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November, 2024

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Touring/AT NSers...

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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I've been noticing lately that there are a few people on here who are into touring and earning their turns.  Where are you from, where are you touring and whatchagot for touring setups? 

I'm from mass but tour all over the EC and also when I go west for vaca (usually UT/BCC/LCC).  Mostly in VT along the green spine though while I'm home.  Right now I'm on Whitedot Redeemers quiverkilled for Plum Guides, but my 12/13 ON3P Billy Goat Tours should be on my doorstep by tomorrow- and will be my go-to touring skis for the majority of the season.  My boots are Dalbello Virus Tours with cochise top straps grafted on as well because I hated the stock top bail. 

So what's up with you, oh rando beasts of NS?   

Nov 13 2012 11:28AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Anyone who skis with headphones goes to the bottom of my list of people I want to ski with, even for resort skiing. More for social reasons than safety & route planning.
Nov 16 2013 4:20AM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
^ya I'm of the same opinion, I've just noticed it seems more accepted now, where when I started touring if someone in the group put in headphones at the trailhead they stayed at the trailhead.
Nov 16 2013 10:50AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
would seem to me in an activity/passion where skill/training and the use of your powers of observation and group dynamics is the difference tween someone not being able to do it again tomarrow
devices and actions that hamper any if not all of the above would be foolish.
then again i'm sure there are those who'd feel that way about safety breaks
my pet peezes is go lighters
i don't so much care if you run sissy sticks with brakeless tech binders and xc boots but outside the sidecountery
that 18 liter barbie backpack probably aint gots nearly the goddies you'd want should shit get ugly
as for them pataguchi wearin granola munchin pracitioners of dental arts known as maggots
fuckers jonged me a decade ago
showed those fuckin assholes a thing or two by makin em let be be a part of their e ski community
and convertin them to irl friends and tourin partners
pretty sure i jonged mrz norris cause he/she showed up spraggin bout his hot nfl cheerleader or being an east coast joey
that being said get the red boots jong
they are faster
Nov 16 2013 12:55PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
Meh, if I'm skinning uphill in-bounds by myself I'll listen to music in one ear. Also, if I'm skiing by myself period in-bounds I will listen to music. I just make sure to keep the volume to a level that I can hear others around me. NEVER when out of bounds though or when skiing with other people.
Nov 16 2013 2:14PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
+1 here with the Tecnica Cochise Light. Love em so far. I toured with them for the first time yesterday and came across some personal fit issues (screw on the interior of the boot from the cuff was sticking into my ankles for the entire 1:45 dawn patrol, it sucked. Also need big toes blown out as I sized down to a 26 rather than a comfort 27) but they ski quite well. Obviously light, but super comfy if they fit your foot. FYI, keep an eye on the toe area in front of the lowest buckle. Like most 2-piece 4 buckle boots, the water blocker (specific name is forgotten) isnt the greatest like the newer atomics/salomons that have implemented some sort of cover for it, but thats a minute detail. The Lights come with Palau liners that need to be form fitted before use. I personally swapped them out for a powerwrap for more power.
Nov 16 2013 2:17PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
To those who are going with SI&I this winter, what boots are you/they tending to? It has to be one without a rocker'd sole does it not? I know they are offering tech fittings for 100 but is their process trustworthy?
Nov 16 2013 3:19PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
Buy marker lords as the alpine binding, and use a beefy touring boot like the atomic waymaker, scarpa freedom or tecnica cochise
Nov 16 2013 3:24PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
Marker lords are specifficaly made to be used with rockered touring soles.
Nov 16 2013 3:25PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
How many other bindings can accommodate rocker'd soles? STH2 is the only other that comes to mind
Nov 16 2013 3:27PM
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rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,201
Anybody have a good recommendation binding to throw on some Surface New Life's?? I'll be spending the majority of time in-bounds but I'll definitely be doing side country hikes and other (shorter) hikes. I want a durable binding that I can ski switch with but also allow me to hike a bit.. Would the Barons suit me well?? cheers
Nov 16 2013 3:48PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
Yeah I think that they are the only non AT bindings that fit rockered soles. The Lord has the same mount pattern as the jester and griffon, but the salomon has a different mount pattern than earlier editions of the STH. Therefore the Lord is the only choice that can be used this season for things like markerfit plates, and CAST system until there is updated models for the STH2
Nov 16 2013 5:23PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
Marker Baron/dukes, Salomon Guardian, Tyrolia Adrenalin(other rebrands) are the three different choices. I would go with marker or salomon- they seem the most beefy
Nov 16 2013 5:26PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
how heavy are you/how hard do you shred?
Nov 16 2013 6:08PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Picked up a little bit of new gear today

