Got in a nice day trip into the Elkhorns yesterday trying out some new gear 
I've been wanting to try a pair of Alti skis since the end of last winter and finally rented a pair of their Hok skis- 125mm w/ NNN Backcountry bindings (which as it happens I have a pair of boots that work), you can also get the Hok's with a universal binding and use any boot/shoe or fitted w/ a three pin setup- several options. They bill them as a cross between snowshoes and skis. My thought was they may save me a bit of time on the way out vs snowshoes.
I also purchased a use Frost River Summit from the trade blanket last week
It's a very simple pack w/ a single main compartment, ~ 30 liters, out of bombproof 18 oz oiled canvas. It's far from a ultralight pack at a smidge over two pounds, but not too bad considering the material.
I loaded it w/ a typical winter loadout- enough gear to get me through an unexpected night out- light axe, saw, sportsman's blanket, 30 hour beeswax candle, light wool blanket, cordage and the normal stuff- extra clothing (down parka, wool sweater, wool balaclava, wool mittens, deerskin gloves), first aid, fire kit, headlamp, water bottle, map & compass
I used a 3/8" ccf pad 20x40", scored in 10" sections and folded like a z-pad to use against my back- this has always been effective way to firm up a non-framed packed and provide a little additional comfort- it also does double duty as a sit/kneel pad and underneath my torso on an unexpected night out
everything fit w/ no problems
Wasn't sure how much snow would be up the East Fork of McClellan Ck, but there was plenty (over a foot at Casey Meadows).
the skis did a good job on the way up, the built in skins grabbed well and flotation was good- pretty comparable to 10x30 snowshoes
still running water underneath the snow which is really nice to have (vs melting snow)
made decent time on the way up, I'd say on par with snowshoes- perhaps a hair quicker
I made it up Casey Meadows in pretty decent time and decided I would buck up some 6'-ish logs for a upcoming overnighter to save time. I got about 15-20 6 footers cut, which should be close for an overnighter in a lean-to. The little Silky saw did a really good job of bucking these up and the Wetterling made short work of limbing them.
forgot to mention that the Frost River comes w/ one pocket on the interior flap- it's bigger than I thought and fit all my snacks and lunch, along w/ a folded map
not a bad view for lunch
after lunch I headed back down
things did get a little interesting, I'm not much of skier and ended up on my butt a couple of times- nothing over dramatic (luckily!), but it was much quicker on the way out than snowshoes
I'm pretty sure I'm going to pick up a pair- I need to decide which binding setup to go with and I'm going to need more practice on downhills (going up I'm fine)
The Frost River carried really nice, nicer than I expected. I think I will add a sternum strap and a small waist belt- just to add a little more stability. I'm also going to add a few lashing tabs to move the axe to the outside and a few more for a shovel.
All in all, a very enjoyable trip- thanks for reading.
I've been wanting to try a pair of Alti skis since the end of last winter and finally rented a pair of their Hok skis- 125mm w/ NNN Backcountry bindings (which as it happens I have a pair of boots that work), you can also get the Hok's with a universal binding and use any boot/shoe or fitted w/ a three pin setup- several options. They bill them as a cross between snowshoes and skis. My thought was they may save me a bit of time on the way out vs snowshoes.
I also purchased a use Frost River Summit from the trade blanket last week
It's a very simple pack w/ a single main compartment, ~ 30 liters, out of bombproof 18 oz oiled canvas. It's far from a ultralight pack at a smidge over two pounds, but not too bad considering the material.I loaded it w/ a typical winter loadout- enough gear to get me through an unexpected night out- light axe, saw, sportsman's blanket, 30 hour beeswax candle, light wool blanket, cordage and the normal stuff- extra clothing (down parka, wool sweater, wool balaclava, wool mittens, deerskin gloves), first aid, fire kit, headlamp, water bottle, map & compass
I used a 3/8" ccf pad 20x40", scored in 10" sections and folded like a z-pad to use against my back- this has always been effective way to firm up a non-framed packed and provide a little additional comfort- it also does double duty as a sit/kneel pad and underneath my torso on an unexpected night out
everything fit w/ no problems
Wasn't sure how much snow would be up the East Fork of McClellan Ck, but there was plenty (over a foot at Casey Meadows).
the skis did a good job on the way up, the built in skins grabbed well and flotation was good- pretty comparable to 10x30 snowshoes
still running water underneath the snow which is really nice to have (vs melting snow)
made decent time on the way up, I'd say on par with snowshoes- perhaps a hair quicker
I made it up Casey Meadows in pretty decent time and decided I would buck up some 6'-ish logs for a upcoming overnighter to save time. I got about 15-20 6 footers cut, which should be close for an overnighter in a lean-to. The little Silky saw did a really good job of bucking these up and the Wetterling made short work of limbing them.
forgot to mention that the Frost River comes w/ one pocket on the interior flap- it's bigger than I thought and fit all my snacks and lunch, along w/ a folded map
not a bad view for lunch
after lunch I headed back down
things did get a little interesting, I'm not much of skier and ended up on my butt a couple of times- nothing over dramatic (luckily!), but it was much quicker on the way out than snowshoes
I'm pretty sure I'm going to pick up a pair- I need to decide which binding setup to go with and I'm going to need more practice on downhills (going up I'm fine)
The Frost River carried really nice, nicer than I expected. I think I will add a sternum strap and a small waist belt- just to add a little more stability. I'm also going to add a few lashing tabs to move the axe to the outside and a few more for a shovel.
All in all, a very enjoyable trip- thanks for reading.
