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Backcountry
Skiing Bindings
Virtual Museum (collection index) |
Through years of testing and
product development, backcountry skiing bindings have progressed
from simple cable bindings to engineered machines that represent
state-of-art materials science and mechanicals. This collection
of backcountry skiing bindings covers the full historical range
of modern bindings. |
Emery Chrono 1991
Backcountry Skiing Alpine Touring Binding
As early Dynafits came on the scene, other binding makers tried to enter the lightweight game. In 1991 the Emery Chrono was a contender, and somewhat popular among the fanatic light-and-fast crowd. While basically a plate (frame) binding, the Chrono had one incredibly innovative feature: A vertical heel release that was built into the heel clamp lever, with spring tension provided by rubber bands. Check it out.
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Complete Emery Chrono binding shown above. Binding is in tour mode with climbing lift in up position. Please click photo for larger version or click here for zoom presentation.
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| Heel clamp shown above. Note black rubber band that provides safety release tension for backcountry skiing. You add rubber bands to increase release tension. Check out our video to see how it works. I doubt anyone has ever invented a ski binding vertical release mechanism this light. |
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| To change between touring and downhill with latched heel, these pins slide in and out of holes in the bottom of the binding plate. The same system is used on Emery's other model binding from the same period. Video shows how it works. |
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| This backcountry skiing binding's toe jaw couldn't be simpler -- just an aluminum wing that you raise and lower using shims. Plus-minus adjustment shown at top is for side release tension that uses an ingenious combination of ramp and vertical compression spring. When the jaw rotates, it climbs up a ramp and thus meets resistance from the spring, creating release tension. While not ideal in terms of elasticity and friction, this weighs a fraction of most other toe-wing style release systems. |
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In all, we're still amazed that a plate binding could be made this light in weight. While probably not suitable for high energy extreme skiing, the Chrono no doubt stood steed for many excellent tours in the early 1990s.
Weight (one binding with screws and adapter): 17.2 oz, 488 gr
Thanks goes to David Erskine for donating these
bindings to the WildSnow collection.
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 (All material on this website is copyrighted. Permission is required for any reproduction, electronic or . Recreation is dangerous -- you may be killed or severely injured if you choose to do backcountry skiing, 4-wheeling, four wheel drive trails, hiking, driving, or any other back country sport. All information on this website is intended only as general information for a variety of aspects of outdoor activities including backcountry skiing. While the authors and editors of the information in this website make every effort to present useful information, due to human error and passing time, information within this website may be inaccurate, false, or out-of-date. You agree to use any information, maps, photos, or binding mounting instuctions or templatates with care and at your own risk, and waive Wildsnow.com its owners and contributors of any liability. Backcountry skiing and snowboarding are spoken here.)MERE FLEXUS ... NIX INDOMITUS
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