300winmag

We have a PLRB (Personal Rescue Locating Beacon) made by ARC here in the U.S.. The top model sells for over $600. but they can be rented online. These are satellite beacons and the user is registered with ARC, whether they own or rent. Once activated the signal, with your GPS location and your short message, is sent to their headquarters from which they inform search and rescue authorities. If, and this is a big IF, you are not down in a deep valley or ravine the GPS signal will be accurate and it will be marely a rescue operation, without the search component. This saves valuable time. If you're in a ravine the signal may bounce around and give a location miles off. I feel that responsible mountaineers and solo wilderness hiker should use something like this. Satellite phones may not be the best option. They need an automatic GPS location signal imbedded in the voice transmission if they are to be an effective PLRB. Eric

I own a pair of Atomic TM22 Telemark skis but found they were not good at tracking straight in unbroken back country snow. Sooo... I purchased a pair of Asnes Combi Combat skis at Neptune Mountaineering in Boulder. Co, USA. After years of using old Rossingol Randonee (weak & break-prone) skis for back country trips I felt these Asnes Norwegian army skis would be good all around skis, especially for pulling a loaded pulk and doing some unloaded downhill runs in virgin snow. I also got Voile' release plates (for safety). Voile' heavy duty Telemark 75 mm. 3-pin bindings to put on the release plates. And, lastly Voile' quick-attatch adjustable cable bindings. As most of you likely know, these are U.S. made bindings. I happen to trust them. As a former Nordic National Ski Patroller I've seen enough XC accidents. I don't want to be another, especially in the back country of the Colorado Rockies and the California Sierrias. My boots are the same ones I use with my Atomic TM22 skis, namely Scarpa T3 plastic double Telemark/touring boots. I do have myu old Vasque heavy leather boots but don't use them any more. Too wimpy in torsional stiffness. Yes, the binding setup is a bit heavy but I'll be doing some nice downhill runs after a base camp is set up. As mentioned,I need the safety. I'm 5' 10" and 180 lbs. My wife says the muscle is mostly between my ears but it's really in my legs and chest. The Combi Combat skis are 210 cm. and, supposedly, a bit stiff in camber but I don't think they are stiff for my weight which will go to at least 190 lbs. fully dressed. Tail stiffness is medium and the skis are suprisingly light. So I can get some opinions on this setup? Overkill? "Underkill"? Just right? Thanks, Eric Blumensaadt