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Nov 16 2013 6:38PM
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rememberscott
Posts: 1291 - Karma: 5,201
I'm pretty light at 150 and I'd like to say I charge pretty hard. Definitely not the gnarlest skiier on the mountain but I like my drops and airtime. My dins are at 10 or so..
Nov 16 2013 6:50PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
When you say touring, are you talking the 'easy' slack at Whitewater? I could see people not taking zones like trash and such not very serious, and thus using headphones. I know people who are safety concious in the backcountry wear headphones while doing slack around White and Red. I always give people a hard time for it in most situations, but in certain slack zones I have a hard time telling people what they should and shouldn't do, because if I'm at Red, you'll ususally find me doing solo laps on Roberts, so who am I to tell them what's what.

In most (90% or so) situations while touring though, I'll pretty much tell people to fuck off with their headphones or they can find their own ride home at the end of the day. Luckily, not very many of my touring partners need to be told such things.
Nov 16 2013 8:51PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Also. Got laid off yesterday (yay!). Officially done work for the winter, and have nothing but pow turns and cold beers on the agenda for the next few months. With that - I went for my first real day of skiing this year (everything before today I just considered recon missions). It was the biggest day 1 I've done. Boy am I pooped. 14km round trip, just shy of 1400M vertical climbed, and waist to chest deep blower pow - straight up choking on that shit!


a google image of my day. With the low snow pack I didn't want to bring out my light set up 'cause they are brand new Hoji's which I didn't want to fuck up on day 1 with only a 110cm base at treeline, so I went out with my heavy ass duke set up. Boy are my legs tired!
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Nov 16 2013 8:56PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Picture too small!

lets try again.

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Nov 16 2013 8:59PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6304 - Karma: 6,595
Did my first tour of the season today. 20 inches fell yesterday/last night so i couldnt NOT go. Was very boney in places, but managed to find some good turns/slashes. I also learned that i am out of shape, and should probably lay off the spliffs for awhile since my lungs were not stoked.


Nov 16 2013 9:02PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
1) sick

2) how did you make that map? just did it on the computer, or was it imported through a program on your phone or something?
Nov 16 2013 9:18PM
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1337
Posts: 31059 - Karma: 29,329
Curious as well. So jealous of you WC boys...
Nov 16 2013 9:26PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Simple really. If you look at the stuff at the top while on google earth there's one that has three little circles connected by lines and when you put your cursor over it, it says "add path". click on it, make your path and when you are finished go to the 'edit' menu and click on "show elevation profile".

Also. Proof of the waist to chest deep:
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Nov 16 2013 9:43PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6304 - Karma: 6,595
looks amazing D.
Nov 16 2013 9:49PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Well, simple if you know where you were travelling. I do it at home at the end of the day, so there's no gps or fancy app helping... It's not exact, but I have a good sense of direction so I get it pretty close I think. Sure if fun to play around and nerd out with it though.

Helps with planning stuff as well. You get a good idea if the mission you want to do is actually feasible as a day mission or not.

Ok, I'm done posting in this thread for the night, I promise!
Nov 16 2013 9:50PM
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Idahoskier420
Posts: 719 - Karma: 86
http://www.hillmap.com On mobile so no embed but this is a rad piece of freeware where multiple layers can be juxtaposed side by side. My favorite layers are slope angle and aspect!
Nov 17 2013 4:06PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
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Nov 17 2013 4:12PM
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Mama.
Posts: 3066 - Karma: 2,607
Read as "Doug wants to move to Revy"
Nov 17 2013 5:35PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Went back to Highwood Pass today, and hit up Pocaterra, felt great, fresh snow, I broke in the skin track, new riding buddy.
However, my one binding snapped, so I had to strap the toe down to ski. Got some amazing turns, did the one run, and boot packed back to the car.
Still loved every bit of it though.
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Nov 17 2013 6:19PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
thats brutal, are those guardians? looks like some fun skiing though
Nov 17 2013 6:23PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Sure are. They broke at the top of the chute. I was still able to get sweet turns in at least. Just strapped the toe down so it didn't pivot.
Shame though, could have got a ton of more lines.
Nov 17 2013 6:31PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Fuck, sorry to hear about the binding failure! I'm curious for more info regarding the failure though and how it happened. Keep us updated in here about Salomon's response.

I have Guardian's on my Vicik Tours and was hoping to get out to pop their touring cherry very soon. Hearing about more Guardian's breaking is no good at all.
Nov 17 2013 6:36PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
I'll have an update. Pretty common binding here, so I'll keep everyone posted.

