Ski Mountaineering question

[tmahon]

benners- I think you're right about the notion that seems to exists saying that using a rope cheapens a descent. I disagree with it.

I've skied on belay and rappelled while skiing, it's my call and I use my discretion when determining what I decide I need for safety.

I think in CO the need for a skier to use a rope is pretty rare, so when you hear of it in use it sounds like someone is in over their head. Generally speaking, most of the skiing around here just isn't committing enough to warrant it. In places around the world where the terrain might be more committing, it is put to use more frequently and is accepted as fair. La Grave and Chamonix come to mind as having terrain where ropes are employed, even by the highly experienced, without any criticism. And in those neighborhoods, to pull off a feat without a rope when it commonly used could be considered to be impressive or even speak to the advanced skills of the skier. To others it could be considered reckless much as if you were soloing the arete on the Needle.

Make your own calls and don't concern your decisions with what some stranger might say about it later. If you feel better using a rope, use it.

[gb]

I think in CO the need for a skier to use a rope is pretty rare, so when you hear of it in use it sounds like someone is in over their head. Generally speaking, most of the skiing around here just isn't committing enough to warrant it.

Make your own calls and don't concern your decisions with what some stranger might say about it later. If you feel better using a rope, use it.

True and True.

Your line on Cap is one of the few where I've seen a rope and thought, "damn straight they were roped up". I'd want a rope on Broadway as well in the TR I linked above. Sometimes a rope really isn't all that feasible anyway, with no good anchors or else the time involved would be likely to cause unsafe snow conditions, which I think roping all the way down the East face of Capitol would do...

[tmahon]

Yeah- It sure ate up time on Capitol but it made me feel a lot more comfortable. If we pulled it off w/o I might have even looked back and felt guilty, about being too risky. And I wouldn't say someone else couldn't do it w/o the rope, just not Al B. and I.
Notch- I think it makes sense there. Ever see ski footage from Hossack/McGowan? That's a steep one.

For me it's more about letting people decide for themselves.

[killingcokes]

Hossack McGowan is one of the most beautiful lines ever skied. So aesthetic.

But it's not a 14er so it really isn't all that