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Splitboarding
Cheers for the update dude! Makes me feel better about sticking mainly with CP so far... at least backbowls have been good!
Yea, we just need it to snow without wind. 15 - 20 cm without wind would see us right in most spots. Bowen peak is looking like it's holding up well from what I've seen, might have a nosey up there next time I'm over.
Hey guys check this out!
Splitfest nz blog [splitfest.blogspot.com]
and
Splitfest registration [chillout.co.nz]
This storm this weekend could be the one to set it all up!
Man you guys have all gone quiet, busy preparing your gear for the next big dump maybe? I spent yesterday in the garage working on the home split Never Summer Raptor, made a bit of a meal of it a few weeks back and put it aside, yesterdays effort retrieved it and I now have a beautiful cut board ready to mark out for the inserts and clips etc. Enjoy the next few days and take care if you're heading back country later in the week watch those avo and weather advisories and don't get out of your depth - only travel in conditions you are familiar with and trained for and remember to follow safe travel techniques! cheers, Rich
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
Rich, I asked Never Summer about splitting a Raptor and they did not recommend it due to the construction, so make sure those inside edges are super well sealed.
I just got the news there is a NS 2nd coming my way, so cannot wait for that to all turn up.
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
Cant wait for this weather. All those urban spots that i didn't find until all the snow had melted last time will be on!.
And 3 days off work to work on split bindings. Spent 100+ hours solidmodeling prototypes this last month, getting close hopefully a production version by spring. Tree runs gota be on with this next storm get out and get some!
yeah the timber is pretty lightweight but it will be fine, I will seal it to buggery with tons of epoxy squeegied into it. Its looking real sharp setup now , I can't wait to ride it up Port Hills, once this dump is done with I am thinking of skinning up Evans Pass, along the top MTB/walking tracks then maybe a boarder cross down from Godley Head Road down the Anaconda MTB trail to Taylors and then back up and over to Sumner for a beer at my place! anyone keen?
cheers
Rich
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
Originally posted by: RichardHarcourt
yeah the timber is pretty lightweight but it will be fine, I will seal it to buggery with tons of epoxy squeegied into it. Its looking real sharp setup now , I can't wait to ride it up Port Hills, once this dump is done with I am thinking of skinning up Evans Pass, along the top MTB/walking tracks then maybe a boarder cross down from Godley Head Road down the Anaconda MTB trail to Taylors and then back up and over to Sumner for a beer at my place! anyone keen?
cheers
Rich
As long as its solid wood core you wont have problems. Some time pre tensioned forks can unload when cutting them thru the middle but hardly any boards have this. Some laps in chch could be fun will send u a message later in the week.
I asked the Nitro designer if I could split my 181 Swallow Tail and he said NO, I asked NS if I could split a Raptor as they are over booked on the production of splitboards, they said no, so I am just letting you know that is what NS said to me, thanks, Greg
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
*edited 14 Aug 2011 18:54
yeah interesting i guess they would know they did design it, i have no idea how NS are layed up. Their are plenty of good boards that work though. Libtech, gnu. the biggest problem is loss in stiffness, inside edge helps here. Or get a stiffer than normal board befor cutting.
Is it a saber? they look sweet how dose it ride?
trust me guys it looks just fine, its got a real good core and its coming along real good now, just drilled all the touring pivot + tip/tail clip + chinese clips hole too, gonna head back and sort out the stance and drill the puck holes later tonight. I seems to have held its shape well too. I think it will ride well, although its a litle narrow than desired (first cut was badly measured!!!) and it will be well sealed up, and hey if it falls apart tough eh, I'll build a real one next anyway this is good learning curve stuff. cheers
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
*edited 14 Aug 2011 20:07
*edited 14 Aug 2011 20:06
You'd need some serious snowfall for that Rich but if it comes I'll be up for it! Worsley's track was heaps of fun last time and going for a split at night above the city is something else. Definitely going to have to do some more night missions. Such good fun.
@ BWMsnow.co.nz. Of course if you ask a board manufacturer if its all good to split one of their solid boards they will say no. They want you to buy one of their more expensive purpose built splitboards. Haha.
If your really worried about spliting a board, have a look on splitboard.com. There is heaps of info on there about DIY boards, and more than likely someone has all ready a split the board you have and can tell you about it.
Bring on this snow I say and lets get touring on the Port Hills!
