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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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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
thursday night baker got 12 inches or so and finally got some storm skiing on friday then today it got cold and blue.

started off shooting some video of friends doing cool stuff

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then shot some panos with my iphone

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then shot my friends doing more cool stuff with my iphone

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then i got to do cool stuff

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the face we played around on with the moon in the background

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sunset on shuksan (iphone could not do this justice)

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end of a good day. finally snow is back. looks like winter 2.0 is starting again this week

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Jan 4 2014 11:09PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
^ looks awesome man!
Jan 5 2014 3:07AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Looks sweet!!
Jan 5 2014 10:38AM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
Anyone in Utah, I have good news for you. The state announced that they are going to open and maintain some of the closed roads (mirror lake highway, alpine loop, wolf creek pass, guardsman etc) on and experimental basis this winter, and see how things go. I drove wolf creek yesterday, and there is some absolutely awesome stuff just off the side of the road. Get after it!
Jan 5 2014 6:20PM
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Mama.
Posts: 3066 - Karma: 2,607
That sounds really fun. I need to come visit.
Jan 6 2014 4:14PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
That might not sound that crazy, but it really is haha
Jan 6 2014 4:17PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
So I am debating on buying a touring setup. I will have the money i just need some inspiration to buy the stuff as i am on the fence. I know at some point i will be into it but i just don't know if i could put it to good use! I need some inspiration for buying a touring setup in the northeast. Im trying to think a places and stuff to tour on besides Mt. Washington. Obviously theres more.

Also hoping to do an Avy 1 course with Pudge

Jan 6 2014 5:40PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
There is a lot of BC in VT near Stowe, Bolton, Smuggs, MRG, etc. Just need to know where to look, who to ski with, etc.
Jan 6 2014 6:07PM
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shorn860
Posts: 12 - Karma: 12
Quick question. I ended up with two different sets of adjustable poles thanks to a miscommunication with Santa Claus. Should I keep the shorter set (95-145) or the longer set (105-155)? I'm 5'8 which seemed to be right on the cusp for both sizes. Are there any other pros and cons that I should be aware of? In other news, if you're in New England, just know that there is someone else out there crying themselves to sleep over the rain today. Cheers!
Jan 6 2014 6:58PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
I'm 5'8'' and use 105-155 if that helps
Jan 6 2014 9:04PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
so i have heard! I am more in the White Mountain region though. It seems i just have to find the right people.

Right now i'm thinking last years Super 7's with Guardians
Jan 6 2014 10:16PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
what kind of skiing are you going to be doing in the bc? i would highly recommend buying tech bindings. you can stil send things on tech bindings (maybe not so much spins and flips) but touring long distance is so much better with tech bindings. you may think ya thats obvious but you will never know till youre trekking around 14 pounds on each foot.
Jan 6 2014 10:19PM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
I'm skiing pretty much that same set up... Super 7s with Guardian 16s. It is definitely heavy but I like having the security of the binding and find it's worth it.
Jan 6 2014 11:05PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
and the one thing with guardians which is making me switch back to marker is that it cant accommodate tech toes. i have a pair of black diamond methods and you can switch the tech toes for the normal soles and it's a pain in the ass to have to do that everytime you want to ski a different binding.
Jan 6 2014 11:36PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
I've said it to many people, and no one really seems to listen. The Guardians/Trakkers aren't as good as the Duke. If you are going for a inbounds/slackcountry binding - go with Marker. They don't break as often, and when the do it's from wear and tear over time, not a sudden random break and they can accommodate tech soles. Pretty sure they are lighter as well.

Unless you are getting a great deal on them, I highly advise people to think twice about getting the Guardian/Trakker. And this is coming from a guy who has broken Dukes 4 times, 4 different ways.


Also to people saying they would like to go tech but don't want to lose anything on the down - I am 200lbs, 6'1" and ski very aggressively... I've been almost exclusively on the FT Radical 12's last year and this year and as long as they are mounted on a stiff enough ski, they are sweet. If you check the pictures of the pillow zones I posted in this thread, me and my whole crew are using tech bindings. I have no hesitation dropping cliffs of any size with tech bindings. Flipping is fine, but I wouldn't spin with them, stay away from really soft skis, and I wouldn't trust them on hardpack.

