5 comments about 50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California: Mount Shasta to Mount Whitney.

1. The most comprehensive guide available for anyone interested in skiing the best of the California peaks. This book will seduce the timid into a world of adventure and outdoor recreation previously thought to be for the "Big Boys" only. The experienced skier and snowboarder will appreciate the breadth of information available in one source. You'll scrunch this one into your backpack along with your topo map. Mr. Richins' writing style flows easily. His excitement for the subject will capture your outdoor spirit. His vast experience will give you the confidence and trust you need in a guide (and this guide will fit in your backpack).



2. Mr. Richins book is a veritable treasure-trove of information. From well researched check-lists to clear descriptions of everything from how to get to the trailhead to routes on the peaks; this book covers it all! Mr. Richins love of the Sierra Nevada shines through these pages. He invites his readers to share his love of the winter Sierra and imparts knowledge that makes it possible for expert and novice alike to enjoy these mountains. History of the Sierra Nevada is woven in throughout the book, creating an interestng counterpoint to the climbing routes. A must for the backpack on winter trips in the Sierras! Something to read by headlamp on those long nights in the tent!



3. Having recently purchased Paul Richins book, ³50 Classic Backcountry Ski and Snowboard Summits in California,² I was very impressed. Like all books published by ³The Mountaineers,² it is nothing but First Class in every way. Mr. Richins has gone out of his way to provide the rest of us with a gem which will lead one to enjoy the fantastic world of the winter Sierra.

   Even if one is nothing more than an arm chair cross country skier they would find this book highly enjoyable and enlightening reading. For the more adventuresome person, Mr. Richins book would be their ultimate guide to a world of adventure. The pictures, the writing, the maps are all five star. The little extras that Mr. Richins has added throughout the book, such as writings of John Muir, and others, adds the spice to this delightful book.

   Mr. Richins, since he has obviously researched, personally , all 50 of the peaks listed in his guide, has been able to make a very reliable summary of each peak, from Intermediate, Advance, to Expert. This would easily allow me to select a challenge within my ability and, along with the excellent guide of the book, make winter trips I would have never thought possible.




4. If you are planning a winter/spring backcountry trip and want accurate, detailed information on routes, terrain, and level of difficulty for some of the best skiing/snowboarding terrain in California than this is the perfect book. The book is well organized, clearly written and beautifully illustrated. Everytime I pick up the book I find myself mentally planning new trips and plotting descent routes on the photographs. An added plus to the book is the wealth of information that it contains on preparing for a backcountry experience. The author covers everything from avalanche danger to equipment to bring on an extended trip. He even includes an excellent website for those who want more information. There always is a question in my mind when I read any backcountry guide about the accuracy of the information. Who wants to set out on a trip only to find out that the route maps or the descriptions don't match the terrain? The author is someone with extensive backcountry experience who has done each of the 50 trips described in the book at least once. We all sould be so lucky! Having taken two trips with the author that are detailed in the book, I can say that he did an excellent job of describing the routes and the terrain. If you are someone who is looking for backcountry ski/snowbaording adventure, this book will make your trip planning a whole lot easier. Enjoy



5. If you are serious about skiing in California's backcountry, you may already have John Moynier's book, or even Dan Mingori & Nate Greenberg's book on the same topic. Both of those are also excellent, and while there is some overlap in terms of coverage, the overlap is surprisingly small.
   
   Ritchins' book is terrific for people who want to plan a long tour and really enjoy the process of stomping around the backcountry, while perhaps taking in a few long, steep descents (I think that Mount Darwin may be the stiffest descent in the book, and given that I've descended Darwin and enjoyed it, it can't be that hard). Moynier is more about The Rad and how not to get dead while going after it. Mingori & Greenberg is even more oriented to The Rad, particularly single-day trips (I don't remember if they cover anything longer than a day -- maybe Feather Peak is in there).
   
   For most people, if you're honest with yourself, Ritchins' book is probably going to offer the most options, on both sides of the Sierra and up north to Lassen and Shasta. The latter two mountains are not covered in the other books and it's quite a shame, because there are few things as exhilarating as skiing the West Face of Mount Shasta on the 4th of July, harvesting a mile of vertical in nothing but a t-shirt. Lassen's NE Face offers similar thrills without the herds of Silicon Valley types plodding up Avalanche Gulch. I'm not sure if it comes through in my review so I'll just say it: Shasta is probably my favorite mountain in California to explore, partly because it is so massive, and partly because that chunk of the state feels like a totally different part of the country. That said, some other fine peaks further south (like the Thumb, west of Big Pine) are also exclusive to Richins' book, and well worth skinning in to explore.
   
