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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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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I'm always impressed at how quick a good splitter can swap for the downhill. It seems like it should take hours haha
Jan 9 2014 7:49PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Karakoram has a heel lock down this year using their climbing wires. My wife just got her's upgraded to include that feature.

I have not fondled the Spark in person, but from all of the people I have talked to and ridden with, they far prefer the Karakoram.

The best part of the Karakoram bindings is the lack of a pin, and for those that really want, you don't even have to take the binding off your foot to transition from ride to tour modes.

Either way you look at it, and whichever brand you prefer; this gear is getting amazing.
Jan 9 2014 7:51PM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
Right in the middle of a large storm cycle. Current avy conditions probably won;t be relevant by the time you get here, but at the very least we're not looking at any gnarly layers getting buried. This cycle might revive some of what has been lurking a ways down, but most likely it will just make for some epic skiing.
Jan 9 2014 9:58PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
thats what i was hoping for. the nw is gona get hammered friday but its coming in pretty warm so im hoping to escape some of the craziness at baker and get into some more fun pow.
Jan 9 2014 10:20PM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
What do ya mean? The lines here are always packed!
Haha ya, hopefully it doesn't get too warm. Touring should be good right around the slackcountry, or even some backsides will be prime no matter what happens.
Jan 9 2014 10:33PM
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.MASSHOLE.
Posts: 7495 - Karma: 11,554
Click for larger image

Jan 10 2014 11:45AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
thought i might as well post this in here. went on this trip last winter, small hut outside of new denver area. spent the whole week on a borrowed pair of salomon czars. awesome trip and will hopefully be doing it again this year.


Jan 10 2014 5:02PM
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ESAND
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 744
Looking for a touring buddy in the Seattle area.

My normal backcountry ski partner is very sick this year (the permanent kind of sick) and isn't really up for much touring, so I'm looking for a new buddy/crew. Any body else in the same boat?

I'm looking for someone who is

- Knowledgable about snow safety
- Makes responsible decisions with that knowledge
- Want's to ski cool shit, if I wanted a meadow skipping touring buddy, I'd check TAY.
- Know's how to use their gear, I don't care if your on trekkers or dynafits just don't ask me how to put your beacon in search mode or put on your skins (has actually happened with a guy who I met on the internet)
- Also, I don't mind if you're a speed touring Iron man athlete, just as long as you don't mind that I'm not.

Send me a PM if you want to make some turns and lets think snow!


Jan 10 2014 8:18PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
Please send me on an epic trip to la Grave!
http://www.experience-tour.com/tour/free-ski-mountaineering-camp/applicant/2719/

I need to regain my climbing/mountaineering skills to ski more epic lines. This trip could be the start of my comeback!
I am a lot of votes behind, but you can vote from all computes, and everyday untill the end of the month!
Its a 2 click vote system, very easy and quick!
Thank you all!
Jan 12 2014 9:19AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
Ok wtf.. the voting system changed? I voted on a friend by clicking 2 times and now its by email?
Sorry about that, hope you'll still vote, thanks!
Jan 12 2014 9:27AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
I hate reading this thread. There's no snow in Tahoe. I really hope it just nukes in February/March.
Jan 13 2014 12:56AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Yeah you've got to stay positive, Ullr loves that shit.
Jan 13 2014 10:26AM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
well at least your not on the east coast So. Much. Rain.
Jan 14 2014 7:24PM
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KittenFactory
Posts: 189 - Karma: 2,288
How does he do iron crosses?!?!?!?!
Jan 14 2014 11:22PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Anyone been up in the ice fields parkway/ Bow summit area?

Thinking of going this weekend, and was wondering how it was.
Or any good lake Louise areas?
Jan 15 2014 11:32AM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Also wondering this. It was the topic of conversation on the skin track all day. Freezing level got pretty high at Rogers and it's supposed to keep climbing. Wondering if the ice fields parkway is going to fair better over the weekend. I assume they have the same shitty snowpack as the West side of the Rockies north of golden?
Jan 15 2014 8:21PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
I'll take any precipitation right now. Tahoe is literally brown and Caifornia is going to be a ball of fire this summer.
Jan 15 2014 10:02PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
It's been lousy, and the risk is high unfortunately. It's been warm and windy, which has just messed with all the snowpack everywhere. Probably won't go this weekend.

I guess they're saying the snowpack won't be good until spring
Jan 16 2014 12:37PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Typical Rockies. Didn't even bother going out today sadly. inversion here, Freezing level somewhere above the mountain tops. My buddies I was going to ski with today are on a mission for the alpine... almost a metre of new snow, strong winds all week, inverted snow pack, first sun the alpine is seeing since the storm with above freezing temps - decided against it.

