Advice on Touring (beginner)

**EJM-NH** · 01-16-2013, 07:53 PM

My friend and I have just developed a serious interest in backcountry skiing and I am trying to figure out how I can best enjoy the experience. I purchased a pair on Atomic Blogs the other day, and now I need to take the next step, that being bindings. I am not sure whether I should buy touring bindings, or buy regular bindings and buy the touring attachment seperately. Any advice? Also, I was thinking that I could simply hike up the mountain in hiking boots with the skis and boots in a frame pack.. But my friend called me an idiot. Was I wrong to think this was possible? Any advice would be much appreciated!

**powdork** · 01-16-2013, 08:00 PM

at bindings are the way to go.
your friend was right

**EJM-NH** · 01-16-2013, 08:04 PM

thanks man i appreciate the advice

**snuttypants** · 01-16-2013, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by EJM-NH

My friend and I have just developed a serious interest in backcountry skiing and I am trying to figure out how I can best enjoy the experience. I purchased a pair on Atomic Blogs the other day, and now I need to take the next step, that being bindings. I am not sure whether I should buy touring bindings, or buy regular bindings and buy the touring attachment seperately. Any advice? Also, I was thinking that I could simply hike up the mountain in hiking boots with the skis and boots in a frame pack.. But my friend called me an idiot. Was I wrong to think this was possible? Any advice would be much appreciated!

Hiking in the snow sucks. Snow shoeing sucks. Get a proper at setup.

**Clownshoe** · 01-16-2013, 08:10 PM

Take an avalanche course immediately.

Good luck

**EJM-NH** · 01-16-2013, 08:15 PM

Thanks guys, and if any of you possibly have any skins or bindings for sale I would be interested

**D(C)** · 01-16-2013, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by Clownshoe

Take an avalanche course immediately.

Good luck

This. Most important.

**EJM-NH** · 01-16-2013, 08:37 PM

ya i live in southern New Hampshire so im not too worried about that yet! Hopefully someday I can ski where I do have to worry

**powdork** · 01-16-2013, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by D(C)

This. Most important.

i disagree. being familiar with your gear and those you ride with is most important. sure, they will help teach you about your gear in the class, but practicing with it in the field is most important. there is a lot of safe touring that can be done before anyone needs to take a class.

and just to play devils advocate. i would venture to say that statistically you're risk of dying in an avalanche goes up with each class you take.

**spankthepow** · 01-16-2013, 09:10 PM

I recommend going to some sort of 'intro' Avalanche class. They're usually a few hours long, free, and really get you thinking.

**dark_star** · 01-17-2013, 07:32 AM

Or read "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain." Covers lots of the same material seen in an AIARE Level I class (although, as the book says, it's not a substitute for the class...)

**MTT** · 01-17-2013, 07:55 AM

I don't know how you got here, but you came to the right place.

Look at this link. It should keep you pretty busy. Half way down the first pagwe there are links about getting started equipment ect. A very accomplished Back Country Mountaineer / Skier put allot of time into this.
http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...y-Jong-thread)

Also another member here create this Google (Seach Jong) is a custom quiery that specificly searches these TGR forums (Very usefull)
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=01...%3Agoe34wkkkv8

**bbense** · 01-17-2013, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by EJM-NH

ya i live in southern New Hampshire so im not too worried about that yet! Hopefully someday I can ski where I do have to worry

Have you already done the Tuckerman's Ravine Spring Ritual? That is actually pretty easily done with hiking boots and skis in the pack. While there is avalanche danger in the spring, the primary danger then is icefall. There are lots and lots places for BC skiing in NH that involve no avi danger at all, but anything above treeline isn't on that list.

It's been a long time since I was in NH, but EMS and IME in North Conway used to rent suitable AT gear. If you can rent to get some experience before you buy that will help you a lot in making the right choices.

FWIW, if you're serious about this. JUST GET DYNAFIT BINDINGS.

There are various adapter plates that will allow you to switch between regular and AT bindings so you can spend less on skis.

**neufox47** · 01-17-2013, 10:04 AM

Too late this year but take JonathanS's avy course next year. It involves both touring and avy instructions. You are probably right about avalanches not being too much of a concern, unless you go to the presidentials or other slide paths. But the best touring is usually in avy terrain.

