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Getting up steep terrain

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Valci
Posts: 14 - Karma: 25
so here's the issue. I'm aware that for the most part AT bindings/boots and skinning is the go to setup for skiers with snowshoeing being frowned upon... however i've had an issue last Feb while in Solden - Austria. I will say that i wasnt using an AT setup at the time but i also don't imagine it would have helped me much. To reach particularly interesting pockets of pow i had to hike at 2700m+ altitudes on particularly steep terrain which had me in essence going up the mountain in ski boots, in knee deep snow with my skis on my back. I'm wondering if anyone has a workaround for that... is carrying snowshoes and (regular) boots in/on my pack an option anyone has attempted or is the weight and hassle of changing boots while on the mountain too much? any other options? thanks...
Nov 18 2019 3:33AM
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
Check out Verts snow shoes
Nov 18 2019 4:03AM
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Valci
Posts: 14 - Karma: 25
YUNG_milksteAkCheck out Verts snow shoes


thanks, will do. I'm assuming this means they are compatible with ski boots? ... or do i have to mount some particular binding on them?
Nov 18 2019 5:14AM
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YUNG_milksteAk
Posts: 1437 - Karma: 4,328
Valcithanks, will do. I'm assuming this means they are compatible with ski boots? ... or do i have to mount some particular binding on them?


I believe you can just use your ski boots
Nov 18 2019 4:26PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,050
Verts might help a little, but what you're describing isn't really what they're made for. Instead, what you're looking for is literally an AT setup. That's exactly why they exist - to help skiers access terrain through deep snow.
Nov 18 2019 7:42PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12548 - Karma: 116,900
Bro how long did it take to boot pack 2700m of vertical
Nov 18 2019 7:54PM
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YeetCannon
Posts: 114 - Karma: 299
snowshoes will change your life brah. The boots/shoes weigh a LOT less than the skis already on your back.
Nov 18 2019 9:34PM
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snowmosexual
Posts: 1933 - Karma: 10,027
I've always done bootpacking or ridge walking in my ski boots without any crampons or additional tools. I've never had any major issues. I've used race boots with flat plastic soles on some gnarly ridges. Sure it's not the most comfortable thing, but I dont know if anything would make it significantly better.
Nov 18 2019 9:50PM
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Biffbarf
Posts: 6855 - Karma: 73,250
If you're goin up couloirs that are too steep to skin up, snowshoes probably won't help. The only way to make it easier is if you went with a buddy or took a common route that had a staircase packed out already. Otherwise, get in better shape.

There's a reason lifts are installed. If climbing mountains to ski down them was easy,everyone would do it.
Nov 18 2019 10:07PM
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SuspiciousFish
Posts: 2794 - Karma: 16,912
Its not good for a long hike but for shorter really steep boot packs or if you have to climb up a face to get a lost ski etc there is a really good technique you can use. Take both (or one) of your skis and lock them together with the bindings like you are going to carry them. Hold the skis horizontally over your head at arms length and push them into the snow. This will create a little shelf that you can use to pull yourself up with. Once you get up to your skis repeat the process until you get where you need. Certainly not ideal but it works in a pinch.
Nov 18 2019 11:48PM
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Valci
Posts: 14 - Karma: 25
TRVP_ANGELBro how long did it take to boot pack 2700m of vertical


lol... i wish... it was 2700 to 2900ish vertically... that was just the starting altitude (up to where the closest lift went)...
Nov 19 2019 2:10AM
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Valci
Posts: 14 - Karma: 25
cydwhitVerts might help a little, but what you're describing isn't really what they're made for. Instead, what you're looking for is literally an AT setup. That's exactly why they exist - to help skiers access terrain through deep snow.


yeah mate... i get what you're saying but the ascent (or part of it at least) was at such an angle that it would have been impossible to skin it... parts of the ascent were done on all fours more or less

and thanks for the replies everyone... i especially liked the "get in better shape" bit of advice... but fair enough... i was certainly in better shape in my 20s than i am in my 30s :)))

**This post was edited on Nov 19th 2019 at 2:21:25am

**This post was edited on Nov 19th 2019 at 2:24:06am
Nov 19 2019 2:12AM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9439 - Karma: 62,485
i think the part you're missing about a skinning setup is that they are way better at traversing

commonly you’ll still have to take your skis off and bootpack up parts of your route, but until it’s that steep and/or skinny you can make cutbacks up pretty damn steep aspects and be on top of the snow for as long as possible

snowshoes are awesome for more mild exploring, I’m a big fan, but for what you’re describing, skin setups are the preferred option for a reason

those Vert things may be useful in some situations, but I haven’t tried them so I can’t comment on that
Nov 19 2019 10:06AM
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Valci
Posts: 14 - Karma: 25
SofaKingSicki think the part you're missing about a skinning setup is that they are way better at traversing

commonly you’ll still have to take your skis off and bootpack up parts of your route, but until it’s that steep and/or skinny you can make cutbacks up pretty damn steep aspects and be on top of the snow for as long as possible

snowshoes are awesome for more mild exploring, I’m a big fan, but for what you’re describing, skin setups are the preferred option for a reason

those Vert things may be useful in some situations, but I haven’t tried them so I can’t comment on that


I can absolutely get behind that and for any extended trek I'd be switching to an AT setup in a second. My scenario was some 45min to an hour and change climb depending on fitness levels (with me being on the longer end of that spectrum lol) from the closest lift drop off... which I wouldn't necessarily give up my full tilt and freeride ski setup for... hence my initial query, plus the steepness. In essence I was wondering if there was a tool to help with advancing on the steep parts faster (where having a skinning setup or not is not really the issue)... obviously skinning would be the preferred option in a general sense.

**This post was edited on Nov 19th 2019 at 11:51:48am
Nov 19 2019 11:48AM
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