The
approach is in inevitable part of any
backcountry skiing venture. This is where the
climbing skins introduced in the Gear section
really shine. Sure, you can always hike in, but
that can quickly become exhausting depending on
snow conditions and even becomes impossible when
the snow is deep enough. Climbing skins are
typically made out of mohair and/or nylon, and
attach to the bottom of skis via a hook or loop
on both ends and an adhesive that sticks
directly to the ski. Skins effectively increase
the coefficient of friction between your skis
and the snow, and the material on the bottom of
the skins is designed to allow the ski to slide
forward but not backwards. This allows you to
use your skis as you would snowshoes without
having to worry about
backsliding. Different types of
skins provide different amounts of traction,
which is normally dependent on the ratio of
nylon to mohair in the skin design. Those with a
higher percentage of mohair typically grip
better, but are also more expensive.
Another factor that affects traction on the approach is the snow conditions. Even the best climbing skins will still have a hard time gripping if you're trying to traverse icy surfaces. Ideally, you want to have a few inches of fresh snow on top of whatever else there is, but too much powder can also be a hindrance in that more energy is expelled compressing the snow beneath the skis.
In addition to snow conditions, the weight and dimension of your skis also plays a role here. The bigger the ski, the higher the surface area. Skis with higher surface area tend to sink less in the deep powder and also grip better on all surfaces. But with higher surface area often comes higher weight, and since you have to lift the ski every time you take a step, if the skis are too heavy you can become worn out too quickly.
http://www.tetongravity.com/story/ski/g3s-high-traction-climbing-skins-teton-tested
The ski profile is another factor to
take into consideration. Most skis on the market have a
camber profile of some type. Backcountry skis typically
have more rocker than other skis, as this helps provide
flotation in the deep snow often encountered in the
backcountry. The profile also affects the skinning
ability of the skis, as it determines the percentage of
the ski that actually makes contact with the snow and
thus provides traction.
As you can see, there are a number of different factors that must be taken into consideration prior to acquiring your gear. Finding the right balance of weight, surface area, maneuverability and versatility is a difficult process, and is different for everyone.
backsliding. Different types of
skins provide different amounts of traction,
which is normally dependent on the ratio of
nylon to mohair in the skin design. Those with a
higher percentage of mohair typically grip
better, but are also more expensive. Another factor that affects traction on the approach is the snow conditions. Even the best climbing skins will still have a hard time gripping if you're trying to traverse icy surfaces. Ideally, you want to have a few inches of fresh snow on top of whatever else there is, but too much powder can also be a hindrance in that more energy is expelled compressing the snow beneath the skis.
In addition to snow conditions, the weight and dimension of your skis also plays a role here. The bigger the ski, the higher the surface area. Skis with higher surface area tend to sink less in the deep powder and also grip better on all surfaces. But with higher surface area often comes higher weight, and since you have to lift the ski every time you take a step, if the skis are too heavy you can become worn out too quickly.
http://www.tetongravity.com/story/ski/g3s-high-traction-climbing-skins-teton-tested
The ski profile is another factor to
take into consideration. Most skis on the market have a
camber profile of some type. Backcountry skis typically
have more rocker than other skis, as this helps provide
flotation in the deep snow often encountered in the
backcountry. The profile also affects the skinning
ability of the skis, as it determines the percentage of
the ski that actually makes contact with the snow and
thus provides traction. As you can see, there are a number of different factors that must be taken into consideration prior to acquiring your gear. Finding the right balance of weight, surface area, maneuverability and versatility is a difficult process, and is different for everyone.
Home Page
Gear Overview
At the Base: The Ascent
At the Summit: The Descent
Snow and Avalanche Conditions
Bibliography
Gear Overview
At the Base: The Ascent
At the Summit: The Descent
Snow and Avalanche Conditions
Bibliography