– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures

– The Backcountry Ski Touring Blog

Banner
  • Avalanches
  • Gear Reviews
    • Ski Reviews
    • Boot Reviews
    • Binding Reviews
    • Snowboard Splitboard
    • Book Reviews
    • Avalanche Beacon Reviews
    • Airbag Backpacks
    • Backcountry Electronics
    • Misc Gear Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Tips & Tricks
    • Ski Touring Basics
    • Boot Fitting
    • Fitness & Health
    • Gear Mods
  • Trip Reports
    • Fourteeners
    • Huts – Cabins – Lodges
    • Denali McKinley
    • 8,000 Meter Skiing
  • Stories
    • History
    • Humor
    • Land Use Issues
    • Evergreen Ski Touring
    • Poetry
  • Resources
    • All Posts Listed
    • 100 Recent Comments
    • Backcountry Skiing & Ski Touring Webcams
    • Ski Weights Comparison
    • Archives of WildSnow.com
    • Authors Page
    • Ski Touring Bindings
      • Trab TR2 Index and FAQ
      • Salomon Guardian & Tracker
      • Naxo Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Silvretta Pure Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Marker F10-12 Duke Baron
      • G3 Onyx Ski Binding FAQ
      • G3 ION Ski Touring Binding
      • Fritschi Backcountry Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Fritschi Diamir Frame Bindings Mount DIY
      • Fritschi Diamir Bindings FAQ
      • Fritschi Tecton FAQ
      • Atomic Salomon Backland MTN
      • Dynafit Tri-Step Binding 2001-2003
      • Naxo randonnee alpine touring AT ski binding FAQ
      • Dynafit Skiing Bindings – Info Index
      • Dynafit Binding Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Review 1
      • Dynafit Beast 16 FAQ Page Two
    • History
      • Ski Touring Binding Museum
      • Trooper Traverse Intro & Index
      • Randonnee Ski Touring “AT” ski gear — What is Hip?
      • Chronology
    • Backcountry Skiing Core Glossary
    • Gear Review Policy & Disclosures
   

Gear: Marker Tour Bindings on K2 SideKicks

by Amy Helm January 2, 2013
written by Amy Helm January 2, 2013

jig

With shop aprons on, we set up the Marker jig to mount my new Marker Tour AT bindings. A proper jig makes the job easier, but Marker gives thorough details with a paper jig you can tape in place. Just make sure you find the boot mounting mark on the skis!

With a brand new pair of women’s specific backcountry touring skis — K2 SideKicks, a box of Marker Tour bindings, and snowy Alaskan peaks right out my backdoor, I was on the lookout for a guru to help me assemble my shred sticks. Long time Alaskan local, Gary Stambaugh, was the man and I entered his garage/warehouse/condo cave for a tutorial on mounting skis. Gary has been skiing Juneau’s local resort, Eaglecrest, for 37 years, was around for the heli-ski beginnings up in Haines, helped pioneer glacier mountain guiding with Juneau based helicopter companies, has worked in ski shops long gone, and has patrolled the ski area. Now that he’s “retired,” he runs a “ski shop” out of his garage for fun. Business is word of mouth…”Hey Gary, I got your number from so and so…” His work is bomber. Not only did I glean information about the best skiing in southeast Alaska from a man who’s seen it all, but I learned the ins and outs of mounting AT bindings.

toko

It is imperative to find the mounting marks on the skis, and make sure they're in the same location. It's smart to double check with a measuring tape and carefully mark so you can see it with the jig on.

bit

Next find the proper drill bit, size 9.5 as stated in the paperwork with the bindings.

side

Time to start drilling! I was so nervous, but the step drill bit and jig leave little room for error.

plate

The holes are drilled, now add some glue and one ski is done!

drill

Concentrating on the task. I don't want to mess up these beauties!

check

Gary checks my work. What a great experience learning this hands on. I now have a greater understanding for my ski setup and an appreciation for the fine details in ski tuning.

tab

After the bindings are in place, we set the AFD gliding plate to the right height using Marker's specialty tool. Red means the height is too tight and your toe won't release easily.

tab

After careful pulling, and adjustment of the forward screw, we got the green.

Toe

Here you can see the gliding plate in action. This feature is something new to me, as I come from a tele background.

Torgue

Torque check to ensure proper release of the toes and adjustment of the DINs.

release

After testing the release, Gary says this setup is good as gold.

fini

Perfectly mounted bindings if I do say so! We add 6 layers of soft yellow wax to ensure these new skis stay tuned for the early season. It's important to impregnate new skis with wax to ensure their long life.

If you’re in the market for Marker Tour bindings, find them here.

For a sweet pair of women’s AT skis with perfectly pre-cut skins, check out the K2 SideKick.

17 comments
0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
previous post
Stevens Pass Bluebird – Backcountry Skiing
next post
New Colorado Guidebook: ‘Making Turns – Tenmile – Mosquito Range’

17 comments

cdubya January 2, 2013 - 11:37 am

Hey, I know that guy! Gary’s always willing to help ya out. Nice write up.

brian h January 2, 2013 - 4:25 pm

Yep, cool post. I’d guess that torque tool aint something everybody’s got access to. What’s the protocol for checking din settings without it? Brute force guestimation?

Lou Dawson January 2, 2013 - 5:16 pm

I’m crying because he has a tool I don’t have. Or possibly several.

