Feb/120
Gear for Rando Racing
Racers in the Patrouille des Glaciers 2010, from Zermatt to Verbier, Switzerland, considered the most famous ski mountaineering race in the world. Photo courtesy of Dynafit
Randonee racing/ski mountaineering requires some specialized gear. Most of it resembles standard alpine gear on a diet, save for some of the ultralight “tech” bindings that look a little more like an industrial contraption than a traditional ski binding.
The bindings provide the critical functional difference for rando/AT skiers, allowing the heel to be free for climbing or fixed for downhill. In tour mode, they pivot at the toe.
The lightest weight “tech bindings” popularized by Dynafit, which lost its exclusive patent on the design a few years ago but still dominate the market, feature two side pins, or jaws, up front that close onto the corresponding toe points of compatible boots with “tech fittings.”
Most other AT bindings are plate-style step-in bindings that use an underfoot bar that pivots with the boot sole when touring. This adds weight, but the bindings look and function much more like traditional alpine bindings. Most can be used with boots with traditional alpine boot soles.
Tech-style bindings are overwhelmingly the choice of serious rando racers, but any AT binding will suffice for an introduction to the sport. (Telemark gear and even splitboard snowboards can also be used.) Climb your first mountain at race pace though and you’ll quickly appreciate every ounce you can save.
Accordingly, the best AT boots for rando racing are light and flexible on the ascent yet stout enough to provide adequate control on descents. To achieve this, they have a lever on the rear that changes between walk and ski modes. Ski mode locks the boot cuff into forward lean, while walk mode loosens up the cuff making the trek up more comfortable. Lightweight race boots have just a strap and a buckle or two, while beefier downhill-oriented AT boots feature three or four buckles and a power strap. Don’t expect the same level of stiffness and response that you have in a standard alpine boot unless you’re in the heaviest AT boots, the ones least ideal for rando racing.
Many rando races may include boot packing or scrambling over rocky terrain with your skis on your back, so you need to be able to hike in your boots as well as skin and ski in them.
The skis themselves aren’t much different than your alpine planks, just lighter and likely skinnier. As for length, shorter skis are lighter and easier to manage on uphill kickturns and in transitions, so many racers go a size or two shorter than they would on pure downhill skis.
Skins are the other critical component. Skins allow your skis to gain purchase on the snow and attach at the tip and tail. Rando race skins are again lighter and thinner and use no tail attachment; they just affix to your ski base with adhesive so they can be quickly peeled off in transitions.
Helmets are required in some races. Standard ski helmets do not offer enough ventilation so pick up a randonee-specific helmet or you can use a climbing or cycling helmet, if allowed.
Like any such pursuit, the gear gets more technical and specific the further you get into the sport, from specially designed rando racing packs and ski poles to one-piece lycra suits with quick-stash pockets for your skins. But to get an introduction to the sport all you really need are a ski setup that climbs as well as descends, and a healthy dose of enthusiasm. —AJ Johnson
Oct/090
FYI: Vision Quest
Athletes need to be extra vigilant to protect their eyes
By Dr. Michael Furlong
.jpg){kind=tracking}
While most of us spend countless hours thinking about how to improve our fitness, reach a new personal record, and even shave grams from our bikes, we spend virtually no time thinking about how to protect our eyes during our various activities and adventures. And that can be a critical, life-changing mistake.
In the past several decades, as participation in all sorts of sporting activities has blossomed, there’s been a simultaneous rise in eye injuries. Sports and recreational activities cause more than 40,000 eye injuries each year, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and it’s estimated that between 70,000 and 300,000 more eye injuries go unreported. More than 90 percent of these eye injuries could be prevented through proper eye care and appropriate eye protection.
April marks Sports Eye Safety Month, a reminder for athletes to give greater consideration to this most cherished asset that so many of us take for granted. Without good vision, our ability to engage in cycling, running, skiing, rock climbing and almost any other favorite activity is severely compromised.
Whether you are a weekend warrior, avid age group competitor or professional athlete, regular eye exams can help ensure healthy vision. Seeing your ophthalmologist once a year helps detect potential problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetes, that can cause blindness if left untreated. These diseases often go undetected because they don’t cause pain or show symptoms until it is too late. It is also important to keep your contact lenses or prescription glasses prescriptions up to date. Our vision changes and if your corrective eyewear is not optimized you might misjudge a turn in the trail or a pothole in the street that could send you flying.
Athletes who see their eye doctors on a regular basis can also learn about new options on how to reduce their dependency on glasses or contact lenses, and possibly improve their eye sight without the need for either. Those who suffer from allergies, are concerned about losing contacts or glasses during a vigorous activity, or who wish to wear regular eye protection without prescription, may benefit from vision correction. With today’s wavefront-guided or Custom LASIK procedures, patients often see better than 20/20, improve their night vision and can usually toss their contacts or prescription glasses in the attic.
