Gear Advice PLEASE
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:37 pm
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
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