- Equipment -

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Normal downhill ski boots can be used for the occasional foray into the mountains but a modern purpose built ski touring boot makes an extended tour both safer and more comfortable. The upper cuff, normally fixed for downhill skiing, can be released and allowed to flex when walking or skinning uphill. Its Vibram (ribbed rubber) sole gives good grip on rock and in snow and certainly helps to makes approach marches a little more bearable! The removable inner boot can also be used as a hut shoe. Do make sure the boots you buy fit well and are comfortable. I wear two pairs of loop-pile socks and always go for a local walk in the boots the week before we head for the snow.

Once away from the groomed pistes of the ski resorts, the ski mountaineer must be prepared to ski, or descend safely, whatever snow conditions lie ahead. During our traverse we have experienced leg breaking porridge and the finest spring snow. We have creamed through knee deep powder and rattled over neve penitente (a mine field of upturned icicles). We need every bit of help we can get from our skis! A cheap pair of ‘cast offs’ may do for a visit to the local hills but, once you head for the big mountains, go for a pair you can trust in all conditions, a pair that will inspire confidence, a pair that you can enjoy. Lightweight touring skis are improving all the time - but do try modern ‘all terrain’ downhill skis. Buy the pair you enjoy most. Yes, some may weigh a little heavy on your back going uphill but they can certainly pay dividends on the way down!

The market for ski touring bindings (that allow the heel to lift whilst skinning uphill and to be fixed for downhill skiing) has been dominated by the virtually unbreakable ‘Silvretta 404’. In an effort to reduce weight and to improve safety and convenience, a number of new models have come onto the market, some with very limited success. Our group has migrated to the ‘Fritschi Diamir’. We have had some problems with reliability but I understand later models are much improved in this respect.

A special ski crampon to increase grip on steep ground. You have no choice but to buy a pair to fit the binding.

The furry strips that allow the skis to move uphill without sliding backwards. Forget synthetic, only go for genuine Mohair. Get the correct fit for your skis then make sure you look after them. If you ski on modern waisted carving skis, try shaped skins.

Poles haven’t changed much over the years. A handle and a basket at either end of a piece of tube. Rigid poles do the job, but adjustable ones can be lengthened for travelling uphill. Two-piece poles are strong and some can be converted into avalanche probes in an emergency. My three-piece poles have been collapsed right down and strapped across a pair of skis to help form a rescue sledge (Day 42). We have all sorts of poles in our group but most people have organised an extra hand grip part way down; this makes traversing a slope a little safer!

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