Vertfest 2012

I've got a newb friend who has no equipement, but wants to come and demo stuff on Sunday. Are there lots of demo's? Will he be able to get some demo gear (including skins), and then take that intermediate techniques class?

Or should he just rent everything someplace else...and then if he gets to demo some other stuff cool...but if not at least he can take the class?

There will be a lot of demos. Getting gear for the clinic should not be a problem.

Where is the meeting area for all these clinics (doing AM Steeps and PM Efficiency)?

Thanks,
Chris

Check in for all of the clinics will be at the Outdoor Research tent.

Folks - if you are planning to register day-of for the Monika Johnson Memorial Rally tomorrow, please note that we will be accepting cash or checks only.

Psyched to see everyone. We have set another record for pre-registrations and there is cold snow in the forecast. It's going to be a fun weekend!

24" fresh snow in 24 hours from 7pm yesterday made for a different sort of Vertfest from the previous two sunny years.  The boot pack sections Ben and Erin chopped out of the old hard snow yesterday were so covered this morning that the higher one had to be reset when yesterday's could not be found! 

Considerable strategy seemed to be in play at the head of the pack as no one appeared to be interested in paving the way for all the others.  Visitors from Jackson and Breckenridge spiced up the lead group, and at the end of the final uphill eight competitors were transitioning at the same time.  Local terrain knowledge seemed to be key on the descent as Seth Davis finally bested the legendary Canadian Traslin brothers and the visitors from the Rockies bothered by the Cascade deep "powder."  The new guests did enjoy the near sea level super oxygen as they led the way on the uphill.  Only two minutes and thirty nine seconds separated first and ninth place in the end!

Olivia Cussen, trying out demo Sportiva boots to go along with her Sportiva skis and bindings, won the women's race after Nikki Arceri had to drop out when two pair of skins failed her 500' from finishing the final climb, and leading at the start of the second lap.  Nikki enjoyed the oxygen rich air 7000' below her home, but not the moisture.

Greg Ireton won the rec division in 54:12, Lowell Skoog took the over 50 single lap event in 55 min, Seth Horton the splitboard rec in 56 minute time, Holly Davis added to the family day by winning the one lap women's event in 1:09:38, and Tobae McDuff won the over 50 womens race in 1:46:53.  Per Kordel at 11 was the youngest finisher and Frank Neumann at 70 was the oldest, both calling one lap good. Fourteen competitors completed a lap up Alpental and down in less than an hour!

Scarpa, La Sportiva, Dynafit, G3, and BD all had lots of skis and boots to demo.  Head up tomorrow to try them out!  Swag was thrown to the throngs from the musicians stage.  Alcohol therapy was available and helped relieve competitors and spectators from the cold moist weather at the finish line.  Everyone seemed to enjoy this great fund raiser for NWAC.   

Thanks to Ben and Pro Guiding for course setting yesterday and this morning in challenging conditions, Jeremy and team for putting it all together, OR for big sponsorship, volunteers, Alpental Ski Patrol, Summit at Snoqualmie management and marketing, cheering spectators, and everyone else I forgot for all the enthusiasm!