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In article ,
Martin Thornquist wrote:
[ Gary S. ]

Which is why some of us try to avoid calling it tele gear, but use a
term like backcountry skis (which of course shows my bias as to
preferred location to use it).

How about "freeheel"? This sounds like a technical description of the
gear (the other category being "fixed heel"), with no bias as to
skiing technique or location.


_ The funny thing is that most gear under the current definition
of telemark is not "free heel". I think there is a 3rd class of
skiing emerging that I would call "constrained heel". Sure you
can lift your heel up, but you have to exert a fair amount of
force to do so depending on exactly what boots/bindings you
have. I think that this is enough of a difference that it
actually requires a change in technique. This is neither bad
or good, just different. It does make the problem of finding
gear for the tours'n'turn compromise even more confusing though.

_ For good or ill, we are stuck with the "telemark"
label. Exactly what it is seems to change drastically
every few years though... Everything in backcountry
skiing is a compromise in some way, the art is picking
which area you are willing to suffer the most. In my
experience the biggest thing you give up in choosing
AT gear is the joy of the telemark turn.

_ Now if I could only get over this damn flu and actually
go skiing instead of sitting in bed. Is anybody skiing?
Post some trip reports, the important thing is getting
out there, what you do it on matters little in the end.

_ Booker C. Bense

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