A long time ago, between Christmas Eve and New Years Day we had a couple of days with decend snow. Where I live it means something between 15 and 20 centimetres. I all ready can people hear laughing that isn't snow that is noting. But still for Dutch standards is a lot. It was even enough to get my langlauf or backcountry skiing gear out. I never know how it’s called.
My skiing gear consists of the following parts and cost my less than 30 euros. It’s many used gear or surplus gear.
Shoes:
I got a pair of Alico full leather boots it is an older model similar to the current model skate. They where brand new and only costed my €10. I got them for my locale army surplus store. Maybe it’s not the ideal boot for longer trips because when they get wet and they will it will be hard to get them dry. But I hope I can solve this whit a Vapor Barrier Liner (VBL).
Binding:
I got a pair of Rottafela bindings I thought you can’t go wrong whit those I believe the model is the Super Telemark 75mm. They are simple and what I have read about it very reliable. I got the bindings witch a pair of 190 cm KARHU BARENKRALLE skies for a locale garage sale for the mere some of € 8,50.
The Skies:
The pair of Karhu skies where to short fore me. I believe the skies should be 15 cm longer then you are. Being 183 I needed skies that should be 200 cm. So I went to the used goods store and found there a pair of Fischer Crow trainee skies. After some negotiations I got them for € 8, 50.
The Poles:
The length of the poles is determined also by your length, they should be fitted under your armpit. The poles I had where too short I used the old walking stick from my father. But if it's starts snowing again I will get some nice new ones from Swix witch are very reasonably priced at € 29, 95.
How did it perform?
The set did perform very well, I noticed that it goes al lot faster then snowshoeing only the problem was that I didn't mastered the technique. So the small pieces downhill ended often on the floor.
So to master the technique I'm currently following a course in langlaufen. But living in the Netherlands and having only three days of snow in a year this course is held at loipe made of brushes. Which isn’t that good? But still it better then noting.
My instructor wasn't too nice about my set and called it a piece of antique, especially the shoes. And told me that they can't be used in prepared loipes in Austria I told him I didn't care about prepared loipes in Austria and that my goal is Scandinavia, the Hardangervidda to be precise.
To complement my course, I also ordered the following book "Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book", a review can be found here. It should be a good book, but I am still waiting for my copy, which still must be shipped by Amazon