Almost thinking this warm high pressure might be a good time to try and brush up on my park skills - Silver Star trip next week? wonder how their park is doing....
Jan 16 2014 1:46PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
If it makes you guys feel any better, I'm giving up skiing on Saturday to don crampons and go do some exploring/maintenance. It's that good out on the EC.
Jan 16 2014 2:07PM
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flatland
Posts: 726 - Karma: 77
I'm sure most of you are aware of the snowpack situation, but CAC just posted this:



Jan 16 2014 8:33PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
scary stuff.

The snowpack has been fucked for quite some time here in SW MT, but inbounds has been plenty of fun. Here's some shameless self promotion for you guys from a fun day at Bridger Bowl this week. Enjoy whatever turns you get!

Jan 17 2014 9:16AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807

Well pulled out on a traverse from Banff-Golden due to everything going wrong, so for a consolation prize went up into the s tip of the dogteeth range around parsons(up spillimacheen logging road) to Nicholson. Super beauty weather up there awesome views, stability is absolute shit. Settlements on pretty much all slopes, have to tip toe around and stick to things under 30 or less.

Dropped 2 cornices, one intentionally on a 35ish degree slope, went class 1-1.5 one massive fucker, probably abound 30feet long by 10feet wide, onto a slope and the debrie field was a tleast 400m long. Be careful out there, in one night of camping got whore frost 1.5inches thick on my skis overnight. lots of complex stuff to be worried about out there right now.

Jan 18 2014 9:56PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
heres a great writeup my buddy did on the traverse, lots of pics and epicness.
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php/273079-Photo-TR-Dogtooth-Range-S-traverse?p=4160885#post4160885

Click for larger image


Views!
Jan 19 2014 4:45PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Nice work on the Dogtooth. Bugaboo to Rogers next? Not a chance for this guy. Two friends of mine did it last spring and made it "easy enough".

So, today I finally got Forever Young. Tried three times last year and got shut down. Wasn't great conditions (really wind fucked alpine, and we weren't the first to make it to the couloir) but the warm sun more than made up for the not ideal conditions. 1650M vertical climb to the line, 10km to the top. 7 hours round trip.

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first look at the couloir and our accent while on the approach.

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sure are a lot of glacier in Glacier National Park. weird.

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500M down to the fan below.
Jan 20 2014 9:45PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
SEXY.
Jan 21 2014 1:56PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
^ awesome!

Do any of you guys have these type of poles? The longer grip is for touring so you can quickly grip lower or higher etc..
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They are Black Crows and inspired by some French guide poles, cant find that website right now..
I really liked the idea and made some myself. The Black Crows cost a staggering 100 euros (!) so making them myself was a no brainer..
I made some old poles longer with a piece of wood and the grip with some rope and heat shrinking rubber.. Its all very easy to do. Only the rope work sucks.. I wanted that rotating grip style so that was most of the work.. Next time I need to put something stronger on top, I forgot about that..
Result:
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Jan 21 2014 4:50PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
some more stoke from the last storm cycle


Jan 21 2014 8:31PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Just wanted to share this really cool Ski Utah video featuring the one and only SkiFishBum. For those of you that don't know, Dibs is the man. Living the dream one deep turn at a time!



Jan 22 2014 11:24AM
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
From WA live in CO tour both places. My setup is JJ's with fritschie freerides. Heavy but gets the job done
Jan 22 2014 12:03PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Quoting the OP made me chuckle. My setups have changed so much since then. Now I'm on 185 Worth Magics & CAST Si&Is (FKS18s/Radical STs) and 180 bushwackers with Radical STs and my touring boots are Sherpa 5/5s and K2 Pinnacle 130s.


What is everybody else on nowadays? I'm curious!
Jan 22 2014 12:14PM
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SamtheEagle
Posts: 1658 - Karma: 713
I am bad at the internet haha. I always end up doing quote reply on some random quote instead of clicking on the regular reply... i suck
Jan 22 2014 12:52PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Oh dude no worries, I'm glad you did. It made me think of how much things have changed in the relatively short time since this thread started. No suckage implied! :)
Jan 22 2014 2:12PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Snow is finally getting good around here. I've had 8 days skiing out of the last 9 and finally some decent touring. Really happy with how fit I'm feeling. More upcoming.

I'm on Watea 106s, Plum Guides and Vulcans this winter. All working well for me.

Shop friends have been on the 14/15 G3 Synapse Carbon 101 and 108 this week with the Ion bindings. Skis are reportedly really nice and lively in soft snow but scary as hell on hard stuff especially the 108. The Ion just seems to work. no better or worse than current Dynafit or Plum models, just another option.

