XC-skiing in breakable crust?

[lilcliffy]

I think I have finally decided that Nordic rocker is a handicap when XC-skiing in breakable crust...

My wimpy-tipped skis (e.g. Eon/Epoch/Annum/E109/E99) are absolutely useless in breakable crust.

My new Ingstad BC is better, but still a bit miserable in breakable crust. The Nordic rocker causes the stiff, stable tip to stay on top of the crust, while the mid-section of the ski breaks trail...YUCKY.

The Gamme 54 BC is better than the Ingstad BC- it has less rocker and less sidecut.

The test-winner here is my non-rockered Combat Nato. Deep snow- peh. Windswept pack- peh. Breakable snow- see yu later!

(BTW- the Asnes Combat USGI is just as good in this context- though crazy heavy and unmanoeuvrable!)

[Inspiredcapers]

I don’t think it really matters what ski you use on that kinda junk, breakthrough is going to happen and forward progress is going to be hampered. I’m enjoying my Alpina Discovery 80’s in most conditions but the crud we’ve got isn’t that enjoyable. Currently nursing a twisted ankle from a low speed parallel turn I can easily do on powder or packed...should’ve known better.

[Cannatonic]

I break out the '11 210cm fishscale E99's, they're great at staying on top....thick planks, much heavier than current E99, probably less rocker. The difference b/w 210 and 205cm is huge when breaking through, I've tried the 205 and 210 on consecutive days on the same collapsing snow, the length of the snowbridge is key. Those 210 NATO's would be ideal

[Woodserson]

I think I have finally decided that Nordic rocker is a handicap when XC-skiing in breakable crust...

My wimpy-tipped skis (e.g. Eon/Epoch/Annum/E109/E99) are absolutely useless in breakable crust.

My new Ingstad BC is better, but still a bit miserable in breakable crust. The Nordic rocker causes the stiff, stable tip to stay on top of the crust, while the mid-section of the ski breaks trail...YUCKY.

The Gamme 54 BC is better than the Ingstad BC- it has less rocker and less sidecut.

The test-winner here is my non-rockered Combat Nato. Deep snow- peh. Windswept pack- peh. Breakable snow- see yu later!

(BTW- the Asnes Combat USGI is just as good in this context- though crazy heavy and unmanoeuvrable!)

Please define "Peh"

is it like "meh"?

or, "crushes it"?

[lilcliffy]

Ha!
English sucks- or at least I suck at it.
"Peh"- meaning "nothing to worry about"- the Combat NATO's broad, raised tip carves and/or smashes its way through snow.
It crushes it.

[Mountain Mitch]

I skied up and down Mount Crow yesterday. It was a group of eight lead by a nice fellow I haven’t skied with before. The up was steep but fine although a bit slow as is usually the case with a group.

The down was pretty miserable as we were in very heavy trees on a steep slope (30 degrees plus in places). The snow had a slight crust but no bottom. If you went over a hidden rock or log the snow would just entirely give way. Trying to get up was an effort as your pole would go all the way to the ground underneath leaving only the handle sticking above the snow. Not a lot to push on to right yourself.

I don’t think I’ll be going out with that leader again anytime soon.

[lowangle al]

The only time I've had fun skiing breakable crust is when on a ski wide enough to stay on top. I've had to pull out my 110mm underfoot powder boards to do it but it was worth it. Crust skiing can be fun, you can cover a lot of ground and pretty much go wherever you want, but I like to stay on top. If I am breaking through i would look for somewhere else to ski or something else to do.