When Noah Dines answered the cellphone, his breath was labored, and I might hear crunching snow within the background. It was July 5, and he was snowboarding uphill on Mount Hood. As of that cellphone name, the 30-year-old Bedford, Mass., native mentioned he’d already logged 2,067,000 vertical ft uphill towards his objective of hitting 3 million in a 12 months.
“That’s like 400-something-thousand ft forward of tempo,” he mentioned. His earlier document in a 12 months was round 700,000 vertical ft. After we spoke, he sounded cautiously optimistic about his shot at this world document.
“There’s quite a lot of feelings. I feel you must be fairly darn assured,” Dines mentioned. “And I haven’t gotten there but, so who is aware of? It’s enormous numbers with a fairly small margin for error.”
The present document holder, Aaron Rice, climbed 2.5 million vertical ft in 2016. Dines started this journey on the outset of 2024. He began in January in Stowe, Vermont. In February, he skied in Chamonix, France. By way of March, he was in Innsbruck and Saint Anton, Austria. Then, he got here again to Vermont, New Hampshire, and Utah, and finally traveled on to Oregon.
His sights are set on South America subsequent.
In January alone, Dines broke the document for many uphill skied in a single month, climbing 378,024 ft. He has but to interrupt Rice’s 2016 document. However he’s properly on his means, with 5 months left on the clock. And if he reaches 3 million earlier than the tip of the 12 months, he mentioned he received’t cease. That determine is only a information. In all probability, Dines can be up the very subsequent day, racking up extra vert.
“Possibly I’ll sleep within the morning after 3 million,” he mentioned. “But in addition, possibly I received’t. I’d simply be so psyched that I have to go snowboarding.“
GearJunkie caught up with Dines forward of the world document to debate his journey, its highs and lows, and his gear — in addition to to make clear a number of issues for the haters.
Noah Dines Q&A: Snowboarding 3 Million Vertical Toes in a 12 months
GearJunkie: What impressed you to got down to break the document for probably the most vert skied uphill in a 12 months?
Noah Dines: In some methods, it was a very long time coming. I’d been growing quantity and snowboarding so much. I’d achieved an everesting on a motorbike and an everesting on skis. And I used to be type of at a transitional interval when it comes to work and jobs and whatnot … I used to be driving again from a not-so-great date in Burlington, and it type of simply got here to me like, I ought to go for Aaron Rice’s document.
Folks had urged it earlier than. However I’d mentioned, “No, that sounds unfun.” However I simply suppose I used to be at a spot the place I might do it, and it will be enjoyable; that my health was there, that my psychological fortitude and, in some methods, my calmness was there. In order that was early February 2023. And that’s been just about what I take into consideration since then.
What does a median day seem like whenever you’re attempting to ski 3 million ft uphill in a 12 months?
It actually depends upon the place I’m. A Mount Hood day is … I get up in my truck — the again of my completely underpowered 2003 Toyota Tacoma. (For all of the folks on the web who’re all so positive that I’ve a belief fund).
After which I drive to the remainder cease in Authorities camp, use the toilet, then I seize two cups of espresso, drive as much as the hill, boot up, begin strolling. I ski 10-12,000 ft. Get down. Drink a can of Coke. Sit round within the car parking zone for some time. Possibly even go to sleep. Drive down, hang around, go for a swim. Go meals procuring. Complain in regards to the warmth and finally go to sleep round 10:00 p.m.
Have you ever taken any vital breaks because you began snowboarding?
No. I’ve 6 days with out touching snow … I don’t take relaxation days or something.
What have been your well being priorities and restoration routines, then?
Well being-wise, I positively have toned down the snowboarding a little bit bit. Not so much, however, consuming, fueling, and ensuring that I really feel fueled all through the day and week are actually essential.
And for restoration, I’m a very massive fan of resting — however not sleeping. So, like, vegging on a sofa or within the truck or wherever. Simply, like, actually chill. And that’s my precedence. I don’t have loopy, sophisticated routines. I ensure I get numerous carbs, get some protein. But when I’m not snowboarding, I simply strive to not burn quite a lot of power.
What sorts of meals does your eating regimen embody?
Bread merchandise … In France and Austria, I ate a ton of pastries and contemporary bread. Right here, quite a lot of, like, packaged muffins and bagels and whatnot. Haribo sweet, that type of stuff on the uphill. I don’t have a vitamin sponsor, so I’m free to eat no matter crap I need … After which, like, rooster turkey sandwiches and, you already know, no matter is on the market. It’s so location-dependent.
Have been you touring particularly to ski good snow? Or touring for private causes?
I type of knew I must journey however have tried to scale back it as a result of touring is exhausting, costly, and environmentally not nice. Therefore, the massive blocks. [New Hampshire] was only a day journey to the Whites … All the things I’m doing this 12 months is in pursuit of the objective. I wasn’t going to go to anyone or something.
Why not keep at a spot like Hood all 12 months lengthy and knock out all 3 million safely in a single spot?
As a result of situations are typically horrible, requiring tons of strolling late in summer season and unsafe with avalanches and climate within the winter … For instance, y0ou can’t ski at Stowe in July. In every single place has a season … [Also],. Stowe ran out of snow, and entry to the mountain with artifical snow is severely restricted.
So the cash factor has been very humorous as a result of persons are so positive I’ve a belief fund. If I do, I’d love any person to inform me about it. I might actually use it. However. Yeah.
Seems folks on the web love giving me cash, so I’ve gotten quite a lot of crowdsourced funding. I didn’t wish to do this as a result of folks ought to go take their cash and ski. However I suppose folks derive leisure from what I’m doing, in order that’s nice.
