So Christmas is coming up, and I'm lucky enough to have my parents buying me presents since I'm not out of highschool. I'm looking to get into ski mountaineering as well as some eastern ski descents, which will include a Mount Washington late winter/early spring ascent via Tuckerman's Ravine, a Mt. Mansfield via Hell Brook Trail ascent, and Mount Greylock via The Thunderbolt Trail, as well as some searching around North Conway, NH for anything I can mess around on for some day ascents. However, I am totally new to the game, with only a winter ascent of Mt. Washington, NH, under my belt and some guided ice experience (I've been rock climbing for a few years now).

So what do I need? To start, my total budgest should be under $500 (I'll be pitching in). I am considering the BD Raven or Raven Pro, but I am not sure if I should get one or two, as I want to progress into mixed ice and technical mountaineering. As for crampons, I have seen reviews of the BD Sabretooths. I already have a lightweight Mammut pack with straps to attach skis (A-frame or on the back), clothing, and a helmet.

For ski mountaineering, I bought a pair of Scarpa Tornado Pro AT Boots (used, $200). The shin was incredibly rigid but I have never worn touring boots before and wasn't sure what to think. For skis, I was hoping to throw AT bindings onto a pair of old skis and use those, with skins, for ski mountaineering; would this work? The skins and bindings for ski mountaineering I will probably buy in store.

Any advice is greatly appreciated! Thanks, pb

I'm not familiar with your area of the country, but here's what you need to get started (generally speaking).

- ice axe - dont matter what kind - just get a 60-65cm length.
- crampons - start with strapons until you figure your boot situation out. BD sabretooths are fine.
- helmet - you said you have one - just make sure its for climbing and not biking or football or something.
- boots - get some that are comfy and warm. you can upgrade to something cool in the future. 3/4 shank (or full) will help with the crampons

now stop.

go put this stuff to use and become proficient at it. I say that because you may not be any good with that stuff or you may not like it. and if either of those are correct, there is no use buying a whole bunch of gear you'll never use. if you like it then we'll start in on harnesses, pro, tools, ropes, packs, and a whole wide world of expensive clothing.

and btw, ski mountaineering is not eactly friendly on the walet. its sort of a rich guy sport. it's like saying you sail boats or hunt pheasant in Scotland. i cant even imagine...

good luck and keep us updated.

Fletch wrote:and btw, ski mountaineering is not eactly friendly on the walet. its sort of a rich guy sport. it's like saying you sail boats or hunt pheasant in Scotland. i cant even imagine...

Thanks for the help! And I realized that ski mountaineering would be expensive when I walked into the store and the AT boots on the wall were $700 plus, with the old, used ones at minimum where $300 . I'm going to try to improvise with regular gear and my cheap AT boots to see if I like before I buy anything. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it - pb

Are you good at skiing? If yes, then you can boot pack up (or snow shoe) all of the descents you mentioned above without using any touring gear and ski down with your Alpine ski gear. Also, for the trails you mentioned, you don't get to choose when to go. So be prepare to leave whenever condition report is favorable. Pay attention to avalanche report on Mt Washington area.

It's nice to have, but you don't really need any ice axes for those ski descents. Save the money for a pair of ice tools and crampons. Ski touring bindings are expensive, especially if you go tech binding route. You can rent touring stuff at EMS (North Conway), Mountaineer (Keene, NY).

Check out backcountry ski fest at Mountaineer.

http://www.mountaineer.com/skifest/

divnamite wrote:Are you good at skiing? If yes, then you can boot pack up (or snow shoe) all of the descents you mentioned above without using any touring gear and ski down with your Alpine ski gear. Also, for the trails you mentioned, you don't get to choose when to go. So be prepare to leave whenever condition report is favorable. Pay attention to avalanche report on Mt Washington area.

It's nice to have, but you don't really need any ice axes for those ski descents. Save the money for a pair of ice tools and crampons. Ski touring bindings are expensive, especially if you go tech binding route. You can rent touring stuff at EMS (North Conway), Mountaineer (Keene, NY).

Check out backcountry ski fest at Mountaineer.

http://www.mountaineer.com/skifest/

Thanks, and yes I've been skiing for 13 years now with a lot of experience. On the ice axes, I want to have at least one for beginner ascents on some mountain around NH and on any steep terrain for arresting.