Check out this video of a slide near Montezuma just a few days ago. Apparently this was a run in a “friendly, winner-take-all” competition. Plenty to talk about regarding backcountry competitions in questionable terrain with the sketchy CO snowpack this year, but we’ll leave it up to commenters. Thankfully the BCA Float Airbag worked well…
Wonder if they sell the most important piece of backcountry gear here:
Kudos if you know what it is. Stay safe out there folks.
I’ve never considered my dream AT boot to be that difficult to find. More than anything, I just want an AT boot to perform on the way down in the same manner as an alpine boot. If I can’t tell that I’m in an AT boot, then my dreams have been fulfilled. Just add a good walk mechanism and a rubber sole with tech fittings, and I’m in heaven. Did Tecnica fulfill my dreams… read on.
L-R: Dynafit Zzeus, Tecnica Cochise, Tecnica Diablo Magma (alpine):
In 1985, as a J3 racer at the Winter Park Comp Center, I started skiing in my first pair of Tecnica boots- the neon Grand Prix racers. Since that time, I have skied Tecnica boots almost exclusively. Yes, I’m a Tecnica fan. They fit my foot and the flex is natural for me. So to say I was excited about the Cochise AT boot is a bit of an understatement. As I slid my foot into this boot, it indeed felt like coming home to an old friend. Still, like other reviewers of this boot, I noticed that they have a lot of room- but that’s easily remedied with some shims under the liner. That’s about all I had to do to get them dialed with my feet.
The ski/walk mechanism on this boot is a thing of beauty- simple, easy to use with gloves, with a solid, positive click between modes. What was more impressive, however, was the smoothness of the boot in walk mode. After dealing with the clunky, herky-jerky motion of my old Dynafit Zzeus boots, the Cochise felt amazing in comparison.
In fact, the smoothness of the Cochise walk mode made me assume that the range of motion was far greater than that of the Zzeus. Turns out it’s about the same in a rearward motion, but less than the Zzeus in the forward motion. Still, in practice I would say that the Cochise is a far more capable touring boot than the Zzeus. Comparison shots:
So, the question remained… would the Cochise ski as well as my Magma alpine boots? The answer, I’m pleased to report, is yes. I’ve skied the Cochise boots inbounds quite a bit this season, something I wouldn’t even consider with my Zzeus boots. They handle it well. Still, I will always have alpine boots for inbounds days- for someone who skis as much as me, it makes no sense to ski an AT boot inbounds except when traveling. In my view, any time you add moving parts (the ski/walk mode), you’ve got a part that can wear out or break, so why stress it pounding out more vert in a day than one might get in a month of touring. The same goes for touring bindings, in my opinion. And then there’s the folks who insist on skiing rubber soled boots in standard alpine bindings- might as well just put a bullet in the chamber and play Russian roulette with your knees. But I digress…
The liner is mediocre. I’ll use them for the rest of this season, but then I’ll upgrade to an Intuition or Palau liner next year. One problem has been a fold in the tongue which is meant to help the touring motion. While it sounds good on paper, in practice it ends up being a part of the tongue which always wants to fold over and produce a sharp pain. The tongue needs to be positioned perfectly for me to avoid this. The oval area in this photo by my finger is the area I’m talking about:
The other issue with the liner is the plastic liner covering clashes with the plastic cuff of the boot in tour mode. This produces an annoying click from time to time when the boot is getting the maximum range of motion, as on a flat section of skintrack or while walking. Look at the red spot on the liner and I think you’ll see what I mean.
Still, these are minor quibbles thanks to the downhill performance of the boot. Last season, I found myself using my alpine boots for short tours, not willing to sacrifice performance for the sake of touring comfort. Thankfully, that will not be a type of torture I will endure any longer. Surprisingly, with all this performance they’re still lighter than many other boots in the same class, including the Zzeus and Titan boots from Dynafit, and Black Diamond’s Factor boots.
In summary, I am extremely pleased with these boots. The downhill performance was somewhat expected- the touring capabilities of this boot are much better than I could have even hoped for. They’re the boots I’ve been waiting for. It’s been a long wait.
For a “first-look” at next year’s Cochise line, including the Cochise Pro and Cochise Light, click this LINK.
I recently purchased a Marmot Power Stretch Hoody and have been so happy with it, that I wanted to make sure I let our followers know about this fantastic product.
