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The Chief wrote:Modern AT Boots can afford a day of both. Like I posted...


Will fill this void, comfortably with a pair of Grivel G-12's (either style)....


The Rig...

I like the way you think Chief!

Deb,

There are a lot of choices out there. The most important aspect of boot selection for performance and comfort is a good fit to your foot. Being from Southern California myself, I found A/T boot shopping really challenging because there are not many outlets here that stock a variety of boots to try on. I bought Garmont MegaRides on line from Backcountry.com and I did the thermo-molding myself. By doing a little research I learned that the Garmonts are better fits for narrow feet so that helped me narrow it down. If you have wide feet you might find that Scarpa's fit better.

I saw that someone mentioned it earlier that the Silverettas work with mountaineering boots; I have skinned uphill in my Freerides wearing Scarpa Alpha climbing boots. They snap in and are secured just fine but, like Chief said, I would not recommend this as it is not terribly comfortable.

More to the point, I found it damn near impossible to drive my ski through a turn wearing the plastic climbing boots as they lacked the height and lateral rigidity to transfer power to the ski.

But just because I can't do it doesn't mean someone else can't. I was probably just soft.

Leave it to Chief to give dick-waving bad advice, some things never change. I call BS on the lots spiral tib-fibs from Ramers, properly set up they actually released quite well. A heavy ass boot like Adrenalin with heavy steel crampons is silly at best.

As for the Fritschi with climbing boots, lots of things are possible but are also less than ideal. If you're doing it a lot, a 400/404/500 Silvretta (or late model Ramer if you can find one) is indeed a better option. Skiing boots like that definitely takes practice but it may even help your regular skiing.

None of this helps the OP though so at least try and stay on topic. She wants a good AT rig and that starts with an all-mountain AT boot and a mid-fat ski. The new issue of Skiing actually has a pretty good overview of the backcountry market.

I own approach skis with silvretta bindings,but i would never consider using that setup when skiing is the main thing.When i go for a combined ski/climb route i usally use my AT setup.As long as there is mostly ice or snow and the climb is easy enough to be climbed with skis on pack,i find my spirit 4 boots work well for climbing as well as being solid enough when skiing down.(The Garmont adrenaline climbs worse compared to the spirit 4 according to friends)

What's really flippin' funny about this thread is that the OP asked for opinions from the LADIES and got a majority of testosterone driven prating from the guys.

Figures. Go beat your chests elsewhere, boys. Women do things differently, if you hadn't noticed.

Deb, I've skied for a lot longer than most people on this thread but NOT Chief. I am completely supportive of what he suggests because what he offers is intellegent and sensible.

Everything else is just masturbation.

Come ski in CO sometime, too. You're more than welcome here.

Now we are commenting that G-12's are heavy ass steel crampons and are useless.

Of course you Aplynisto, would wear Aluminum Pons on Mixed WI3 and greater Alpine/Ice routes, right!


As far as Ramers and their spiral fracture record, call this Femur, Fib/ Tib and complete Knee Ski Injury specific Ortho Expert who dealt with their malfunctions for over 7 years. He will be more than glad to lend you some first hand "published" stories...

Dr. Michael Karch
Mammoth Sierra Ortho/Sports Med Ctr
760-934-4084

BTW...
Koflach Arctis: 2500 grams per pr
Scarpa Inverno's: 2640 grams per pr
G-Sugars: 3090 grams per pr (w/Thermo's)
G- Adrenalin: 3470 grams per pr (w/Thermo's)

"Anyone that is contemplating skiing down anything over 10 degs in Mountaineering Boots that ARE NOT designed for AT skiing, is asking for a potentially severe lower extremity injury!"
Dr. Karch less than 15 mins ago by phone.

Skiing mag is an Alpine generic piece of propaganda shit that is printed in Hong Kong.

You want AT & Tele Expert Specific Info, go here....

Backcountry Magazine which formerly was Couloir Magazine. Written by AT and Tele experts.


