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clmbrdancer
Nov 22, 2004, 11:10 AM
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So I'm about to finish buying an AT setup; I've already got the skis, poles, bindings, boots.
When buying skins, should I buy them as wide as the narrowest part of the ski or a few mm smaller?
Ski lesh? Worth it or could I use p-cord.
Ski-crampons?
What other things should I have or _must_ I have?
Cheers,
Brad
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going-up
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Nov 22, 2004, 11:43 AM
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Ski crampons rock in the spring or on icey snow. Other than that i donīt use them. If you have the money and will be skiing alot on the spring, buy them.
I tele and use leashs. Their much nicer than p-cord(easier to take off and put on your skis) so i would say buy some.
For the skins i got mine a little wider than the waist(cuz they were on sale) and trimmed them down. It also give you more gripp but less edging. I really donīt think it matters as long as they are not to small.
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timstich
Nov 22, 2004, 3:07 PM
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Sounds like you have the full length climbing skins, but you could also get some kicker skins. Those let you glide better on the flats.
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atg200
Nov 22, 2004, 3:33 PM
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i generally use brakes on my AT setup - i only use leashes in deep powder. leashes + avalanche = screwed.
i buy my skins fat and trim them so they match the edges. you'll be able to skin up steeper stuff that way.
i almost never use crampons on my skis, but there are a few conditions they are nice for. i generally just start booting when it gets that dicey. an easy thing to not bother with right now if you are strapped for cash.
don't forget the most important stuff - shovel, probe, and beacon.
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dingus
Nov 22, 2004, 3:37 PM
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Dude, your skis are shaped and so should your skins. Some people pay ski shops to let a minimum wage teenager cut their skins but it is totally unnecessary.
So you buy the fattest skins the shovel of your skis will tolerate. If yor're out at 120 mm, buy 110's. Ascensions come with shaping instructions and a razor knife to do the job. It takes 5 minutes per skin and even a total noob can do it.
Shaping your skins to your skis does make them a matched set though, and using those skins on other skis is pretty much out.
Lastly, get the tail clip kind. The new ascension lever approach is nice. I like it. Also used the rubber tip kind, they come off easier.
The skins without a tail piece will cause you to curse sooner or later.
And kicker skins are a waste of money for serious back country up and downers.
Don't forget your beacon and the know how to use it (and NOT USE IT, if you get my.... drift)
DMT
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alpnclmbr1
Nov 22, 2004, 3:45 PM
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Avy beacon
snow shovel
Avy probe (or probe poles)
snow analysis tools.
Helmet
self arrest grip for your poles and/or a light ice axe
ski brakes are safer. (use avy cord tucked in your pants leg for deep powder)
heel lift for the bindings
crampons for the bindings
repair kit for bindings and skins
face mask
insulated camelback(if it is cold it will still freeze)
spray bottle of silicon.
narrow well fitted pack
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gottarock
Nov 22, 2004, 4:45 PM
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hey welcome to the BC...
skins - buy them almost as wide as the tips of yer ski's and cut to fit. instructions come with the skins and is a simple procedure. rule of thumb is 2mm. in from ski's edge.
leash - NO WAY! you get caught in an avy and you're gonna get f^ck*d up! get ski brakes. only way to go.
ski crampons - very Euro technique. aplicable for glacier travel. not really necessary. get real crampons and you've got a multi purpose tool. something like B.D. Sabertooth or similar.
avy gear and the knowledge of how to use it....
beacon
shovel probe for starters.
Take a avy awareness course!!!!!
buy and read copies of Bruce Tremper's ' Staying alive in avalanche terrain' and 'Snow Sense' by Fredston & Fesler.
most of all pay attention when skiing the BC.... Mother Nature is a harsh mistress, she will not forgive you if you make a mistake!
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timstich
Nov 22, 2004, 4:49 PM
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In reply to: And kicker skins are a waste of money for SERIOUS back country up and downers.
THANKS DINGUS. I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT IF YOU ARE SERIOUS, YOU WILL NOT BE GLIDING AROUND LOW ANGLE TERRAIN LIKE A LITTLE GIRL.
BURT BRONSON
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scallywag
Nov 22, 2004, 5:04 PM
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getting fat skins is not neccessary.
getting them as wide as the narrowest width of your skis (like you asked in the first place) is good advice and all you need.
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elvislegs
Nov 22, 2004, 5:19 PM
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what dingus said.
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dingus
Nov 22, 2004, 5:52 PM
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Charlie don't surf. And....
BURT DON'T SKI!
DMT
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couchwarrior
Nov 22, 2004, 6:17 PM
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I agree with Dingus and ATG2000. Buy your skins fat and trim them - nice to have maximum gription when skinning up steep slopes.
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travelin_light
Nov 22, 2004, 6:47 PM
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true that you need to maximize the surface area of your skins by cutting to fit... i am sure it helps a little. but your not really putting much weight on the ends anyhow just the middle. i guess i like to be able to interchange them with other skis and always have a fit. my $.02.
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slobmonster
Nov 22, 2004, 7:14 PM
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In reply to: get the tail clip kind. The new ascension lever approach is nice. I like it.
Also, with regards to shaping skins to match skis: can you then fold them on themselves so no sticky-side is exposed? I've always stored my skins this way, and in funky weather I can stick them in my jacket to keep them from freezing. Granted, for once-up, once-down tours, this point would be moot.
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atg200
Nov 23, 2004, 4:00 AM
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i fold my trimmed skins up. the sticky bits hanging out have never been a huge deal for me.
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jaybird2
Nov 23, 2004, 5:15 AM
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I always stick the skins to each other, that way no sticky is exposed.
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scott_davidson
Nov 23, 2004, 5:43 AM
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You can still pull the skins off with the clips on the tails of the skins, its not even really harder cause its easier to grab the tail. That being said, both of my clips ripped off soon after buying the skins, black diamonds by the way. At first i was pissed but now after seeing that the clip wasnt really needed, and that the skins stay on just as good, its ok.
Do you guys spray something on your skins to keep snow from balling up in warm snow? I just read something about silicon spray above and thought maybe that is what that is for. I had the worst problems with that this summer when it was hot out.
scott
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maculated
Nov 23, 2004, 6:00 AM
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You shouldn't need clips. Get self adhesive and fold them in thirds like ATG200 says, then you won't expose sticky, and you won't have huge, long skins in your pack.
And when you trim them, have fun!
http://www.rockclimbing.com/...p.cgi?Detailed=23404
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clmbrdancer
Nov 25, 2004, 6:15 PM
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Registered: Dec 15, 2003
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So after reading and thinking about everybody's advice, here is what I think I'll do:
Skins:
buying the BD Standard skins at 95mm (fattest part of my ski is 102)
Brakes/leshes:
Buying brakes. I suppose i could use p-cord for leshes on glacial travel?
Avy course:
Already signed up for one this coming Dec. 2004.
Saftey Equipment :
Since I'll be skiing mostly at resorts (inbounds, until I get my techinque down pat), I won't need probes/beacons just yet. For any BC travel I do end up doing, I won't need them as I'll be using the skis for access to ice climbs.
Cheers!
Brad
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