The Marmot Power Stretch Hoody is one of those versatile pieces that I love so much. I can wear it around the house, around town, skiing, and backcountry skiing. Made from Polartech Power Stretch material, this hoody is soft to the touch, is exceptionally warm. Even better, the material is highly breathable and repels moisture, including snow, making the Power Stretch Hoody perfect for touring in the backcountry, even on big pow-days!
The power stretch hoody has two zippered hand-warming pockets in the front and thumb-holesin the sleeves. The hood is attached, and useful for when you need something extra to stay warm. The fabric is lightweight, so you don’t get that annoying bulky feeling that comes with some sweat-shirt type hoodies.
All in all, Marmot has designed a great product for the female athlete. Both comfortable and functional, this simple hoody has become one of the first things I grab out of my closet. I purchased my Marmot Power Stretch Hoody from Appalachian Ski & Outdoors. Be sure to check them out!
Brittany and I have both been using the CAMP XLC 390 Crampons for a number of years, and both of us would place them near the top of our lists of ski mountaineering gear that we love, for their light weight, easy adjustabilty, and solid connection to our ski boots.
The XLC 390 is a lightweight aluminum crampon whose number, 390, refers to the number of grams a pair weighs (about 13.8oz for the metric-impaired). For comparison, similar steel offerings commonly weigh about 2 pounds, 2 ounces. We’re no weight weenies, but at less than half the weight, we wanted to at least give them a try. We have found over the years that these crampons perform beautifully- so long as they’re used as intended. These are not the crampons to take for a day at the Ouray Ice Park- they probably wouldn’t even last one pitch. In fact, they’re not a great choice for any route that contains a lot of ice or rock. But for ski mountaineering in places like Colorado, which are more often than not just simple snow climbs, the XLC 390 is a perfect choice.
Aluminum crampons definitely require a bit more “babying”. If you’re the type of climber who likes to repeatedly stomp their foot into the rocks to find a hold, you’ll wreck these crampons in a hurry. Same goes if you’re 6’6″ and 250 pounds. The only 14ers we didn’t bring these crampons on were Pyramid and Capitol. For everything else, they were a great choice and truthfully we could have used them on all the 14ers.
Where the XLC 390 really shines, however, is at the trailhead. You know the situation- you’re packing your backpack and out comes the question “Do you think we’ll need crampons?”. Colorado is full of moderate routes that may be safely climbed without crampons- so long as the snow is perfect and you feel completely comfortable with the route. Tossing a 2+ pound set of steel crampons in a pack when you’re not even sure you’ll use them is a tough pill to swallow. 14 ounces and it’s pretty easy to answer, “What the heck, I’ll throw them in.” That’s the real beauty of the XLC 390 crampons.
For those of you wondering, yes- those are the Tecnica Cochise AT boots. Review of these amazing boots coming soon…
Check them out:
Last winter, my beloved Scarpa Diva boots began to fall apart on me. I knew it was time to keep my eye out for a new pair of AT boots. The selection of women’s AT boots has grown significantly since I last purchased my Divas in 2008. Back then, I basically had two choices for “stiff” women’s AT boots: the Garmont Xena and the Scarpa Diva. Now, the choices are exponentially more plentiful.
I kept my eye out for sales and finally buckled down at the end-of-season sale at our local mountaineering shop, the Alpineer. I tried on a number of boots and also demoed a few pairs before determining that the Black Diamond Shiva was the right one for me.
However, after using the boot for a few weeks without working out a few kinks, I developed a foot issue that stuck around for the rest of the spring. I had to return to my Divas to give the foot issue a break. I finally dug the Shivas back out of the closet last month.
Sizing
My feet are small and I typically use a shell size of 2 or 22.5 in an alpine ski boot. I prefer slightly larger boots for touring so I usually settle on a size 23 as most AT boots don’t come in a smaller size. The Scarpas and Garmonts I’ve used in the past have been slightly on the big side for me. However, I’d say BD’s sizing runs a tad small. A size 23 was much smaller than any size 23 I’d ever tried on before. I might have been better off with a size 23.5, but the Alpineer had none in stock at that time. However, I’ve been told that BD’s sizing has changed this year. Whether that’s true or not, I have not yet verified myself. As always, it’s best to try on the boots to determine which size is best for you.