Yeah its a Saber POW 181, sexy as F**K too, does not come out very often
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
I agree there are many boards you can split no problems, but is always good to ask the designers anyway, given my size, most board designers would tell me to go full metal edges, hell, 1.92m and 112kgs, not sure snowboarding was designed for big dudes
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
hey big fella let me build a custom for you!
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
Rich, I might look at switching over to SPARK hardware on it, but for now I just want it here and get it ready to go ASAP
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
sweet mate keen to help you out for sure, what sized hoof you got? Def the Sparks will enhance your climb and ride experience , good choice. My shipment will be here definitely for spring very early sept ok. Cheers
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
Originally posted by: RichardHarcourt
yeah the timber is pretty lightweight but it will be fine, I will seal it to buggery with tons of epoxy squeegied into it. Its looking real sharp setup now , I can't wait to ride it up Port Hills, once this dump is done with I am thinking of skinning up Evans Pass, along the top MTB/walking tracks then maybe a boarder cross down from Godley Head Road down the Anaconda MTB trail to Taylors and then back up and over to Sumner for a beer at my place! anyone keen?
cheers
Rich
I'm going to go up the pass in the morning for a look. I can see it with binocs from here and the snow was blowing straight in over the top and into the captain thomas area but it got slushy this afternoon. Coming down good again now so will be keep to have a looksee!
Nice downsouth! Went up yesterday. Just enough to ride then so it will really good today. Some pretty large drifts on the top NW faces at the top of Rapaki track. Very cool. Either early morning or late in the afternoon will be best when the snows colder. Pretty slushy and gluey midday!
Sooner rather than later would be my thinking. It got warm and snow turned to rain here in Dunedin early this morning. Still plenty on the ground around my place, but very wet now, this system is warming up quicker than expected. Still, will try have a look up some of the higher hills around here if it clears later on.
Might opt for Maniototo rather than Queenstown this weekend...
Originally posted by: rcn20
Nice downsouth! Went up yesterday. Just enough to ride then so it will really good today. Some pretty large drifts on the top NW faces at the top of Rapaki track. Very cool. Either early morning or late in the afternoon will be best when the snows colder. Pretty slushy and gluey midday!
There was a crispy surface this morning but yeah it has warmed up and started farking raining. Judging by the wind, it looks like it will freshen this afternoon and cool things down again so this afternoon looks a better prospect now. Its pretty calm and not cold out now
Originally posted by: southernthrash
Sooner rather than later would be my thinking. It got warm and snow turned to rain here in Dunedin early this morning. Still plenty on the ground around my place, but very wet now, this system is warming up quicker than expected. Still, will try have a look up some of the higher hills around here if it clears later on.
Might opt for Maniototo rather than Queenstown this weekend...
Really? Have heard great reports of Remarks right now - East face and Alta chutes should be fully going off. Not to mention further out!
Yea but there's a whole lot of other options been opened up by this storm too..!
Originally posted by: southernthrash
Yea but there's a whole lot of other options been opened up by this storm too..!
Is it novelty spot boarding? I am hanging out for a front 3 off the Evans pass road into the thomas track reserve. Optimistic? Yes
Hawkduns most likely
Haha. Yes! This snow has opened up heaps of options. Best to make the most of all the snow in unusual places at the moment as the back country spots have high avy risk. Also they most likely stay untracked anyway as you have to go splitboarding to get to them. Might go for another night ride this evening. Should be colder then and hopefully it will be snowing rather than raining.
Just went to scope out a few local spots in dunners. Unfortunately most of them have been trashed by douches in 4wds
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the older i get the better i was
Originally posted by: downsouthOriginally posted by: southernthrash
Sooner rather than later would be my thinking. It got warm and snow turned to rain here in Dunedin early this morning. Still plenty on the ground around my place, but very wet now, this system is warming up quicker than expected. Still, will try have a look up some of the higher hills around here if it clears later on.
Might opt for Maniototo rather than Queenstown this weekend...
Really? Have heard great reports of Remarks right now - East face and Alta chutes should be fully going off. Not to mention further out!
Chutes were average, they arent a good spot to load from this storm. Homeward, Outward etc have the best coverage. The entire basin is looking good now with everything finally covered. most spots are still sketchy as sh*t because is 60cm straight on to rocks. sh*t loads of tracks down sunrise face today but i know that 3 days ago it was just a moraine covered face!
Only problem with outward/homeward bound is the bus ride back, east face was pretty good once u dodged the rocks to get in there.
