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James A. Welch

Camper/Hiker // Climber // Alpine Skier // AT Skier // Kayaker // Backpacker // Mountain Biker // Road Biker

James A. Welch: #985 of 167,056 More Information

22 Reviews:

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14 Yes

5 Questions:

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7 Answers:

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3 Yes

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2 Wishlists:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Keystone, CO
  • Bio:

    I love the outdoors. I am currently living in Summit County, CO skiing everyday. Plan to live here for a while. I love to hike, ski, sail, climb, and road bike. CHIP CHIP!

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Siiiiii!

Smith Prophecy Goggle

Rating for this product: 5 February 3, 2011

Excellent goggles. Upgraded from the Smith Phenoms due to my face being a little larger and needed a bigger goggle. I have them with the Platinum Mirror and Sensor Mirror. Platinum for Sunny/Partly Cloudy days and the Sensor for Cloudy/Snowing days. Great peripheral vision and very little fogging.

Got the Heritage Navy Evolve. They fit great with my Vantage helmet and feel great with a hat. Bop it!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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My everyday ski

Fischer Watea 101 Alpine Ski

Fischer Watea 101 Alpine Ski

Rating for this product: 5 February 3, 2011

I have the 09/10' model of this ski that has no rocker, normal camber. With that being said, I absolutely love this ski. I have the 182's mounted with Barons and use them for my everyday and touring ski. I have used them in as much as 8-10" of pow at Vail. They preformed great and were almost as fun as m Volkl Kuro's since they are smaller, more faceshots. The 'powder hull' gets lots of comments on the lift but honestly I am not sure if it is doing anything in terms of float performance.

Overall a great ski. Use them on the groomers, they rip so hard. Used them in my PSIA ski maneuver examinations and passed easily. Get em!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Awesomeeee

Skullcandy Asym Earbud Headphone

Skullcandy Asym Earbud Headphone

Rating for this product: 5 February 3, 2011

Great earbuds. Stay firmly inside my ear. I don't notice the cords around my ears anymore. I feel better when I wear these compared to regular earbuds that don't go around the ear. Sound is excellent. Use them mostly to listen from my iPod nano and Blackberry Pandora and have zero complaints about sound quality. Great bass and very little distortion.

Only downside is that the little skulls on the outside of the buds have fallen off. I suspect it is due to the fact I typically wear them under a hat and the repeated removing them from my ears under the hat has caused them to be torn off. Has no effect on the sound quality or feel of them, just don't look as steezy now. Highly recommended.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Excellent Jacket

Stoic Luft Hoody Insulated Sweater - Men's

Stoic Luft Hoody Insulated Sweater - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 3, 2011

I have grown fond of this jacket. I wear it as an underlayer under my shell on most days including negative degree days with only a base layer underneath. It keeps me pretty warm. Also have used it on a 45+ degree day on its own with a t-shirt underneath. Feels so great and still breathes. I have the Deep Metal/Lime. I get lots of positive comments on the jacket, especially the color of the zippers.

Overall an excellent jacket as a underlayer or on its own. I wear it on my walk to work everyday in single and teen temps with only a baselayer underneath. Great warmth. Nice large hood that easily fits my helmet. Highly recommended.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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chip chip!

Black Diamond Deploy 7 Shovel

Black Diamond Deploy 7 Shovel

Rating for this product: 5 March 9, 2010

Great shovel. Fits nice inside my Arc'teryx Silo 30 pack in the shovel pocket. Metal blade seems very durable as well as the handle. I like the idea of the handle sliding into the blade to prevent a lost handle. You can also take the handle completely off if desired. Orange and intense, darker than the picture backcountry has. 1111!!!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Great Pack

Arc'teryx Khamsin 50 Backpack - 2746-3356cu in

Arc'teryx Khamsin 50 Backpack - 2746-3356cu in

Rating for this product: 5 March 9, 2010

Used many times from campground camping to backpacking. Feels great, durable, awesome kangaroo pouch. Backpad can be used as emergency sleeping pad. Lots of room. The side zipper is super useful in grabbing something quick out of the main compartment. DO IT!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Great!

