Mrs. Skier and I were skiing in Southern Vermont yesterday (big surprise) and I noticed a bunch of trees had been cut down near one of the lifts. Made sense as if one fell, it could hit the chairs, a tower or the haul rope (cable). It got me thinking a bit. These threes were older, but not very tall. They had a decent side trunk, but did not grow very tall. Has anyone ever cut trees at any elevation? Curious to hear if the wood is a bit more dense vs. trees that grow at lower elevations. Of note: This is New England elevation; so I’m talking trees at 2500’ or above.
campinspecter has cut plenty of large trees at altitude, and has some spectacular photos documenting his adventures.
I live at 6800 ft. I think it has more to do with species, water, and nutrients in the soil. We have mostly conifers and one species of oak. The oak, like anywhere else is dense, the conifers not as much. But there are a lot more of those than the oak.
I believe tree density is more related to a cold short growing season than elevation. Thus giving a very small growth ring, I get around 10 rings to the 1/4 inch. I mostly have white spruce and it would surprise most at how long it burns. Last night I loaded the OWB at 23:00 and it was 1/5 full at 08:30 this morning. Not bad when the outside to inside temp is 120-125 degree difference. Think how hard it would to be to try and cool your house down that same differential.
We’re at 9,072ft and I haven’t noticed a difference in density between, say lodgepole at 7,000 vs 9,000. I have always been curious about the density of Bristlecone pine though. One of the few trees that thrives at tree-line elevations
Not a one brand or boot answer/solution. Activity dictates what how much insulation the pair of boots you’re wearing needs. Usually the super t warm boots has 2,000 or more grams of insulation. Personally I am wear one of 2 boots for this temp, Castle snow machine boots or Bog-Arctics. edit- Wife and kids usually just wear the -100* below Baffins. I personally don’t like the bulkyness of that style boot but they tend to be less active outside.
Rope could you post a link to the Bog Arctics? I'm coming up empty when searching for them. These are the warmest I've found but Mucks durability doesn't seem to be what it used to. Men's Arctic Pro
