Deschutes County Backcountry 1/5/08

[schubwa]

Last night I ran into Andy and Peter, a couple of tele dads I met on another BC trip. I've been jonesing to put on my skins, and so today was the day.
Most of the energy of last night's storm went south (obviously) but that's OK because we have a great pack and all we want is powder. They cancelled the wind advisory and it snowed 7" at 20 degrees. Here's what it looked like.

 

[baldyskier]

That looks great.
I've never tried BC, but it is looking more enticing, with access to more powder and less crowds (not to mention no lift tickets, although the price for a BC setup like yours isn't cheap). How does your uphill time compare to your tele partners? Is it hard to keep up on the climbs using a Randonee setup?

 

[Admin]

Well, I'm not schubwa, but I'm spending 100% of my time on AT gear these days so I'll respond too. I'm never going back to Alpine, it's so much lighter and more comfortable, yet I feel like I'm sacrificing nothing. It's just as quick uphill as a tele skier.

 

[schubwa]

How does your uphill time compare to your tele partners? Is it hard to keep up on the climbs using a Randonee setup?

I'd say both methods are closely matched, except with the Dynafit binding-equiped skier, who would have an uphill advantage. For example, my Dynafit ST's weigh two pounds (with brakes) compared to around four pounds for the average tele binding, and at least that much for Fritschi-style AT binders. The Dynafit also pivots at the right spot and there is no friction, unlike most tele bindings that have a lot of forward pressure. It's been shown (Wildsnow.com) that the Dynafit is stiffer laterally than all it's competition, which mimimizes slop.

I'm spending 100% of my time on AT gear these days so I'll respond too. I'm never going back to Alpine, it's so much lighter and more comfortable, yet I feel like I'm sacrificing nothing. It's just as quick uphill as a tele skier.

Marc, I'm with you. I only slightly miss the overweight Alpine rigs when it's hard pack groomers and everyone is hauling. When I travel, I like to demo different Alpine rigs so I don' t need to buy new skis, as I have a pair of boots. You need heavy skis at Sun Valley, where it's always firm and steep groomers.
I figured you would have some AT setups where you live, in the epicenter of sidecountry and backcountry opportunities. There is a lot of soft snow there as well, so why not have the option of slapping on some skins and heading out? I see a ton of tele and AT setups in liftline here, even if they hardly ever cross the boundary lines. The stuff just makes sense.

 

[baldyskier]

Thanks, schubwa and Admin, good info there. I'll have to look further into those BC setups. Sounds like a great combo, a lightweight setup for climbing that still allows for normal downhill technique. I've never tried to learn tele, but I've heard it's not easy; now it sounds unnecessary given the advantages of the new breed of Randonee gear.

 

[Tony Crocker]

My son Adam may "ski bum" the next 2-3 months. He has a pass at Mammoth and cheap lodging available at his former ski team's house. He's thinking of buying tele gear, not for backcountry use but to sharpen his balance, strength and alpine skills. Sort of analogous to what I read in some of Sharon's reports. Adam did 5-6 days of tele back in 2003.

 

[schubwa]

He's thinking of buying tele gear, not for backcountry use but to sharpen his balance, strength and alpine skills.

If he really wants to "sharpen his skills" i.e: with the ladies, laying on the couch, buying PBR's, etc., I suggest he buy a snowboard!

 

[Tony Crocker]

Adam is leaving for Mammoth tomorrow. I should get a report later this week.

 

[Sharon]

My friend Pam has the Naxo AT set up and she doesn't really like them much. I think if she actually went bc she would like them better, but since she seems to fall a lot and they come off, they are very difficult to get back on if there is any snow on the bottom of your boots, so she struggles with them.

I use the Fritschis and I have the same problem when putting them on after warming up in the base lodge, and snow gets stuck on my boots. I don't fall too often, but when I do I also find it difficult to get my boots back in the bindings. Takes a lot of whacking off of snow. Boots must be very clear for a good fit.

When out in the bc, you will undoubtedly take off the skis to apply/remove skins...this is a critical time when snow can stick to your boot...but at least you aren't in a big hurry when you are in the bc, so you can take your time whacking the snow off the boots. It's just more work. I hardly have that problem with my regular heavy alpine set up, so I think it is a specific problem with the AT rig for some reason.

As for the Deschutes BC, looks sweet. The pitch is nice. Is it avalanche-prone? I'd be concerned about avalanches with all the snow that has been falling.