If you have a dedicated touring setup get dynafits, otherwise go for one of the burlier but light at bindings for resort and touring. Ft 12s are pretty good.

Get the books on NE backcountry tours. Start with something easy to get harmonized with your gear. Take notes afterwards to decide what to change. Realize that a lot if your tours are not going to be successful and you won't be skiing knee deep untracked and perfectly spaced trees everytime you go. so enjoy the up as. Well as the down.

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using TGR Forums

Hugh Conway · 01-17-2013, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by dark_star

Or read "Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain." Covers lots of the same material seen in an AIARE Level I class (although, as the book says, it's not a substitute for the class...)

Read a book, do some research. Fuck around touring up a resort (if they allow it) to learn how the skis, boots and skins work. Take a class out west.

**TahoeJ** · 01-17-2013, 11:58 AM

Get an AT setup and skins for sure. I recommend buying and reading this book...

http://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-Sk.../dp/1594850380

**Jim S** · 01-17-2013, 12:16 PM

All of the above.
Hiking in the snow is awful: no fun, takes too long, and saps your energy. Dynafit bindings and touring boots: one purchase and you are set for life (unless you are growing teen).

http://www.amazon.com/Snow-Sense-Eva...rds=snow+sense

**strawjack** · 01-17-2013, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by Hugh Conway

Fuck around touring up a resort (if they allow it) to learn how the skis, boots and skins work.

Go here and do some trimming while you're at it. You don't need an avi class...yet.

http://www.nelsap.org

**Rip'nStick** · 01-17-2013, 12:43 PM

My advice is get or borrow some AT gear and try fun little tours in mellow terrain, maybe flat approaches to some short shots, and get used to touring proficiently. Get that backcountry book, learn to PRACTICE some touring fundamentals (kick-turns etc.) and awareness. Definitely find some buddies to do it with, preferably some with experience. This is a sport best shared for safety and general fun. And see if you really like it.

I know a friend that bought the gear thinking he was going to score powder all day long. I told him it was more of an outdoor experience than a all-you-can-eat buffet of powder. He was not stoked on the ratio of skinning to riding. Another friend wanted to get hiking in the winter and I convinced him to go AT rather than snowshoe. He is very stoked and was the best companion to go with (unfortunately I moved away). I think of AT skiing as a means of travel in the mountains with some awesome benefits. With that attitude, I am always happy (except when I am not and I chalk that up to a survival experience).

**colonel troutman** · 01-17-2013, 03:04 PM

forget about fancy touring equipment, just find a trailhead with lots of skiers and go there. find the best looking uptrack and hike up there in boots. this will pack down the track and everybody using it will be grateful for your effort. when you get to the top look for people to hang out with, they will know the best line to ski. be sure to congregate again with all the peeps at the bottom, and if you still have time be sure to lap the uptrack again.

**TahoeJ** · 01-17-2013, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by colonel troutman

forget about fancy touring equipment, just find a trailhead with lots of skiers and go there. find the best looking uptrack and hike up there in boots. this will pack down the track and everybody using it will be grateful for your effort.

Only 7 posts in 3 years? Just saving yourself for the true gems of advice and wisdom I suppose. lol...

**dark_star** · 01-17-2013, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by bbense

There are various adapter plates that will allow you to switch between regular and AT bindings so you can spend less on skis.

Ha ha, so true.

**Binky** · 01-17-2013, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by colonel troutman

forget about fancy touring equipment, just find a trailhead with lots of skiers and go there. find the best looking uptrack and hike up there in boots. this will pack down the track and everybody using it will be grateful for your effort. when you get to the top look for people to hang out with, they will know the best line to ski. be sure to congregate again with all the peeps at the bottom, and if you still have time be sure to lap the uptrack again.

Came in to say just this.

**Chainsaw_Willie** · 01-17-2013, 04:45 PM

Do you know how to ski? Learning to ski might be an important step.

BC skiing often entails challenging and difficult conditions & terrain. It's best to have a pretty good handle on the basics of skiing before heading out.