Gear Stoke 14-15

I wouldn't call 8lbs at 88 under foot superlight if the intent was touring

skimore wrote

I wouldn't call 8lbs at 88 under foot superlight if the intent was touring

I add up that ski and binding close to 15 lbs!  Throw in a pair of conventional ski boots
Add another 8 to 10 lbs for ski boots and it's like walking around with cinderblocks on your feet.

This is my first attempt of equipment to go back country. I usually ski at lift serviced mountains and explore the side country. My thinking was the AT bindings will help me traverse and get here and there a little easier than regular alpine bindings. I've spoken with owners and read many reviews of Bushwackers and they seemed like a good choice for what I need. I ski Fisher Progessers on the groomers.

At this point I don't see myself doing epic climbs with skins so the weight of my setup wasn't a driving factor with the choice.
I wanted to be very confident with the robustness of the binding and ski since I go down hill much faster and more often than up.

Sorry couldn't read it the other time

skimore wrote

Thehof wrote

180 Blizzard Buschwackers
#1
Alpine touring bindings. Salomon Guardian 16
#2
Now I can find and get to the hidden stashes Snoloco won't bother with.

Seems like a strange fit. Groomer ski with AT binding

Really? I thought it was pretty sweet. Been toying with a similar setup, maybe kabookies but don't think the days justify the $

Thehof wrote

This is my first attempt of equipment to go back country. I usually ski at lift serviced mountains and explore the side country. My thinking was the AT bindings will help me traverse and get here and there a little easier than regular alpine bindings. I've spoken with owners and read many reviews of Bushwackers and they seemed like a good choice for what I need. I ski Fisher Progessers on the groomers.

At this point I don't see myself doing epic climbs with skins so the weight of my setup wasn't a driving factor with the choice.
I wanted to be very confident with the robustness of the binding and ski since I go down hill much faster and more often than up.

well.........If you're not getting skins then using the binding in AT mode will be of zero help. You will find that it will be an impediment actually

and if you have a ski for groomers, why not something fatter for pow

PeeTex wrote

skimore wrote

I wouldn't call 8lbs at 88 under foot superlight if the intent was touring

I add up that ski and binding close to 15 lbs!  Throw in a pair of conventional ski boots
Add another 8 to 10 lbs for ski boots and it's like walking around with cinderblocks on your feet.

Is there an IT problem here, when I look up I see that this is the gear STOKE thread. What thread are you guys looking at? We should put in a ticket or something for a bug fix.

Coach Z wrote

I've had Intuition liners in my last couple boots and loved them.  The difference is this one has the non traditional wrap around with no tounge.   I hear good things but that it takes some getting used to.  As anyone skied with this type of liner?  How was the transition?

I have been using an Intuition wrap liner for the last 6 years and I truly love them. For me it was comfort right from the start. I hope you have the same.  

Darkside Shaman wrote

Coach Z wrote

I've had Intuition liners in my last couple boots and loved them.  The difference is this one has the non traditional wrap around with no tounge.   I hear good things but that it takes some getting used to.  As anyone skied with this type of liner?  How was the transition?

I have been using an Intuition wrap liner for the last 6 years and I truly love them. For me it was comfort right from the start. I hope you have the same.

I'll add that they will make the boot ski a touch stiffer

ml242 wrote

PeeTex wrote

skimore wrote

I wouldn't call 8lbs at 88 under foot superlight if the intent was touring

I add up that ski and binding close to 15 lbs!  Throw in a pair of conventional ski boots
Add another 8 to 10 lbs for ski boots and it's like walking around with cinderblocks on your feet.

Is there an IT problem here, when I look up I see that this is the gear STOKE thread. What thread are you guys looking at? We should put in a ticket or something for a bug fix.

Yea - sorry.
If you are trying to dip your toe into the world of BC this could be a great setup and if you don't like it you don't have much invested.

PeeTex wrote

If you are trying to dip your toe into the world of BC this could be a great setup and if you don't like it you don't have much invested.

