Which bindings and should I even use these skis

[STG]

gitrinec:

Where are you going in the Wind River range and when? I am familiar with the trails outside Pinedale. I would think that matching your equipment with the demands of the terrain would be important? Also, time of year would dictate the snow conditions. If conditions are really bad, you can always keep your skins on going down a trail as well as going up a trail. Some details about your trip would be helpful.

[STG]

gitrinec:
Are you going to take Elkhart trailhead to Seneca Lake trail to Titcomb Basin?

[gitrinec]

STG, Yes that is the route that I'm going. To Gannett Peak over bonney pass. And I know someone who just came back from there yesterday and gave me a condition update, though I'm not heading in until around early May, so I'm sure conditions could change. I'll probably ski up to titcomb basin then after Bonney pass, don snow shoes, I have climbing gear for the ascent. Crampons, etc

My friends post.

The snow conditions are heinous. 1-2 inches of hard crust over a decent consolidated layer 1 ft thick, with another layer beneath that quickly turning to sugar. Titcomb basin snow was awful. A bit lower down, near Seneca lake, held nice powder that was a dream to ski. Made survival turns on Bonney pass hardpack.

Incredible weather. Only day without sunshine was yesterday. The weather deteriorated and we were hit by a big storm on the way out. Temps were in the 30s at 10600 ft. The sun was nice for drying out ski boot liners.

The glacier is in okay shape. Everything is covered in hardback and made skiing across the glacier a breeze. Skiing back to Bonney pass is a different story. Never once thought about crevasses. Never roped up.

[gitrinec]

bgregoire, I wished they just had an all purpose, climbing, skiing, hiking, boot that could just change from one thing to the other + bindings, lol I don't think there is much real downhill skiing involved in that area, as I'm not skiing down the mountain, lol I'd prefer not to drag a sled but we'll see.

[Cannatonic]

wow, climbing Gannett peak would be amazing. so we're talking about a 40 mile approach? That would mean multi-day trekking along, I'm thinking that's enough to justify a second pair of boots. I would mount 3-pin Super Tele bindings or NNNBC (manual version) and get some comfortable nordic ski boots. The mountaineering boots would have to be cargo. The ski in & out will be a large chunk of the trip, these skis should be great for it.

I've never tried Silveretta bindings but I'm assuming 40 miles in them would be hell! I've seen ice climbers using them on Fischer Sbound skis but only for 1 or 2 miles of approach skiing

[MikeK]

Is this a technical climb or mountain hiking?

Still wondering why perhaps one boot could not do it all.

[gitrinec]

Cannatonic, It's actually only 20 miles in and 20 miles out so a total of 40 miles. Well crampons, Ice axe, etc are needed as there is a glacier to cross but I'll have climbing gear, ya never know when you might have to do an emergency rappel, etc. I'm planning on doing 10 miles a day , so I don't have to overly rush.

[MikeK]

Don't know what kind of crampons you have, but would it be money better spent to invest in a pair that could go over some soft ski boots to save yourself having to carry another pair of boots?

If it's not technical ice climbing than I can't see why a setup like that wouldn't work.

Also could you forgo the snowshoes for just skins? Lighter, easier to pack. Just some thoughts.

[gitrinec]

Soft ski boots are not rigid enough for climbing too much flex, etc. Stiff Mountaineering boots with good grip are much better at climbing, I'd prefer Snowshoeing on the glacier and as far up to the ridge that I can.

[MikeK]

I'm out of my element here, but I would def not want to carry boots on top of all that other gear. What did your friend use?