Climbing Skins

creations_bane · 01-11-2009, 12:22

I was talking to my father about the company he used to run. He owned Ascension Climbing Skins and had mentioned that he had sold a bunch of his product to what I would assume is 10th Group in Fort Carson, CO. My question is is does anyone have any experience with these skins, either in training or on deployment, and whether or not they are still in service. For further reference, they were a fluorescent purple color on the bottoms.

JJ_BPK · 01-11-2009, 15:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by creations_bane

www.myspace.com/creations_bane

Creations_Bane

Ian, Before we get into fluorescent purple color on the bottoms

You might want to read this thread first and adjust your MySpace self..

A public service announcement by TeamSergeant:

http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/...=myspace<br />

creations_bane · 01-11-2009, 16:08

well put sir, i had forgotten that that was still even active. I appreciate the advice and will comply quickly.

afo417 · 01-11-2009, 16:20

I went to Cold Weather Operations School in 92. It was basically an abbreviated version of the course at the Northern Warfare Center... never saw or heard of the skins until a few weeks ago when I was looking thru a catalog. I was hoping the Army might have made some improvements in technology since then...

At that time we were using the skis w/ the spring binding, the snow shoes with the tales and either the black or white mickey mouse (Vapor Barrier) boots. being in the NG at that time we were years behind the regular army in equipment, however the instructors and some of the students were RA.

Obviously my experience is limited, hopefully some of the SF will be able to fill you in more.

x SF med · 01-11-2009, 19:29

In the 80's -
Hanwegs
Ramers - with fish scale bottoms that were supposed to work instead of the skins (never did, trust me)
Black skins or wax if you didn't have skins

HOLLiS · 01-11-2009, 20:16

Paul Ramer was pretty innovated. There was a plastic type, which when tension was applied the "scales" would stick out. Snake Skins made by Volie'.

I liked sticky skins. I still have the tool for cleaning the glue off. Mohair worked really good. Pros and cons to them. If the glue got cold they did not like to re-stick after they where taken off. Also they were very easy to take off, without getting out of the Ski binding. Mohair had better glide and control when skiing than snake skins. Snake Skins where better if you had to take skins off and put them on a lot.

alfromcolorado · 01-11-2009, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by x SF med

In the 80's -
Hanwegs
Ramers - with fish scale bottoms that were supposed to work instead of the skins (never did, trust me)
Black skins or wax if you didn't have skins

Forgot those wonderful Ramer bindings...

I had some of those fancy "no glue" skins, black, that had a little metal thing-a-ma-jig in the middle that you twisted side ways and back to "lock" on the ski...

I think its main purpose was storing snow between the ski side of the skin and the ski... Maybe so you didn't have have to look for snow when it came time to melt it for water.

7624U · 01-12-2009, 16:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by creations_bane

I was talking to my father about the company he used to run. He owned Ascension Climbing Skins and had mentioned that he had sold a bunch of his product to what I would assume is 10th Group in Fort Carson, CO. My question is is does anyone have any experience with these skins, either in training or on deployment, and whether or not they are still in service. For further reference, they were a fluorescent purple color on the bottoms.

Some teams still have them at carson, as for going up hill with skis I would rather just stop and put snow shoes on to walk uphill with a ruck but thats just me

HOLLiS · 01-12-2009, 17:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 7624U

Some teams still have them at carson, as for going up hill with skis I would rather just stop and put snow shoes on to walk uphill with a ruck but thats just me

Skiing with a ruck on can be like trying to ski with a unruly monkey on ones back. I made some loops for going over the ski and hanging up the binding, they where for drag one going down hill. I later bought a sled, and the game changed. Down hill became a much more fun. Also the sled had a drag brake (if needed) I'll need to dig up some Crater Lake winter camping photos.

One other thing I did, depending on run out, just let the back slide down on it's own. This was for a heavy pack.

Not sure any of this would be utilized by the Military.

alfromcolorado · 01-12-2009, 19:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

Skiing with a ruck on can be like trying to ski with a unruly monkey on ones back. I made some loops for going over the ski and hanging up the binding, they where for drag one going down hill. I later bought a sled, and the game changed. Down hill became a much more fun. Also the sled had a drag brake (if needed) I'll need to dig up some Crater Lake winter camping photos.

