[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-24 Thread John Speare
very much alive. very well.

I have a family place on a river about 30 minutes from Altia NA HQ, which 
is in a tiny tiny village called Curlew in NE Washington state  -- I just 
went up last week and finally purchased a set of factory seconds. Altai is 
popular around here given the proximity to the HQ. I opted for 3-pin 
bindings to be a bit more planted. I took them out on boulder pass (5000 ft 
peak about 15 miles from their store) for a quick spin on the way home. 
Fun! I think of them as I did the original mountain bikes when I was young: 
as a way to get out there, explore, and adventure. 

The crew meets most sundays on Boulder Pass, where there's a traditional 
sno park with groomed skate/Nordic trails as well as access to the Kettle 
Crest Trail (single track perfect for these skis as well as mountain 
biking) -- and I"m pretty sure the most remote, least used snopark in WA.  
Anyway, they told me that after horsing around and skiing there's a fire, 
food, beers, etc. I'm totally pumped on the whole idea...

On Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 8:21:47 AM UTC-8, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>
> I talked with them yesterday, so Altai is alive and kickin', if that's 
> what you're wondering, Paul. I think 2016 model denotes an update, not a 
> commitment to update annually. 
>
> With abandon,
> Patrick
>
> On Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 8:44:55 AM UTC-7, PaulS wrote:
>>
>> I saw these few years ago, but never pulled the trigger.  I like the idea 
>> behind them.  My snowshoes are too wide and I've always felt so clumsy 
>> walking in them, so these make sense.  More maneuverable than the longer XC 
>> skis as well.  
>>
>> The site talks about 2016 models. Are they still being imported?  
>> Fortunately, Black Diamond also has a version of these out.  Bit more 
>> expensive.  But I'm unsure if Altai has updated their site and pricing 
>> lately.
>>
>>
>> https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/glidelite-147-with-bindings-BD1301021471.html
>>
>>
>> On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 9:17:13 AM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>>>
>>> Attempt to show this is on topic that only does the opposite: I'm 
>>> puzzling out how these might play with me brain so I can strap them to 
>>> Shadowfax, me fixed gear Hunqapillar, ride to the trailhead after a 
>>> delightful deep snow and enjoy skiing with delightful, controlled descents).
>>>
>>> https://altaiskis.com/
>>>
>>> My biggest gripes with backcountry telemark skis back in the 80's and 
>>> 90's was they were too long for skiing trails, too narrow for powder, 
>>> especially breaking trail, required the donning and doffing of skins, 
>>> required proprietary boots that never fit (even worse now I'm 
>>> barefoot/minimalist). In barefoot circles the skis and style of skiing by 
>>> the good folks in the Altai mountains of Asia knew how to do this right and 
>>> proper, and I lamented twelve years ago there were no such skis now. Well, 
>>> there are, now, as of four years ago. Grin. Kind of the rivendell of skiing.
>>>
>>> With abandon,
>>> Patrick
>>>
>>> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org
>>> www.CatholicHalos.org
>>> www.DeaconPatrick.org
>>>
>>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/ffaf9a41-c185-4731-a4a3-30cb3722b300%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-24 Thread PaulS
I see.  Thanks for the info.  Glad they're still around.  

On Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 9:21:47 AM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>
> I talked with them yesterday, so Altai is alive and kickin', if that's 
> what you're wondering, Paul. I think 2016 model denotes an update, not a 
> commitment to update annually. 
>
> With abandon,
> Patrick
>
> On Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 8:44:55 AM UTC-7, PaulS wrote:
>>
>> I saw these few years ago, but never pulled the trigger.  I like the idea 
>> behind them.  My snowshoes are too wide and I've always felt so clumsy 
>> walking in them, so these make sense.  More maneuverable than the longer XC 
>> skis as well.  
>>
>> The site talks about 2016 models. Are they still being imported?  
>> Fortunately, Black Diamond also has a version of these out.  Bit more 
>> expensive.  But I'm unsure if Altai has updated their site and pricing 
>> lately.
>>
>>
>> https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/glidelite-147-with-bindings-BD1301021471.html
>>
>>
>> On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 9:17:13 AM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>>>
>>> Attempt to show this is on topic that only does the opposite: I'm 
>>> puzzling out how these might play with me brain so I can strap them to 
>>> Shadowfax, me fixed gear Hunqapillar, ride to the trailhead after a 
>>> delightful deep snow and enjoy skiing with delightful, controlled descents).
>>>
>>> https://altaiskis.com/
>>>
>>> My biggest gripes with backcountry telemark skis back in the 80's and 
>>> 90's was they were too long for skiing trails, too narrow for powder, 
>>> especially breaking trail, required the donning and doffing of skins, 
>>> required proprietary boots that never fit (even worse now I'm 
>>> barefoot/minimalist). In barefoot circles the skis and style of skiing by 
>>> the good folks in the Altai mountains of Asia knew how to do this right and 
>>> proper, and I lamented twelve years ago there were no such skis now. Well, 
>>> there are, now, as of four years ago. Grin. Kind of the rivendell of skiing.
>>>
>>> With abandon,
>>> Patrick
>>>
>>> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org
>>> www.CatholicHalos.org
>>> www.DeaconPatrick.org
>>>
>>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/2db42937-24f5-4e31-9eec-e92353f5d7ed%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-24 Thread 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch
I talked with them yesterday, so Altai is alive and kickin', if that's what 
you're wondering, Paul. I think 2016 model denotes an update, not a 
commitment to update annually. 

