I'm a novice mountaineer as you'll be able to tell as you read this.

What I'm looking for is a ski binding that will work as a cross country binding on the ascent then convert to a downhill binding for a descent. I know these are made, but, I'm looking for one that would work on my climbing boots "Koflach Viva Soft". Any suggestions?

I'd like to climb Mt Baker this year, but since I always have to go solo (guides are getting to expensive and aren't flexible), I want the skiis to spread out my weight as I go over snow bridges.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

-- Mike (michael.kear@ey.com), December 28, 1998

Answers

Sounds like you might live in western Washington state. If you do, take a peek in the Marmot store in Bellevue or one of the many other mountaineering/climbing shops around Seattle. Hell, give REI a try! What you are looking for is an "alpine touring" binding like the Fritschi Diamir or the Silveretta 400 series (404, I think). I'm sure there must be other manufacturers, like BD and such.

I use an old pair of Fritschi FT 88 Tour Standard bindings on relatively new Fischer Ultra Air Tour skis with Koflach Arctis Comprex boots. This combination has served me well for years on ascents and descents of Mt. Hood, Rainier, St. Helens, Baker, Adams, and many other Northwest peaks, as well as in Canada and Alaska. A little bothersome to switch between uphill and downhill modes, but they're light and work every time. They're not fancy like today's bindings (my Fritschis are about 10 years old), which convert with a poke of your pole! Talk to your friends or a salesperson who looks like they use what they sell. Good luck, ski in control, and climb smart. And be careful over the bridges, especially if you're going solo!

-- Paul Soboleski (sobo@nwinfo.net), January 21, 1999.