Last year, we posted a last-minute gift guide for skiers. So, without further explanation, here’s the 2011 version of some of 14erskiers’ favorite ski gear.
Brittany’s Top 5 List:
1) A Buff – I carry a Buff with me every time I go backcountry skiing. The Buff has become a permanent fixture in my backcountry ski pack. Those who have tried a Buff, will generally rave about it. Put me in that praising category. The Buff can be worn in many different ways- converting from a face mask to a hat, to a helmet skull cap, to a “doo-rag”. It’s a multifunctional piece of clothing essential for every backcountry skier. I’ve even used it to tie the tips of my skis together when I’ve lost my ski strap!
2) Merino Wool Long Underwear tops – After spending a couple of years working in a backcountry shop, I’ve been converted. Highly moisture-wicking, warm when you want it to be warm and cool when you want it to be cool, new Merino wool blends provide some of the best fabric for baselayers. Plus, it doesn’t hold the stink like so many of the synthetic baselayers do! My preferences – Icebreaker or Smartwool.
3) Gordini Fuse Gloves – I’m critical about my gloves. I have the classic “cold fingers” syndrome. My hands never seem to stay warm enough- enough that I often sport mittens. Still, the Fuse gloves rival any mitten I own. Warm, moisture-wicking, and highly durable, my Fuse gloves have suffered a season of Brittany-abuse unscathed- which is nearly unheard of. (Frank’s note- I use these gloves as well- top notch)
4) Smartwool PhD socks – My feet sweat- a lot. It’s a gross practice, but my body simply can’t help it. Thankfully, my Smartwool socks keep my feet nice and warm even with all that moisture and help to guard against the dreaded sweat-foot stench. The PhD socks are padded in all the right places necessary for a backcountry skier, helping prevent against blisters on those long touring days.
5) Glop Stopper – Among every backcountry skiers nightmare are skins glopping with snow. Many can attest that glopping skins have ruined ski days. Worst yet, it seems unpredictable. I’ve had my skins glop during all times of the year. Glop stopper can the rescue in scenarios like this. It’s a must-have in every BC skiers backpack.
Frank’s Top 5:
1) GU brand energy gels – I love gels, and GU makes the best. Quick easy energy, easy to digest, tasty, and they don’t freeze and break your teeth like energy bars can in the winter.
2) BCA Float 36 Airbag Pack – Yeah, I know- a gift in this price range is almost as ridiculous as those “Lexus with a bow in the driveway” ads. But nothing says “I want to see you come home safe” like an airbag pack. See our review.
3) GoPro POV Camera – Sometimes it seems as though everyone on the mountain has sprouted one of these “teletubby” helmet cams, and they’re a little silly in some ways. But more than anything, they’re just FUN. I look forward to re-watching my footage when I’m an old, old man. The GoPro is my choice for POV cams since it has a wide range of mounting options…
4) Altimeter Watch – Just how big (or small) was that face you just skied? How much faster did those Carbon boots and tights make you on your dawn patrol? Why did that 10 mile bike ride take so long- must have been a lot of vert, right? Where are we on this topo map? The answer to all these questions and more can be found with an altimeter watch. This one is nice and affordable:
5) Nikwax Leather Protectant – Leather gloves and boots last longer and stay waterproof with a little love and care. Try this:
There’s our list for this year. By all means, if any of you have a great gift idea, leave a comment- we’re not done with our shopping either! And if you’re still stumped, there’s always a gift certificate from Backcountry.com:
This season seems to be the one when critical mass has been achieved with the use of airbag backpacks here in North America. No longer a strange curiosity occasionally seen on a backcountry skier returning from Europe, backcountry users are now embracing the technology in increasing numbers as prices and availability have gone up. Before we get to our review of the BCA Float 36, let’s hear the case for airbags.
Most of the airbag research thus far has been conducted in Europe, where big open alpine faces provide a perfect place for airbag deployment. Here in North America, where backcountry skiing often takes place in treed areas, the results of airbag use will surely be different than in Europe. Still, the statistics from Europe are quite convincing. Between 1990 and 2007, of 151 skiers wearing an airbag (specifically ABS), only 3 people were completely buried without part of the airbag still showing. There were only 2 fatalities. Those numbers would be far worse without the airbags. Check this LINK.