Now where to ride tomorrow!
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Shit happens.
Im skinning up curvee basin to the saddle i think, might even look underneath centurion...
east face is one of my favourite spots when it's on for sure. Hopefully this consolidates nicely and gets topped up well to last through spring.
Hey guys just found this site.
NZ tour database [skitouring.co.nz]
Looks like its still only starting up but it is a cool idea to have a database of all the backcountry routes out there. Definitely a couple in there I would like to hit.
Originally posted by: southernthrash
east face is one of my favourite spots when it's on for sure. Hopefully this consolidates nicely and gets topped up well to last through spring.
East face was riding yesterday, looked dodgy though. Even big brother has lines down it!
Its looking like it will consolidate. was pretty stable yesterday.
Went up to centurion, was pretty nice on the way down, few sharks teeth underneath tho!
Wye looks alright on the skiers right, doolans could possibly and probably is loaded!
Could be of use to someone unless it's not one of you already selling.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Sports/Ski-board/Other/auction-402019605.htm [trademe.co.nz]
Oh, just watched T-Halls Retallack. Neil Provo makes splitboarding look amazing!
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WHITEDOTSKIS.CO.NZ
*edited 26 Aug 2011 20:30
Originally posted by: jedski
Oh, just watched T-Halls Retallack. Neil Provo makes splitboarding look amazing!
Provo Bros. Desert Spines - Southern Utah [youtu.be]
^^The above and all the other inspired shows are on the dvd. Some sick action.
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WHITEDOTSKIS.CO.NZ
Originally posted by: DraizuhOriginally posted by: southernthrash
east face is one of my favourite spots when it's on for sure. Hopefully this consolidates nicely and gets topped up well to last through spring.
East face was riding yesterday, looked dodgy though. Even big brother has lines down it!
Its looking like it will consolidate. was pretty stable yesterday.
Went up to centurion, was pretty nice on the way down, few sharks teeth underneath tho!
Wye looks alright on the skiers right, doolans could possibly and probably is loaded!
Finally back over in queenstown for this weekend. This season has been the one of big dumps, wind and warm at remarks, but lines are there if you pick them, but different to last season when upper sugar bowl, toilet bowl and 2050 were consistently good. Nice that Shadow is starting to fill in properly though. Had a real good play around on the Never Summer SL, touring buddy forgot his transceiver so we kept it low key, dropped into elevator then skinned for a few mellow lines around lake alta. Lots of sloughing on sunny aspects, lots of people out there with no gear...
Rather than just traverse out skinned up to boulder basin/east face and scored some awesome corn. Spent the rest of the day throwing the split around on the groomers to see how it felt on the slightly harder fast stuff, didn't miss a beat. Such a fun board to ride.
The sparks are riding great Rich!
Should be some decent snow later this week the way things are shaping up, might be time for a day trip to ohau and a look out the back.
Hey Todd, great to hear you're out there doing it mate! Yeah the Spark Blazes are riding great for me too, I'm finding even on hard pack the board is plenty solid enough and rides really really well, edging and tracking nicely on a carve. Think I have been riding in the dark ages for a few years on my old rig, the Never Summer Raptor I split is cranking, even with its lightly narrower waist (yeah 240mm!!!! damn) its going well, stoked! Got some nice climbs in around Mt Lyford, within boundaries as they are not too keen on hikers there but still it was good for me to give the legs and cardio system a damn good workout. Hey thanks for looking after those SPLITFEST posters too dude, hope you got them on friday ok. Cheers, Rich
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
Todd you should get up here to the Craigieburns for a weekend if we get a dump. Come and do some BC tree riding...
*edited 29 Aug 2011 10:53
Keen as, but getting a bit busy eh! Got a bit on in duds next weekend, but will try get to Ohau for a day trip I think to make the most of this next storm. Will probably hit remarks again the following weekend. Will definitely hit splitfest, but it will have to just be a weekend trip, since I'm now "working".
Looking good for a decent spring in the backcountry though...
Nice bro. Yeah hoping I am free for the splitfest. Will be awesome to meet everyone. Let me know if your ever up this way and we'll try and get out for a split. Thinking about planning a spring trip into some if the glaciers up here maybe later next month if your keen...
Yea man for sure! Would be keen as for a glacier trip, but don't have too much free time outside of weekends... would want a good few days for that. What side you thinking of heading in from?
