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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
i wish i had the dough to try out the new dynafit beasts next year...
Mar 7 2013 12:14PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Yeah I use Plums. They work fine but I've had some issues and no brakes is a bit of a bummer (I made some from G3 Onyx brakes which are still a bit sketchy). If I was buying again I'd just get Radical FTs and tear off the plate between the toe and heel and deal with the slight increase in weight and less shiny metal parts.

Whoever is talking about wider mounts for improved tear-out resistance, it's all bullshit. Four screws placed wider offer no more pull-out strength than the standard platform; tear-outs are caused by the fact that tech toes have zero elasticity. More power transmission? That's debatable. FKS heels seem to drive big skis fine, eh? The wider Plums are reportedly wider than the binding matt in most skis anyway, meaning tear-outs are more likely, not less likely.
Mar 7 2013 12:46PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
I'm not just talking about tech bindings, I'm talking about ALL ski bindings. I've had it happen to me more than once, ruining both skis and bindings in the past. There is a reason companies started making wider mounts on bindings as wider skis became popular. It's science.
Mar 7 2013 12:55PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

No, it's marketing. 

Having a binding ripping out is most likely related to a crap mount, a crap core or both.  Sometimes yeah if you're a beast you'll pull a heel out, but you're probably breaking the ski too- but no mount point would change that, least of all one that pushes the holes closer to the edge of the retention plate, which is designed to contain the stresses of the mount, not the softer core around it.   

I dunno, if it makes you feel better, buy it.  I think people make too much out of the width of the mount though.  It means shit unless you have a big stack height and even then the difference is negligible, as in 99% of it is in your head. 

Mar 7 2013 4:34PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I couldn't choose between Radicals and Plums last fall and ended up going with the Radicals because there was someone selling them NIB on TGR for 400 shipped. The brakes don't really stop my skis at all, and are about as minimalist as possible.

As for the carbon plate, consensus seems to be that it is a load of crap, but I left it on there and I have nothing to compare it to so I'm ok with it. I probably wouldn't include it if I did it over again but it doesn't really matter to me.

Is there a difference between the ST and FT? Looks like the ST is just the FT sans carbon plate...
Mar 8 2013 2:50PM
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forrest-cole
Posts: 1145 - Karma: 495
Peaked out the past 3 days in a row, taking a day off and then skiing some powder! Good times


Yesterdays mission!

Click for larger image

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Mar 8 2013 2:55PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
Higher release values on the heel and no plate, pretty much. The toes are identiccal anyway.
Mar 8 2013 3:10PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Wait the st has higher release value on the heel?
Mar 8 2013 5:07PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
I just looked at the Dynafit site and it says that the ST heel has 4-10, while the FT has 5-12.
Mar 8 2013 9:21PM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Went in the Revelstoke slack country today. we hit backside kokanee, which was pretty sick. have some pictures gonna post them later.
Mar 8 2013 9:49PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
So my buddies and I tried to ski decker on Thursday. Weather said sunny and a high of -5 which is awesome touring weather. We get up to the bottom of glacier chair, all upper lifts are on stand-bye and it's pea soup. Such a bummer, maybe next week.

This is decker:
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And this was what it looked like from the window in the lodge:
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Weather Network dun fucked up.
Mar 8 2013 10:15PM
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danimal5
Posts: 243 - Karma: 38
If anyone in the Nelson/Whitewater area wants to do any tours this week I will be at Whitewater all week ready to go. call me out at the hill. i have opuses with atomic trackers
Mar 9 2013 9:52PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
so I don't care what you guys say, I think a wider mount is better on wider skis. :P

right... anyways - it's a struggle here in the kootenays these days. There is "good" snow out there, but knowing where to look is key. Damn El Nino's and it's warm Pineapple Express'. How did the PNW fair from last weeks storm?
Mar 9 2013 10:42PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
horribly.

rained a bunch, then snowed a few inches, bout to rain a whole bunch this week. march has been one of the most consistent months for the pnw in the past few years but so far its not looking good.
Mar 9 2013 10:47PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
No rain in the rockies :D. Just heavy snow on sugary facets :( lol. Nice wet snow sure filled in some spring lines though. Once we start getting into a solid Melt Freeze cycles going through should have a bunch of stoke to toss on here!
Mar 10 2013 12:50AM
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MADr.
Posts: 2193 - Karma: 27
Oh, it was pretty good yesterday up high.