One other thing I did, depending on run out, just let the back slide down on it's own. This was for a heavy pack.

Not sure any of this would be utilized by the Military.

I always ski with a ruck on, backcountry or on slope. Practice makes perfect.

I don't do long multi-day trips though. My ruck usually comes in at about 35 lbs. in the backcountry. If my 4X4 won't get me in for a place to sleep I will slog in with a heavier ruck, camp and do day trips.

Not into hauling weight around anymore.

In Europe it is the heat because you can move with 35 lbs and stay in the Huettes. Much more civilized...

HOLLiS · 01-12-2009, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfromcolorado

I always ski with a ruck on, backcountry or on slope. Practice makes perfect.

I don't do long multi-day trips though. My ruck usually comes in at about 35 lbs. in the backcountry. If my 4X4 won't get me in for a place to sleep I will slog in with a heavier ruck, camp and do day trips.

Not into hauling weight around anymore.

In Europe it is the heat because you can move with 35 lbs and stay in the Huettes. Much more civilized...

About the same here, If I skied with a ruck, I try to keep the weight down. I don't like to go over 25 pounds. I have skied off of a few mountains and a lighter ruck is a necessity. I ski on "Telemark" equipment. Free heel skiing gives some benefits in skiing off-piste. In stead of the parallel turn, the telemark turns is great for crud, breakable crust. It is a little weaker on ice.

Again for camping and long trips a poke/sled is the way to go. One can haul a lot more with less effort. On one Crater Lake ski, I had ice climbing equipment, my wife's stuff, a heavy four season tent and my stuff. She just had a light pack with just the necessities.

X SF, I was not a fan of Ramer bindings, Silveretta seemed to have been a better set up. I can imagine the view for the chairs.

JAB10th · 01-13-2009, 09:06

I have recently retired and I think I still have a pair of the purple skins. They worked well as long as you maintained them. Group dose not issue them any more now they are blue.

Hey Al how's it going ?
Biff

alfromcolorado · 01-13-2009, 20:58

Ah, the eternal "Telemark" vs. Alpine Touring debate...

I tele'd early on and ditched it for AT gear. I have found it much more efficient in any BC conditions AND you don't stick your knees out there and apart looking for trouble. My experience says free heel is not better off piste in any way.

But this argument could go on about as long as it already has in BC circles.

My partner and I met a tele Scot on the Haute Route and he linked up with us. We had to wait on him quite a bit... But I think he was advanced intermediate. I had to fix his ski pole after one particular steep section...

I usually have about 35 lbs if climbing is involved. I have a very nice Arcteryx (sp?) ruck that hangs on the back quite well...

If my lady friend wants to go in heavy... Well, let's just say I support some forms of women's rights...

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

About the same here, If I skied with a ruck, I try to keep the weight down. I don't like to go over 25 pounds. I have skied off of a few mountains and a lighter ruck is a necessity. I ski on "Telemark" equipment. Free heel skiing gives some benefits in skiing off-piste. In stead of the parallel turn, the telemark turns is great for crud, breakable crust. It is a little weaker on ice.

Again for camping and long trips a poke/sled is the way to go. One can haul a lot more with less effort. On one Crater Lake ski, I had ice climbing equipment, my wife's stuff, a heavy four season tent and my stuff. She just had a light pack with just the necessities.

X SF, I was not a fan of Ramer bindings, Silveretta seemed to have been a better set up. I can imagine the view for the chairs.

x SF med · 01-12-2009, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

Skiing with a ruck on can be like trying to ski with a unruly monkey on ones back.

Reminds me of my first WET... learning to ski with a ruck was different from anything else - and I knew a little about skiing...

There were a few Instructors who were evil as hell - see the moguls - ski them with Ramers LBE and a ruck. Have you ever had a Ramer binding release at 30 mph on a friggin buried VW van with a 70 lb ruck strapped to your back, while dressed in 1st Gen goretex. You stop suddenly when you hit a tree or reach the bottom of the hill (crowd of civilians waiting for a lift - bowling for ski bunnies, as it were) or a snowdrift off the slope.

Soldiers with rucks bounce and slide well...

Utah Bob · 07-26-2009, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOLLiS

Skiing with a ruck on can be like trying to ski with a unruly monkey on ones back.

Especially if you're carrying this damn thing.