Crazy as it is, NOTG and The Legend into Megafauna are now the only trails on Tiger I've not ridden so I can't quite comment on NOTG -- will be able to in a couple weeks. With Atlas v. OTG etc. It's really tough to say. There's this kinda gnarly left hand roller/drop on OTG that catches me off guard every time, but I've taken solid blue riders onto OTG before and they did not have a good time. The same blue riders I took onto Atlas gave up and walked the entire trail halfway through. If we scoot a mountain over and compare OTG/Atlas to say upper poppin' tops I'd even argue poppin' tops is "easier" than both OTG and Atlas. The way that Evergreen wants to manage Atlas as a much more raw, natural, trail that wears in over time I think it's going to become a black, but only if a more chill blue is added as an option on that side of the mountain. The level of exposure you get on both Inside Passage and Atlas is a little nuts for riders who are solid-middle or beginner blue riders. If there was a rating of a dark blue diamond for somewhere between a black and a blue I'd rate Atlas and OTG as both. I will say though the first time I rode OTG into Atlas I was able to talk and have fun on OTG and I was like ... silent in my footage of Atlas, meaning I was having to really concentrate a lot on what I was riding. I almost want to say that Atlas is a blue in good conditions and then a black in poor conditions (greasy/wet/moondust)
I’d rather take a blue rider down OTG than atlas for sure. I also agree that any blue rider can ride all of poppin tops. When I was new, I couldn’t clean atlas and crashed twice on it during the first two runs lol. But OTG wasn’t an issue. The most important thing about trail ratings is safety. If you’ve never done the track then the ratings are the main source of information to gage if you’ll be safe riding it. I wonder how much work it would be to have yearly or every two year meetings with the non profit organization stewarding the trails (and members) to decide the ratings for that year. Trails change over time so it would make sense that trail ratings wouldn’t be stagnant either.
@@MTB_Corbin Ohh man so much work haha. I imagine it's probably something that is done but just not really in the public's eye. I'm sure that with the intention of keeping Atlas raw, and as it wears in over time, it'll change to a black but it does leave blue riders coming of Inside Passage with many options to get down within their comfort level. That all said tho, first time I also rode Atlas I had to walk some stuff. I initially did not like Atlas because it really threw me off since I was expecting it to be a blue. The more and more I ride it though the more fantastic that trail becomes. Just goes to show that some of the trails you're most scared of end up impressing you the most as you progress.
OTG used to be a fair bit more challenging, especially in the wet, but some of the roots have had rock and dirt added where it had worn away. Before that rebuild around 2021-2022, I think the black designation was valid. As for Atlas being managed similar to CCDH, I think it will actually get easier. CCDH was a lot more challenging when it first opened, but now there are more established lines. I could see the same thing happening with Atlas over a few seasons.
That line on NOTG before the little step up was created during the enduro. ET and Side Hustle are the best high speed flow trails in the corridor though. Also I feel like Atlas should be a blue and I've never even thought it should be a black. The only awkward part is that squeeze between two trees with the awkward diagonal roots
This run was back in late August... almost two weeks before the Enduro haha so the line must have popped up sometime before. I watched a few vids from the enduro and it was MUCH more pronounced though. Race lines are wild. I agree Atlas should be a blue, the part you mentioned is the only moderately challenging area but I also feel like it's criminal that OTG is a black lol
@@MTB_Corbin Sorry, I should rephrase that. I meant for the enduro. People want those french race lines lol. Yeah, I'm not totally sure why its still black, but I guess it was the first single black on the mountain, so it probably just carried through. I guess you could also argue they want it black as a way to learn to not get in over your head?
I’m all for new lines getting created! More options the better (sometimes). I wonder how often trails change rating too? Truthfully, I haven’t done OTG in long time since it’s just not fun for me but I also can’t recall any single black features or sections at all. I feel like misrepresenting a trail like that could give riders a false sense of confidence. Maybe that’s the true discussion, should OTG be changed to a blue?
@@MTB_Corbin Yeah, you could maybe argue the main line is getting a bit rutted and turning into a slight gulley, but idk I think this is one situation where its not necessary unless trying to straight line everything and go faster (turns are fun). OTG is still pretty fun, but yeah it still isnt truly a single black at this point. I guess we'd need to ask Evergreen why
Personally I don't care too much about black or blue ratings as long as it actually helps people plan their progression and not get in over their heads. Man... I love NOTG, but I think I love Close Encounters paired with Atlas more. Both great rips though!
I've been super happy with the DJI Osmo 3. I lock the shutter speed though so it doesn't try and make it brighter in the camera during low light rides, I'd rather to try boost the lighting in post so it's not as blurry
If CCDH is not a black then Atlas is definitely not either. OTG should not be a black. Also the double black option off of Reverence is not double black at all...basically blue. I think the top of CCDH could actually be black(ish) lol. Lots of trails out there slightly misidentified.
