Not For The Long Haul...
Written: Dec 20 '99
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: Ability to use Alpine Skis and Boots
Cons: Heavy, Clumsy
|
|
|
| onehotchili's Full Review: Backcountry Access Alpine Trekker |
Two years ago, I got talked into doing a backcountry ski mountaineering trip. The plan was to take 3 days to climb 7,000 vertical feet to the summit Mt. Shasta in N. California, and to ski down. Sounds pretty good huh?... 7,000 feet of perfect Sierra corn snow.
Since I did not have any randonee skiing gear (ie. special bindings with heels that can be free for climbing *or* locked down for skiing), I decided to buy the Alpine Trekkers (AT) on the recommendation from a friend. Unfortunately my experience with them was bittersweet.
The design and construction of the AT is first rate. It is a solid piece of equipment and had I not sold them, I would have expected them to last many seasons. This solid construction unfortunately meant that the ATs were heavy. While they are not super heavy, if you add the weight of the ATs + alpine ski bindings + alpine skis + alpine ski boots, you end up with alot of weight on each of your legs. When you are scaling 7,000 vertical feet, it really takes a toll on your body and your legs in the end.
The other drawback is that the ATs add almost 2" in height above your skis. This raises your center of gravity and makes it easier for you to loose you balance when you are skinning up steep slopes... especially if you have a heavy pack on your back. If you do fall and the ATs pop out of your bindings (but are still attached to your ski boot), it is very awkward to click them back into your bindings since they kind of flop around on the sole of your ski boot.
On the flip side of the coin, ATs allow you to use heavy duty alpine ski gear which is always nice when it gets really steep and dicy. You are able to use equipment that you use everyday at the ski resorts and that you are comfortable with.
Overall, I like the ATs and would recommend them in certain situations and for day trips *only*. If you are tour hut to hut, or doing a multi-day ski mountaineering trip, rent the specialized back country gear or learn how to tele ski. That is what I did and that's why I no longer own a pair of Alpine Trekkers.
Recommended:
No
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
onehotchili
|
|
Location: Truckee, CA
Reviews written: 55
Trusted by: 69 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.