 Poster: A snowHead
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I have resisted the lure of touring until now and I’m just thinking of doing some mostly
lift served touring as I’ve a pal in Morzine who is getting into touring. Realistically I’ll only do maybe 2/3 days worth of day touring and don’t want to spend much so I have a few questions .....
All my kit is alpine so what do I need?
I have some Watea 96s that can take skins but will need touring bindings fitted
My boots do not have a walk mode and are only 2 seasons old so don’t want to replace them
Do I use the Wateas and get some bindings that take alpine boots?
Will the alpine boots be too stiff/heavy?
Do I just hire kit?
Any advice much appreciated
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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For 2/3 days hire kit and see if you like it. Any touring bindings will be expensive and wearing stiff boots without walk mode may put you off.
If you enjoy it then you can invest, Bruce Goodlads book would be a good starter before spending any more.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Just hire kit.
Using alpine boots will be, at best, tedious.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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For a taster of short lift served touring you could try to get hold of some AlpineTrekkers (aka Securafix) which clip into your alpine bindings for the up and put into your backpack for the down.
Not sure if they're still made but may come up on an eBay search
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Hire the kit. Alpine boots are too stiff and heavy. Your Wateas are pretty heavy too. The shop will hire you boots, skis and skins.
Although mainstream touring skis tend to be around a slim 80mm wide, ask for the lightest all mountain skis, 95mm + since you will surely want to hit the powder. I use Blizzard Zero G 95. About 2.5kg the pair without bindings. Aim for that weight of ski.
The shop will probably offer you as a beginner walk-mode boots with a beam type binding, Fritschi or similar. They work ok, but like the camel are clearly designed by committee! If you want the real touring experience, ask for Dynafit compatible pin bindings and boots. Save another kg or two of weight - and look like a pro! The pin bindings take a few minutes practice to step into at first but once you get the knack it's a dream. And if you crash out in deep powder, the release is at the front of the boot which makes it very easy to release the ski. Try unlocking an alpine binding heel release in 1m of powder with your leg twisted up around your a**e!
Don't worry about safety - modern pin bindings have automatic release and are rock solid in powder or piste. Good luck. Ps Health warning: Touring can become addictive!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Have you grown a luxuriant full beard yet? Do you have access to a bobble hat with some form of Scandi pattern on it?
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Don't forget avalanche equipment (transceiver, shovel, probe) and a rucksack that's big enough to fit everything into (including the layers you'll take off while climbing). On that note, if you've never toured before it's easy to underestimate how hot you'll get. So you will definitely need sunglasses (goggles are too sweaty, though you can put them back on for the way down), and don't wear layers you can't easily shed (e.g. thermal leggings under your trousers), even if you normally do.
+1 for hiring skis and boots for your first go. Bring blister plasters.
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Or get the Ezeefit neoprene anti blister anklets in 2mm extra thin, they are amazing. A solar Buff is also handy to cover your head while still allowing cooling. Get some very thin touring gloves, or running gloves will do.
I just stuck Atomic/Salomon frame bindings on my all mountain and powder skis and have no problems doing a few hours uphill on them.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Scarpa wrote: |
| Or get the Ezeefit neoprene anti blister anklets in 2mm extra thin, they are amazing. |
What ?! I'm pretty sure I was told to follow rule5 when I got a blisterette before the first hut on the moonlight tour in my Alpine boots 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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 I’ll have a look.
I’ve also packed the kinesio tape this year!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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what @under a new name and @chocksaway said. Hire kit and go with a guide or someone experienced. Practice putting skins on (and off) and switching your binding into walk mode before you're standing in a foot of snow with frozen fingers.
For touring light is right, try it with anything other than specialist gear and it'll put you off for life. Alpine boots will kill your feet.
Slide the skis, don't lift them. Good skinners are quiet skinners. It's also less effort.
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@Scarpa, they look better than my duck tape solution 
You wear them under ski socks?
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Scarpa, they look like they would cause more issues than solve, for a start they're more than twice as thick as my socks.
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Sun 8-12-19 15:32; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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I think blisters & prevention can be unique to each person. For example, I had running blisters for ages with various running shoes, tried various anti-blister, twin-skin, whatever socks that (some) swear by, and they made no difference. Stumbled upon another sock brand, for which there is no logical reason for them to be better, and they did me round a 100 miles of Himalayan "hills" without so much as a a hot spot while others' feet fell off. I deffo think it's trial & error and whatever works for you.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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They are only 2mm neoprene, you wear them under ski socks. My touring boots are slightly more roomy than my piste boots so the extra thickness doesn't cause any issue. Since I tried them I haven't had a blister while touring.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Scarpa, fair enough. I wouldn't be able to get my new boot on with those, let alone walk anywhere. According to the fitter I've been using boots a size too big for 2 seasons. Explains the comfort, also the flabby ski sensation...
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FAQ
But... Rule 5 doesn't apply for pre-blister prep. The Ezeefits have solved all my old blister problems.
