Ski mountaineering is misunderstood by many people. Sometimes people will use 'ski mountaineering' and 'backcountry skiing' to describe the same thing. In fact they are very different.
Backcountry skiing is when you access downhill ski runs in the back country. The emphasis is always on finding the best way down the mountain. Ski mountaineering on the other hand has its emphasis on skis as a means of travel.
Ski mountaineering uses bindings which are hinged at the toe. This allows you to free your heels and climb. To gain traction on the snow when you are climbing you use 'skins'. These allow you to push forward with no resistance but grip when you exert a downward force. The combination of both the skis and skins make climbing snowy relatively easy.
When it comes to skiing downhill you are able to remove the skins and clip your heels down. Alternatively you can keep your heels free and 'telemark'. This type of skiing is very rewarding and will take you places that will seem a hundred miles away from the crowded pistes. It is important however to know the dangers.
The focus when you are ski mountaineering must be on moving safely. Sometimes this will involve making detours to avoid avalanche prone slopes and using other mountaineering methods which at times might be more appropriate than skis. If you are heading out into the mountains then you should have a lot of experience using all the mountaineering skills that you need in winter. You should be very competent at mountain navigation, understand how to use ropes to keep you and your companions safe and have a lot of experience using ice axes and crampons. If you are skiing on glaciated terrain you should also know how to rescues someone from a crevasse.
When you are doing anything in the mountains which is off the piste you should be very aware of the dangers that snow can cause. Every year hundreds of people are killed in avalanches. If you are going to be exploring on skis then it is very important that you know the risks and how to minimise them. For this the best recommendation I can make is to go on a course. Even just a 2 day course will increase your awareness and skills enough for you to make informed decisions in the mountains. This could be the difference between a good day out and tragedy, it is well worth it.
0 comments:
Post a Comment