Beyond regular eye exams, appropriate eye protection is a must. Some of the most common eye injuries among athletes include blunt trauma from falling; radiation injuries caused by excessive sun exposure; and penetrating injuries, caused by an object entering the eye.
Today’s eye gear is often sport-specific, light, fashionable and very comfortable, so there really isn’t an excuse not to wear it. Lens technology has come a long way, not only protecting the eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays, but also greatly enhancing vision in all types of weather.
For active sport use, we recommend using polycarbonate lenses, which are safer than glass, as well as progressively tapered lenses, which correct distortion. Some interesting lens technologies worth considering include polarized lenses that reduce glare and eye fatigue; photochromic lenses, which change from light to dark depending on the amount of ultraviolet light they are exposed to; and the new Ignitor tint by Smith glasses, which provides contrast against natural color background. These were worn by Tour de France runner-up Ivan Basso.
Eye care is one of the most important factors to ensure a lifelong affair with your favorite sport. So buy yourself a good pair of protective glasses, set up an appointment with your eye doctor and don’t forget the role your eyesight plays in enjoying your favorite activity.
Dr. Michael Furlong is a leading refractive surgery specialist based in Santa Clara. For more information, visit www.furlongvision.com
Oct/090
Gear: Backcountry Stoves
By Christa Fraser
John Muir was able to survive for days in the backcountry on not much more than a loaf or two of bread. Many of today’s backcountry pilgrims, on the other hand, can barely hike a few miles before they break out the beef stroganoff and chocolate cheesecake.
The improvement of stoves and hydrate-and-serve backpacking cuisine has fostered a culinary appreciation even amongst light-and-fast aficionados. But before they can argue the finer points of rehydrating their backcountry delicacies, they have to pick a stove, which can be a very tough choice, indeed. Here is a breakdown of the different stove types and what sets each one apart:
Liquid multi-fuel
These are ideal for travel to other countries or for long-term expeditions. Multi-fuel indicates that the stove can be operated with several fuel types since certain fuels are more readily available in some countries than others. These are among the costliest stoves. The MSR XGK Expedition ($110) and the Brunton Optimus Nova Multi-Fuel, are good examples. They run on everything from diesel to kerosene to jet fuel. Stoves like the XGK also feature self-cleaning jets to remove built up soot and debris. On the downside, multi-fuel stoves often need to be primed just right and can be prone to leak fuel when uncoupling the canister from the stove. But they are the most versatile stove and can be relied upon when white gas is not readily available.
Single fuel
On the simpler side, single fuel stoves burn just one type of fuel, usually white gas, which is inexpensive and easy to find throughout North America. A few stoves like the Trangia Mini ($30) burn denatured alcohol, which is odorless and clean burning. White gas stoves are good for campers who plan to use them only in developed countries where white gas is readily available. They burn hot and work well at high elevations. They also are good for longer treks because it’s easier to carry more fuel as opposed to having to carry multiple fuel cartridges for a canister stove. The alcohol stoves, in particular, are easy to use and burn very quietly (although they can take longer to boil liquids). These types of stoves typically run between $25 and $75.
Canister
These are the ultimate in convenience and are fairly light for shorter trips. With the lightest canister stoves hovering in the hummingbird category of about 3 ounces (without fuel canister), there is little reason to not carry a stove for an overnighter. These models require no priming or pressurizing at all and burn hot immediately. And many come with an integral igniter for match-free lighting. Canister stoves are good for backcountry gourmets because most have easier flame control than liquid-fuel stoves and simmer better. However, they do not work well in extremely cold conditions. These stoves run from around $30 up to $130 for the Primus Alpine Titanium Stove (3 ounces), with most models in the $50 to $70 range. The downside to canister stoves is that the fuel canisters, in addition to being more expensive than white gas, are not reusable and end up in the landfill when their useful life is over.
Solid Fuel Stove
Solid fuel stoves such as the Esbit Pocket Stove ($10) are ideal for emergency use. This lightweight kit is really just an ingenious version of the buffalo chip method of cooking. It consists of a few flammable fuel tabs and a metal pill box that opens into a microburner. But it will take a full fuel tablet to boil one quart of water. Save this stove for the emergency kit, not the manicotti.
To avoid messy fuels altogether, try the Mountain House Mountain Oven. It is a heating pouch that will heat up your freeze-dried meals in under 20 minutes. But it is a very limited option. If you want that campfire cup of
cocoa, you will still have to bring in another stove.