Click for larger image

But yeah, all that rain in the forecast looks ugly.
Mar 10 2013 9:54PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
i saw your pictures! im jealous of your adventures, iv always wanted to ski off shuksan. hoping to head up there this spring, i bet those were some pretty darn perfect conditions.
Mar 10 2013 10:14PM
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the-big-lepowski
Posts: 1212 - Karma: 541
Any cascades folks or anyone else who is down on the weather for the coming week, come with me to interior BC from the 18th til the 24th. I might make a separate thread about this later this week, but I'm headed to Whitewater, Red or Revelstoke. I'll choose where based on best base and best forecast/recent snow. I'll be living in my truck, so anyone with an RV setup or similar car-camping setup would be ideal. Generally, storm days are for inbounds/sidecountry, bluebird in the backcountry. Special focus on pillow chasing, maybe big lines if stability is good. Any locals looking for company too, I will repay your kindness in good company, beer and a firm refusal to spill the beans in the future on under-visited fun zones.
Any interest?
Mar 10 2013 11:02PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Well not from the Cascades but Live in Louise. Keen to meet up in Rogers pass if your in Revy or else may be down in whitewater at some point in the near future hitting the hill/slack/kootenay pass. Msg me up closer to when you head out and let me know what your plan is.
Mar 10 2013 11:10PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
So Red/Whitewater area is kind of hurting right now. Reports from down there is that north facing is skiable. around Revy/Rogers right now anything 2000M and up north facing is skiing really well and stable. below 2000M and anything in the sun has a nasty crust on it. I'm not saying don't come to the kootenays, I'm just saying that things aren't what they normally are this time of year.

We're still bagging sick lines every day up here - I'd say give Red/WH20/Kootenay Pass some healing time before skiing that area.
Mar 10 2013 11:54PM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Click for larger image
My buddy Steve midway down a run in the Revy slack. fall line, 400M vert, diving boards for your popping pleasure.

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Steve again... another Revy slack run. double dog's leg chute. I straightlined the shit out of the last leg of the chute - came out HOT!

Off tomorrow to bag another slackcountry chute. Snow conditions are crap overall up here right now, but if you know where to look, things are skiing very nice!
Mar 11 2013 12:05AM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
The first one is highway bowl right?

btw sick line man , props
Mar 11 2013 12:19AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Hmmm revy might not suck so much after all hahahaha. Gotta get out for some laps off that hill sometime. Or maybe next year I'll just sack up and head out of the Rockies for a season.
Mar 11 2013 12:21AM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Revy is not that bad, the mountain is nice but I was bummed when I came here.

Too much traverse, the lower mountain is skiable for a month or so, and more, but you can def. have some fun, and if you have a touring set-up it's even better.
Mar 11 2013 12:27AM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807

Yea I'm not coming for the resort, came there felt the same disapointment. I mean hey on deep days theres plenty of things inbounds the chuckyourself off anyways so that will be fine. And I just like the closer proximity to rogers and the monashee's and the fact that I should hopefully have a sled next year since I now have a working vehicle.

On another note any revelstokians have any beta/info on skiing mt Begbie this year. Really want to do it, I hear its better with a sled in but I honestly don't mind if it takes me 9-10hours to do it it just sounds like a cool peak to bag and ski but wouldn't turn down a sled ride ahahaha.

Mar 11 2013 12:32AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Well then it is!  :)

whatever you feel the most confident on, I say use.  People have skied just about anything we will ever touch on leather boots, edgeless 220cm wooden skis and in non release bindings while wearing woolies and a cap.  I try to remember that most of the time, it helps me not nitpick my gear so much haha

Mar 11 2013 10:01AM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
I went touring for the first time a coupe weeks ago with my dad. The lines get so long at whistler and there is so much terrain. Anyone ever have any problems with skis with a lot of rocker and skins?
Mar 11 2013 1:45PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Yes if it is a real hardpacked skin track. You gotta really stay standing up straight and nice and centered on your ski.
Mar 11 2013 1:46PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

It's fine for breaking trail and soft snow, but a packed-down skintrack will be far more slippery in a zero or negative camber ski since there's less contact with the skin and the skintrack.  I used to have a pair of Whitedot Redeemers that were mostly rocker and they were crap on icy skintracks.  Beats you up when you start slipping, y'know? 

