm PT
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So those of you who've done it, are you waxing your skiis or you going san wax (pardon the pun) with wax-less ptex bases?
What works best?
Also longer skiis or skiis around 175cm, which works best?
Thanks for any advice.
Doing it with the dog. Very cool. Fido is having a blast!!! : ))
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slabbo
Trad climber
colo south
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Jun 19, 2016 - 03:05pm PT
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Right up the road from me,,Sand Dunes NP... Legit 700' dune and many smaller, kids sometimes just use cardboard for a toboggan.
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i'm gumby dammit
Sport climber
da ow
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Jun 19, 2016 - 03:23pm PT
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So those of you who've done it, are you waxing your skiis or you going san wax (pardon the pun) with wax-less ptex bases? When I posted one of my pics on instagram a buddy recommended Johnson Floor wax. I haven't tried it though.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jun 19, 2016 - 05:58pm PT
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Seems like AT bindings might be better, less parts to get clogged with sand. Good luck finding beater AT bindings though.
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