Even if you ARE buried with an airbag pack, two things are likely to help your survival. First, some part of your airbag is probably above the surface, even if you aren’t, so your partners won’t even need to search for you with their beacons- they will simply ski straight to you, saving you a couple minutes or more of search time. Second, you probably aren’t buried as deeply as you would have been without the airbag, greatly reducing your burial time. Even an experienced group may have trouble finding and digging out a deeply buried victim in less than 15 minutes, given how long it takes to dig through concrete-like avalanche debris.
Trauma will remain a big concern for avalanche victims, and it is unclear if airbags will help with that aspect at all. Still, one has to think that a big poofy airbag, situated by your head and neck, will at least help a little. Also, since it tends to keep victims above the moving debris rather than sucked down in it, trauma will likely be minimized.
However, even with an airbag pack, the best thing to do remains not to get in an avalanche. Anyone who has had a uncomfortably close look at a big avalanche knows that serious injuries are a real threat with or without airbags. For those of us who ski in the backcountry on a regular basis, the odds say that you’ll eventually make a mistake and be involved in an avalanche. So, the choices are not to ski, only ski on slopes less than 25 degrees, or try to make good decisions and try to stack the odds in your favor.
Therefore, Brittany and I will both be skiing with BCA Float 36 backpacks this season. At $785 MSRP, they’re not cheap (although they are cheaper than most airbag packs, many of which are over $1,000). And at a reported 7.7 pounds, they’re certainly not light either (a typical non-airbag pack of the same size is probably around 2.5lbs). After a half dozen ski trips with our new packs so far, here’s our take on the Float 36.
Float 36 Review:
First off, it is heavy. You won’t pick it up without noticing that. Thankfully, however, the engineers at BCA have done a terrific job of designing the pack in a way that makes the weight less noticeable. After all, 20lbs in a cheap school backpack won’t carry as well as 20lbs in a nice ski pack. The “guts” of the pack are tight against the back, where the weight isn’t as noticeable once the pack is on.
The main compartment is huge and can be opened nearly completely, making it easier to dry out at home or stuff a big jacket in there. Meanwhile, there is a pocket for the shovel blade (My BCA Companion shovel is the biggest you’ll get in there), and side pockets for the handle and probe. Water bladders can go behind the shovel blade where my hand is:
Hose routing for water bladders is a bit of an issue, so Brittany was forced to make a small cut to allow the hose routing from the main compartment to the shoulder strap access point (I don’t use bladders, so a non-issue for me). One more inside pocket, which I’ve been using for snacks:
The main compartment can also be accessed by a small access panel in the back of the pack, making it user-friendly for things I grab often, like water.
Fleece lined goggle pocket on top of the pack:
Posting a bike shoe review right after one of the first big snow storms of the year may seem a bit odd, but on the other hand it’s hard to do a review until you’ve thoroughly tested out a product. So, to that end we bring you a review of the Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek shoes, which both Brittany and I purchased last fall around the same time of year. Many of our favorite rides require at least some amount of hike-a-bike, and while many folks would just as soon poke their eyes out with a rusty spoon as hike with their bike, we realize that sometimes it’s worth it.
The problem, of course, with hike-a-bike is that it’s rather unpleasant with stiff bike shoes that often have slick plastic treads. My Lake shoes at least have a Vibram sole, but they are still stiff as can be, so hiking in them tends to be best suited for a ballerina, which I am not. The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek shoes, however, have quite a bit of flexibility in front of the cleat, as well as a nice grippy rubber sole. They seemed like the perfect answer to rides when we knew we would be hiking, but how did they perform…
The Pearl Izumi X-Alp Seek shoes:
The answer is that they performed every bit as well as could be expected. While hiking, they were just as comfortable as any other hiking shoe I have, despite the cleat on the sole. You can walk on a tile floor with these shoes without the clickity-clack of most bike shoes. Their hiking abilities didn’t surprise us. What did surprise us was how well they rode. Despite just being lace-ups, and obviously much less stiff than most bike shoes, they actually transfer power admirably well. they aren’t the shoe of choice for a NORBA race, perhaps, but for every day riding few will notice their shortcomings.
Durability? As you can see in the photos above, taken after at least 200 miles, the shoes are holding up nicely. Most MTB shoes fail in the toe area, but these haven’t shown any wear and tear there.
