Karhu Guide binding discussion

I think youre having a mid-life identity crisis.
You finally buy a pair of big fat wide boards with rocker and I think you've finally seen the light and now you're going XC touring with fishscales.?

Actually the big skis are in fact, not rockered, just longer than a summer day.
It could be a midlife crisis situation, so everybody get ready for the sale when I figure out that I only really (have time) need 3 skis.  

Word is that more makers are looking to jump in on the fishscale bandwagon.  Wouldn't surprise me to soon see some higher performance boards offered this way.  Despite their limitations, it's very pleasant to be able to head up or down, at will, without a fiddle factor.

I'm working on a zero camber, deeply embedded fishscale ski for use in the Vertfest, so there will be no transition periods.

I have 3 pins mounted flush to Fischer Outtabounds and 3 pins mounted with just the Voile wedge to Salomon X Adventures (= Fischer Rebounds); I've never had problem with the binding causing the ski to slip but I haven't skied steep icy slopes with them (I use them for XC ski patrol on the MTTA system).

I like the Voile wedge (makes for quicker loading/pressure to the ski tip) but it is old school.  Another old school trick, courtesy of Steve Barnett, is to use shoe goop underneath the toe plate if you mount it flush to the ski--gives more adhesion and seals out water/prevents ice forming between toe plate and ski; adds very little weight.

I always carry skins with my waxless skis, even with my Madshus Voss/SNS BC on groomed trails when their is a possibility of ice or in case I torque an ankle or something.  I spent several years obstinately insisting my waxless Karhu Catamounts and Karhu Pavos and Fischers ought to be able to do just fine on rolling backcountry; sometimes they do, sometimes they don't and when they don't you can spend a lot of extra energy to prove you don't need skins.  The new G3 Alpinists glide almost as easily as the bare base going up hill on packed snow--that is why I use my Volkl snowwolfs now instead of my waxless skis for tours off the groomed; the skins glide pretty well, sure footed, and the downhill performance is superb with 3 pins and a light plastic boot.  And in many snow conditions you can do ups and downs with no skins with not much more effort than with waxless skis (depending on snow and whether or not you've hot waxed your skis lately).



Another tip; always carry Zardoz, Maxiglide, or other silicone/teflon rub on stuff.  I used to hot wax my tips and tails on my waxless skis, I don't now.

p.s.: you can also use grip wax on a tele/bc/AT ski.

personally, I would never have started using these skis if it weren't for the fact that they work so well in wet spring snow. You can cover major distance without messing with the skins. Skins really suck in spring conditions. With these you don't need skins on flats and short up sections.

That is the best use for waxless skis--wet snow! but I have used them all over in all snow conditions.

Thread Drift:

BTW, MD2020, what is your assessment of the NTN? Last time Regine and I saw you and Brenda you were on them. Must have put on some miles by now. Hows the free pivot? How's the weight overall?

I think youre having a mid-life identity crisis.

In the end or near the end we are all going to be on short lightweight euro tour skis mounted with tlts. Our quivers will wither. In the meantime go for it !

In the end or near the end we are all going to be on short lightweight euro  tour skis mounted with tlts. Our quivers will wither. In the meantime go for it !

Your quiver may be withering but I can assure you that my quiver is big, wide and long.