For those unfamiliar, if you are going up hill on skis and you are making switchbacks up the hill, when you want to turn around you need to do a very awkward turn that humbles everyone.
The big mountains had bad avalanche forecasts so we picked a route in the foothills and had a great tour. The snow was a little thin at spots but mostly it was bouncy and un-tracked. After some lunch we did the middle section again. 1400m total ascent.
This last pair was a craigslist find. Yeah I'm sure the moment you do anything professionally you ask a lot more from your gear.
Yeah I have these. Maybe not the best tool but fine for the rare cases I want them.
Interesting. Largely by accident I landed on some very stiff 32 boots, dual zone boa, like the insanos, just before I got into touring. They have served me very well. I guess I would use a ski strap around my boot if the boa failed.
Finding full zip pants that fit over snowboard boots was a problem I only recently solved.
I have 32 boa boots with two boas per boot. Had them for at least 5 seasons now, 20-30 days a season. I use them for touring and resort. I'm generally really impressed with the boa system. I don't have boots designed for touring so I like that the boa allows me to loosen the boots quickly for uphill and tighten them quickly for downhill.
All that to say, today when I pulled on the boa to loosen it, the fabric tore and the boa is now just held on by the cables. It still works but I need two hands to operate it. I may try some shoe goo because otherwise the boots seem to be going strong.
Wow I had no idea any snowboard boots were designed for crampons. I have some universal Camp crampons that work for my 32 boots.
I too blame my partner, or the dog, for cutting the cheese at large family gatherings :P