Nov 09 2011

BC Update: Salomon/Atomic AT Binding

Since being sent photos from Darren Rhalves garage of the new Alpine Touring binding coming from Salomon and Atomic some details could be immediately understood, and a few assumed, but some were missing. When presented with the evidence already made public the Salomon PR folks graciously put me in touch with Cody Townsend, one of the athlete/developers of these new AT bindings.

Salomon's Guardian switches between locked and free without having to exit the binding.

Right off the bat Cody confirmed that the binding does indeed switch from locked to free-heel mode without having to exit the binding. It is true that most times you are switching modes with AT gear you’re stopping to put skins on and need to step out of your bindings anyway. But not always, so it’s nice to have that convenient option.

Next concern was the propensity for the binding to ice up. They all do, so it’s just a matter of how often.
Keep making backcountry turns

Nov 06 2011

Review: 22 Designs’ Axl

When it comes to heavy metal rocking with a free heel there is no more powerful binding on planet tele than 22 Designs Axl. It is possible to make the TTS or NTN binding more powerful but actually I shudder that you should need any more tele-resistänçe than Axl delivers. Put another way, if you need more tension than this binding adds to your boot, you probably ought to just lock ‘yer heels.

Axl 2011 - 4 lbs. of pure power with a free-pivot. MSRP: $320

It has taken a few years to prove out but even the minor weaknesses of the most popular backcountry tele binding, BD’s O1 become significant when you factor in the level of power available with the Axl. Hammerhead set the high water mark for an active binding over a decade ago. Axl added a free pivot, but kept the HH DNA with an ingenious adaption of the HH cable routing that allows the touring pivot.

This is not to say that Axl doesn’t have some weaknesses of its own. Nothing is perfect, but like O1’s, these imperfections are easy to bear. Besides, who would argue with the combination of Hammerhead power and adjustability with an easy to engage free pivot for earning turns?
Keep making backcountry turns

Nov 04 2011

TR: Ski clock starts – D1 of 11-Twelve season

© 2011

It was no surprise when the storm hit, or that it was coming. The surprise was how much snow was left around 6,000 feet. Truckee locals have learned, Prosser Lake acts like a moisture magnet, summer or winter.

Last summer, the lone pine on the hill (above the logo) was an island. I'm hoping that will be the case again next summer.


After running errands in town Pepper was antsy to get outside. There was fresh snow. A full 15 centimeters of it and it was blower light on top.

We headed for the woods but a 100 paces later it dawned on me that it was deep enough to ski. Not enough for turns, but a nice kick ‘n glide session with the dog was on the menu so I ordered up.
Keep making backcountry turns

Oct 31 2011

Review: Clip-Skins (look Ma’, no glue!)

It is now year two for Clip Skins, the climbing skin that you can attach to your ski without glue. No glue to go bad over time, or get contaminated if you drop them in the dirt, or the need for Herculean strength to pull them apart after storing glue-to-glue, or the hassle of trying to apply that stupid skin-saver netting on top of a windy ridge.

No need to worry about dropping these skins in the snow, dirt, pine needles, or on a hot dashboard.

The question of whether or not they work has been fairly well documented here and elsewhere (see below). My two biggest concerns when I first tried them were that they wouldn’t edge very well and snow would creep in between the skin backing and the base of the ski.

Within the context of a half dozen short day tours with the beta version those problems never occurred. So I took a calculated risk and fabbed a pair the night before a six day crossing of the Sierra High Route, West to East. It was that or reglue my fave pair of Glidelite skins that began showing symptoms of a malignant glue cancer only a week after posting a favorable review.
Keep making backcountry turns

Oct 25 2011

Bryan Allegretto: Tahoe’s Weather Guru

Last February I had the pleasure of interviewing the creator and author of the increasingly popular blog Tahoe Weather Discussion. In that interview, founder Bryan Allegretto shared his unique take on weather forecasting, his predictions for the winter’s snow totals and his idea for an interactive forum focused specifically on Tahoe winter weather.

Tahoe Weather Discussion. Lots of beta & insight.

Allegretto has a knack for long range, localized weather forecasting. This propensity has lead him to make annual, pre-season predictions for liquid precipitation and the resulting snow totals in the basin.

Last November (2010), Allegretto officially called for 125% of average snowfall, but he revealed to me that he was hedging his bets with that number. Unofficially, he thought that the number could be much higher. With reports of 130-145% of average (depending on location), it’s fair to say that he hit the mark.
Keep making backcountry turns

Oct 24 2011

Review: 7tm Power Tour (2010-11)

When telemark skiing was approaching the apex of its popularity, the tribe knew we had best modify our gear or interest would wane. To that end the Holy Grail of telemark bindings was defined as one with lots of power for downhill control, a free-pivot for touring efficiency, step-in convenience, a safety release and, of course, light weight.

Power engages quickly, but doesn't set any records.

The 7tm Tour was the first to provide a free pivot with a safety release, but it has never developed much of a following due to it’s weight, price, and marginal power. However, for those who demand the safety release, the 7tm Power Tour is a binding to be seriously considered despite its relative weaknesses.

Considering what it was developed for, backcountry skiing, the 7tm is hard to beat for its feature rich set of options.

For fat skis and aggressive styles, there are several other bindings that deliver more power. Nonetheless the Power Tour is plenty adequate for skis narrower than 90mm, and with a four-buckle boot and a bit of skill, provides enough mojo for 100mm wide skis. In addition, being a full 33m above the ski helps with angulation and edging power. Besides, it has a release and the more powerful 75mm bindings do not.
Keep making backcountry turns

Oct 20 2011

Autumn finally arrives in Tahoe

Autumn colors at sunrise with a storm on the horizon.

Fall is finally visible in Tahoe, which means winter is around the corner. It’s been in the air since Labor Day, with a sneak attack of winter in early October. All these things bode well for a good winter, but it is still too early to tell. Even so, it is fun to read and hear the prognostications floating about.

My preference is to look at the signs in nature. Even though winter has threatened an early arrival, my sense is that was a hollow threat. We had a banner year last year, and good one the year before, and history suggests that the Sierra Nevada is not to be counted upon for two strong years in a row. Not that it isn’t possible, but it doesn’t happen that often.
Keep making backcountry turns