4:20 I believe OAC makes 160s. EDIT: I had not realized that Karhu, a Finnish brand, was such a pioneer in backcountry skiing and also made skis for North American market. Really cool.
I second the hok. They are just a great all around get around the snow tool. They are always attached to my snow machine, pack or feet when I am out. It's a blessing now having to have a specific boot.
I absolutely love these videos. I'm in Ontario, Canada - a starkly different landscape - and this is applicable here, as it is by you. Thank you for continuing to generously share your research and experience.
Great video, Evan I have had my Koms for about 5 years now. Absolutely top-notch for me. Being an old school type dude, mine have traditional 3-pin (the cable bindings are removeable) with a Scarpa boot. I sometimes wished I had the universal binding, but if I am going on an overnighter or something, I appreciate the good duckbill Scarpas. In camp, I just wear them to walk around and I bring my Neos with a duffle sock as a back up.
Been trying to get my wife and myself into the woods during winter, especially since we live in the woods. My wife does not like winter. I say because you don't enjoy an activity that only winter provides. I've skied and snowboarded a good portion of my life and have done some groomed cross country as well. We're simple folk but, we do not want snowmobiles and going to the local resort is just not cost effective and just too populated. Soooo...I have been trying to pair her to BC skiing. We rented some alpinas and went in our local woods FS roads. Ran the dogs and tested a setup. Good news: wife said she would try it again. Bad news....I have began the search for the perfect fit of BC...AT...XC.....oi vey! Along my search I hear about ppl's ski quiver...there is no "perfect setup". But, wife and I both agree....snowshoeing is a no go. Thanks for the vid
Great vid, but I think we may have to agree to disagree on a few points. I think the Silvretta 300-400 series, and later the 500 series, are significantly better than the Fritschi FT-88s. I think I also have to disagree on your Altai Kom assessment. The Silvrettas are, in fact DIN releasable, and also much more durable than the FT-88. Skied the Silvrettas for many years, and skied the Fritschis in Swiss Mountain School. We broke bindings regularly in Switzerland. Hardly ever broke Silvrettas. Plus…if one wants to lock down the heels for downhill…you have to come completely out of the bindings to switch them with the Fritschis. With the Silvretta…it only takes switching a latch at the rear of the binding. Of note…these skis are just as well off with a 75mm 3 pin Telemark binding, and that was what the guys at Altai originally had in mind when they built these skis. I personally do not think the Universal binding offers the same level of control as the 75mm…especially if one is using a good pair of Telemark touring boots…especially plastic ones like the Scarpa T4 or Garmont Veloce. No way a backpacking boot can rival that level of control. I reckon we’ll never agree on that binding choice or boot choice. I do use mine with the Universal binding and standard backpacking boots for point A to B. But…if there is to be any *real* turning involved on the downhills…I am going for a stronger binding and stronger boots. Also…during the same time that the Karhu XCD Guide and 10th Mountain existed…Fischer also had a couple XCD style skis out…the Snowbound Crown and another that I can’t remember the name of. Not as wide under foot, but still metal edged with a fish scale section. I also kind of disagree with your Altai Kom assessment. It is more of a downhill oriented ski…but still offers quite a lot for the up. It is the all-rounder touring ski I wish existed when I was on a Mountain ODA. Plenty of base under foot, rockered to float, tracks well enough, and stable for turns. More efficient for long distance touring than the Hok IMO. The fish scale base under the binding section is plenty of traction for a decent track. Once things get too steep…skins, of course, make the difference. If I could have only one ski…I would pick the Koms over the Hoks any day. More stable on the down, tour more efficiently, and aren’t too long for good use in the trees. I like my Hoks a lot, but I’d still pick the Koms as the true all-rounder.
Do you have a video on how to fit your chest rigs? I got one for Christmas and love it but just can’t get the sweet spot for it not to rub on my chest. I’m a 150lb guy just for reference it’s not rubbing on my belly.
We don't. We should... I prefer "high and tight". Once you get the height set with the top straps, you shouldn't ever need to adjust them. I adjust so the KB is sitting above my diaphragm. At your size, maybe only 4-5" between top of KB and top of H mesh in back? Then each time you put on, tighten the side straps to trap it at the correct location.
I have a question will they ever finish the movie of haunted mesa I know he died but I was wondering if anyone would ever finish it because he started it but died
