Now we are off to a place in which 1/3 of the state is covered in mountainous terrain. Wild, rugged and scenic comes to mind when I think of the North Cascades region deep in Washington state. Are next interview is with Scott McAllister, a strong tourer who had been doing unique tours within the Cascades area and I am proud to say, one of my touring partners. The Cascades are famous for harsh, brutal and moral breaking weather only to be followed by dense mountains and massive volcanos. In this interview Scott focuses on his past, present and future when it comes to splitboarding.
Name: Scott McAllister
Primary Location, Home Mountain, or Home Range: Stevens pass, North Cascades, Washington
Age: 39
Primary Solid Board: flow solitude ( I cut it half this spring, so none)
Primary Split Board: Prior BC
Preferred Binding System: volie plates
Boot: Lowa structura AT boots
How Long Have You Been Splitboarding? 4 years
What Compelled You to Begin Splitboarding? My friend Gary took me on a tour of Berthoud pass. I was on snow shoes, and they where all on splitboards. I was already obsessed with snowboarding, mountains, and the outdoors in general. I was trying to get to like AT skiing, but there’s nothing like snowboarding in powder. A splitboard made the most sense to me.
Most Memorable Glacier Travel: This past July When my friend John Plotz and I did back to back summits of Mt Baker’s via the Coleman glacier. Day 2 was made extra memorable since we where able to decend the Coleman headwall with Dan Helmstadter whom we happened upon the night before in Grahams.
Where has Split Boarding taken you? Logistically, it moved me across a country. Physically it has taken me to some of the best mountains in North America, but the one place I wasn’t expecting it take me was to me. I have found out a lot of things about myself in the past couple years, both physically and mentally. At times I may go where I don’t belong, but it is way better, and cheaper, then therapy.
Gnarliest or most Extensive Approach for a Single Line: Still yet to complete it, but on 2 trips with two separate partners, I’ve traveled over 20 miles in the napeequa valley. Trespassing through ‘we will shoot you’ deliverance style territory, to the safety of avi paths overlapping the river from the valleys opposing ridges, only to get to the base of the climb.
Ideal Backcountry Day: Being goal oriented, I love having the plan of a climbing and riding a particular line or peak and following through. Add in a little exposure, and a steep pitch, and anything else is a bonus. Ideally a couple solid, positive partners, great conditions, and weather would be desired.
Lifetime Goal or Objective, a Line You’ve Been Eyeing for a While, or What Would Be your Dream Trip? I’ll just say I am really looking forward to this coming season and beyond. To be able to enjoy as many of the routes that where pioneered by the hard men and women of the cascades. They have just done too much work not to, respectfully so.
Favorite Backcountry Meal: instant taters and smoked salmon
Favorite Piece of Gear: Detroit hats. Gotta rep yo.
Favorite Place You’ve Travelled: Utah, desert soutwest. Some of the best scenery in North America. I’ve had some pretty good times all over the four corners. If I could take the heat, I would live there.
Sponsors: Kyle Miller’s snowboards
Print/ Movie Appearances: More of a feat of Colin WIsemans photgraphip eye, but I was on the cover of Wend magazine v4 issue 1. and a few interior shots from Mt Baker along with an article by Colin about hiking for snowboarding year round. I think only one was an actual riding shot. Another photo taken with an ancient camera from that day was used along with an article by Jeff Galbraith in Frequency TSJ.
Local Causes You’re Passionate About: living local, buying local.
Other Stuff You Do : Cascade BC Ski Patrol, smoked meats
Website/Blog: OPBs (Other Peoples Blogs)
Here is a Year End Review of Scotts 10/11 Season
