Crystal Mountain’s South Backcountry
by Sam Landsman and Erik Adams, 2008
At 47 pages, this is more like a pamphlet than a book, but for this discussion, let’s call it a book.
Links:
www.lulu.com/content/3354166
crystalbackcountry.com/Crystal%20Mountai...try%20Guidebook.html
Description:
For the experienced and inexperienced alike, this book provides valuable information on 62 unique runs in Crystal Mountain's South Backcountry, including how to get to them and what to expect once you’re skiing them. It is filled with dazzling photographs of many of the runs that clearly illustrate what you can expect. The book is available in this stunning full-color version as well as the black and white version. More information available at
www.crystalbackcountry.com
This book is a functional description of the various runs in the Crystal Mountain South Backcountry. There are very nice color photographs with number references to the enumerated runs. Each run is described as to approach, insertion and descent. There is an attempt to rate the runs by difficulty. The run items are grouped by slope, accompanied by a photo of the slope. There is a description of the approach trail to each slope.
This book could have been fleshed out a bit with more commentary, perhaps even interviews. However, the authors chose to write in a straight forward reference style. The narrative also gives direction on avoiding specific cliff bands and rock piles.
The online review consist of only the table of contents. Also, one can get a flavor of the book at:
crystalbackcountry.com/Example%20Page.html
Because they were so stingy with their sample, here is an excerpt that gives an idea of the book's almost terse style. Remember each item is referenced to a very nice photograph of the slope:
20. Secret Chute Difficulty: 4 Quality: 4
Located between Braindamage and Hourglass, Secret Chute offers a less skied
alternative. Secret Chute is slightly easier than Braindamage, but significantly
more challenging than Hourglass. The entrance can be accessed from the ridge
just below the lower entrance to Braindamage. It is narrowest at the entrance
and remains fairly narrow throughout. Eventually, this run leads into
Hourglass.
21. Hourglass Difficulty: 3 Quality: 3
By far the easiest run off of the upper section of the King, Hourglass is also the
most skied. It is very wide at the top, but narrows slightly as it progresses. To
get to Hourglass, ski along the ridge from the top of the King. Hourglass is on
the skier’s left when the ridge begins to flatten. The entrance is straightforward
and never requires a drop in. This is a great run for advanced skiers who want
to get a taste of Crystal’s South Backcountry.
22. Receiver Chute Difficulty: 4 Quality: 4
Just beyond Hourglass on Lizard Back Ridge, Receiver Chute is one of the most
difficult runs on the lower section of the King’s east side. While the entrance is
relatively wide, the run narrows and steepens considerably as it goes along.
Because of its width, the run can get tracked out quickly.
23. Giver Chutes Difficulty: 4 Quality: 3
The Giver Chutes are a trio of runs located between Receiver Chute and
Hourglass. They are steep and skinny, and since they do not have obvious
entrances, they are rarely skied. The entrance to the upper two chutes is
approximately ten feet down Receiver Chute on the skier’s left side. The third,
shorter chute can be accessed another ten feet down from the entrance to the
first two. The chutes are often rocky and may be unskiable during low snow
conditions."
The book cost about $20.00 for a color job, $15.00 for black and white and $10.00 for a pdf download (color).
I purchased the pdf download. Surprisingly enough the pdf doesn't include the front and back cover. I had to figure out to right click on the download button, otherwise the webpage tries to load a 105 mb pdf directly, which pretty much isn't going to happen. If you are at all curious about Crystal's South Back, I think it is worth the $10.00 to get a basic rundown. This doesn't take the place of other precautions, such as skiing with a partner.
Oh yea, the other side of all this is the site that is used for small scale publishing. Lulu.com provides the tools to publish and sell your efforts online... pretty cool! I see possibilities.... not that I am a writer... but something could be put together to raise funds for the TAY site. I happened to stumble into this item while surfing for ski porn, which is pretty poor in terms of marketing a book... However, I have a feeling of admiration for the authors, who made an effort to assemble something and actually create a distribution channel, however slim.
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