Atlas is a blue to me. Everythings easily rollable and there isnt a ton of exposure. It is steep and rough compared to most blues though. The biggest case for changing its rating is how accessible it. A new rider looking to ride Tiger for the first time is very likely to see the smaller climb and decide to link inside passage to Atlas, and then head home which could end up with them being way over their head. Calling it a black would discourage this and lead folks down to Joyride for a much easier (skillwise) loop
Ah yeah accessibility is a big thing to. I don't want a ton of weight on it though because some trails, like garanga in squamish, are close to the parking lot yet very hard haha
Yeah, the tricky thing about bumping Atlas to black is that it’s right next to EBAD which is significantly harder. They do indicate on the signage for Atlas that it’s spicy, but adding a blue black designation could be a good fit for trails like this one, CCDH, and even OTG and Legend.
Everyone loves to point to OTG being a black as the reference point for Atlas also being a black. Atlas is harder than OTG, for sure, but the real answer (in my opinion) is downgrade OTG to a blue. That way you keep the separation in difficulty between Atlas/EBAD and the whole progression of the system overall makes more sense.
100% agree on downgrading OTG to a blue and keep Atlas as it stands. You're right it would make the progression of the system make more sense! How can we make that happen?
Protip, at the end of your video leave a black screen up for 2-3 seconds. You will find that’s when people who watched the whole video will like your video. If you end it abruptly, you will miss those likes.
If someone watches the whole video then I owe them a beer instead of them giving me a like haha. The algorithm is wild these days! Good tip though, I could add longer ends and put up more video pop ups. It’s all about experimenting and figuring out what I like to do and what the audience appreciates
Please do not do this. Retention is a much more important metric than likes for the algorithm, which is why you see the largest channels (MrBeast, etc) ending their videos very abruptly to keep their percentage watch time as high as possible. As soon as a video delivers on its promise through the title and thumbnail, it needs to end.
It's a really cool feeling knowing people watch my vides... they could be doing so many other things but are choosing to engage with my content. I feel like that has more responsibility and weight than I give credit which would make sense to end things once the delivery has been completed.
Crazy as it is, NOTG and The Legend into Megafauna are now the only trails on Tiger I've not ridden so I can't quite comment on NOTG -- will be able to in a couple weeks.
With Atlas v. OTG etc. It's really tough to say. There's this kinda gnarly left hand roller/drop on OTG that catches me off guard every time, but I've taken solid blue riders onto OTG before and they did not have a good time. The same blue riders I took onto Atlas gave up and walked the entire trail halfway through. If we scoot a mountain over and compare OTG/Atlas to say upper poppin' tops I'd even argue poppin' tops is "easier" than both OTG and Atlas.
The way that Evergreen wants to manage Atlas as a much more raw, natural, trail that wears in over time I think it's going to become a black, but only if a more chill blue is added as an option on that side of the mountain. The level of exposure you get on both Inside Passage and Atlas is a little nuts for riders who are solid-middle or beginner blue riders. If there was a rating of a dark blue diamond for somewhere between a black and a blue I'd rate Atlas and OTG as both. I will say though the first time I rode OTG into Atlas I was able to talk and have fun on OTG and I was like ... silent in my footage of Atlas, meaning I was having to really concentrate a lot on what I was riding. I almost want to say that Atlas is a blue in good conditions and then a black in poor conditions (greasy/wet/moondust)
I’d rather take a blue rider down OTG than atlas for sure. I also agree that any blue rider can ride all of poppin tops.
When I was new, I couldn’t clean atlas and crashed twice on it during the first two runs lol. But OTG wasn’t an issue.
The most important thing about trail ratings is safety. If you’ve never done the track then the ratings are the main source of information to gage if you’ll be safe riding it. I wonder how much work it would be to have yearly or every two year meetings with the non profit organization stewarding the trails (and members) to decide the ratings for that year. Trails change over time so it would make sense that trail ratings wouldn’t be stagnant either.
@@MTB_Corbin Ohh man so much work haha. I imagine it's probably something that is done but just not really in the public's eye. I'm sure that with the intention of keeping Atlas raw, and as it wears in over time, it'll change to a black but it does leave blue riders coming of Inside Passage with many options to get down within their comfort level.
That all said tho, first time I also rode Atlas I had to walk some stuff. I initially did not like Atlas because it really threw me off since I was expecting it to be a blue. The more and more I ride it though the more fantastic that trail becomes. Just goes to show that some of the trails you're most scared of end up impressing you the most as you progress.
OTG used to be a fair bit more challenging, especially in the wet, but some of the roots have had rock and dirt added where it had worn away. Before that rebuild around 2021-2022, I think the black designation was valid.
As for Atlas being managed similar to CCDH, I think it will actually get easier. CCDH was a lot more challenging when it first opened, but now there are more established lines. I could see the same thing happening with Atlas over a few seasons.
Bike sounds mint 👌
tires on dirt > hubs
@@MTB_Corbin What hub do you use? I want to swap out my stock one for a silent hub. Great videos man!
Onyx!