Damian D. January 2, 2013 - 6:03 pm

That’s a sweet set of tools. I used to ski a lot during my college days in Edmonton, Alberta and me and my friends used to do all crazy setups at local ski shops. While most craftsmen had some cool equipment, I have to admit that it is not as impressive as Gary’s. How much does he charge for a job like this?

brian h January 2, 2013 - 7:48 pm

that is also a serious array of skis! AK all the way!

See January 2, 2013 - 8:15 pm

Beam torque wrench with limit markers. Again, turn it 180 degrees (handle pointing forward) to use with tech bindings?

Amy January 3, 2013 - 12:28 am

Gary is a wealth of knowledge and a generous man. He gave me the “wildsnow discount” with the promise of passing on this information. If you’re in the Juneau area I could get you in contact with him.

Lou – you would be fizzing in his shop! so many ski relics and vintage antiques! the man really does have just about every tool imaginable 🙂

carlo January 3, 2013 - 8:58 am

may i ask which kind of glue did he make you use?

See January 3, 2013 - 11:30 am

Regarding the binding torque tester– I’m guessing this link might be of interest: http://www.vermontskisafety.com/files/CALIBRATER-MANUAL.pdf

Amy January 3, 2013 - 2:45 pm

He called it “Roo Glue” and it had a picture of a Kangaroo on the bottle.

Lou Dawson January 3, 2013 - 3:03 pm

http://www.rooglue.com/

Seth January 3, 2013 - 3:19 pm

Congratulations! You are now a ski tech.

Maciej January 3, 2013 - 4:33 pm

One tip-several coats of soft (warm temp) wax don’t do much to harden a new ski base. The best way to prep new bases is a coat (or 2) of molybdenum wax, followed by a couple of coats of Swix CH4 (or equivalent) wax. Cold temp waxes are harder, and harden the bases of skis. Warm temp waxes are soft, and (literally) soften bases.

If it’s going to be warmer out, you can finish your base prep with an appropriate temp. wax.

Otherwise, neat article. I’ve worked at alpine shops (and work at a nordic ski shop now), and it’s rare for someone to have stuff like jigs and a tester foot in their home shop.

Ronald Cassiani January 5, 2013 - 7:20 pm

The softer wax is used as a binder wax. The harder wax will adhere to the ski longer if the base wax is warmer. Conversely hard wax base will not accept softer wax over it.

Dirk January 6, 2013 - 11:20 pm

Why such a burly setup? I thought Lou “king of dynafit” woulda convinced you to get some tech binders.

Lou Dawson January 7, 2013 - 5:29 am

She’s doing some mechanized skiing and is new to ski touring, so we figured a more alpine like binding would be a good entry with less fiddle factor. If she starts doing a bunch of ski touring, we’ll set her up with some tech bindings for sure!

AK.Joe January 28, 2013 - 11:39 am

I noticed Amy was using tech soles in Marker AT bindings: There is great divergence of opinion about how switching between DIN and tech soles in Marker AT bindings affects the release values.

Every binding tech I ask gives me a different answer. Given the large volume of Marker AT bindings and new interchangeable sole options (ie. Tecnica Cochise) can you provide advice on this question of better boot pack traction vs. reduction of consistent release.

Many thanks

Comments are closed.

Recent Comments

  • Carbonj on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • A. K. Mattix on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Jim Milstein on The Gothic Mountain Tour: Not Just a Training Race
  • Eric Steig on Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look
  • phillip gallagher on Using the Avalanche Forecast for Trip Planning

Gear Reviews

  • Light(ish) & Robust — 2021/22 Fischer Transalp First Look

    February 18, 2021
  • Skis From the Future — 2021/22 Is All About the Freeride

    February 11, 2021
  • An Education on the Ephemeral Glide — Bases, Wax and DPS Phantom

    February 4, 2021

Trip Reports

  • Making Turns and Skintracks at Bluebird Backcountry

    February 24, 2021
  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Cooke City in Photos — Montana Trip Report

    January 29, 2021

Totally Deep Podcast

  • Drinking Beer with the Bench Girls — Totally Deep Podcast 84

    February 12, 2021
  • Griffin Post Stays Home — Totally Deep Podcast 83

    January 10, 2021
  • Risky Business — Zahan Billimoria on Solving for Z

    December 14, 2020

Tips & Tricks

  • Celebrating the Low Danger, Low Angle Ski Tour

    February 16, 2021
  • Warm Toes for Cold Smoke — Tips To Keep Your Feet Toasty

    February 8, 2021
  • The Five Pillars of Skintrack Wisdom

    December 17, 2020

Ski Touring Stories

  • Envisioning a Friendly, Busier Backcountry — Shaun Deutschlander Q&A

    January 18, 2021
  • Giving Myself the Gift of Backcountry

    January 15, 2021
  • Six Who Dared — Elk Mountains Traverse & Richard Compton Tribute

    January 7, 2021

Newsletter Sign-Up

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • About Lou Dawson
  • Authors Page
  • About
  • Contact
  • Copyright & Legal
  • Website Security

@2020 - All Rights Reserved. Designed and Developed by WildSnow


Back To Top

Read alsox

10 Essential Mistakes for the Backcountry...

December 2, 2020

Steep Skiing — Tips to Take...

November 18, 2020

Spring Considerations for Avalanche Forecasting

June 2, 2020