If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Equipment advice for hut-to-hut touring
I am going hut-to-hut skiing for 5 days in the 10th mountain system next
month. I will be carrying a 40-50 pound pack. I am 6'4" and 220 lbs. My current skis are waxable Karhu XCD GT 215cm 62-54-59 with nnn-bc bindings and alpina BC boots. but the whole set up is a little beat up after several years. 1) would Fischer outtabound skis be ok for such a trip or should I stick with longer, double-cambered skis? Plans include a fair amount of hilly touring, but only a few steep climbs and descents. 2) given my situation and likely conditions in your area in March, should I go with waxable or waxless? 3) nnn-bc or 3-pin? 3.1) if nnn-bc, manual or auto? 4) any boot recommendations? |
Ads |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
[ Ben Bly ]
3) nnn-bc or 3-pin? IMO the main attractions of 3-pin over (NNN/SNS)-BC are somewhat more stability, and maybe most important a considerably simpler design. I feel pretty confident that as long as the binding isn't ripped out of the ski I can cobble together a broken 3-pin with rope etc. to enable me to get out. Closed bindings aren't as easy to repair in the field. Icing up of a 3-pin isn't really a problem as there's no closed places where you cannot hack it off, while the closed bindings may need thawing if ice gets where it shouldn't. I use (of course) NNN for XC skiing in the woods where I live (Oslo, Norway), but I like the simpleness of 3-pin or cable when going deep into the mountains. Martin -- "An ideal world is left as an exercise to the reader." -Paul Graham, On Lisp |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
In article , Ben Bly wrote: I am going hut-to-hut skiing for 5 days in the 10th mountain system next month. I will be carrying a 40-50 pound pack. I am 6'4" and 220 lbs. My current skis are waxable Karhu XCD GT 215cm 62-54-59 with nnn-bc bindings and alpina BC boots. but the whole set up is a little beat up after several years. 1) would Fischer outtabound skis be ok for such a trip or should I stick with longer, double-cambered skis? Plans include a fair amount of hilly touring, but only a few steep climbs and descents. _ I'd think the Fischer Boundless Crown would be an ideal ski for such a trip. It might be too soft for you though. 220 + 40 will load up any ski. Double cambered skis won't do you much good, you aren't going to be doing much kick'n'glide with a 40 lb pack and they will be a lot more difficult to turn on the way down. The Boundless will be so much more fun after the XCD GT that you might start looking for more descents. Without a pack it's a reasonable kick'n' glide ski that is really fun on the downhills. The XCD GT is a good ski for kick'n' glide, but doesn't really turn that well... 2) given my situation and likely conditions in your area in March, should I go with waxable or waxless? _ I'd go with waxless, since you can always wax them in a pinch and the Fischer pattern is relatively fast. March is a tricky month for waxing. Basically, my thinking is that if you can avoid using klister waxable skis are the way to go, if you'd be using klister every day waxless is probably better. You'll likely need skins as well. ( I'd at least bring kicker skins since they are light and useful. ) 3) nnn-bc or 3-pin? 3.1) if nnn-bc, manual or auto? _ In general I prefer the manual for BC skiing, but I really wouldn't reccomend NNN/BC for this kind of trip. 4) any boot recommendations? _ Pick the boots first and then the bindings. There aren't many NNN/BC boots that I'd want to use with a 40lb pack. For a multi day trip there are some pretty big advantages to getting a lightweight plastic boot like the Garmont Libero or the Scarpa T4. Fit is far more important than the particular brand, get the one that fits your feet the best. Spend a lot of time and money on boots, good well fitting boots are the key to enjoying a long trip. Make sure you break them in well before the trip. New boots and long trip is a recipe for pain. _ As far as bindings go, I'd think hard about getting something that at least has the option of adding a cable. It's been a while since I skiied Colorado, but I don't remember too many flat parts and skiing with a big pack requires all the extra control help you can get. The Voile 3 pin with cable option is probably a good bet. _ Booker C. Bense -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQCVAwUBQCp3x2TWTAjn5N/lAQEy9wP/RThUNtdWIu/k4nPzj3hyhjY8iOSVdvX1 TX5UGKhfgqWznoUDKqSKdG6ogtpfFLk7jsRNQ3X2TBi1AgNW/8QGJKHv8fsjtSSG MKjka+A7V+sclx1DAFonPGK7OGOhLqg7/aj/GZIXBLafhLnSWUKAK39JrPQdMQO8 deL7gOO0qlY= =btt2 -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