Sigg Lifestyle Water Bottle - Screw Top - 1.0L

Sigg Lifestyle Water Bottle - Screw Top - 1.0L

Rating for this product: 5 March 9, 2010

Use it everyday! Water still tastes excellent after 2 years and barely cleaning the inside. Changes temperature based on the water inside very quickly. I love the dents mine has accumulated. They are battle scars.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Silo 30 Backpack - 1648-1831cu in

February 27, 2010

I have used the pack to carry my fat powder skis, Volkl Kuros. Didn't have to adjust the straps that much to get it to sit tight. Have not tried the diagonal but it seems to be easy to use.

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Pretty damn nice, odd compression system

Arc'teryx Silo 30 Backpack - 1648-1831cu in

Arc'teryx Silo 30 Backpack - 1648-1831cu in

Rating for this product: 4 February 27, 2010

Used this pack a couple times so far. I got the regular and it fits me good. Just followed the sizing chart via Arc'teryx.com. Hiked with the pack and my skis for about 4 hours total. I am on the Volkl Kuros, which are 132mm underfoot. Pack has no problem fitting the size on the side for the A-frame carry. Have not tried the diagonal carry. Waist belt is pretty decent. Would prefer to be a little more beefy for extra support on the waist, but this pack is smaller to begin with resulting in the smaller waist belt. One thing I don't really like is the compression system. Wish it was just normal instead of the weird buckle wrap things. Tried to remove them but was left with too much slack in the straps leaving them too long. You will get use to them, just a little odd at first. Overall a good pack.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Silo 30 Backpack - 1648-1831cu in

February 27, 2010

Is the inside pocket for a shovel or not? I have seen different answers. Personally, I have been using the pocket for my Black Diamond Deploy 7 shovel. Only the top of the handle sticks out of the pocket. I feel that by using the pocket for the shovel it gives me more space overall.

According to Arc'teryx.com it says that it has an internal shovel pocket, which makes me think it is made for a shovel blade. Brandon Carlile, guessing you are a Arc'teryx rep and based on a previous answer you gave to someone you recommended the shovel be placed towards the outside of the pack and clothes in the pocket.

Pack Pocket Configuration

* Faux lid pocket
* Internal security pocket
* Internal probe/ tool pocket
* Front security pocket
* Internal shovel pocket

Just curious if anyone knows for sure what the pocket was actually designed for. Thanks.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Green Machine

Tecnica Agent 110 Ski Boot - Men's

Tecnica Agent 110 Ski Boot - Men's

Rating for this product: 4 February 17, 2010

Pretty damn good boots. My foot is close to E width, more so a wide problem in the toe box, so it took a couple bumps to get it just right. Took about a week for them to break in completely. The foot bed shock absorber does well. I use them with my Volkl Kuro's in the deep fresh and they feel great. Plus they look baller, not to mention the fleece liner. Talk about a hole in one.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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SHOOOOT

Salomon Agent Pant - Men's

Salomon Agent Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 February 17, 2010

Awesome pants. Not super baggy with a great fit. The blacks look great. Perfect size for around the boot. Lots of pockets. The ClimaPRO material does a good job of repelling snow and keeps out wind. The vents in the crotch are a bonus! Highly recommended.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Chipper

Smith Phenom Goggle

Smith Phenom Goggle

Rating for this product: 4 February 17, 2010

Goggles are pretty nice. Got the Platinum Mirror lens and have used it in sun and snow. Obviously works good in the sun but in the snow it can be a tiny hard to see. One thing that I am noticing is a small wind leak possibly right and left of eyes. Not sure if it is due to my face shape or the lens is not in correctly but it is not terribly bad. Overall good ventilation and fog free pwnage.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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NICE!