With abandon,
Patrick

On Tuesday, December 24, 2019 at 8:44:55 AM UTC-7, PaulS wrote:
>
> I saw these few years ago, but never pulled the trigger.  I like the idea 
> behind them.  My snowshoes are too wide and I've always felt so clumsy 
> walking in them, so these make sense.  More maneuverable than the longer XC 
> skis as well.  
>
> The site talks about 2016 models. Are they still being imported?  
> Fortunately, Black Diamond also has a version of these out.  Bit more 
> expensive.  But I'm unsure if Altai has updated their site and pricing 
> lately.
>
>
> https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/glidelite-147-with-bindings-BD1301021471.html
>
>
> On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 9:17:13 AM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>>
>> Attempt to show this is on topic that only does the opposite: I'm 
>> puzzling out how these might play with me brain so I can strap them to 
>> Shadowfax, me fixed gear Hunqapillar, ride to the trailhead after a 
>> delightful deep snow and enjoy skiing with delightful, controlled descents).
>>
>> https://altaiskis.com/
>>
>> My biggest gripes with backcountry telemark skis back in the 80's and 
>> 90's was they were too long for skiing trails, too narrow for powder, 
>> especially breaking trail, required the donning and doffing of skins, 
>> required proprietary boots that never fit (even worse now I'm 
>> barefoot/minimalist). In barefoot circles the skis and style of skiing by 
>> the good folks in the Altai mountains of Asia knew how to do this right and 
>> proper, and I lamented twelve years ago there were no such skis now. Well, 
>> there are, now, as of four years ago. Grin. Kind of the rivendell of skiing.
>>
>> With abandon,
>> Patrick
>>
>> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org
>> www.CatholicHalos.org
>> www.DeaconPatrick.org
>>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/5f6a2f6d-d9f7-450a-a2f5-4fa282fe052c%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-24 Thread PaulS
I saw these few years ago, but never pulled the trigger.  I like the idea 
behind them.  My snowshoes are too wide and I've always felt so clumsy 
walking in them, so these make sense.  More maneuverable than the longer XC 
skis as well.  

The site talks about 2016 models. Are they still being imported?  
Fortunately, Black Diamond also has a version of these out.  Bit more 
expensive.  But I'm unsure if Altai has updated their site and pricing 
lately.

https://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/glidelite-147-with-bindings-BD1301021471.html


On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 9:17:13 AM UTC-7, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>
> Attempt to show this is on topic that only does the opposite: I'm puzzling 
> out how these might play with me brain so I can strap them to Shadowfax, me 
> fixed gear Hunqapillar, ride to the trailhead after a delightful deep snow 
> and enjoy skiing with delightful, controlled descents).
>
> https://altaiskis.com/
>
> My biggest gripes with backcountry telemark skis back in the 80's and 90's 
> was they were too long for skiing trails, too narrow for powder, especially 
> breaking trail, required the donning and doffing of skins, required 
> proprietary boots that never fit (even worse now I'm barefoot/minimalist). 
> In barefoot circles the skis and style of skiing by the good folks in the 
> Altai mountains of Asia knew how to do this right and proper, and I 
> lamented twelve years ago there were no such skis now. Well, there are, 
> now, as of four years ago. Grin. Kind of the rivendell of skiing.
>
> With abandon,
> Patrick
>
> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org
> www.CatholicHalos.org
> www.DeaconPatrick.org
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/11c06053-9c87-497c-8ca6-b3f5300839fe%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-23 Thread 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch
Hey Grady! Where in Colorado? I'm on Pikes Peak (Green Mountain Falls, to 
be exact). Feel free to email me direct if you want to ride sometime. 
lamontglen at mac dot com.

If I'm a good enough lad (my wife just hinted I was, so there's hope), then 
these will arrive over Christmastide. The amazing thing is from the one 
pair, everyone in the family can try them via the universal binding. My 
plan is to make a long pole (they say about a foot taller than you, lodge 
pole pine, though I may try an already seasoned aspen). Having used ski 
poles, I'm betting one long pole is actually more stable, so will help me 
brain (I have constant neurological vertigo). The videos help show how the 
single pole works. Aye to the ploddingtonness of snowshoes, a 
wee-bit-a-glide would be a wonderful thing.