|
#6
|
|||
|
|||
(Tracy L. Smith) wrote in message
Cable- I love my G3 targas. Maybe you do, but they're rather overspecified for hut to hut and the cables restrict heel lift a little: nice downhill but a slight dent in comfort over the day. I personally use 3 pin, but BC should be fine as long as you find boots you're happy with. Plastic ;-). I hear good things about the T4 and Garmont Excursions. I have the original T3's. Warmer, drier, lighter (than beefy leather) and more comfy. I use the original T3, *but* that's because I have Scarpa shaped feet and their leathers aren't available in the UK. The light plastics are fine for touring (been there, done that, also consider the Crispi CX-T) but they are still heavier than leathers designed for touring. I'd go on fit: you don't need anything particularly chunky for hut to hut, but it does need to fit you for all day comfort. My plastics measure up, my old leathers didn't, but that's the shape of *my* feet and the boots available to me. Pete. -- Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/ |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
(Peter Clinch) wrote in message . com...
(Tracy L. Smith) wrote in message Cable- I love my G3 targas. Maybe you do, but they're rather overspecified for hut to hut and the cables restrict heel lift a little: nice downhill but a slight dent in comfort over the day. I personally use 3 pin, but BC should be fine as long as you find boots you're happy with. Maybe because I've been using cable bindings for years now (previous setup was the original Rivas on the original Tua Tele Sauvages, the black and chartreuse combo of each was very distinctive ;-)), but I've never felt like the cable made much difference in my work rate going up hill. I did notice on the last trip when the Targas were loose and my ski wobbled though ;-). I liked my old Rottefella Telemark 3 pin bindings (on Tua Tout Terrains), but I want more control with that big pack on my back, so went to cable. With no difference in comfort level at the end of the day going uphill, and less effort going down ;-). And that includes breaking trail in knee deep snow to get to the last hut- Plastic ;-). I hear good things about the T4 and Garmont Excursions. I have the original T3's. Warmer, drier, lighter (than beefy leather) and more comfy. I use the original T3, *but* that's because I have Scarpa shaped feet and their leathers aren't available in the UK. The light plastics are fine for touring (been there, done that, also consider the Crispi CX-T) but they are still heavier than leathers designed for touring. I'd go on fit: you don't need anything particularly chunky for hut to hut, but it does need to fit you for all day comfort. My plastics measure up, my old leathers didn't, but that's the shape of *my* feet and the boots available to me. Pete. Exactly- that's why I have Scarpas and my husband has Garmont Liberos, they are both plastic boots, just made for different shaped feet ;-). And now he doesn't get blisters anymore, in fact, after getting the Thermoliners he sold all of his leather boots. What I really think Ben should do is come in a few days early and try different setups if he's renting. Obviously, each of us has different likes/requirements for our gear. I'm just coming from the perspective of having skied most of the 10th Mountain hut system, and since I think I'm at a point where I'm happy with all my gear (damn ;-)!), thought I'd pass along what I've learned. Our group has pretty much all gone to metal edge tele skis, cable bindings and plastic boots. Of course, at the last hut the group that came in after us were all on AT gear, so you can go a variety of ways (and that group sat around all night talking about real estate and golf, so what does that say about AT vs. Tele ;-)? We were playing spoons and stabbing each other...) Tracy Lorraine Smith (on the decidedly non-cool set up of Tua Montours, Ascension skins, G3 Targas, and original T3's, but a decidedly functional setup ;-)) |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Most people use wider metal-edged telemark skis with cable bindings and