Mar 11 2013 1:58PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
makes sense. I guess I should get new boots considering I'm using full tilts with the 4mm forward lean inserts
Mar 11 2013 2:01PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
O once you get a touring boot you will never go back hahaha. My personal recommendation is the Dynafit mercury, such a nice boot. Theres lots of other options out there though and the mercury is pretty expensive might be better to get it in the off season.
Mar 11 2013 2:04PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Best touring boot is the one that fits...
Mar 11 2013 3:24PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Yes it definitely has to fit thats the same with any boot haha. Still I fit in multiple boots and found the Mercury was the best boot for my riding style. Tried on the new Scarpa maestro or whatever, not a fan of how it has a bit of play before the flex engages just not a very solid feeling boot. Same with the Garmont. The Mercury actually felt really tight on my right foot when I bought it but with 2 pairs of socks and 2 toe caps and taking out the foot bed it fits perfect lol. 70days on them and no blisters.
Mar 11 2013 3:30PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Oh or sure I get what your saying. Dynafit boots look like the best right now. Hopefully getting a tech setup soon, would be nice for when I'm lugging around camera gear!
Mar 11 2013 3:33PM
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ShredMasterPlus
Posts: 1159 - Karma: 807
Yea i'm that guy with the super light dynafit boots and the heaviest binding the duke lol. Will get dynafits eventually when I sack up and drop the loot.
Mar 11 2013 3:36PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Can anyone comment for the Garmont Deliriums, do they live up to the claimed 130 flex?
Mar 12 2013 5:59AM
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SurfaceHoar
Posts: 311 - Karma: 240
Since we are on the subject of boots, as much as I don't like it, I think a removable toe/heel is critical. The toe pinchers on a dynafit toe piece are very strong metal. The metal in the boot toe is soft. This means that over time, the boot will wear and the connection to the binding will become lax. You'll start to hear creaking and cracking coming from the toe piece. The solution is to replace the boots toe. If you can't remove the toe piece from the boot, you are screwed and will need new boots.

Fat/rockers skis are great for breaking trail, but slip easier on an established skin track. It's kinda like narrow snow tires/wide snow tires.

I think the beast is a nice looking binding, but I would never give up the ability to walk flat. Especially since I rarely use the riser. IMHO the speed is still the best touring binding on the market.
Mar 12 2013 11:05AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I know a guy on a pair that breaks everything.  Two pairs of Mobe's, Three pairs of Maestrale RSs, two pairs of cochises, you name it he's worn it out and broken it.  He's on Deliriums now and loves them.  Not only do they fit his clydesdale hoof, he says they have a nice stiff flex and that he feels comfortable skiing on them.  They've also held up to him using them perfectly, so to be honest- even though it's heavy I'm not aware of a tougher, more durable boot on the market.  If you're huge, I totally recommend them.   

Mar 12 2013 12:06PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Hopefully I'm upgrading to a tech set up next season, and I really don't like soft flexing boots. I was considering the Titan ULs or the Maestrale RS but I heard they don't live up to the advertised 120 flex, as it is, I wouldn't want to go much softer than a 120 flex.

Maybe you might be able to chip, but I heard the stock liners in the Delirium is quite heavy, so I might be able to drop some weight by putting in a powerwrap.
Mar 12 2013 2:55PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
anyone ever used praxis bc?
Mar 12 2013 2:59PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I was considering these for next season, so I did do a little bit of reading on them. It was only the prospects (and costs) of shipping to Europe from the states that turned me off. If I remember, there is some discussion about them over on TGR.
Mar 12 2013 3:03PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6304 - Karma: 6,595
Whats going on in Revy for the next few days as far as conditions??? i might be leaving tonight from WA for a last minute trip.
Mar 12 2013 4:20PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

Yes.  Great ski. 

Very traditional feel, traditional turn shape, but the rocker up front really eases initiation for quick edge transfers.  Good all around ski for touring for sure, was there something specific you wanted to know about them? 

Mar 12 2013 4:29PM
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fghtoffyrdmns
Posts: 2999 - Karma: 6,902
looking to get into touring, any recommendations? i live in montana and theres def some dope zones
Mar 12 2013 4:38PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
not really, iv been on caylors and gaurdians all season but am kinda a wimp when it comes to lugging those things around all day. plus next season i will most likely be in norway at a guide school kinda thing so i will touring 100 plus days. not trying to do that on caylors haha.

id be mounting them with radicals and they would be used pretty much only for pow skiing so im not too worried about skiing groomers/hardpack/crud. im 510, 145 so im not a big guy but i can ski pretty well.

maybe if you know how they do going fast? in variable pow, boiler plate?
Mar 12 2013 4:50PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
all i know is that it's gona be shitty around here, and this storm will most likely result in pow for the interior. if i didnt have school/soccer/work i would totally join you douuggggg
Mar 12 2013 4:51PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
^Vicik tours on end of season sale?
Mar 12 2013 4:55PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
ya i was talking to them a few days ago, i was seeing if they could change the construction a bit so that theyre a little lighter. theyre 4.5 pounds per ski and i was looking for something like 3.75-4.2 pounds a ski. but i love that ski so it's definitely up there on the list.
Mar 12 2013 5:00PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
tychoon tours
Mar 12 2013 5:11PM
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GANDALF
Posts: 6304 - Karma: 6,595
thats what im hoping.
Mar 12 2013 5:13PM
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