   To make a long story short, if you are looking for a backcountry ski touring guidebook that includes some great descents and excellent camping suggestions, you should buy this book. If you're looking to supplement other Sierra-centric backcountry guidebooks, you should also buy this book. And finally, if you're looking for a guidebook to skiing Lassen and Shasta, you should consider this book, because the topos on the web aren't quite as informative as having one of Richins' maps in your hand.
   
   Have fun and be safe out there.

5 comments about No-Fall Snowboarding: 7 Easy Steps to Safe and Fun Boarding.

1. You can get this book and do it the right way, or pay a "professional snowboard instructor" to watch you fall down the mountain. Just buy the book. This method really works!!! I just wish I'd found it earlier-- it would have saved me a lot of pain. To those who say that it seems too simplistic-- that's the whole point! It's easy to learn and it works!
   
   There are great photos throughout to describe every stage of proper no-fall technique. It's well written. Best of all-- it really is no fall.



2. I certainly agree reviewers should read the book. I've read No-Fall 3 times. To me, the real strengths of this book are the exercises and the stretches. I'm still doing at least one of these during every workout. But for me, as a beginner a few years ago, the book's technique of lifting and lowering shoulders just didn't work to initiate turns. I am not a physicist, but I am a professional scientist and the chapter that relates the author's visit to a physicist in search of an endorsement for his method was, to me, superficial and unconvincing. What got me linking turns successfully was 5 or 6 private lessons over 3 years and the realization that to turn you must move your weight over your edges. Admittedly, those lessons were a lot more expensive than Danny's book, but I really wanted to learn how to snowboard. Clearly No-fall has worked for some readers. My guess is that these readers have shifted weight over the correct edge while moving their shoulders as Martin describes. Perhaps the reason his method produces fewer falls is because the rider's weight moves only gradually (and inadvertently) from edge to edge since he doesn't emphasize or teach this side-to-side movement at all. It's definitely true that SUDDEN shifts in weight can cause falls. I liked this book except that Martin is waaay too full of himself and waaay too critical of his snowboard instructor colleagues. I learned things I value from this book, but NOT how to turn on a snowboard.



3. Maybe if you're already fit and strong and very coordinated, you can learn to snowboard without falling. A lot. But I wouldn't count on it; wear wrist guards and a helmet and don't ride too fast too soon, and none of the falls will hurt. Oh yes, and if you have a sensitive tailbone throw in a layer of bike shorts or pants with the pad across the seat.
   
   Kudos to Mr. Martin, though, for providing useful exercises for strength and balance. These have been truly helpful in speeding my learning (and a little bonus of weight loss from the large-muscle strengthening).
   Anyone planning to take up snowboarding can benefit from starting out with the exercises here, and continuing them throughout the learning period.



4. This is a bad book. It will teach beginners bad habits that will not do them any good if they want to progress. He is advocating that students go really slow on the board. And anyone can prevent from falling if they go slow enough. I have no problem with students who want to start slowly, but there are better techniques which teach good habits like the "falling leaf" approach.
   
   Snowboarders will fall, this is an inevitability. Instead of lying to his readers that his technique will prevent them from falling, he should give tips on how to fall correctly (falling on knees and butt) and protecting oneself (tuck head and arms into body). Also, I recommend using protection equipment like padded shorts and helmets. Balance is also key to minimize falls and Martin does mention this, but any decent instructor will mention it also. If the book lulls you into a false sense of belief that you are ready for steeper trails and you fall, you'll just hurt yourself more. If you aren't falling, you aren't challenging yourself and you won't progress.
   
   His instructions on turning are vague and confusing. And there should be more pictures to help readers visualize what he is saying. The are no instructions that teach students to progress from skating to turning.
   
   He designed his technique so that he will get return customers, he even said so himself. While I agree there might be some bad instructors, there are also many good ones who don't use the "no-fall" technique.
   
   His shameless plugging of Burton products and expensive resorts disgusts me.
   
   The only decent parts of this book have nothing to do with snowboarding. They are exercises he gives to keep in shape, balance and breathing, which can be applied to most any physical activity.