plastic boots. I think most the time you will be using skins going up, so camber, waxing, fish scales etc. are not of great importance. Most of the hut to hut routes don't have much rolling terrain for kick and glide action. Alpine touring gear is becoming more popular. I use Atomic Tour Guide Super Light Skis, Dynafit TLT 4 boots, Dynafit TLT bindings, Ascension skins. Paragon Guides has the concession on guiding the 10th Mountain Hut system and they probably have more experience than anybody in this area. Here are their recommendations snipped from their web page, http://www.paragonguides.com/gear.htm: a.. Metal edged, waxable backcountry skis - A metal edge ski is best for control and support with ample width (54 mm+ at the waist). Sidecut and flexibility will vary amongst skis and their intended use. A good backcountry ski has flexibility for powder yet is stiff enough to provide support for trail skiing with the weight of a pack. Waxless (fishscale) skis do not work well for most of Colorado¹s dry, cold snow conditions. There are two binding options: a heavy duty 75mm, 3 pin or a cable binding that fits snugly to the boot. (Bring an extra cable.) a.. Ski poles - Good quality adjustable metal poles adapt to the different types of skiing styles and varying backcountry terrain. a.. Backcountry Ski Boots - We recommend either leather double boots for warmth and support or the newer plastic backcountry if they are the newer, more flexible models. A good personal footbed can be a tremendous asset to the proper fitting of your boot. Boots should fit into 3-pin or cable bindings. You might want to ask them directly. Paragon Guides PO Box 130 Vail, Colorado 81658 Toll-Free: 877.926.5299 Phone: 970.926.5299 Fax: 970.926.5298 I have no relationship with Paragon other than being a previous client. BobT "Ben Bly" wrote in message om... I am going hut-to-hut skiing for 5 days in the 10th mountain system next month. I will be carrying a 40-50 pound pack. I am 6'4" and 220 lbs. My current skis are waxable Karhu XCD GT 215cm 62-54-59 with nnn-bc bindings and alpina BC boots. but the whole set up is a little beat up after several years. 1) would Fischer outtabound skis be ok for such a trip or should I stick with longer, double-cambered skis? Plans include a fair amount of hilly touring, but only a few steep climbs and descents. 2) given my situation and likely conditions in your area in March, should I go with waxable or waxless? 3) nnn-bc or 3-pin? 3.1) if nnn-bc, manual or auto? 4) any boot recommendations? |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Thank you for those very helpful replies! After trying Karhu Sirius
and a couple of other boots I am going with Garmont Excursions, Fischer outtabounds skis (waxless) and voile 3-pin bindings with an optional cable attachment. I am currently planning to bring my kicker skins but no full length skins. Bad plan? Ben |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I am currently planning to bring my kicker skins but no full length skins. I'd take real skins... It seems like cheap insurance. I don't own any half skins. But then, saving a pound is a good idea too. What route are you taking? Some of the routes are old mining roads. They are unlikely to get too steep. Some of the trails will be steeper, maybe steep enough to want real skins. -- The suespammers.org mail server is located in California. So are all my other mailboxes. Please do not send unsolicited bulk e-mail or unsolicited commercial e-mail to my suespammers.org address or any of my other addresses. These are my opinions, not necessarily my employer's. I hate spam. |
|
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Unsure about the equipment I can afford.... Advice pls | ECM | Alpine Skiing | 5 | October 22nd 04 10:53 PM |
Equipment advice? | D B | Alpine Skiing | 1 | February 27th 04 01:47 PM |
equipment advice | Daviescs | Backcountry Skiing | 1 | February 1st 04 07:19 PM |
SKI EQUIPMENT HIRE - Advice greatly appreciated | Djuro | European Ski Resorts | 11 | November 21st 03 08:41 AM |
Ski Mountaineering | Clyde | Backcountry Skiing | 2 | September 23rd 03 09:18 PM |