When Noah Dines answered the cellphone, his breath was labored, and I may 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 purpose of hitting 3 million in a yr.
“That’s like 400-something-thousand ft forward of tempo,” he mentioned. His earlier document in a yr was round 700,000 vertical ft. Once we spoke, he sounded cautiously optimistic about his shot at this world document.
“There’s plenty of feelings. I feel you need to be fairly darn assured,” Dines mentioned. “And I haven’t gotten there but, so who is aware of? It’s large numbers with a reasonably 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 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 nicely on his manner, with 5 months left on the clock. And if he reaches 3 million earlier than the top of the yr, he mentioned he gained’t cease. That determine is only a information. In all chance, Dines can be up the very subsequent day, racking up extra vert.
“Perhaps I’ll sleep within the morning after 3 million,” he mentioned. “But additionally, perhaps I gained’t. I would 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 couple of issues for the haters.
Noah Dines Q&A: Snowboarding 3 Million Vertical Toes in a Yr
GearJunkie: What impressed you to got down to break the document for probably the most vert skied uphill in a yr?
Noah Dines: In some methods, it was a very long time coming. I’d been growing quantity and snowboarding rather a lot. I’d completed an everesting on a motorcycle and an everesting on skis. And I used to be sort of at a transitional interval by way of work and jobs and whatnot … I used to be driving again from a not-so-great date in Burlington, and it sort 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 may do it, and it could 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 mean day appear like whenever you’re attempting to ski 3 million ft uphill in a yr?
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 individuals on the web who’re all so positive that I’ve a belief fund).
After which I drive to the remaining 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 parking zone for some time. Perhaps even go to sleep. Drive down, hang around, go for a swim. Go meals buying. Complain in regards to the warmth and finally go to sleep round 10:00 p.m.
Have you ever taken any important 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 rather a lot, 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 extremely 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, difficult routines. I be certain I get a number of carbs, get some protein. But when I’m not snowboarding, I simply strive to not burn plenty of vitality.
What sorts of meals does your food plan embrace?
Bread merchandise … In France and Austria, I ate a ton of pastries and recent bread. Right here, plenty of, like, packaged muffins and bagels and whatnot. Haribo sweet, that sort 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, hen turkey sandwiches and, you understand, no matter is out there. It’s so location-dependent.
Had been you touring particularly to ski good snow? Or touring for private causes?
I sort of knew I must journey however have tried to cut 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 … Every part I’m doing this yr is in pursuit of the purpose. I wasn’t going to go to anyone or something.
Why not keep at a spot like Hood all yr lengthy and knock out all 3 million safely in a single spot?
As a result of circumstances are typically horrible, requiring tons of strolling late in summer time and unsafe with avalanches and climate within the winter … For instance, y0ou can’t ski at Stowe in July. In all places 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 may actually use it. However. Yeah.
Seems individuals on the web love giving me cash, so I’ve gotten plenty of crowdsourced funding. I didn’t wish to do this as a result of individuals ought to go take their cash and ski. However I suppose individuals derive leisure from what I’m doing, in order that’s high-quality.
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 had been like, “Perhaps. However in all probability not. And why would I consider you?”
They weren’t really saying that, however they had been considering 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].
Whenever 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 yr and to see what I can do in a yr. The three million is sort of a information and a purpose. However, you understand, there are different numbers. The numbers hold going up after 3 million. 1,000,000 meters is one thing. It’s a attain purpose. 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 best possible.
What have been a number of the greatest challenges alongside the best way to date?
Climate. It’s been scorching. I’ve deliberately skied extra in spring, however particularly once 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 per week or two in the past. And likewise, once I was snowboarding in Utah, it acquired to love 77 or 78 levels at 10,000 ft. Which is simply actually scorching. It’s sick in the event you’re doing one lap. But it surely’s a giant problem in the event 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 an alternative of recovering your physique continues to be preventing to chill down. And also you’re simply getting zapped and shedding vitality when it is advisable to be bringing it again. In order that’s not enjoyable.
On the flip facet, what have been a number of the excessive factors for you?
Particularly on this West Coast swing, I’ve met and gotten to ski with some actually rattling cool individuals. You recognize, 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 earth. I’ve run into Shaun White and Jimmy Chin.
After which, the opposite day, I summited Mount Hood with simply a fully absurd solid of all-stars. Jeremy Jones. Kai Jones. Cass Jones. Parkin Costin and their pal Hayes … It was actually cool … Oh! And we had 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 discuss with somebody like Dines with out the subject of drugs arising. Naturally, we had been inquisitive about what sort of gear the aspiring world record-breaker holder was utilizing to pursue his purpose. Any skimo gear that may maintain up for 3 million vertical ft is value bearing on.
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, nevertheless it skis fairly nicely.”
- Fischer Trans Alp RC Carbon Touring Skis: “It’s a skimo ski, nevertheless it’s good and stiff and snappy, and it’s simply rattling mild. And for skimo, it’s the very best 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 sort of stuff — going edge to edge. It’s only a marvelous ski.”
- ATK Trofeo Binding: “ATK makes the very best bindings on the earth, and, the Trofeo is my binding of selection. Easy. Sturdy. Mild. Sturdy. And critically like, I don’t give it some thought. It simply works.”
- TR carbon race poles: “I simply wore via the cork grip, which is now being positioned.”
- Maloja Berber Jacket: “It’s simply the very best for transferring shortly via the mountains. It’s acquired 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 yr”
- Uvex Tempo Stage CV glasses
Comply with Dines to the World File
Dines mentioned he’s realized rather a lot about creating content material and conserving individuals 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 purpose. His Linktree hyperlinks to his Strava account and substack (titled “The Massive Ski Yr”).
If you wish to donate to his crowdfunding, Dines’ GoFundMe account will be discovered right here. And if you wish to take heed to him discuss 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 discuss in regards to the document previously tense, regardless that 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. Comply with him on social media to remain updated and to remain tuned in for the day he breaks the world document for vertical ft skied.
