Skintrack stoke

**Reformed** · 03-21-2019, 08:35 PM

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Heading for the lines in the background.

**LeeLau** · 03-22-2019, 08:54 AM

Joffre

sb · 03-22-2019, 08:58 AM

killa dilla

**zion zig zag** · 03-22-2019, 09:32 AM

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**swissiphic** · 03-22-2019, 09:43 AM

Dairylandering with the new bungee cord/flying V/scissor ski connection drag system. Milk crate ascending plates uber alles. For steep, technical terrain in specific snow conditions, might be kissing traditional skinning goodbye.

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**Sutter** · 03-22-2019, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by swissiphic

Dairylandering with the new bungee cord/flying V/scissor ski connection drag system. Milk crate ascending plates uber alles. For steep, technical terrain in specific snow conditions, might be kissing traditional skinning goodbye.

I understand the ascension plates, but why drag the skis behind you as opposed to keeping them strapped to your pack? To avoid kicking them as you boot up?

**swissiphic** · 03-22-2019, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by dblatto

I understand the ascension plates, but why drag the skis behind you as opposed to keeping them strapped to your pack? To avoid kicking them as you boot up?

Yeah, that would be unintended benefit, though kicking tails hasn't really been an issue. Over the years i've noticed a few negative effects while bootpacking with skis on pack. The ski drag system mitigates all these issues.

1. Extra weight on the back...if u bootpack, you potentially post hole deeper in punchy snow. The 'to and fro/side to side' rocking of the pack also exacerbates balance micro and macro disturbances. The same rocking motion hurts my compromised low back issues. Dragging the skis with the dynamically sprung bungee cord obviates all those issues completely.

2. Surprisingly, dragging the skis with skins on introduces minimal extra drag...with the benefit of the skis stopping in place for every step if you're not in a continuous state of flow movement...in technical terrain I find that every step is a micro 'stop' and when the skis stop behind u, the dynamic tension of the bungee provides just the right amount of tension to keep the upper body upright in steep terrain, where I find the natural unsprung posture is to tilt the upper body more parallel with the fall line. This keeps the spine aligned and for me eliminates the low back strain and pain.

3. After the initial first few steps, the dragged skis literally disappear from perception...they just trail along like an obedient dog. I was pretty surprised at how well the skis stuck to the snow at rest stops in steep terrain. If yer stopping for a longer break, just step back a hair to relieve the tension on the bungee, and skis just stay where they are...in terrain up to about 45 degrees so far...haven't ascended anything steeper yet.

4. Transition speed and eeze. You can basically remain upright with your pack on the back during the entire process. Kick the skis off, stab em tails down in the snow with overlapping tips, secure a ski strap in the notch of the scissor orientation near the tips, clip off the biner'd bungee from yer pack, attach to ski strap, pop on yer dairylanderz and start marching up the fall line. No dicking around taking pack off, and having to faff around with attachment straps for skis on pack, then hoisting the mess back onto yer back. I'm old and hate dicking around...looking for increased eeze and comfort is my game these days.