AT setup?

Tasche

Tasche

Active member
I would like to get into AT skiing this year and I have a few questions. I looked on TGR but I didn't really find anything.

1) Skis: I am a pretty big guy at 6' 210 and I would like a pretty fat ski for my AT set up. My question: Will a twin tip hamper my ability to trek around and if I go pretty fat will that fuck up the way the skins fit? Will fatter skis make it harder on the way up I guess is what I am asking? Also they have had the chopsticks on Tramdock a bunch will the reverse camber mess everything up? I will be skiing only pretty deep pow no grommers (hopefully) with this set up. Also I have all my skis pretty much dead center right now where should I mount these?

2) Boots: Do I need AT boots, what are the pros and cons? Can I get away with using alpine boots or should I get some AT boots for this type of adventure?

3) Bindings: I know there is a lot of hype around the marker dukes but I have seen some other brands on Tramdock for pretty cheap. Is there any brands to stay away from? Any that you would recommend?

4) Can you suggest any good brands or style for skins?

Again any help would be appreciated, I have been a skier for a long time but getting older and more fragile and also looking for better conditions I think getting an AT setup would be pretty sick.

Thanks,
 
Skis: whatever you want to ski down with, just deal with the weight/rocker issues on the hike and reap the benefits on the way down. Seth said the same thing in his blog.

Bindings: Solid alpine bindings and Trekkers, no doubt. You'll break anything else especially switch.

Boots: Whatever you've got already as long as it fits properly.
 
Thinking about it I probably will not be riding switch. Seams like people recommend the NX21's. Looks like Rossi is making these now.

Really if anyone could just point me to a good TGR forum or a good NS forum that would be great. What is the link for Seths blog?
 
http://espn.go.com/action/news/story?id=4399967

Morrison Hotel: Luggage Please

The things they carried (and/or ought to).

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Morrison By Seth Morrison

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What goes in a ski pack? Other than shovel and probe, I carry many other useful tools. Being stuck overnight or getting wet (like falling into a creek or stream) can be deadly quite quickly in the back or side country. Shelter, water, fire and food are the most important concerns if you're unable to get back from what was planned as a short adventure. Everything isn't listed here, but a few items can make the difference.

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I always carry a sandwich-sized bag to keep tidy and dry the small odds and ends, including: Lighter, strike anywhere matches in waterproof container, dryer lint (good fire starter/tinder), aspirin, cut ointment, space blanket, compass, extra pack buckle, extra AAA batteries (for beacon and headlamp), duct tape and clothing patch tape. These items don't take up much space at all.

Also in the pack: Probe, shovel, a 45-foot length of orange cord (for cornice cutting and, if a situation arose, many other things), zip ties, collapsible water bottle, multi-tool, sundry snacks, head lamp, snow saw (doubles as limb cutting tool), skins, trekkers, radio (more for in your pocket to communicate with your crew or... potentially the outside world), cell phone (you may have service), monocular, heli-style ski strap (could come in handy if upper boot-buckles break, etc.), map (if you're going on a long trip), and an avalung (built into the pack). Mind you, all this fits in this pack rather tightly, and obviously you would have a larger pack for longer days; this is just a daypack for smaller adventures.

Most people are looking for light and fast when it comes to gear (skis and bindings), so they like touring bindings rather than trekkers—weight being the key issue. But most of my experience has been with trekkers since I like the feel of a real binding during descents. Using touring bindings to hike all-day or longer, well, less weight there makes sense.

Then the skis... Many people have made fun of me while out hiking in some popular skin areas for dragging up a pair of K2 Hellbents. But on the way down it's me who's laughing. The hike for me is for fitness—and to go down and enjoy the powder in the grand style that technology has provideth. Conditions, of course, dictate what skis I use.

First aid, you ask? I have had these kits from the store: Bandaids, gauze, aspirin, cut ointment. Sacrificing part of a layer to the cause will do too; probably not the most sterile solution, but better than nothing. Stabilizing a broken bone could be done with ski poles or tree limbs and duct tape. Doing what you have to do is what it comes down to, and trying to get out is the best solution unless you can call for help.

This is something to think about well before you head out in the back, side or slack country. And depending on your trip, you may want to have a Spot device—outdoor panic button for help. You have to set this up and have the proper info loaded on their website before use. Same goes for using a GPS unit—you need to know how it works along with a map with compass. What if it dies? Can you put in fresh batteries? Further, such gear isn't likely to be required in an area of short distance that you've spent a lot of time in and getting in-and-out of.

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Still, pretty much you need to know what you're going to do if something happens. When we go heli filming our staff guide has all sorts of splints, a backboard, neck brace, unfoldable sled, oxygen, defibulator, over night bag, XXL first aid kits, Spots, GPS', UHF radios, flight tracking and heli backups. It is a crazy package and we all go through it. We're also trained on how everything works, including even how to turn off the heli's fuel in case of an accident, how to switch on the heli's ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter), and how to take the ELT with you should that scenario present itself.

So get educated and have a plan; it's the most important part of an experience gone wrong. Let people know where you're going and what you're doing too—they may be the most valuable tool you can't fit in your pack.
 
Skis: Doesn't matter too much, anything you would like to ski on. Twins work, reverse camber works. None of those things will effect touringBoots: Touring in normal alpine boots is not much harder than AT boots, also AT boots are very soft and won't be as good on the way downBindings: If you ski inbounds, or on anything hardpack i'd go with the Marker duke or baron, because they are solid even on hardpack. Also the black diamond fritchi freeride binding is also good, but not quite as solidSkins: you cut your skins to the shape of your ski so you don't need to change your ski. Black Diamond makes nice skins, the ascention is my favorite. Buy them about 10mm wider than the waist of your ski to get more tip and tail coverage
 
you have to decide before you ask these questions if you are a backcountry jibber or a backcountry skier.

if you are a back country skier, i would get a ski like the line prophet 100 or 90 and a size down from your resort ski size , or another sick ski with just a bit of metal in it thats thin and light weight.

dynafit bindings, duh or fritshi free ride pluses



and touring boots yes. when your black diamond accension skins come off you are probably going to be bootpacking, sometimes up rock, touring boots make 100 percent of the difference with rubber on the bottom and walk mode. yea touring bindings are softer, but more comfortable, and easier to walk and tour with. and the weight you save is worth it. plus you are in the back country with two other people, so why would you send big and fast......the danger of getting hurt in the middle of nowhere is not worth it. I reccomend the garmont radium or BD factor boot if you have a skinnyish foot.

if you are a backcountry jibber, get some jjs, some dukes, your resort boots, and black diamond accension skins and go land switch on a 30 footer behind your resort.

obviously you also need shovel beacon and probe. and hopefully you know how to layer cuz you are going to sweat no matter the temperature.

 
fatter skis = more weight = harder climb

reverse camber = harder to tour because none of your skin is on the skin track.
 
and probably the only "touring binding you can land switch with is the duke.

the naxo 21 is not a good idea to think you can land switch on. infact if you want to land switch do it on your resort skis.
 
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