SmartWool PhD Ski Light Sock

SmartWool PhD Ski Light Sock

Rating for this product: 5 February 17, 2010

Really great pair of socks. The padding is just enough to maintain a snug performance fit on the boot. The light thickness lets it breath more and when they say they don't smell they are right. Wear them 5 days at a time during Ski School and they don't smell at all. Warmth is good for the most part when properly insulated in the core. Overall a great sock. GET IT!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack - 2319-2746cu in

February 13, 2010

I know they are somewhat heavy, but not that bad. I've done some decent bootpack hikes with them on a different pack I have now in a A-frame position and had no problem with weight. Thanks for the answer! Look forward to using my Kuro's with either this or more likely the Silo 30, assuming they will fit on the 30 also.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Silo 40 Backpack - 2319-2746cu in

February 13, 2010

Will this pack carry a fat powder ski? I have the Volkl Kuro's that are 132mm underfoot. Will they fit on the side on the pack in the A-frame style?

Thanks in advance!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Arc'teryx Silo 30 Backpack - 1648-1831cu in

February 13, 2010

Will this pack carry a fat powder ski? I have the Volkl Kuro's that are 132mm underfoot. Will they fit on the side on the pack in the A-frame style?

Thanks in advance!

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Great so far!

Marmot Spire Jacket - Men's

Marmot Spire Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 28, 2010

Used this skiing today. Weather was in the mid 20's. I was doing some agressive skiing. Jacket breathes pretty good. Pit zips open fully, no mesh. Jacket feels very solid and durable. I am 5'11" 180lbs, athletic build. Went with the large and it fits great. Enough length on the chairlift where it wont ride up. Also, the pockets are in a great spot, had my backpack on all day with waist strap and cold fully access both pockets no problem. Recommended!!!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Volkl Kuro Alpine Ski

January 24, 2010

I think the 175cm would be perfect for you. I am 5'10" 180lbs and have the 185cm and was skiing some semi-tight trees today here in Colorado. The rocker makes it turn super quick. Get em'!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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YUUUUUP

Marker Jester 16 Ski Binding

Marker Jester 16 Ski Binding

Rating for this product: 4 January 21, 2010

Pretty awesome looking bindings. I have them mounted on 185 Volkl Kuro's. No pop out issues, have been doing some jumps but not super big.

One issue that lead to me giving them 4 stars versus 5 was that after skiing them for the first two days on my Kuro's the backplate came loose on both skis. Took them back to the shop where they were mounted and the owner put some screw retainers on both back screws of both back plates. They are very solid now. Most likely an issue with the original tech not tightening them enough, but the owner commented that he has seen this problem before on a pair of rockered Armadas in which the whole back plate came of with some Baron bindings. Just thought I would throw this out there to see if anyone has had similar issues.

Overall a very bomber binding. I don't see any future problems coming up. Great looking and preforming on my Volkl Kuro's!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Prettyyy Pretty Pretttttyyy Awesome

Volkl Kuro Alpine Ski

Rating for this product: 5 January 21, 2010

Finally got to ski these sheenaws in some powder yesterday here at Keystone. They own, plain and simple. Hiked up the bowls to find over 2ft of hidden powder on Bergman Bowl. They float like crazy, maybe even a little too much. No tip diving and they cruise like a GS ski on groomers, yet with powder hitting yo face.

I am 5'11" 180lbs and went with the 185cm mounted with Jesters. I feel like I could go to the 195cm but that's just me. I had an issue with the back plate of the Jesters coming a little loose only after skiing them twice. Took them back where I had them mounted and the owner put in some screw retainers on both back screws of the back plates. Most likely due to the tech not tightening them enough. They are bomber now though, but just keep in mind to check your bindings after you ski them for the first couple days.

