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Need Help With B.C Setup

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[Steeze_Please]
Posts: 281 - Karma: 279
Hey guys looking for some advice for my gear setup for next year. I currently live on the east coast and mainly ski park however last winter I took a trip out to red mountain for the week and loved it. I am now planning on moving out their for the winter next year and was looking for some advice. As far as skis I was looking towards the 4frnt Hoji in 187. I am 6 foot 1 and 175lbs, it would be mainly for skiing powder in the trees as well as trips to other resorts to hit open bowls and such so really looking for a solid all around one ski quiver for out west. Also me and my buddies are planning to do some hiking out there and I was looking for some advice on this. First of all, snowshoes or touring bindings. I was assuming with ski boots on that touring would be a lot easier but am not really too sure. For touring bindings I was leaning towards the salomon guardian. Also as far as avalanche equipment goes would it be worth it to buy for the year or to just rent? Finally my current boots are full tilt high fives and I was wondering if these would be acceptable with a touring set up or if i would need different boots. Thanks guys and any help would be much appreciated.

Sparknotes: heading out west for a season ski recommendations (info on 4frnt Hoji), touring bindings over snowshoes, which touring bindings, and if my full tilt high fives will be acceptable.
Feb 10 2013 12:50AM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
The Hojis are amazing but get the 195 - they ski super short. For reference i'm only 5 foot 6 & 175lbs and loved the 195s - playful and maneuverable but stable and fast. I think at your height you'll end up wanting more ski if you go for the 187.

Do not under any circumstances try hiking with snow shoes - buy touring gear. Any of the Guardian/Tracker bindings or Duke/Barons will do if you'll be using them in the resort a lot as well. There are a few pros/cons with each, searches on TGR and here will give you more info. If you're looking for a binding just for touring then get Dynafits.

You can tour in Alpine boots (I did for ages) but once you tour with a lighter boot with a walk mode you'll realise how much nicer and more efficient it is. There are more and more hybrid boots now like the Tecnica Cochise which combine some touring features with downhill performance. Ultimately getting new boots really depends on your budget and how much touring and the length of tours you plan to do.

Again with renting/buying avi gear it really depends how much you plan to tour. I'd recommend buying - it's an investment and you'll get familiar with the gear which is vital. On a related note and more important than any of the gear talk - TAKE AN AVALANCHE COURSE. No point having gear if you don't know how to use it. No point touring if you don't know the basics of avoiding danger and staying as safe as possible.


Feb 10 2013 1:52AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
Quality first post from @minihef. If I were you, I'd purchase transceiver, shovel, probe, rather than rent. Learn how to use them and practice with your gear, until it becomes like muscle memory.

I'm one of those guys with the cross over AT/Alpine boots. Mine don't have tech soles, they just have a walk mode, but so far for days tours I don't have any major complaints. I think if I was doing multi-day hut/camp tours then I would want something light, that is less of a traditional alpine boot. But for day tours where for most the descent is more import than the ascent (at least for me), they work well, and reduce the need for a boot quiver; they are now my only pair.

Since you're just getting into to touring, I'd reccomend picking up a pair of dukes or guardians/trackers, to see how much you like it before dropping the cash on a tech set up. You've got a pretty big selection to choose from: - mfd plates, duke epf, baron, guardian/tracker, adrenalin etc. http://aslansskiblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/guardian-duke-epf-mfd-and-adrenalin.html
Be careful not to get lured into the alpine trekker trap, now considering the above, they aren't the best solution for guys not wanting to invest in a tech set up. I toured on mine for 3/4 of a season, and I wouldn't reccomend them to others. They don't give a real impression of what touring is like, even going from trekkers to duke/baron I found the ascent much more enjoyable. I also found they don't interface well with certain brands of bindings, notable rossi/look, or any other brand with a high heel piece design.

Sorry if some of this is incomprehensible, I typed this up quick, whilst waiting for a train. If you've got any questions, feel free to pm me, Joey
Feb 10 2013 8:53AM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
I second this - if you try trekkers you will have some bad days out, get really pissed, and end up buying touring bindings anyway, especially if you try using them with FKS type heelpieces.


They ship from Europe but have some really cheap prices. The only issue i've heard is people buying items that are listed as not currently in stock. If items are listed as in stock apparently they are shipped pretty quickly. The other option is the gear sale thread on TGR - dukes/barons often go for cheap on there, just make sure you get the right size depending on your boot sole length.
Feb 10 2013 11:19AM
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[Steeze_Please]
Posts: 281 - Karma: 279
Thanks a lot man much appreciated, great help. I think I will just stick with my boots than as its not like we will be touring overnight and that is all we will be doing, plus considering I am on a budget. Thanks for the advice on the Hoji's as I was torn between the 187 and 195. Thanks again you were a great help.
Feb 10 2013 10:05PM
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[Steeze_Please]
Posts: 281 - Karma: 279
Thanks for the info dude. Yeah I think i am leaning towards the guardians with the full tilts i'm rocking now, thanks for all the info.
Feb 10 2013 10:06PM
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