Mountaineering snowshoe advice needed.
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I don't want ski advice. |
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Are you sure you don't want ski advice? |
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kevinhansen wrote:I don't want ski advice. |
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I think you do. |
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MSR Lightning Ascent. Sturdy, good traction, crampons and heel elevators for steep climbs. Once you get the bindings on properly, they will stay on no matter what until you want them to come off. Not cheap, but money well spent. cascadedesigns.com/msr/snow… |
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Only get MSR snowshoes. If you go to REI or go on a lot of different climbing sites that sell "slowshoes" you're gonna see these really big old-school looking shoes. The problem with most snow shoes is the crampon set-up is only on the toe and mid-sole. All of MSR's snow shoes have traction running down the sides of there frame which you'll need if you're traversing up some steep snowfield/slopes. Newer model MSR's also have the ascender for your heel which is awesome! MSR has smaller frames than you may see online but that really isn't as important if you're looking to climb big hills. You can also get the tail to help you out on unconsolidated slopes. |
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kevinhansen wrote:I'd like some good snowshoes...No such thing. |
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I have and would recommend both the Tubbs Flex Alps and the Atlas Aspect. Both have full length traction down the sides and heel/lift bars. The Alps have a very aggressive crampon and are very durable with the plastic decking. The Aspect have a pack flat binding and the suspension system makes them comfy on the ankles on uneven terrain. I was just out on the Aspect today and if I had to pick between the Alps and Aspect I would choose the Aspect. |
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I'd also recommend the MSR Evo Ascent. Its the next generation of the Denali Ascent, which is, to the best of my knowledge, the only snowshoe designed, ground-up, for mountaineering. Everything else is an adaptation of other designs, with not necessarily useful features. When I can't ski, that's what I use. |
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+1 for MSRs |
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I love my silvretta 404s...oh wait...I forgot, sorrryyy. |
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Flopping around with a big winter load on skinny skis has never worked for me either. I love my old school 46" Michigan' wooden frame snowshoes with a nice tail on them. Neoprene laced, not old rawhide. Lash on bindings are not the easiest to attach quickly, but can those shoes hold a load and float over/through deep snow easily. Doubt if they are even available many places anymore,but they sure have held up great for about 40 years now. I can't see how these little 26 inch or smaller things with a full fabric underside can give you any balance when loaded up with gear. New bindings are convenient, but I still bust through deep stuff in the big'uns. |
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+1 on MSR Lightning Ascents.. |
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I have both MSR Denali Ascent and Atlas BC24 (currently Aspect 24). The Atlas slowshoes have a better crampon, and the reflex system (or whatever it is called that basically keeps the things from flopping about) is pretty nice. I really cannot think of a time that I would prefer the MSR over the Atlas. I am not saying the MSR is not a good snowshoe, I just think the Atlas BC slowshoes are superior. |
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I have a pair of Atlas MTN 1030's that work great for me. They have heel riser for hills and the SLS suspension to keep things from getting too awkward. If I get into anything too rocky, I'm probably above tree line and it is time to stash them and throw on microspikes or crampons anyway. |
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How about some Billy Goat Ascent Plates? Made for booting up steep soft snow. |
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Woodchuck ATC wrote:Flopping around with a big winter load on skinny skis has never worked for me either.A 180cm X 95mm ski has more surface area than your 40" snowshoe. |
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Snowshoeing in Tetons gotta suck. |
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MSR Evo Ascent with the optional tails have worked really well for me. I have used them on up to 55 degree slopes, on low angle ice, in heavy scrub oak and wooded conditions, climbing through snowy cliff bands on rock/ice/snow. Nowhere as fast as skis on open snowy terrain descending or ascending, however, we don't always have perfect open snowy terrain for ascending or descending do we? :) |
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Learn to use skis... if not i have the lightening ascents and they are amazing. but seriously learn to use skis!! infinitely more efficent. |