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First ascent of Salisbury Crags
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead

So I tried out the touring skis today. I left my house with the skis and skins on but quickly found out it is easier and quicker to carry the skis on compacted snow than to skin up. I walked about 1.5miles to Holyrood Park then skinned up Salisbury Crags, maybe 0.5miles? Skinning is hard work and I was slower than my friends who were walking without skis. The only place that I had an advantage was when cutting off the trodden down paths across some deep snow.

The skis down was hard but fun, the snow was a little crusty now, I have obviously missed the best Edinburgh snow, and my skis need remounted, they are mounted pretty far forward so are a but funky feeling at the moment.

So thought of my first shot with touring skis.
It's physically hard work climbing up.
I need to figure out how to get up steep bits, I started sliding backwards at one point so had obviously reached the limits of the skins.
If there isn't much snow then it's a bit easier just carrying your skis for short distances.
Rucksacks with ski carrying systems are great, I have hiked up hills before with my skis on my shoulder and a proper rucksack makes all the difference.
I can see why tourers get obsessed with light weight
I think I try to lift the skis too much rather than slide then, any hints or tips on skinning?

Some pics

My uphill tracks



Holyrood park



Edinburgh



Arthurs seat



My new skis



Me setting off

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 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person

lynseyf, What lovely photos - brought back very happy memories Very Happy
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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?

lynseyf, no hints on skinning, I'm afraid - but great photos, and a v good effort!
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Nice one, well done Very Happy
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 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Great pics Smile
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Good effort lynseyf.

Too steep: zig zag back and forth up the slope to make it easier. Some prefer steep tracks, others like to travel further but on an easier gradient so you need to find out what works best for you. At each corner you'll need to do an uphill kick turn which is a bit of an acquired knack. I'm sure there are plenty of videos to show you how.

Skinning in general: try not to pick up your skis - just push them along the snow (like ironing). You'll need to modify this if the snow is soft and you're making the track. It can be hard work so just concentrate on keeping all your movements, and energy expenditure, to a minimum. Aim to get into a rhythm and keep going. Remember to use the heel raise and change the height as often as you need to make life easy.
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 Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

lovely, lovely...
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 After all it is free Go on u know u want to!
After all it is free Go on u know u want to!

Nice photos, nowhere near Salisbury then?
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altis, Thanks Altis, yes I think I need to learn kick turns but I will leave that till my second time out Smile When you say just push the skis along the snow, how much do you left your heel up, sometimes when I tried to slide a bit more I lifted my heel a lot? I got into more of a rhythm the more I went on so am sure more practise will help.

davidof, no, part of an old volcano in Edinburgh.
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Yes, my heel comes up. Quite how much - I've never bothered to measure! I'm only ever conscious of it when we're on the flat and a race starts to develop. Don't worry about trying to 'kick and glide' - that's only really appropriate for XC skis. I'd just concentrate on moving forwards and let your body do what is necessary. Focus on keeping your balance and rhythm.
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