Jan 6 2014 11:57PM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
don't forget about the tyrolia adrenaline 16. They are light, allow the ski to flex, accepts tech soles, and they held in my 220ish pound body.
Jan 7 2014 12:13AM
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schism
Posts: 1705 - Karma: 389
I had a few friends buy guardians last year, while I still had my dukes and a friend had second hand barons. Both people with guardians have broken them multiple times, while my dukes and my friends barons have been problem free. Yeah having to step out to change from touring and ski mode and they ice up, but they ski fine. I've been riding the tyrolia adrenalin touring bindings this year as they were already on my Hojis when I bought them. They're not as bombproof as the dukes but they're still pretty awesome and I have no doubt when charging inbounds on them. But I will be getting some dynafits on them next winter as I pursue my CAA 1 and progress in my backcountry skiing skills.
Jan 7 2014 12:27AM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Chris is a hard charging dude. He would be more inclined to spin and huck but not on a directional ski like the Super 7. Think super tight trees, a lot of pivoting, a lot of charging and dumping speed quickly.

Try not to scare him too much with all this tech binding talk, it was hard enough persuading him to consider dropping money on the AT setup (; never mind a new pair of boots and a whole new binding system.

He would also like to be able to drive the Super 7 in bounds too. More skinning up once or twice in the wee hours before riding lift served all day. At least I think this would be what he was looking to do! He can correct me where I am wrong
Jan 7 2014 12:32AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
its good to get background before asking for advice. wouldnt have suggested tech for that scenario. still id go for dukes like drail said.
Jan 7 2014 12:34AM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Understandable!

Also not too surprised about the BD soles, For swappable blocks they are pretty rockered. I had heard of the Guardian being able to accommodate some big BSH but the Duke does beat out Solly in that respect.

Which is orobably not a large consideration for them anyways. If you are only have Guardians (as they wrongly suspect) there would be no need for non-ISO soles
Jan 7 2014 12:43AM
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~Gotama~
Posts: 821 - Karma: 3,160
While tech bindings are obviously a huge weight saving advantage on long tours, for most east cost hikes its just not necessary. Will you ever be hiking more than 3 hrs tops for most VT backcountry? probably not, unless you're really looking for a long hike. I've got Barons mounted on Gotamas with Lange race boots, which is a really heavy setup, but its never been so heavy as to really get in the way for me because hikes are always pretty short. Its easy enough to trudge up little east coast mountains plus I can ski groomers and huck threes whenever I want. Touring bindings are sick because they save so much weight, but they also cost a ton and limit how you can use your ski, which isn't sweet.
Jan 7 2014 1:08AM
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bigbromskier
Posts: 1175 - Karma: 330
this is just my opinion, but I'd go with something a little narrower than the super 7. i skin on blogs (110 waist) in california/montana and I wouldn't go any bigger. it's nice to have the width when its deep, but let's be real, the majority of time spent touring is the skin up, and when you find that shitty hardpack traverse, which WILL happen haha, it's nice to not have to torque super hard to hold that edge in (not to mention working to make contact with the skin).

if you weren't back east I probably wouldn't make this recommendation, but I grew up skiing there and I know how it snows, and tight NE forests aren't designed for bigass pow skis. Plus, touring isn't all about going out for big dumps, a lot of it is just getting out for the sake of getting out, regardless of the conditions, and it's definitely not always blower pow (esp back east). the super 7 looks like a blast but I might go a bit narrower to avoid some head/muscle aches!

aside from that definitely get into it! the safety concerns are far greater, but it's such a blast to ski where you want, when you want...plus it's basically free after the initial costs!
Jan 7 2014 1:19AM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
Thanks guys! I was going to go for the guardians over the dukes sense they are a little lower to the ski and i can get them new for around 300$. But i guess i will have to look into dukes if i can get them for a good price too. As far a tech stuff i think that is a little unnecessary at the moment plus i just don't have the money. Someday hopefully! I could also get the super 7 last year new for around 270$ so that was my logic there. I do want something that really makes the ride down enjoyable too but i will look into different lighter skis that might suit my needs better.

