Zermatt Nepal Antique Ski Touring Binding 1970s
Nepal binding 1970s, all steel.
This massive (probably the heaviest binding ever made) is as far as I can tell an Italian “craft manufacturing” copy of the Iser. Or, perhaps Iser copied them? Their vintage is mid 1970s, and they may have been the binding of the “Alpini” mountain troops of the Italian army. Click images to enlarge.
All the parts. Interesting articulated frame is future thinking. See below for how it looks put together. nearly everything is steel, evidencing quite a bit of hand assembly work.
Articulating frame was perhaps the solution to breakage from fatigue that frame bindings of the time were experiencing. This and the adjustable toe height allowed use of just about any boot that had a welt shelf.
Length adjustment is this simple pin. Touring pivot is the nut and bolt at front (left). Massive.
From the front, lateral release adjustment scre is visible. Release scale goes from 1 to 4, this is definitely pre DIN, or perhaps “DIN, who cares?”
In the 1970s it was thought that AT bindings needs a “return spring” that helped while side stepping and perhaps gave some pizazz to your step.
Detail of the heel mechanism. Amazing array of parts.
The whole thing, assembled with heel in latch-down mode.
Weight: 1096 grams, 38.7 ounces per binding.
Thanks goes to Raymond Cronrath for donating these backcountry skiing bindings to the WildSnow collection.
Zermatt Nepal thumbnail.