I'll almost certainly be up Mt Cook way for Labour Weekend, couple of options in mind up there
Heading in from the Chch side just south of the Rakaia River about an hour and a half drive from Chch. Walk into a hut up there at about 1300m. 5-6 hour walk from car to hut. Could head in late friday arvo and ride sat and sun. Looks like an amazing spot to go check out.
ST if you're based in Dunedin you should seriously consider getting up to Awakino. Epic touring opportunities up there and hardly a soul.
Yea man been meaning to hit it for ages, should have done it last year. Looks/sounds like it's been a bit hit and miss there this year with a lot of wind... they should swap to the other side of the range!
I'd consider it for this weekend actually, as I'll only be able to do a day trip, but I reckon Ohau might do bloody well out of this next system.
Got my Never Summer Split today, with Voile Skins, Voile Crampons and Voile pucks/hardware. Just need to cut my skins and decide which bindings to mount
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
What size is your never summer split? If it's on the larger side (like mine) you'll barely need to cut your skins (I haven't bothered at all yet, but will get around to trimming the tails so they fold neatly, sometime, maybe).
You gonna chuck regular bindings on the slider plates? Or go voile light rail? Or sparks? If you go sparks remember the voile crampons aren't compatible...
And what NS split did you get? You'll be stoked either way I'm sure, can tell you from experience the SL split is an awesome, and very capable board. Watch the edges, super sharp from factory, sliced my boot lace first ride up shadow basin yesterday (Salomon lacing system is weak and this no doubt played a role) laces on both boots are now held together by dubious knots till I can get my hands on the deeluxe sparks!
Originally posted by: rcn20
Heading in from the Chch side just south of the Rakaia River about an hour and a half drive from Chch. Walk into a hut up there at about 1300m. 5-6 hour walk from car to hut. Could head in late friday arvo and ride sat and sun. Looks like an amazing spot to go check out.
oooh yeah, was that the one you mentioned another time? Could be keen for that!
Has a Raptor Carbonium top sheet, Heritage core, but its called the SL, does not look like your one though which has the white SL top sheet
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
My 13 boots dont fit the Voile Light Rail
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
Hey Todd the Spark Deluxe splitboarding boots shud be here around Splitfest time, give or take a bit ok, leaving the US 15th Sept so might be pushing it. Will keep you posted I am looking forward to getting a set too!
Greg, I'll check the Spark Burner sizing for you, the large Burner takes a USM 11 or greater but I'll find out just how well a 13 fits for you ok. My demo set in large is with a guy away for several weeks sorry so just a few med sizes here right now.
cheers
Rich
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SPLITN2.COM - Custom Splitboards, Spark R&D | Fitwell | Whitedot Ski | Christchurch New Zealand | Email rich@splitn2.com | twitter.com/richie_splitter
In time for the business end of the season, sounds good!
Straps on the burner look rad.
@Southernthrash. Yeah it is. Thought we should try and do it. Will be very cool up there. Looks like we may get another bit of snow coming our way by the looks of things . Snow predicted [stuff.co.nz]
Yea man this next system is looking good alright
I am back down at Tukino this weekend - looking like dust over crust is on the cards, hopefully get into the Mangatoetoenui Glacier. The Travis Rice I split hasn't had a run since late July in the Two Thumb Range...and I wont have the Sparks I demo'd off Rich damn it,they are for sure my next purchase.I was amazed at how the Banana performed on the groomers and crud with the sparks. Like the touring guys running fat skis and Marker Barons/Dukes, the travis rice and sparks pretty much mean you only need one weapon in the quiver? Thoughts? (I still pull the old custom rock hopper out on occasion)
Originally posted by: BWMsnow.co.nz
Got my Never Summer Split today, with Voile Skins, Voile Crampons and Voile pucks/hardware. Just need to cut my skins and decide which bindings to mount
karakoram! The new sparks are sweet too.
After speaking with the Splitboard division at Never Summer, the Voile Light rail or the Sparks are the way to go, but really it depends if they fit my boots
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
I want the BURNER
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www.BWMsnow.co.nz - Online and instore
Originally posted by: BWMsnow.co.nz
After speaking with the Splitboard division at Never Summer, the Voile Light rail or the Sparks are the way to go, but really it depends if they fit my boots
Haha voile and their corruption. Only a manufacture would recommend light rails! think id rather ride atomic poachers or burton's defunct system.
New Burton ratchets and straps on the burners! gota be good.