I never understood the idea of "dipping your toe" into earning turns. This isn't exactly something you need to try before you know if you want to do it or not. Everyone that already skis knows that the downhill is what it is and earning turns usually means either more powder or great spring corn so that is all a known factor. It basically comes down to the question of "do you want to hike a considerable amount of time for a one or just a few runs?" It really comes down to a yes or no question, imo. The only reason to hedge on a hefty alpine setup with crossover ability is if you can't afford two setups... but in that case, if you really want to hike, then you should just consider a different setup if you can only afford one rig. When I started earning em', I didn't have a lot of cash but I still made the investment of a dedicated touring setup because the answer to the aforementioned question was a solid "yes".

No gear stoke for me this season. I am considering moving the mounting position on my current skis. If I could snag a pair of Nordica Soul Riders on the cheap, I'd consider it. But I suspect that may be an end of season purchase if the right size is still available and properly discounted.

I also need to convince some of my skiing buds to invest. Solo touring may not be the greatest idea. Like I said before my first plan is to further explore lift serviced mountains,that's why I chose more of an all mountain ski. I need to find the true back country by sucking out info from anyone willing to give it up. Probulary the hardest thing to do is finding someone willing to give up secret runs on public lands. If and when I become a true alpine touring skier I'll buy a lighter set up or just mountain bike more to build my legs stronger.
But all and all i'am
stoked

riverc0il wrote

PeeTex wrote

If you are trying to dip your toe into the world of BC this could be a great setup and if you don't like it you don't have much invested.

I never understood the idea of "dipping your toe" into earning turns. This isn't exactly something you need to try before you know if you want to do it or not. Everyone that already skis knows that the downhill is what it is and earning turns usually means either more powder or great spring corn so that is all a known factor. It basically comes down to the question of "do you want to hike a considerable amount of time for a one or just a few runs?" It really comes down to a yes or no question, imo. The only reason to hedge on a hefty alpine setup with crossover ability is if you can't afford two setups... but in that case, if you really want to hike, then you should just consider a different setup if you can only afford one rig. When I started earning em', I didn't have a lot of cash but I still made the investment of a dedicated touring setup because the answer to the aforementioned question was a solid "yes".

Gear stoke - remember. Nothing negative, no downers.

We can start our own Back Country Weight Wienies thread. That's where I can say that I am also considering a pair of Grivel Air Tech lights to replace my G-10s on certain days.

Thehof wrote

I also need to convince some of my skiing buds to invest. Solo touring may not be the greatest idea. Like I said before my first plan is to further explore lift serviced mountains,that's why I chose more of an all mountain ski. I need to find the true back country by sucking out info from anyone willing to give it up. Probulary the hardest thing to do is finding someone willing to give up secret runs on public lands. If and when I become a true alpine touring skier I'll buy a lighter set up or just mountain bike more to build my legs stronger.
But all and all i'am
stoked

OK - what you need is to go buy a copy of the starters guide, David Goodman's book on Back Country skiing in the North East. Bennies Brook Slide, mentioned there is one that is well known and in our backyard and I am not breaking etiquette here because it is published. It is one I like to ski because it requires no bush whacking. Then there is just about all of Mount Washington, lots of text for Tuckermans.

I would suggest going to the Mountaineer in Keene Valley, look up Drew and ask for his advice, he is probably the most knowledgable guy on the subject - he will get you set up with the right equipment.

Drew also has published a book, basically a picture book (he is a man of few - make that no words) which shows many of the more prominent named slides, some of which are only good for ice climbing and technical ascents and are basically unskiable.

Glades in the back country are more of private affair though and in time you will find them if you follow the signs.  

Coach Z wrote

I've had Intuition liners in my last couple boots and loved them.  The difference is this one has the non traditional wrap around with no tounge.   I hear good things but that it takes some getting used to.  As anyone skied with this type of liner?  How was the transition?

I can't tell you about the transition because I've never skied (lifts) with anything else. They are super comfy.

For some reason I think (?) the new T1s come with a tongue which is kind of a drag. I guess I'll know the difference soon.  The tongue does make it easier to get the boots off, but I really don't care about that.

Thanks pee-tex. Just ordered the book. Thank God for amazon for instant gratification. Believe it or not I stare at google earth often just looking for maybe slopes to check out. Found a couple of spots in the cats where I go often enough.
Just waiting on the snow now.

George Quinn's backcountry ski tours in the catskills is a nice addition to any bc book collection. You can pick up an autograph on it by buying directly from him at Plattekill. It's mostly xc related, but includes Slide and some other stuff. And lots of good ideas for hiking in the summer, too.