But it's just a friendly reminder to always check up on the snow underneath the bindings, because it can just click back in at random and boom! Broked binding in the BC
Nov 17 2013 6:45PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
^^I forgot that on my first tour and was trying to get them to click and couldnt figure it out. Thankfully it was by hand and I didnt overpressure it before I forgot to check the toes.

Nov 17 2013 7:15PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
I have the Guardians too. Do you mean checking the snow under the toe piece BEFORE clicking in? Can you elaborate? I'm a little confused on what you did to break them.
Nov 17 2013 7:33PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
FYI, neither the Freedom nor Cochise have rockered soles so the Lord would be unnecessary for those boots.
Nov 17 2013 8:37PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
ah yes. i've seen and heard of that happen to so many people. They didn't do anything for this years to try and fix the problem, so if you are thinking of buying the Guardians or Trackers I'd say expect this to happen at some point or another. Not sold on those bindings at all.
Nov 17 2013 8:54PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Hadn't considered this at all! Really awesome idea
Nov 17 2013 9:43PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
I mean Iv skied my guardians daily for a season and they seem bomb proof.
Nov 17 2013 10:11PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
Seen 3 come back to the shop last year in that exact spot. everyone was able to ride down which is a positive i guess. warrantied no problem
Nov 17 2013 10:19PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
I do check. I was knocking all of the snow out underneath the track, double checking to make sure it was clear. I had forgotten about checking underneath the toe, and it lead to this. Foot went down, snow still underneath the toe stopped the binding there, and my heel continued to go. All the pressure snapped it right at the spot where the plastic was the thinnest.

I love these bindings, still will continue to use them. They still hold strong through so many other things. It just has this Achilles Heel, which is on the toe....


If you're worried this can happen, just be prepared. I adjusted my heel and drove it forward so it was a tighter fit on the binding. This held the track to the toe. To keep the toe down, I strapped it, simply wrapped a strap around the ski and toe piece, and still managed to get normal, awesome pow turns in.

If you're out touring, be prepared for anything to happen. Luckily I only had to walk 30 minutes back to the car.
Nov 17 2013 10:27PM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
Nice, was up there today too. Saw a cornice pop off the head wall and start a small slide further in.

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Nov 17 2013 11:25PM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
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Snow was great! Sorry to hear about your binding.
Nov 17 2013 11:58PM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
those maps are really cool
Nov 18 2013 1:05AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
Just to be 117% clear, you had snow under your toepice and when you tried to put the binding into ski mode, the pressure of the snow under the toe piece snapped the plastic in the toe piece? If so, it made is to that you were able to ski downhill, but not go into touring mode because you strapped the binding down with your A-frame strap?
Nov 18 2013 1:44AM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
It snapped where the track meets the toe. At the plastic.
We had a strap that was found in the parking lot, looks like it had belonged to a ski pole. Held the toe down to prevent it from going up and down, brought the heel piece in so it's a much tighter fit, and skied down.
Can't tour because the track and heel piece would have nothing to hang on to if the binding were to lift up.

Got the the trail head that leads to the parking lot, and hiked back
Nov 18 2013 7:29AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
Sooo I found that button, but how do you add waypoints?? I feel like an idiot now, but I cant find how to do it..
Nov 18 2013 10:02AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Good thing I do it with my hands 95% of the time. Gonna keep me doing it that way more. Sorry to hear they broke though. IMO this is an issue probably with most bindings like that. Pivot point can only take so much pressure before something else breaks to accommodate the pressure.
Nov 18 2013 10:05AM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
More talking about the longer treks up ymir bowl ways or down into 5mile. But trash is one of my pet peeves because people take it so casually and there's almost always someone down in the flats (aka the runout zone) with no gear so the risk is low I know, but the consequences are really high. If you are ever thinking of going on a solo mission up Roberts and want a partner hit me up! I live almost exactly halfway between white and red but never have gotten to ski Roberts.
Nov 19 2013 10:05PM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Hey guys, I was looking on Facebook and I found something interesting on ABS Facebook page, an accident that happened at Revy last winter. I was part of the group, the 4th skier's and owner of the contour if some of you are wondering. One of my friend passed away in the Avalanche that day and I'm the now who found him first.

Since the ski season is starting I just want you to not make the same errors that we did that day.


Not sure if the link gonna work tought.


Nov 21 2013 2:31AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
My condolences to you and your friends. That must really be tough... Thanks for sharing that story though. Can't imagine losing one of my friends in the mountains. :(


Nov 21 2013 9:52AM
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