That line on NOTG before the little step up was created during the enduro. ET and Side Hustle are the best high speed flow trails in the corridor though. Also I feel like Atlas should be a blue and I've never even thought it should be a black. The only awkward part is that squeeze between two trees with the awkward diagonal roots
This run was back in late August... almost two weeks before the Enduro haha so the line must have popped up sometime before. I watched a few vids from the enduro and it was MUCH more pronounced though. Race lines are wild. I agree Atlas should be a blue, the part you mentioned is the only moderately challenging area but I also feel like it's criminal that OTG is a black lol
@@MTB_Corbin Sorry, I should rephrase that. I meant for the enduro. People want those french race lines lol. Yeah, I'm not totally sure why its still black, but I guess it was the first single black on the mountain, so it probably just carried through. I guess you could also argue they want it black as a way to learn to not get in over your head?
I’m all for new lines getting created! More options the better (sometimes). I wonder how often trails change rating too? Truthfully, I haven’t done OTG in long time since it’s just not fun for me but I also can’t recall any single black features or sections at all. I feel like misrepresenting a trail like that could give riders a false sense of confidence. Maybe that’s the true discussion, should OTG be changed to a blue?
@@MTB_Corbin Yeah, you could maybe argue the main line is getting a bit rutted and turning into a slight gulley, but idk I think this is one situation where its not necessary unless trying to straight line everything and go faster (turns are fun).
OTG is still pretty fun, but yeah it still isnt truly a single black at this point. I guess we'd need to ask Evergreen why
Damn I'm getting down there asap.
@mtb_corbin, are you recording in 10-bit color and then grading in post?
Yessir! the Osmo3 has a D-Clike color option which I use. It's really flat on the camera and then I manipulate it in post
Personally I don't care too much about black or blue ratings as long as it actually helps people plan their progression and not get in over their heads.
Man... I love NOTG, but I think I love Close Encounters paired with Atlas more. Both great rips though!
Close encounters with ET?
@@MTB_Corbin ha yep! And then atlas
@@sasquatchmtb especially with the new ebike 👀
Wild low light performance on the camera.
I've been super happy with the DJI Osmo 3. I lock the shutter speed though so it doesn't try and make it brighter in the camera during low light rides, I'd rather to try boost the lighting in post so it's not as blurry
If CCDH is not a black then Atlas is definitely not either. OTG should not be a black. Also the double black option off of Reverence is not double black at all...basically blue. I think the top of CCDH could actually be black(ish) lol. Lots of trails out there slightly misidentified.
I agree to most of what you said. I don't think CCDH is a black but everything else is true!
Atlas is a blue to me. Everythings easily rollable and there isnt a ton of exposure. It is steep and rough compared to most blues though.
The biggest case for changing its rating is how accessible it. A new rider looking to ride Tiger for the first time is very likely to see the smaller climb and decide to link inside passage to Atlas, and then head home which could end up with them being way over their head. Calling it a black would discourage this and lead folks down to Joyride for a much easier (skillwise) loop
Ah yeah accessibility is a big thing to. I don't want a ton of weight on it though because some trails, like garanga in squamish, are close to the parking lot yet very hard haha
Yeah, the tricky thing about bumping Atlas to black is that it’s right next to EBAD which is significantly harder. They do indicate on the signage for Atlas that it’s spicy, but adding a blue black designation could be a good fit for trails like this one, CCDH, and even OTG and Legend.
Everyone loves to point to OTG being a black as the reference point for Atlas also being a black. Atlas is harder than OTG, for sure, but the real answer (in my opinion) is downgrade OTG to a blue. That way you keep the separation in difficulty between Atlas/EBAD and the whole progression of the system overall makes more sense.
100% agree on downgrading OTG to a blue and keep Atlas as it stands. You're right it would make the progression of the system make more sense! How can we make that happen?
@MTB_Corbin something that needs to be brought up to evergreen I'm sure.
Didn’t OTG used to be a blue up until recently?
@@tygastfield613 it's always been signed as a black. I think some apps with user submitted difficulty ratings may have had it as a blue at some point
@@tygastfield613it's been a single black trail for all the years I've ridden at Tiger.
Protip, at the end of your video leave a black screen up for 2-3 seconds. You will find that’s when people who watched the whole video will like your video. If you end it abruptly, you will miss those likes.
If someone watches the whole video then I owe them a beer instead of them giving me a like haha. The algorithm is wild these days! Good tip though, I could add longer ends and put up more video pop ups. It’s all about experimenting and figuring out what I like to do and what the audience appreciates
Please do not do this. Retention is a much more important metric than likes for the algorithm, which is why you see the largest channels (MrBeast, etc) ending their videos very abruptly to keep their percentage watch time as high as possible. As soon as a video delivers on its promise through the title and thumbnail, it needs to end.
It's a really cool feeling knowing people watch my vides... they could be doing so many other things but are choosing to engage with my content. I feel like that has more responsibility and weight than I give credit which would make sense to end things once the delivery has been completed.
@@DaleStone Retention at 99.9% no likes compared to 99.8% with likes is better for the algorithm? That seems pretty odd.
@@nahbrah12345 surprisingly yes. 🙂