Comments on: Preparing for Snowboard Descent of Denali http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/2008/preparing-for-snowboard-descent-of-denali/ Our Latest Innovations Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:57:43 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: AJ http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/2008/preparing-for-snowboard-descent-of-denali/comment-page-1/#comment-297 AJ Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:28:35 +0000 http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/?p=17#comment-297 Nice--good luck! It took me three expeditions before I first summitted. I'm glad to hear that you're on approach skis too--it just makes so much more sense. Nice–good luck! It took me three expeditions before I first summitted. I’m glad to hear that you’re on approach skis too–it just makes so much more sense.

]]> By: Victor http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/2008/preparing-for-snowboard-descent-of-denali/comment-page-1/#comment-296 Victor Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:12:17 +0000 http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/?p=17#comment-296 I went to Denaly 2 summers ago, didn't have a chance to make it to the top. But I'm going again this summer, 2009, and I'm definitely going to try to catch some runs. I have almost the same setup as you. I can't wait... Peace, Victor I went to Denaly 2 summers ago, didn’t have a chance to make it to the top. But I’m going again this summer, 2009, and I’m definitely going to try to catch some runs. I have almost the same setup as you. I can’t wait…

Peace,
Victor

]]> By: AJ Linnell http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/2008/preparing-for-snowboard-descent-of-denali/comment-page-1/#comment-93 AJ Linnell Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:55:46 +0000 http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/?p=17#comment-93 I love the approach skis--I've experimented quite a bit with other short skis (skiblades) in the past, so I had pretty specific specs when you built these for me. Yeah, they don't float as well as full-size skis for breaking trail--so be it. I thought about going wider for better float, but that would sacrifice edge-hold when I'm traversing steep, firm snow. In the end, I can still move at the same pace as my friends on big skis in deep snow and I'm wicked fast at switchbacks! I ride in alpine touring (AT) ski boots, so I use a Dynafit binding toepiece and a G3 telemark binding heel riser in back, with climbing bars. This is the lightest binding system out there, and the simplicity of it means less parts to break/malfunction. Having tried splitboards for both extended expeditions and day touring in the past, I really think approach skis are a superior system. My uphill-downhill transition times are significantly quicker and the approach skis aren't as heavy and clunky underfoot as a split. And there is so much extra hardware on a split that inevitably ends up failing at some point during a trip--the simplicity and nimbleness of approach skis work much better for me. The obvious drawback is having to carry my solid deck (also a SWEET ride from Wagner Custom) on my back on the uphill and the skis on the downhill, but I hardly even notice it anymore. I could also go into the differences between riding a solid deck vs. a split deck, but perhaps in another post. I love the approach skis–I’ve experimented quite a bit with other short skis (skiblades) in the past, so I had pretty specific specs when you built these for me. Yeah, they don’t float as well as full-size skis for breaking trail–so be it. I thought about going wider for better float, but that would sacrifice edge-hold when I’m traversing steep, firm snow. In the end, I can still move at the same pace as my friends on big skis in deep snow and I’m wicked fast at switchbacks!

I ride in alpine touring (AT) ski boots, so I use a Dynafit binding toepiece and a G3 telemark binding heel riser in back, with climbing bars. This is the lightest binding system out there, and the simplicity of it means less parts to break/malfunction.

Having tried splitboards for both extended expeditions and day touring in the past, I really think approach skis are a superior system. My uphill-downhill transition times are significantly quicker and the approach skis aren’t as heavy and clunky underfoot as a split. And there is so much extra hardware on a split that inevitably ends up failing at some point during a trip–the simplicity and nimbleness of approach skis work much better for me. The obvious drawback is having to carry my solid deck (also a SWEET ride from Wagner Custom) on my back on the uphill and the skis on the downhill, but I hardly even notice it anymore.

I could also go into the differences between riding a solid deck vs. a split deck, but perhaps in another post.

]]> By: Pete Wagner http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/2008/preparing-for-snowboard-descent-of-denali/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Pete Wagner Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:30:18 +0000 http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/?p=17#comment-91 AJ - We built you custom approach skis that are 120cm in length, 125mm at the tip, 108mm at the waist, and 121mm at the tail. Can you explain the binding set up that you're using? How are the approach skis working for you? Why approach instead of a split-board setup? AJ –
We built you custom approach skis that are 120cm in length, 125mm at the tip, 108mm at the waist, and 121mm at the tail. Can you explain the binding set up that you’re using?

How are the approach skis working for you?

Why approach instead of a split-board setup?

]]> By: Carla Silvestre http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/2008/preparing-for-snowboard-descent-of-denali/comment-page-1/#comment-84 Carla Silvestre Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:12:33 +0000 http://www.wagnerskis.com/blog/?p=17#comment-84 " we were stuck in a storm at high camp for a week." - that's so frustrating... ” we were stuck in a storm at high camp for a week.” – that’s so frustrating…

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