Also with the safety thing i definitely don't want to be an idiot going in the BC. Taking the avy course is pretty high on my list.
Jan 7 2014 6:47AM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Sally Guardians on SAC right now for 260
Jan 7 2014 7:50AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I'd actually give a huge nod to Marker F12s. I know several people who have them and they seem to be an all around better binding than a duke. No real problems with any of them even with a shitload of vert and hard skiing. Lower stack height, stiffer, better walk pivot and still 12DIN.

But even with dukes, you're on the $ for a first touring setup. It'll give you a taste and you'll appreciate low techs more when you inevitably someday do get them- which you will haha
Jan 7 2014 7:55AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Seriously, people have been doing sketchy shit on them for decades. They are a great binding, they're just not build for on piste hammering. I feel 100% confident on them, mostly because I just don't spin but also because they're just very well built and I don't weigh a ton. Especially in pow, you realistically give up nothing on the downhill.
Jan 7 2014 10:36AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Bottom Line with Plate AT bindings

Salomon/Atomic:
Pros:Easy to find cheaply ATM, lower stack height, can switch modes while boot is engaged, and no adjustable toe for AT Soles
Cons: Reported rail failures, heaviest of the bunch, WTR soles only

Dukes/Barons/F12-
Pros:Lots of generations so very easy to find online, adjustable toes, and proven.
Cons:Reported slop over time, high stack height, need to remove to switch modes, and early f12 failures

Tyrolia Adrenaline:
Pros-Light, adjustable toes, can switch modes while engaged.
Cons: Not a lot of reviews on any sort of breakage or failures. My guess is not a lot of usage. YET.


Jan 7 2014 10:40AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I know someone who is notorious for breaking shit and he has Adrenalines and loves them. HUGE dude, tours every day and can't say enough good things about them and that's saying something.
Jan 7 2014 10:43AM
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shorn860
Posts: 12 - Karma: 12
Sounds good to me.  Thanks!
Jan 7 2014 12:29PM
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
Yeah, tried some 180's on hardpack off small kicker and popped out the 4th time and bent my break... have ripped super hard and fast everywhere and dropped many a cliff and haven't had an issue, just landing switch is not ideal. Small sample size though.
Jan 7 2014 6:31PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7160 - Karma: 17,589
Has anyone here had chance to be on the beast 16 yet? I'm looking to get my first touring setup and I like the idea of the radical ft but I want to be able to really scrub the skis, pivot and such and I'm worried te ft may not be ideal. I don't want to have to go duke/guardian either though so the beast looks like a good inbetween. But I have also heard about the beast 14 and radical 2 which both sound promising. So what do you guys think.
Jan 7 2014 7:06PM
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snomaster
Posts: 3346 - Karma: 5,771
Guardian also has no flat skin mode which pisses me off!
Duke has been proven over time, but the aforementioned slop ruins boot toe flanges by rounding them out.
The adrenalin is lightest of the bunch with lower stack height but I'm not convinced how they will hold up on the beating I'm starting to levy upon them. The toe pressure is adjustable but that component is pretty loose. Also the toe pivot bracket is pretty minimal and I hope it holds up too. I feel very solid when clicked in for touring and skiing so far, but time will tell.
Jan 7 2014 7:28PM
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last_tango
Posts: 2635 - Karma: 2,665
The only thing I have heard on breaking on the adrenaline was the afd shattering and that was with the very first run of them. If you do have a problem with the afd tyrolia will hook you up.
Jan 7 2014 7:39PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
It's just too much of a dedication for me, 1000 bucks is a lot of do re mi. In short, the toe is brilliant, the heel could use some serious retuning. Twenty-something page thread over on TGR, dudes singing their praises.

There should be a lot of exciting things coming out in the not so distant future. It will be a year of tech indeed! So if you aren't confident in the classic radicla ft/plum guide design, I would wait.

But as an aside, there should be no reason to lack confidence in it. Not sure what you meant exactly by scrub the skis, but if it's anything like Hoji did prior to the Beast, I think you'd be fine (; the power transmission is there! Even if the faith is not.
Jan 7 2014 8:11PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Check out the TGR thread. A lot more beta there than here.