Our only complaint- the mesh uppers, while being very breathable, also soak through very easily- much more so compared to shoes with leather uppers.
In short, 14erskiers gives these shoes 2 thumbs up- way up!
Support 14erskiers by clicking on the link below:
On our recent “day before the wedding” ski of Whiterock Mountain, one of the things I was most excited about was trying a different carrying method for my skis. My friend Jon Johnston has long been using this method, and since he was down from Canada for the wedding, it was the perfect time for him to show me how it’s done. A-Frame has always been my least favorite method, as it is time-consuming to set up and I always seem to hit my calves on the tails. Diagonal is a bit better for me, though it really depends on the backpack and it’s still easy to catch your tips when climbing steep terrain. Pulling the skis avoids both of these problems.
Jon showing the technique:
Jon gave credit to Peter Ressmann for developing the technique while they were on Mount Saint Elias along with Axel Naglich, filming the movie of the same name. It makes a ton of sense to pull skis on a huge expedition-style ascent like Mount Saint Elias, when you’d already be carrying massive loads from camp to camp. I kept seeing Jon using the method over the past few years, so it looked like it must be a viable method even on a more standard day trip. Conditions in Canada this past winter prevented me from ever trying the technique- we were too busy stepping off the snowmobiles and shredding powder spines- so I was glad Jon joined us on Whiterock for another try.
It’s pretty simple to set up. Drill a hole in each ski- I used a 3/16″ bit. Some epoxy is probably a good idea as well. Grab a few feet of cord, tie a couple of stopper knots in one end, and thread the cord through the skis. Rotate the dynafits so the brakes are up, orleave the Fritchis in the high bar so their brakes don’t drag. Tie a figure 8 into your ice axe loop on your pack and start hiking. Close-up:
So, how did it work? I’m not 100% sold, but it’s something I’m definitely putting in my bag of tricks. On flatter ground, it works really well- you don’t even know the skis are there. Steeper terrain really works well, too- once the backpack and the skis are more or less parallel, the skis again seem to disappear. It’s on the moderate terrain of say 30-40 degrees that I’d just assume have the skis on my pack. There’s simply something in the angle that makes the skis pull strangely on moderate slopes. One thing I was worried about was how it would pull through mixed ground, or even on the suncups of summer. It’s pretty amazing, actually- the skis simply find their way and you don’t even have to worry about them. All in all, I would recommend the technique, it’s definitely worth a try. A long, steep face climb would be the ultimate proving ground.
A clip from St Elias. Check it out around :20seconds…
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We don’t do too many gear reviews here at 14erskiers, but it’s something we’ll probably do more of as time goes on. This winter I was using Zeal’s Slingshot sunglasses, and now have enough information to give them a full review. Full disclosure: I have been an athlete/ambassador for Zeal Optics for the past 10 years. That said, I wouldn’t ask them for gear if they weren’t truly the best goggles and glasses out there.
One look and it’s obvious that the Slingshot is a technical piece of optical gear. These are not the frames I grab when I’m heading out on the red carpet. OK, I’ve never done that, but the point remains. Function trumps fashion out in the backcountry, though, and these glasses are built for function. The first thing you’ll notice when you pick them up is how light they are- not a big deal in my world, but still an added bonus. The lenses are as high tech as they come- they are photochromic, which means they offer exceptional clarity and change the tint based on how bright it is outside. They’re equally at home in the dark timber of deep winter when you barely need sunglasses at all, as they are in the bright sunshine of springtime peak descents. Zeal’s photochromic offerings have been getting better by leaps and bounds over the past few years- they change tint rapidly and seem to have a wider range as well.
My favorite trait about these sunglasses? They don’t seem to fog, ever. The lenses have quite a bit of venting, as do the frames, and when you combine that with a lens that sits fairly far away from your face, they just won’t fog. Considering their full coverage and lack of fogging, these sunglasses are going to transition nicely to mountain biking use if the snow ever melts and I get back into that again. My only complaint? They are a little loose on my face- I will need to use Croakies to keep them on while biking. Of course, someone with a bigger face wouldn’t have that problem at all.
Two thumbs up from 14erskiers! Support 14erskiers and purchase them here:
Maybe “mature powder”...