Overall an excellent ski. Great simple top sheet graphics that still get looks when heading up the lift. Can handle groomers, bumps, any chowder without and problem. I had never skied a rockered ski before so it takes 1 or 2 runs to get use to if you aren't on powder right away.Highly recommended. You will fall in love!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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So Sexy

Hestra Vertical Cut Freeride Glove DO NOT USE

Rating for this product: 5 January 21, 2010

Got these puppies yesterday in the Brown color. Wow they are gorgeous. Used them all day skiing powder as well as night skiing here at Keystone in Colorado. They kept me perfectly warm, no sweaty hands or cold finger tips. After applying the leather balm they look even better. A nice dark rich brown leather. Bad ass if you ask me. They fit so nice and the wool inside feels orgasmic. Great pole grip! These are modified from the racing style Hestra glove so as a past racer "I like it lot." Get em while they're hot!

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Love em

Mountain Hardwear Mesa Convertible Pant - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 17, 2010

These pants are awesome. Used them for 30 days straight in the Talkeetna's trekking in all sorts of weather. They are super comfortable in both pants and shorts mode. They dry out wicked quick and hardly ever get dirty. Back in civilization, I have been wearing these in both modes almost everyday. They never need washing as you just rub off anything that gets on them. Very durable and can easily withstand bushwhacking. Highly recommended!!

Helpful Votes: 5 Yes

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Volkl Kuro Alpine Ski

January 17, 2010

I am 5'11" 180lbs with the 185. I agree they do feel way shorter with the rocker. I would probably agree to go with the 195 unless you are small. Have fun with em they are ownage!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Rime Pullover Jacket - Men's

January 15, 2010

Get a large!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Ownage

Backcountry.com Rime Pullover Jacket - Men's

Backcountry.com Rime Pullover Jacket - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

This thing frickin owns. I wear it everywhere. I use it as a mid layer for skiing and just by itself in the spring and fall. Super waterproof. The water just beads off when I pour it on the jacket. The breast zipper is great for skiing because it provides a nice warm spot for my phone. Highly recommended!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Very nice

Smith Variant Brim Helmet

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

Great helmet. I wear it 8 hours a day to teach skiing. Pretty warm and the venting is a great feature. My only complaint is that I can feel wind hit my ears on cold windy days. Other than that a great helmet. I like the brim because it helps keep the goggles from falling back down to my eyes.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes

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Better than my bed!

Therm-a-Rest Prolite Sleeping Pad

Therm-a-Rest Prolite Sleeping Pad

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

Sooo light and compact. Used it in Alaska for a month straight camping in the Talkeetna's. Woke every morning with lots of energy and ready to rock and roll. I am 5'10" 180lbs and have the regular. Fits me great. No problem sleeping on my side. Highly recommended.

Helpful Votes: 3 Yes

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NICEEE

MSR Hubba Hubba & Hubba Hubba HP Footprint

MSR Hubba Hubba & Hubba Hubba HP Footprint

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

Super durable and super lite. Fits nice and easy inside my Hubba Hubba tent sack.

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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My Favorite!

MSR Hubba Hubba HP Tent 2-Person 3-Season

Rating for this product: 5 January 15, 2010

I have the Hubba Hubba, not the HP. Regardless the tent is amazing. SOOO light and so easy to set up. I use it for any time of 3-season outside sleeping I do. Tons of room for 1 person and just enough room for 2 people and gear. The vestibules are super nice. People always comment on how cool it looks!

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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Backcountry.com Rime Pullover Jacket - Men's

April 30, 2009

I love this jacket. I recently washed it under the specified instructions on the label. I stupidly used some Shout stain remover spray on a small part of the jacket to remove a small stain I have on the jacket. At the moment it has only been washed once, air dried, and is about 2 months old at max. Are there any recommendations for waterproofing sprays I can use to gain back my water-resistance ability I had on this jacket pre-wash. It still beads water well, but on some parts not so well. I test it by running it under moderate water under the sink. In the past it would bead water like crazy, now, not so much. Any suggestions are appreciated.

I found a product specifically made for Polartec softshell but it doesn't come out till Fall 2009. Does anyone know a product similar to PROCARE SHELL+DWR from the http://www.polartec.com/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/1499 site.?

-James

Helpful Votes: 0 Yes

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