The few issues I read on their were the lack of a flat touring mode, the heel breaking in an area, and other 1st gen binding issues.

I would wait till next year if you can, let them refine it and introduce the apparent lower weight version.

Next years tech bindings=$$$

G3, Radical 2, Beast 14, and apparently a new plum.
Jan 7 2014 9:03PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
I saw that! Really looking forward to ISPO now. Not just for the binding but what this could do for the price of the Guide :D
Jan 7 2014 9:12PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
If you're going to get weak ass 12 din plastic crap, get dynafits. There are finally real tech capable boots out there so there is no reason not to ski dynfits.

Jan 7 2014 11:56PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
For the guys that read my post about the new Plum binding, you will be disappointed.. Its not for you/me/us.. My girlfriend is hyped though..
Jan 8 2014 5:30AM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
God damn it...

Really Plum? Is it pink instead of that blue?
Jan 8 2014 8:57AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Just two things...

1- Dynafits aren't plastic crap at all, and I actually bought the 10 DIN as the new Radical design is very robust.

2- He wants to use his alpine boots, which is a great reason to not buy low tech bindings ;)




Jan 8 2014 9:18AM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Tell that to a lot of guys around here who get some serious stuff done on F12s. They have their place.
Jan 8 2014 9:36AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Just want to bring this heady stoke to this page. You guys are killing it out there! Keep up the great work!
Jan 8 2014 11:42AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
I have never seen this setup/idea before. Sam Anthamatten (mountain guide and pro skier) mounted some dynafit toe pieces in front of his normal bindings (pivot 18) just for the skin up. You can see it in the movie 'Mission Steep' that is online for free the next 5 days. Shots of the setup @10:42 but watch the whole movie..

http://vimeo.com/83485223
Jan 9 2014 5:28PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,965
WOOOOOAAAAAH! that's sick!
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Jan 9 2014 5:37PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
^that's nuts. also, i cannot believe splitboards work
Jan 9 2014 5:41PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
anyone have any beta for the nelson area? wondering about avy conditions primarily?? going to be headed up there next week.
Jan 9 2014 5:49PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Had a while to mull this over and do a little reading and pretty much everybody who has the beast is having problems with the lockout. Lots of complaints about them simply falling off in the skintrack, which is no bueno with a $1k binding system. I would give those a little while to work the kinks out before buying those. Even in the lowed DIN model coming out I think there will still be issues.


I'd probably go either Radical ST or FT. They really do function beautifully and can be found for a pretty good deal relatively. I've never had even the smallest of issues with pivoting, their shortcomings largely stem from landing in a spin and from icing issues- which are nonexistent if youcare for them properly and spray with silicone regularly and keep them clean. I say that because it's exactly what I did haha

Jan 9 2014 5:54PM
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No.Quarter
Posts: 5257 - Karma: 16,965
I think when a snowboard is on edge, there is only pressure on one side of the board, so there is no excess stress on the other side of the board. I bet the bindings also have some special construction also.
Jan 9 2014 6:15PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Bindings and the interface clips will make or break the split board experience. In my opinion, Karakoram makes the absolute best bindings/clips out there. Mervin (Lib Tech/Gnu), Jones, and various others use the Karakoram clips as standard equipment on their split boards.

It's amazing how much a split board will flex and move around without bindings. But with good bindings, the boards can literally be stiffer and more solid than a normal snowboard.

I spent a few hours at Karakoram's factory earlier this week while they upgraded some parts on my wife's bindings. Awesome group of guys making killer products here in WA; 95% of the binding is made in state.

I got to watch one of the guys hand shape some carbon high backs and install them on Mr Jeremy Jones' board.

The technology is just so damn cool. I don't snowboard but I still gear whore that shit up.
Jan 9 2014 6:38PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
What's all this? Splitboarding is legit. It's been around for a long time, they (the splitboarders) have proved themselves 10 fold. Fastest growing sector of the snow sports industry, and pretty much the only part of the industry that is actually coming out with new technology that is real.

Karakoram isn't the best btw (according to almost all of my split friends). Spark is king - and this year with their bindings with no front pin, and next year they will have the option to lock down the heal in ski mode.
Jan 9 2014 7:27PM
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