BTW: The idea that I posted regarding the heavy ass set up... that was no other than this Late Great Legends actual rig idea before he died, not mine! He had an awesome article on it in the Jan '06 edition of Backcountry Mag.

I guess he too was giving out.."dick-waving bad advice".

Doug Coombs 1957-2006

Here he is on his..."A heavy ass boot like Adrenalin with heavy steel crampons is silly at best" Rig. But what the fk did he know, right Alpynisto?

FortMental wrote:So...let me get this straight. He's soloing with a harness on?

Yeah... Alex Lowe did it often as well. There a problem with that?


Here's Alex and Doug doing the gig with AT specific boots & bindings. But what did they know, Right?

Maybe not.. but they didn't nor ever did use the Ramer set up either. The knew better.

Coombs Quote from the Nov/Dec '94 R&I AT Review ...

"Going Steep, more than 10-15 degs, don't even think about the Ramer's!"

MarthaP wrote:What's really flippin' funny about this thread is that the OP asked for opinions from the LADIES and got a majority of testosterone driven prating from the guys.

Figures. Go beat your chests elsewhere, boys. Women do things differently, if you hadn't noticed.

Deb, I've skied for a lot longer than most people on this thread but NOT Chief. I am completely supportive of what he suggests because what he offers is intellegent and sensible.

Everything else is just masturbation.

Come ski in CO sometime, too. You're more than welcome here.

Sharp girl! I know the boys are trying to help, I do appreciate the posts although don't much thought or weight on them. Since I know Chief, I trust his advice and instinct. Thanks for the support Martha.....and I just might take you up on that offer!

My final word on all this Deb....

Don't take my word on any of this stuff.

Instead, I highly recommend that you personally speak to either, Autumn, Zak, John, Bill or Trevor at MMS. They know all about all the new AT stuff and which will be best for your needs.

They truly are the current Eastern Sierra AT sales experts.

And please, do not rent anything from REI before speaking to the folks up here at MMS.

Mammoth Mountaineering Supply

The Chief wrote:My final word on all this Deb....

Don't take my word on any of this stuff.

Instead, I highly recommend that you personally speak to either, Autumn, Zak, John, Bill or Trevor at MMS. They know all about all the new AT stuff and which will be best for your needs.

They truly are the current Eastern Sierra AT sales experts.

And please, do not rent anything from REI before speaking to the folks up here at MMS.

Mammoth Mountaineering Supply

I plan on heading to MMS on the 29th, hope there's still plenty of snow to practice in. Thanks Chief!

Really appreciate everyone's thought, comments and advice. Thanks SP clan!

Deb,
I was talking to Autumn at MMS today and new gear should be in over the next few weeks. She thought the new BD product line would be there by 11/1. Dynafit before that. I am also about in the same buying stage as you. Even though MMS rents their new gear (rental $ applied to buy) she did mention the new stuff isn't for rent until the snow on the mountain is covering well. Guess they don't want folks using their new gear as rock skis

Others might be interested that they are taking over the old Taylor Family Shoe store in Bishop (east side of 395 near Willow) for a second store.

Scott M. wrote:Deb,
I was talking to Autumn at MMS today and new gear should be in over the next few weeks. She thought the new BD product line would be there by 11/1. Dynafit before that. I am also about in the same buying stage as you. Even though MMS rents their new gear (rental $ applied to buy) she did mention the new stuff isn't for rent until the snow on the mountain is covering well. Guess they don't want folks using their new gear as rock skis

Others might be interested that they are taking over the old Taylor Family Shoe store in Bishop (east side of 395 near Willow) for a second store.

That kinda blows regarding rentals and release dates. ARG! I'll be in Texas the first week of November.
Does the store in Bishop carry AT gear as well?

If I understood her (Autumn) correctly the Bishop store will have a more limited inventory compared to Mammoth. Might be worth a call to the Mammoth store before you head there. Never know what might change between now and then.