5. The problem of falls in this sport is mostly caused by people using their upper bodies and torsos for turns. Some instructors still teach upper-body rotation as a means to initiate turns (imagine a big exercise ball in your arms, now move it from left to right!) While these techniques work, they also cause a lot of instabilities and falls. This book teaches a simple method that does not use any rotation. The technique does work, I sometimes use it myself. For beginners it may well be the best method out there, if only because it keeps their upper bodies calm and centered over the board. Unfortunately the book did not benefit from professional editing advice and so is poorly structured and too long. The writing is amateurish and so are the photos and the layout. I also have the feeling that the author is not really aware that in addition to his technique, a lot of foot work is needed to make this a real success. I guess he himself does use a lot of footwork, perhaps unaware. A much more professionally produced book that also stays away from upper-body rotation and involves detailed instruction for footwork is Go Snowboard: Read It, Watch It, Do It (GO SERIES) This is a much more versatile and well documented method.

No comments about Sports Illustrated February 1 2010 Drew Brees/New Orleans Saints on Cover, The Power of Peyton Manning/Indianapolis Colts, Ross Ohlendorf/Pittsburgh Pirates, Jeremy Lin/Harvard, Shaun White/Olympic Snowboarding, Super Bowl.

5 comments about The Art of Snowboarding: Kickers, Carving, Half-Pipe, and More.

1. The author takes the time to go through snowboarding and its progressions as you learn various skills in snowboarding. Great experienced knowledge for beginners that you can only get from a veteren snowboarder. A great book for the begginner and intermediate snowboarder. The photos are excellent as well.



2. I haven't seen this book but I have seen Jim Smith. In fact, Jim Smith made me a better all around snowboarder in less than 7 days. I was a camper at Windell's Snowboard Camp who had Jim Smith as an instructor. I had first hand, one-on-one experience with him and I have to say that his teaching technique is intuitive, straightforward and effective. He had me doing 540's in the mini pipe by my 4th day at Windell's Snowboard Camp. He knows how to build confidence in his students while making the whole process fun. His smooth, flawless style rubs off on anyone he instructs. I've seen it, first hand. My wife (girlfriend at the time) and I both learned an enormous amount from his straightforward teaching style. To this day, we both cite him as the best influence on our snowboarding technique. He was also the most down-to-earth and friendly person we met while at Mt. Hood.
   
   The title "The Art of Snowboarding" is true to his style. He truly taught in that way. We didn't just learn how to execute tricks; we learned how to execute them with and artistic style.
   
   Aside from a flawless teaching technique, love for the sport and all around positive attitude, he has a fantastic taste for music. I'll never forget the first day he pulled up to Mt. Hood in a bus blasting Misfits - "Horror Business". In fact, I'm listening to that song right now!
   
   What's up Jim? My wife and I thank you for making our snowboarding experience so much better. We'll never forget you.
   
   Peace.



3. But a bit to advanced for me. I'm on my second season and I was after a bit more basic stuff. I had a google and found some more basic tricks.



4. If you want to just learn how to make turns with your board, this is not the book. A really short section quickly covers turning and then it's off to airs and jumps and half pipes. Not for the faint at heart.



5. Limited information for beginners but still gives pretty information in general. If you just started and plan to do trick later, this book will still help you now as well as later.

4 comments about The Case of the Snowboarding Superstar (Jigsaw Jones Mystery, No. 29).

1. I had to find a book that my son could read that had a boy in it besides a little girl. "Jenny Jones" is the major female book reader now and he wanted to read a book that had a boy in it and this was the title I chose first and it was a winner. He tried to read the entire set in one week and he accomplish his mission. So far he has read the series twice and now I am forced to get the rest.



2. My six and a half year olds love these books. They are easy to understand and each chapter has enough length to read one a day or several. It is refreshing to read a children's book that does not contain witches, abusive language, or potty jokes. We will be ordering the whole collection.



3. Jigsaw Jones is a great series for kids to read. The stories are fun and introduce kids to many situations that they would not otherwise have. We have good family discussions after reading some chapters.



4. Cute book. It had myself and my children guessing who did it. Look forward to reading more from this series.

No comments about Snowboard (Winter Olympic Sports).

5 comments about Snowboarding Skills: The Back-To-Basics Essentials for All Levels.

1. Excellent pictures and graphic. Good explanation with tips and dos and don'ts.
   However, I feel like it is not enough in depth. A little shallow. After reading it, tried on the snow (great fun and works) and I want more but the book didn't give me any.
   I think Chapter 6 should be longer and explain more.
   
   Overall it is a good book but just not enough depth in many areas.



2. This is a fine book. It is easy to read, with good tips and very well organized. Pictures help to follow the text and depict concepts clearly.



