Emery Medium Backcountry Skiing Binding — Museum Display

Post by WildSnow.com blogger Lou Dawson | August 2, 2011

Some guys like classic Jeeps, others like weird old ski mountaineering bindings. Some of us like both. Check this binding out. Donated to the WildSnow museum by well known skimo racer Pete Swenson, the Emery Medium is a basic plate/frame grabber. Goal with this unit is obviously weight savings as it forgoes vertical heel release and has no cam latch to hold the boot heel. Instead, the boot is held in by a heel strap and minimalist toe wire. Fixed value side release at the toe provides a bit of safety. Details and museum display here. Vintage is unknown, probably early 1980s. Anyone know the dates this thing was available?

Emery Medium backcountry skiing binding (with a modern boot.)

Posted by Lou Dawson on August 2, 2011 | Filed Under Binding Reviews, History
Tags: backcountry, Binding, emery, History, medium, ski, touring, vintage,

Comments

4 Responses to “Emery Medium Backcountry Skiing Binding — Museum Display”

MacKnee January 19th, 2012 4:37 am

I bought a pair of these when I was working in the Alps in 1984. I still have them. They were quite good unless you wanted to ski on them. Ramer made a much better binding which accepted plastic climbing boots. When I got back to the UK someone told me that the manufacturer was advising against using them for downhill skiing!
Mark January 19th, 2012 9:11 am

I had a pair of High Altitudes that I used quite a bit and another mostly plastic Emery binding built for glacier touring, I guess, that actually used a rubber band for the heel release. These were all 92-93 vintage.
Mark January 19th, 2012 9:15 am

The Chrono! It’s in the museum.
Bill C. September 20th, 2012 11:37 pm

Just got my self a pair a hardly used Emery Energy AT bindings. Yellow and White. Super light and have a similar const. to Fritchi. Only $50 can. funds. plus an older set of almost new Montana Montanyl skins for $40 more. Great day! Any recommendations on a good ski I could find for a bargain to get touring? I have a pair of Saloman 1080’s 177cm that I’m planning to use. Super light skis, just as the bindings are. Great forum! Cheers!

Got something to say? Please do so.

Name (required)

Email Address (will not be published) (required)

Website (not required)

Speak your mind

Anti-Spam Quiz: What do touring skiers use to carry their gear on their back? (Answer in English please.)

You can subscribe to comment notification by checking the box to left, but you must leave a brief comment to do so, which records your email and requires you to use our anti-spam challange. If you don't like leaving substantive comments that's fine, just leave a simple comment that says something like "thanks, subscribed" with a made-up name. Check the comment subscription checkbox BEFORE you submit.

If you need an emoticon for a comment just copy/paste off the following list, or use text code you might be familiar with.

:D :-) :( :lol: :x :P :oops: :cry: :evil: :twisted: :roll: :wink: :!: :?: :idea: :arrow:

Due to comment spam we moderate most comments. Please do not submit your comment twice -- it will appear shortly after approval. Comments with one or more links in the text may be held in moderation, for spam prevention. If you'd like to publish a photo in a comment, contact us. Guidelines: Be civil, no personal attacks, avoid vulgarity and profanity.