With abandon,
Patrick

On Monday, December 23, 2019 at 3:26:21 PM UTC-7, Grady Wright wrote:
>
> These are exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks for sharing. My 
> experience with BC cross-country skis are that they are difficult to 
> maneuver in tight places and very short descents. You are spot on about 
> needing a different ski for non-groomed trails (and I'll add something more 
> efficient than snowshoes). I am probably going to pick up a pare and move 
> my 3 pin binding/boot set up to these.
>
> I have been researching these the last day or two and I think this type of 
> ski has the unofficial classification of trekking ski. Seems that 
> BlackDiamond makes one too yet with space age materials and more expensive.
>
> Now we can ride and ski like Mongolians! Do you ski with a a long stick or 
> ski poles? 
>
> I also live in CO maybe I'll see you out on the trail one of these days. 
>
>>
>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c83ab5d7-b796-48d9-8fc0-dc76c62c0815%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-23 Thread Grady Wright
These are exactly what I have been looking for! Thanks for sharing. My 
experience with BC cross-country skis are that they are difficult to 
maneuver in tight places and very short descents. You are spot on about 
needing a different ski for non-groomed trails (and I'll add something more 
efficient than snowshoes). I am probably going to pick up a pare and move 
my 3 pin binding/boot set up to these.

I have been researching these the last day or two and I think this type of 
ski has the unofficial classification of trekking ski. Seems that 
BlackDiamond makes one too yet with space age materials and more expensive.

Now we can ride and ski like Mongolians! Do you ski with a a long stick or 
ski poles? 

I also live in CO maybe I'll see you out on the trail one of these days. 

>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/fed396cc-24b2-492f-92e9-1f9983536373%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-23 Thread 'Deacon Patrick' via RBW Owners Bunch
I'm not positive, George, but I believe these are unique from the 
subcategory of "alpine touring" skis, referring to themselves as skishoes 
or specifically Altai, which appears to be a subcategory of one at the 
moment. Grin.

With abandon,
Patrick

On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 7:06:28 PM UTC-7, George Schick wrote:
>
> Yes, a friend and former co-worker of mine with whom I used to enjoy 
> "cross-country" skiing (not the same a telemarking, of course) here in the 
> Midwest who moved to the Whitefish MT area several decades ago has since 
> informed me that the entire telemarking tradition has since been replaced 
> by "Alpine touring" skis, the ones which you reference.  Looks like a good 
> innovation and I'm glad you found out about it.
>
>
> On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 10:17:13 AM UTC-6, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>>
>> Attempt to show this is on topic that only does the opposite: I'm 
>> puzzling out how these might play with me brain so I can strap them to 
>> Shadowfax, me fixed gear Hunqapillar, ride to the trailhead after a 
>> delightful deep snow and enjoy skiing with delightful, controlled descents).
>>
>> https://altaiskis.com/
>>
>> My biggest gripes with backcountry telemark skis back in the 80's and 
>> 90's was they were too long for skiing trails, too narrow for powder, 
>> especially breaking trail, required the donning and doffing of skins, 
>> required proprietary boots that never fit (even worse now I'm 
>> barefoot/minimalist). In barefoot circles the skis and style of skiing by 
>> the good folks in the Altai mountains of Asia knew how to do this right and 
>> proper, and I lamented twelve years ago there were no such skis now. Well, 
>> there are, now, as of four years ago. Grin. Kind of the rivendell of skiing.
>>
>> With abandon,
>> Patrick
>>
>> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org
>> www.CatholicHalos.org
>> www.DeaconPatrick.org
>>
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/5a655f49-0600-4702-89b2-0373c4d89625%40googlegroups.com.


[RBW] Re: Skis for AllTrails...

2019-12-22 Thread George Schick
Yes, a friend and former co-worker of mine with whom I used to enjoy 
"cross-country" skiing (not the same a telemarking, of course) here in the 
Midwest who moved to the Whitefish MT area several decades ago has since 
informed me that the entire telemarking tradition has since been replaced 
by "Alpine touring" skis, the ones which you reference.  Looks like a good 
innovation and I'm glad you found out about it.


On Sunday, December 22, 2019 at 10:17:13 AM UTC-6, Deacon Patrick wrote:
>
> Attempt to show this is on topic that only does the opposite: I'm puzzling 
> out how these might play with me brain so I can strap them to Shadowfax, me 
> fixed gear Hunqapillar, ride to the trailhead after a delightful deep snow 
> and enjoy skiing with delightful, controlled descents).
>
> https://altaiskis.com/
>
> My biggest gripes with backcountry telemark skis back in the 80's and 90's 
> was they were too long for skiing trails, too narrow for powder, especially 
> breaking trail, required the donning and doffing of skins, required 
> proprietary boots that never fit (even worse now I'm barefoot/minimalist). 
> In barefoot circles the skis and style of skiing by the good folks in the 
> Altai mountains of Asia knew how to do this right and proper, and I 
> lamented twelve years ago there were no such skis now. Well, there are, 
> now, as of four years ago. Grin. Kind of the rivendell of skiing.
>
> With abandon,
> Patrick
>
> www.MindYourHeadCoop.org
> www.CatholicHalos.org
> www.DeaconPatrick.org
>

-- 
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW 
Owners Bunch" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email 
to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/3b4567c4-3e70-44b4-9160-03fa8bea488c%40googlegroups.com.