Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Back country ski bindings

If you're putting together a dedicated AT rig, then I'd recommend the Dynafit bindings. They're the lightest around, and find that the lower footbed (compared to other bindings) and hinge point closer to your toes make then better for both uphill and downhill.

I've been using the Dynafit binding this year and so far really like it. The uphill mode works well too. The only thing I haven't done yet is release out of them in a fall since I haven't fallen yet.

I use my Dynafits for lift-served skiing as well. I ski hard and occasionally take big falls. The release has worked well for me so far.

Thanks for the input guys! Currently, my AT setup doubles as my in-bounds powder setup. There is no rush for me to change now, I need to get at least another season, maybe two, out of my existing setup. I will most likely stick to the same approach of requiring the AT setup to perform well in-bounds under powder conditions. I was curious as to the performance of the Dynafit, especially on the descent. Just by looking at the bindings they do not look to be as rugged as the Freeride, but if they do hold up as well to hard charging in-bounds, then their weight alone makes them tough to beat.

Bill

Kurt,

I meant to ask you which boot you went with for your new Dynafit setup? I know you were in the Scarpa Denali a couple of years ago as am I and that boot isn't very comfortable. The boots are the first thing I need to replace and fortunately most of the new boots are compatible w/ both types of bindings.

Bill

Everything I have heard about the Dynafits suggests that you are risking either breaking your bindings or yourself by doing this. Dynafits are a fantastic touring binding, but I don't think they are remotely appropriate for regular inbounds use. -- my opinion. I'm sure others would disagree, but it's your legs & knees, not theirs.

I agree with Steve, I use my Dynafits (on BD Havocs) exclusively inbounds and out. This is my 3rd full season on them, and no issues. I occasionally fall, and the bindings release as they are supposed to. I tried my alpine set-up again, since it was getting so dusty, but I can't go back. The Dynafit set-up is so light and fun that it has given new life to my skiing. I average around 30 days a year on skis (today was my 12th for this season), and ski aggressively inbounds, not so much out-of-bounds.
In short, I find the Dynafits entirely appropriate for regular in-bounds use. I even ride in the terrain parks with my kids on this rig, including rails and jibs. I've skied bumps, ice, crud, pow, breakable crust, everything I can find. IMHO, the Dynafits are all you'll ever need.

Btw, I skied the Mountaineer's Route on a Whitney winter dayhike last March on my Dynafit setup ( trip report here)

bearbnz,

Thanks for the binding info and the results of your "field testing".

Nice job on last year's summit! I was one of the two climbers you saw on your way up (just read your report for the 1st time). I had the skis on my pack. We were camped @ LBSL. We ended up turning around short of Iceberg Lake. We weren't so much worried about the avy conditions, but were very concerned about the visibility issues. We waited a bit as the clouds looked to show some signs of clearing (we saw the summit briefly), but quickly filled in again. Sorry to hear the chute was so wind scoured. I don't feel so bad now though. At the time I was really bummed because I thought the chute would be protected enough to hold some of the fresh powder. I was expecting an epic ride down the chute. We went up high on the left slope as your leaving the Iceberg Lake area to get a little better run in back to camp. There was some really nice powder pockets in there and some cool terrain features. I did few powder runs on the slopes above camp @ LBSL as well, good fun!

We spent that night there @ LBSL and packed out the following day. It was really cold, single digits @ night and probably low 20s when we departed from camp. There were a few inches of fresh powder on the South side of the creek and it was really fun on the way back down, nice and dry from the cold weather. I remember wishing I was carrying a daypack instead of the overnight gear and it would have been even more fun. The Monday we left looked to be an epic day to go for the summit. Clear skys prevailed and there was some really nice powder lying around. It sounds like the chute would have still been a mess though. Anyway, it was a good trip.

Regarding your route up the North Fork, I like the South side as well for skis (especially coming down), but I have seen evidence of avalanche along the South side, both near the beginning of the drainage (a long chute up the South face) and almost to LBSL.

Bill

Just finished trimming some new skins (Couldn't find mine, so I had to buy a new set. I'm old, I forget.) and remembered that I wanted to post a question to this thread concerning why you like you BC setup for ALL skiing?

I broke out the BC gear at Mammoth a few weeks ago, just to make sure that I still know how to ride with the setup. It didn't take long to start feeling comfortable, but it also didn't take long to decide that I wouldn't ride this setup (Atomic Kailas skis, Fritsche Freeride bindings, Lowa Structura Light boots) full time. Here's why: compared to my Alpine setup, the skis chatter a whole lot more, the bindings make me feel like I'm higher off the ski and the boots are nowhere near as stiff as my Alpine boots. The flip side of this is that I'd never, ever, want to carry anywhere near the weight of my Alpine setup into the backcountry.

So, why do you like your BC gear at the resorts?

I've used my TM22-Pure-Adrenaline setup for my resort skiing the last 3 years. At Thanksgiving I brought my downhill gear to Mammoth to use as rock skis, but there was adequate coverage. The next day back on the AT gear was much easier on my knees. Five less pounds per foot.

I wouldn't go anywhere with my downhill gear that I wouldn't go with the AT gear, but I might go faster in the downhill gear.Burt I've done more resort vertical in a day in the At gear than with the downhill gear.

Dale B. Dalrymple

The AT gear worked from the Peak Gate at Aspen Highlands in February:

...drool...

Just set aside skis for myself... hmm...

I find it acceptable, but not optimal. I've got an old pair of alpine skis and bindings that I could use, but I don't have the boots. The old skis are good for big, wide open terrain, but suck for moguls, which is what you mostly have to deal with in bounds. I had to choose between one or the other (BC or in bounds rig) and I chose BC since I can use it in bounds, but it really sucks to go the other way (did it for years; I speak from experience).