Daily shots all winter on my blog - www.lornecameron.com - but here's some quick touring porn:

Scoping a route up from Plaine Joux:
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...and skiing Couloir De La Chorde in shit snow after 5.5 hours skinning and routefinding:
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Gear/fitness test in resort (guess which one of us has an NS account):
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Just catching enough of a break in the clouds to descend from the Loriaz Chalets:
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Today: accessing the Grand St Bernard monastery:
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...then dropping in above it:
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...and a shot from below:
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Jan 22 2014 6:33PM
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cwillygood
Posts: 6831 - Karma: 1,829
looks amazing! Really love that shot of the break in the clouds
Jan 22 2014 8:08PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
LOVING the perspective on that second to last shot. Brought me right there, I feel like I'm about to drop in for sloppy seconds once he chirps me :)
Jan 22 2014 8:16PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
praxis bc with dynafit rad for most touring. bigger stuff/spins caylors with guardians.
Jan 22 2014 8:21PM
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bfnradford
Posts: 921 - Karma: 100
im on Black diamond justice 185 cm, with dynafit rad FT, and for boots i have the garmont radium, with an intuition liner and a booster strap. im pretty stoked with everything, but the skis could be better on hard snow. In hindsight the carbon skis dont really seem necessary, my setup would be plenty light with a normal ski
Jan 23 2014 12:43AM
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ankhou
Posts: 505 - Karma: 238
Beauty! I'd love to get that this year, but I'll have to wait til after the next cycle. It'll be soundly shralped by now.
Jan 23 2014 1:21AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21083 - Karma: 8,459
All this talk about bad choices/decision making in this thread reminded me of this old, yet prime example of my good friend Lee Lyon making poor decisions in the Chilean backcountry. Watching it a second time, I'm just like, "No Lee! You're going too fast!!"


Jan 23 2014 2:01AM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
Man am I torn between skis for next year, and they haven't even been shown at SIA yet!!

Steeple 102, Raven

Decisions, decisions...
Jan 24 2014 1:30AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
18 year in the cough industry cough and he mounts/tunes pros skis
wheres that bums fuckin orange name cause he done been doin it for longer than most here
mt Carlyle stoke dumpages
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it puts the skis in the basket
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and party favors in the sling
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ya go up
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to get down
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came in on a few feet of
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fkna stellar dendrites
once the snows stopped and the graybirds departed the alpenglow showed up
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more ups
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n downs
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if youve ever done a hut yurt or lodge trip it's about skiing but a whole lot more
moon rises
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and sets
[IMG]http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y195/skifishbum/Mt%20Carlyse/IMG_6479_zpsa150e338.jpg[/IMG
Jan 24 2014 8:34AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
Click for larger image
ya eat well
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consume goods
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wake n bake
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perform morning rituals
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air drop the kids in a bucket thank thankfully you don't deal w/
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ya try n stay safe
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ya stare and ponder whatcha can or can't get up
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did i mention the needs to go up part
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[URL=http://s5.photobucket.com/user/skifishbum/media/Mt%20Carlyse/IMG_6617_zps9d2326b9.jpg.html]Click for larger image
sum are easier than others
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sooner sometimes later it's time to collect on your efforts
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TBC

Jan 24 2014 9:00AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesus Dibs. Nice work!



How are you liking those Kusalas? Kind of wondered how they compared to your 138s.
Jan 24 2014 10:46AM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
if/when i stop perusing this site every day i will still check this thread all the time, some of you dudes post the best shit

thanks
Jan 24 2014 11:05AM
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SurfaceHoar
Posts: 311 - Karma: 240
Looks like a great time.

Any pics up the lake a little further north of this one. Particularly the cut blocks on the w. face just across murphy creek from the cut in this pic?

Also any info you can provide on coverage down low. From the lake up to about 900m. would also be great.


Here is one looking back at Carlyle
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Jan 24 2014 11:31AM
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Loco-Deer-Slayer
Posts: 1401 - Karma: 701
Skied Mt. Superior, UT yesterday.

Early morning start
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Sunrise
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Ridge we followed up to Mt Superior's summit
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Little exposure near the summit
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Summit
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Jan 24 2014 1:05PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,143

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Jan 24 2014 1:09PM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
PPPPiiillloooowwsss
Jan 24 2014 1:10PM
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shredasaurus_rex
Posts: 28 - Karma: 30
I'm on 193 Atomic Automatics set up with Trackers, and Salomon Quest Max 130 boots. Heavy as sin but I've kinda gotten used to it over time, gotten up touring 13 or so times this year. The setup is super fun on the way down though, the Automatics are more fun to ski on than anything else I've been on. The only issue I've had is the bindings, the pivot screw in the toe wormed it's way loose once and occasionally I'll accidentally knock the heel riser down and go into insta-downhill mode - not fun on steep switchbacks! But those are basically non-issues now that I've used them a little more.

Also, just got into Rogers Pass today and yesterday, it's super stable and all the skintracks are well used. Beautiful day today on the Asulkan, should have brought sunscreen!
Jan 24 2014 9:03PM
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