Telemark skiing is dead.

[frorider]

Pretty fucking lame hijack.

? A week ago when this went down it seemed a few of us felt the loss. Sorry you were offline then & couldn’t contribute. Now here we all are in the lone tele thread & we don’t even have a dedicated PP thread as he deserves.

[Jax]

(from last page bottom) A little late to getting the news and man I am so sad. I am so fortunate to have been able to work alongside Paul during my time at Garmont and with Marmot/K2 Tele as well. He was a visionary and leader of the sport in terms of product development, always tinkering and looking ahead wrt boots, liners, skis and bindings. I learned to tele on Tua's right as I entered the outdoor industry and he was a mainstay for me.

I looked up to him and learned from him. I will never forget his contributions to tele and then later, the AT world. RIP Paul


From the Summit Daily:

"March 16, 1953 – October 29, 2024

Paul Gray Parker of Harbor Springs, Michigan, and Breckenridge, Colorado, died peacefully surrounded by family on October 29, 2024, in Harbor Springs.

Paul was born in Dallas, Texas, on March 16, 1953, to Emma Lou (White) and Samuel Parker, both church organists. Paul grew up in Dallas but always harbored a plan to move to the mountains as soon as possible. Settling in Colorado, his love of the mountains enabled his professional successes as an author, instructor, adventure skier, ski industry consultant, product designer and manager. This career path allowed Paul to climb, ski, participate in expeditions, and cycle in mountains around the world.

Paul spent his early years working for Outward Bound and Neptune Mountaineering and spent every free moment climbing. Teaching telemark skiing became his introduction to Chouinard Equipment where he was hired as a tech rep to sell telemark skis and bindings. He worked to develop TUA skis as a feasible brand in the US, develop Scarpa as a viable backcountry ski boot brand and conceived the first plastic telemark boot with Scarpa. When he began working with Garmont, it was to develop the first triple-injected boot. Further efforts produced telemark, rondonee, freeride and alpine boots. He also worked for Patagonia, Marmot, and Scott. He was a member of the PSIA Nordic Demo Team for 8 years.

In 1988 Paul wrote the definitive how-to guide for the sport of telemark skiing, Free-Heel Skiing: Telemark and Parallel Techniques (now in its 3rd edition). In 2002 the ski industry honored Paul with the Dagfinn Ragg award for his outstanding contribution to the advancement of cross-country ski sports.

In 2023, when Paul faced health challenges, he and Lanie moved back to Michigan to be close to Lanie’s extended family. Paul particularly enjoyed the “really big trees” and the serenity of the area. He could frequently be spotted riding his bike close to home or making a few turns at Nubs Nob, which he thoroughly enjoyed.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Lanie (Wilderom) Parker, brother Roland Parker, Lanie’s family and friends from around the world. Per Paul’s request, there will be no services. Paul was happiest after a hard ski, ride or sitting quietly at home with a beer."

https://www.summitdaily.com/news/obi...y-paul-parker/

[Peruvian]

A few Paul Parker designs I have skied over the years.

[jackstraw]

A little late to getting the news and man I am so sad. I am so fortunate to have been able to work alongside Paul during my time at Garmont and with Marmot/K2 Tele as well. He was a visionary and leader of the sport in terms of product development, always tinkering and looking ahead wrt boots, liners, skis and bindings. I learned to tele on Tua's right as I entered the outdoor industry and he was a mainstay for me.

I looked up to him and learned from him. I will never forget his contributions to tele and then later, the AT world. RIP Paul

That's pretty awesome Jax. Cool experience for sure. Sorry man.

[Peruvian]

Does anyone know where I can find a set of the Bolt-on second heels for a pair of F3s?

[bodywhomper]

I saw a lot of tele skiers at the hill yesterday (including PB!!!) and noticed that many have an odd poor form (not PB!) of sticking their asses out. Has something changed? I find that I have much better edge control (especially on hard/fast snow) if I “push the bush.” Allen and Mike describe it as keeping your ass cheeks tight enough to hold a coin between then, resulting in better hip position.

[PB]

Thanks?
Sounds a bit like an over-weighting the front ski thing.

[Mr. Multiglisse]

I saw a lot of tele skiers at the hill yesterday (including PB!!!) and noticed that many have an odd poor form (not PB!) of sticking their asses out. Has something changed? I find that I have much better edge control (especially on hard/fast snow) if I “push the bush.” Allen and Mike describe it as keeping your ass cheeks tight enough to hold a coin between then, resulting in better hip position.

I blame those fancy new red and black boots.

[bodywhomper]

Thanks?
Sounds a bit like an over-weighting the front ski thing.

Your form is all good, IMO! Including trench carving on the fast snow.

yes all front ski, but lots of sliding and sliding out. no carving. Odd to see so much of it and a technique that seems to work fine in soft snow.

