Comments on: Ten Tips for Randonnee AT Backcountry Skiing Newbies http://www.wildsnow.com/2009/tips-backcountry-skiing/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:43:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Scott http://www.wildsnow.com/2009/tips-backcountry-skiing/comment-page-1/#comment-41642 Scott Tue, 03 Jan 2012 07:16:35 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=2009#comment-41642 I'm just getting into the AT game this winter and some of the above comments are a little confusing to me. I have snowboarded and resort skied off and on for 15 years and for the last three years spent the majority of my time on snowshoes climbing and then snowboarding down. I find it much easier to board in the back country than at the resort. I don't have to deal with the chunky, icy, hard-packed ski area conditions and the inevitable minor falls are almost always in soft snow. I just purchased skis and bindings and the boots and skins will be on the way within a couple days; all of this to ask you: why do you suggest spending time at the resort getting used to the new gear (mileage aside) when the conditions are often more forgiving/easier/rewarding/fun off the resort? Am I missing something? I know the area and have spent a lot of time out there on my board.. Thanks I’m just getting into the AT game this winter and some of the above comments are a little confusing to me. I have snowboarded and resort skied off and on for 15 years and for the last three years spent the majority of my time on snowshoes climbing and then snowboarding down.
I find it much easier to board in the back country than at the resort. I don’t have to deal with the chunky, icy, hard-packed ski area conditions and the inevitable minor falls are almost always in soft snow.
I just purchased skis and bindings and the boots and skins will be on the way within a couple days; all of this to ask you: why do you suggest spending time at the resort getting used to the new gear (mileage aside) when the conditions are often more forgiving/easier/rewarding/fun off the resort? Am I missing something? I know the area and have spent a lot of time out there on my board..
Thanks

]]> By: Lisa Ingersoll http://www.wildsnow.com/2009/tips-backcountry-skiing/comment-page-1/#comment-35125 Lisa Ingersoll Tue, 12 Apr 2011 05:27:17 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=2009#comment-35125 Thanks, Lou. Yes, it does. I have a lot to learn! Thanks, Lou. Yes, it does. I have a lot to learn!

]]> By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/2009/tips-backcountry-skiing/comment-page-1/#comment-35115 Lou Mon, 11 Apr 2011 20:11:30 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=2009#comment-35115 Lisa, first, tech bindings such as Dynafit do not have DIN settings, they have release values that attempt to match what a DIN setting is, but they are not DIN settings. We use the term RV, not DIN, to keep that clear. As for your settings, figure out which way you released and perhaps set that mode (vertical or lateral) to 6 but leave the other at 5.5. BUT, before doing that learn how to be sure you are in the binding correctly with no ice blockage in your boot toe sockets nor in the pocket below the binding wings on the toe. Most people your size who have release problems with tech bindings are 1., not clearing ice, and 2., have a binding that's incorrectly set in terms of heel space or incorrectly mounted in some other fashion. As for your feet, that kind of pain is usually cause by too much foot movement, or too much pressure in one spot. To deal with that, the first step is to make sure you're using custom molded liners with custom footbeds. After you experiment with different ways of buckling the boot of course. If you never do figure out how to get your feet feeling right, sometimes you have to go to another model or model/brand of boot, but that's a last resort of course. I hope all that helps. Lou Lisa, first, tech bindings such as Dynafit do not have DIN settings, they have release values that attempt to match what a DIN setting is, but they are not DIN settings. We use the term RV, not DIN, to keep that clear.

As for your settings, figure out which way you released and perhaps set that mode (vertical or lateral) to 6 but leave the other at 5.5. BUT, before doing that learn how to be sure you are in the binding correctly with no ice blockage in your boot toe sockets nor in the pocket below the binding wings on the toe. Most people your size who have release problems with tech bindings are 1., not clearing ice, and 2., have a binding that’s incorrectly set in terms of heel space or incorrectly mounted in some other fashion.

As for your feet, that kind of pain is usually cause by too much foot movement, or too much pressure in one spot. To deal with that, the first step is to make sure you’re using custom molded liners with custom footbeds. After you experiment with different ways of buckling the boot of course. If you never do figure out how to get your feet feeling right, sometimes you have to go to another model or model/brand of boot, but that’s a last resort of course.

I hope all that helps. Lou

]]> By: Lisa Ingersoll http://www.wildsnow.com/2009/tips-backcountry-skiing/comment-page-1/#comment-35114 Lisa Ingersoll Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:19:02 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=2009#comment-35114 I am just getting into back country skiing. I have downhill skied (hiking a lot, some tele and cross country), so very comfy on the snow. I just bought 176mc BD aspect skis w/ dynafit bindings and Quadrant BD boots. By the end of a long day, the balls of feet really burn. My left on is killing me... and I am really not a whiner. Could I be hiking up wrong (shifting the heal lift higher too soon, etc.), keeping my boots to lose while climbing (heal comes up), or whatever....? I do have a high instep which is why I went w/ the quadrant. Another question... My DIN setting is at 5.5. My downhill skis have been at 6. I have come out of these dynafits in powder. I am 140Ilbs and 5'-10" and an expert skier. I am tempted to set them higher although that is not the manufacturer's suggestion. ANy thoughts? Thanks! I am just getting into back country skiing. I have downhill skied (hiking a lot, some tele and cross country), so very comfy on the snow. I just bought 176mc BD aspect skis w/ dynafit bindings and Quadrant BD boots. By the end of a long day, the balls of feet really burn. My left on is killing me… and I am really not a whiner. Could I be hiking up wrong (shifting the heal lift higher too soon, etc.), keeping my boots to lose while climbing (heal comes up), or whatever….? I do have a high instep which is why I went w/ the quadrant.

Another question… My DIN setting is at 5.5. My downhill skis have been at 6. I have come out of these dynafits in powder. I am 140Ilbs and 5′-10″ and an expert skier. I am tempted to set them higher although that is not the manufacturer’s suggestion. ANy thoughts?

Thanks!

]]> By: Lou http://www.wildsnow.com/2009/tips-backcountry-skiing/comment-page-1/#comment-31526 Lou Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:59:48 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=2009#comment-31526 Jonathan? Jonathan?

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