Prolly really stupid touring idea...but why?

[schindlerpiste]

I am trying my hardest to avoid spending a $500-$650 on randonee boots. I have toyed with the idea of climbing with snowshoes on, and my alpine boots in my pack. Of course, it could be a big hassle donning hard plastic boots in the cold and powder of the BC. This idea sounds stupid, even to me. But why? Has anyone gained access to the BC in this way? Is this just a bad idea?

This certainly makes more sense, if I have access to a sled , or even 4wd ATV.

[jibco]

Uuhhh, alpine boots work just fine in FRs and naxos. Are you just considering dynafits?

Snowshoes are really stupid, indeed.

[nutcase]

have you tried touring in alpine boots yet? They work fine and will certainly be a better option than your idea, which honestly is just plain stupid and unnecessary.

You will travel slower in snowshoes and it will take a hell of a lot more energy to carry your boots and skis.

[bio-smear]

Thirded.

[pechelman]

fyi you can find at boots for much less than 500, especially if you look for used ones

and yea, snowshoes are retarded if youre a skier.

[bio-smear]

I got my Denali TT's for $299 from EMS about a month ago.

[pechelman]

I got my Denali TT's for $299 from EMS about a month ago.

fr aeros at the beginning of the season for 250

[corn dog]

There are a load of FR Aeros on ebay now for $300. Changing your boots in the snow in the winter is not fun, even less fun than snow shoes, but maybe quicker (than the snowshoeing).
It shouldn't be that hard to find lasers for $100 or so.

[pechelman]

^^shhhh!
friend of mine needs a pair really bad

[Tony]

Used Lasers are around $100-$200, depending use.

[homerjay]

Why is it stupid? Compare the glide of skis w/ skins vs. slowshoes. Compare folding up some skins and stuffing them in your pack vs. having huge snowshoes dangling off of the back. Compare the weight of carrying alpine boots, snowshoes, etc. vs. a pair of skins.

[schindlerpiste]

Thanks Homer. I was just waiting for someone to put into words that which I knew was true, but was too lazy to think about.

[hutash]

STP had some Garmont G-rides for $300

[Damian Sanders]

You could switch over to intution liners or thermoflexes in your current alpine boots and tour in those, they are lighter and warmer....

[Cruiser]

I hiked Quandary a couple of winters ago doing exactly the same thing you asked about. Alpine boots are bulky and don't fit well in the pack. Once I got them crammed in there it was difficult to get any of the other essentials in too. I did make the summit, but carrying the extra weight really tired me out. The descent was pretty good since I was on my alpine gear, but it wasn't worth the effort to me. I sucked it up and bought AT gear shortly after that. If you just can't afford the AT gear, then it's a viable option. It is certainly not ideal though.

[flip]

In the NE I've snowshoed up a couple of things and carried my gear. On steep icy snowshoe trails it makes total sense vs skinning. For example, I've both hiked and skinned into Tuckerman's, and I'd say hiking is faster.

Everywhere else it's a pretty dumb idea.

[jrf]

There's a pair of Spirit 3's, size 27 selling on Craigslist SF for $325.

[schindlerpiste]

Trigger pulled.

Scarpa Tornado Pros.

[Fritz]

Trigger pulled.

Scarpa Tornado Pros.

Good call. LOVE mine. The DIN/AT sole that they come with is less than ideal for climbing/scrambling/long walks. You might want to look into the climbing sole they are releasing within the next week or so. They won't be DIN rated but if you are just using them in AT binders they will be $$$

[Tuckerman]

Here in NE you don't see that many ppl not carrying their down hill boots in their packs not sure why. I use snowshoes it works better then post holeing but I wish I had a AT set up.

[Sinecure]

schindlerpiste, can I have your stiff tongues from the new boots? I just bought some Spirit 3's at Marmot and I'd love to have stiffer tongues for ski days. Apparently the Spirit and Tornado tongues are interchangeable. The soft tongues will be fine for snowboarding for me. I thought about the Tornados, but I love the whole dynafit binding idea plus the reversed buckles won't flip open when I'm post-holing. Either way, they are great boots (tornados and spirits). Good call.

[jon turner]

I've known a few people that have tried the snowshoe thing, and within a few times out they bought touring gear. Snowshoeing for ski touring sucks. the extra weight of carrying your gear on your back up and the bulk of the snowshoes down sucks. The lack of glide with snowshoes sucks. snowshoes are slower; you're buddies with touring gear will fly past you on the uphill. Good plan on picking up the AT boots.

[dk_alaskan]

second dibs if you want to get rid of your extra stiff tongues