3. This is one of the better books out there on how to snowboard. How I know is because I read pretty much all of them. I haven't found a great book yet, but this comes close. Contrast this with how-to-ski books and you would find a lot more fine books on skiing. Perhaps snowboarding is quite simple in concept but it is the "doing" that is hard or perhaps there still has not been a good author to write any of these books? Time will tell for the latter.
   
   The skills are broken down in progression and full-color photos are really clear and nice to look. There is a section on carving and of course, terrain park skills. The beginning of the book starts off with clothing and equipment which is quite standard among such books but I never did like because I would think everyone would just skip to the part on how to actually snowboard. Putting such info in the back or appendix would make more sense. But reading on equipment and knowing what to buy will make the trip to the shop much more smoother and act as a cross-check to see if the salesperson knows his stuff.
   
   In short, after reading this book and so many others. There are really a few things one need to remember when snowboarding. Stay on the edge. Never have a flat snowboard on the snow especially at really slow speeds. By not doing this, that is when the worst thing about snowboarding happens, the dreaded slam. Avoid at all costs. Wear wrist guards and pads to protect your tail bone. A helmet wouldn't hurt either. Once you remember and have all these, you are ready to have fun.



4. WELL WAS AN EXCELLENT, PRODUCT SATISFY MY EXPECTATIVE AND I RECOMMEND AMAZONS TO ANYBODY THAT EXPECT QUALITY EVEN ON SHIPPING OR SALES OFFERS.



5. This was terrible. I just started snowboarding this year, and this book felt completely juvenile to me (and I'm not even that good). Seriously, if you've even stepped foot on a mountain or seen somebody else snowboarding, don't bother. This book doesn't teach a thing.

5 comments about The Illustrated Guide To Snowboarding.

1. Full of drawings, text and light humor - this guide aims to please and teach. The only thing I would add to it is a first timer's guide to ski resorts. Even covers intermediate and advanced topics, tricks, etc! A book you will be studing for many seasons to come.



2. You have to wonder about learning snowboarding from a book. Having said that, this is a good reference and I've used it it many times during my first few snowboarding attempts. The illustrations are interesting - they were hand drawn by the author. Unfortunately, the pictures weren't always clear to me. He takes a difficult concept, like where over the board your center of gravity is during a particular type of turn, and then tries to illustrate the concept with a hand-drawn picture. In some cases it was clear as mud. But overall, I can't imagine a better book on learning to snowboard.



3. Mi nivel de snowboard es de dos temporadas. Necesitaba estudiar la teoría para mejor aprovechar la próxima temporada de Julio (hemisferio sur).
   Este libro ha colmado y superado mis expectativas previas. Es sumamente claro, divertido, combina correctamente texto e ilustraciones, sirve sin duda para el principiante, intermedio, y supongo que para el experto.
   Mientras lo he leído, he disfrutado imaginando estoy ya en la nieve. Luego de haberlo leído, cuento con claros objetivos de lo que deseo experimentar y practicar en estas próximas vacaciones.
   Lo recomiendo ampliamente y sin reservas. Suerte !!



4. This is probably one of the most comprehensive how-to snowboard book out there. Maybe alittle bit too comprehensive? Or not. I find the writing not too flowing and enjoyable to read. Took me a week. The book is huge but if the writing was better, should be a fast read. There are no real photos, only hand-drawn illustrations. This is not terribly bad as the drawings are quite good, but photos would have been better. The author is more a carver/racer so most of the carving techniques are probably not possible if you have low binding angles. There is a section on freestyle, but again, the author is more a carver/racer. I think this book is alright, but I like "Go Snowboard" better because it has full-color photos and dvd.



5. This book is an excellent resource for snowboarders of all levels. If you only want to buy one book, this is the one. It covers all levels of riding and is applicable from the beginner to the advanced rider.
   
   Of course, you still need to get mileage on your board to improve. However, if you need more information this book will be helpful.

1 comments about Shaun White (Amazing Athletes).

1. I bought this book for my 10 year old to use for his Biography Project on Shaun White. The book was perfect for this project because it gave him very specific information about Shaun White (dates, awards, etc.) in a format that was easy for him to read and enjoy at the same time. Not an easy feat for us! He was very successful not only on the project, but scored 100% on the AR test for the book afterwards because he was able to retain the information.
   
   P.S. Shipping was fast and timely!

No comments about Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #4: The Intrepid Canadian Expedition.