I mean they all looked like they were having fun, but a simple alteration in the hips/bush can change a lot. I think it’s a bad habit and muscle memory.

I blame those fancy new red and black boots.

I saw a few of them.

[PB]

It's all fun and games until the rock hard snow comes out .....

[jhyatt]

I saw a lot of tele skiers at the hill yesterday (including PB!!!) and noticed that many have an odd poor form (not PB!) of sticking their asses out. Has something changed? I find that I have much better edge control (especially on hard/fast snow) if I “push the bush.” Allen and Mike describe it as keeping your ass cheeks tight enough to hold a coin between then, resulting in better hip position.

Sit like you fuck not like you shit

Quoting an Irishman with whom I used to teach windsurfing but it applies to life in general

[aBradAbroad]

aaaand that’s a quote I will never forget, even if I tried


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[bodywhomper]

Haha. I’m sure I’ll get it wrong if I try to tell somebody: “shit like you fuck and not like you sit!”

It's all fun and games until the rock hard snow comes out .....

Hopefully, no more hard snow for a little while…

[PB]

Actually, pooping with a rounded lower spine isn't recommended either.
Don't bother asking me how I know, you already know.

[chicken feathers]

Cool overview of the development of the new boots, and info on the new TX comp at the end.




https://youtube.com/shorts/ZRtFXLZ7j...cEuG6HAoOuycYU

ETA clip of another TX comp prototype? ^^

[PB]

Any body using zip fits in the free heel boots? If so, what model and primarily for what type of skiing?
Considering making the switch from high density Intuitions, for groomer carving.

[Toddball]

Any body using zip fits in the free heel boots? If so, what model and primarily for what type of skiing?
Considering making the switch from high density Intuitions, for groomer carving.

Yes, I have GFTs in TX Pros (not the new ones), which have been my one boot quiver for the last few seasons. I like them a lot for both touring and inbounds (and touring inbounds). I don't think they carve super well when it's really firm and icy, but I feel like this is more a result of my skis rather than boots.

[ski-wpk]

Has anyone had issues with Outlaws prereleasing? I have two pair of Outlaws and one pair of Bandits. I cannot keep my boots in one pair my Outlaws (with maybe 10 days of use). I step out of them while skiing, they fall off on the lift, I even stepped out yesterday when slowly skating on a flat. All adjustments check out. What gives?

[ski-wpk]

Bandits ski awesome btw.

[dschane]

Has anyone had issues with Outlaws prereleasing? I have two pair of Outlaws and one pair of Bandits. I cannot keep my boots in one pair my Outlaws (with maybe 10 days of use). I step out of them while skiing, they fall off on the lift, I even stepped out yesterday when slowly skating on a flat. All adjustments check out. What gives?

The only time something like that happened to me (I walked out of one while skinning up) was because I had backed off the preload for the offseason and forgot to tighten it down at the start of the next season. So, if by some chance you haven't set the preload between 1 and 5, then tighten them down.

Otherwise, using older Crispi boots?

[BeHuWe]

Any body using zip fits in the free heel boots? If so, what model and primarily for what type of skiing?
Considering making the switch from high density Intuitions, for groomer carving.

Free rides in crispi evo WC. For everything in the resort.


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[ski-wpk]

The only time something like that happened to me (I walked out of one while skinning up) was because I had backed off the preload for the offseason and forgot to tighten it down at the start of the next season. So, if by some chance you haven't set the preload between 1 and 5, then tighten them down.

Otherwise, using older Crispi boots?

Thanks. I’m in TX Comps. Boots are showing wear but duckbills look new because I was on Bishops before the Outlaws. Preload is at 4. Might just be that springs are shot, but seems crazy after 10 days on snow.

[Toddball]

Thanks. I’m in TX Comps. Boots are showing wear but duckbills look new because I was on Bishops before the Outlaws. Preload is at 4. Might just be that springs are shot, but seems crazy after 10 days on snow.

How old are the bindings? I had a prerelease issue with Outlaw Xs last year and contacted 22 Designs, and they mentioned they had updated the part that holds the spring tube and claw to the main part of the binding (called the "rear assembly"). My binding was a few weeks out of warranty, so I think I paid half the replacement cost of the new rear assemblies; if you're still in warranty and having the same problem you might get replacement parts in the mail.

When you step into the problem binding(s) or click a boot in on the bench, does the claw engage all the way, or snap a little bit back towards the open position? At least one of mine basically wouldn't stay in the fully engaged position, and I would end up walking out of the binding when I hit a little compression or something.

[Toddball]

Addendum: boots are 26 (small NTN) TX Pros

[ski-wpk]

Super helpful. This is basically what’s happening to mine. Bought the bindings in March last year. Should still be in warranty. I have an older pair that has had no issues.

My boots are big, size thirty Comps, which generally causes problems. Just a lot of torque, though I’m not heavy: six-three, one eighty.