I additionally got here into this [prepared] and am nonetheless ready to spend so much of my very own financial savings. I’m doing this as a result of I wish to do it, to not get wealthy. I’ve been good with cash. I’ve by no means labored a flowery job; I’ve labored in training my complete life. I don’t spend some huge cash on stuff and no matter. So I’ve financial savings.
There’s a little bit little bit of sponsor cash, and I’m hoping that as I’ve confirmed myself, extra will come. I got here into this with actually no athletic background or something. So I went to corporations saying, “Hey, I’m going to do that.” And so they have been like, “Possibly. However in all probability not. And why would I imagine you?”
They weren’t truly saying that, however they have been pondering it. Like, “Who’re you?” However now that I’ve proven that I can throw down some massive numbers and ski with some larger names, I’m hoping [to get more sponsorships].
Once you hit 3 million, what’s the plan? Are you going to maintain snowboarding? Or are you going to name it proper on the mark?
No. I got down to ski and problem myself for one 12 months and to see what I can do in a 12 months. The three million is sort of a information and a objective. However, you already know, there are different numbers. The numbers preserve going up after 3 million. 1,000,000 meters is one thing. It’s a attain objective. That’s like 3,280,000 ft. I’m not dedicated to that, however I do know that quantity exists. I wish to do my very best.
What have been a few of the largest challenges alongside the way in which up to now?
Climate. It’s been scorching. I’ve deliberately skied extra in spring, however particularly after I was in Europe, it was extremely scorching, and there wasn’t snow. In order that was tremendous draining and irritating. There was a giant warmth wave right here like every week or two in the past. And in addition, after I was snowboarding in Utah, it obtained to love 77 or 78 levels at 10,000 ft. Which is simply actually scorching. It’s sick should you’re doing one lap. Nevertheless it’s a giant problem should you’re doing 5 or 6.
Then, attempting to recuperate however dwelling within the truck. When it’s scorching, it’s actually arduous as a result of as a substitute of recovering your physique continues to be combating to chill down. And also you’re simply getting zapped and dropping power when you want to be bringing it again. In order that’s not enjoyable.
On the flip aspect, what have been a few of the excessive factors for you?
Particularly on this West Coast swing, I’ve met and gotten to ski with some actually rattling cool folks. , some civilians after which, like Steven Nyman, who’s the American downhill or Fischer boy. He got here in with me after which I lived at his home for like 10 days or one thing. Simply the nicest man on the planet. I’ve run into Shaun White and Jimmy Chin.
After which, the opposite day, I summited Mount Hood with simply a completely absurd solid of all-stars. Jeremy Jones. Kai Jones. Cass Jones. Parkin Costin and their good friend Hayes … It was actually cool … Oh! And we have been speaking in regards to the haters [earlier]. The individuals who have been most and supportive are those who’ve achieved and know what it’s wish to push themselves. There’s a cool mutual admiration and awe.
The Gear Taking Dines to three Million Vert
We couldn’t speak with somebody like Dines with out the subject of substances developing. Naturally, we have been inquisitive about what sort of tools the aspiring world record-breaker holder was utilizing to pursue his objective. Any skimo gear that may maintain up for 3 million vertical ft is value pertaining to.
Right here’s the shortlist, with a few of Dines’ commentary.
- Fischer Travers CT Touring Boots: “The pair I’m on presently has nearly 1.7 million vertical ft — the shells, not the liners. Which I’ve been fairly blown away by that sturdiness. It’s not the lightest boot, however it skis fairly properly.”
- Fischer Trans Alp RC Carbon Touring Skis: “It’s a skimo ski, however it’s good and stiff and snappy, and it’s simply rattling mild. And for skimo, it’s the most effective skimo ski I’ve ever skied.”
- Fischer Trans Alp 86 CTE Professional: “It’s actually improbable on steeps. It’s nonetheless fairly mild. Steeps, ice, that type of stuff — going edge to edge. It’s only a marvelous ski.”
- ATK Trofeo Binding: “ATK makes the most effective bindings on the planet, and, the Trofeo is my binding of alternative. Easy. Sturdy. Gentle. Sturdy. And critically like, I don’t give it some thought. It simply works.”
- TR carbon race poles: “I simply wore by means of the cork grip, which is now being positioned.”
- Maloja Berber Jacket: “It’s simply the most effective for shifting shortly by means of the mountains. It’s obtained two massive pores and skin pockets. Matches very well. Retains me cool and retains some parts out.”
- Skins: “I’ve used most pores and skin producers this 12 months”
- Uvex Tempo Stage CV glasses
Observe Dines to the World Document
Dines mentioned he’s realized so much about creating content material and conserving folks posted about his journey since he began. Peruse his Instagram account (@noah.dines) and also you’ll discover frequent video posts and updates about Dines’ progress towards his objective. His Linktree hyperlinks to his Strava account and substack (titled “The Large Ski 12 months”).
If you wish to donate to his crowdfunding, Dines’ GoFundMe account could be discovered right here. And if you wish to take heed to him speak extra about his quest for the world document of vertical ft skied uphill, he appeared on episode 283 of the Out of Bounds podcast.
Dines was cautious to not speak in regards to the document previously tense, although he’s so shut now. He mindfully certified any assertion about ending with, “I haven’t gotten there but.” He’s forward of tempo, although — by a large margin. Observe him on social media to remain updated and to remain tuned in for the day he breaks the world document for vertical ft skied.