Behind The Ski Mountaineering Photoshoot

With the main part of the season going, and being at the point that we are feeling fit enough to start getting after some real objectives, a quick break in the training schedule is nice.  So with a bit of stability and the morning off, I decided to head out with photographer Vince Shuley for a quick ski mountaineering photoshoot.  The goal was to shoot some photos climbing couloirs, as the light was far too flat for skiing photography; tight couloirs gave definition and contrast to the photos.  Along with us came Zack Wasson, to climb with me, and Tom Rourke to help assist Vince while shooting.  (Photo Below:  Zack Wasson climbing through the squeeze at the bottom the Couloir we were shooting.)

We pointed out sites up Blackcomb, heading up the East Col, and down the Spearhead Glacier to Phalanx Peak.  Phalanx was perfect for the morning, it was close, had a number of couloirs with variations which were not skied as often, and better lighting as we climbed on eastern aspects.  To get the shot we needed, we planned on splitting up, and climbing two seperate couloirs to reach the top.  Tom and Vince headed up the Stairmaster Couloir, and Zack and I headed up a twisting diagonal couloir which probably doesn't get much traffic if any at all.  Our line finishes in a dead end cliff, with a bit of exposure and rocky bench to climb through, perfect for what Vince was shooting.

Climbing through great snow to sugary snow covering rocks, we got to our position, and stayed where we were to climb up from in order to give Vince and Tom a chance to setup.  The shot wasn't easy to get, as Tom had to lower Vince over a large granite cliff, standing on the edge leaning over and shooting down.  Although this wasn't a large ski mountaineering objective, it still had all the elements.  Standing on an awkard perch with exposure, while you wait for your partner to finish climbing a pitch, and shivering from the spindrift blowing in your face.  (Photo Left:  Vince above on belay shooting Zack finishing the rocky section of the Couloir.)


Finishing up at the top of Phalanx, Zack and I dropped in on our Couloir, skiing down to a spine where we could all re-group.  Vince even managed to shoot some photos of Tom skiing down the Couloir they took down.  A productive day, and stoked to have gotten the shots we needed, we split as I needed to be at work for the evening.

Vince's Photography Site:  www.vinceshuley.com

The Finished Product (Photo: Vince Shuley, Skiers:  Alex Wigley (right), Zack Wasson (left))

Plum Guide Binding Overview

Stoked!  The Plum Guide is here in North America, and it's insanely nice!  Plum, a CNC company out of France, who create cutting edge designs in the ski mountaineering binding game.  Having already cornered the market on the super light race bindings, the Race 135's, 145's, and 185's, now have a binding for the burly ski mountaineers looking for a higher DIN.

Enter the Plum Guides, a meticulously designed ultralight binding that has been designed for hardcore users.  Weighing in at only 335g per foot the Guide takes the edge over it's competition, the Dynafit FT12, weighing 530g per foot.  It's beautifully CNC'd design, not only makes the binding more robust, but by far more stiff and rigid to ski.  This advantage will translate down to the skis, allowing them to hold a better edge on steep exposed ice, and ski even more like a downhill binding.  On a closer look they have even more to offer than just any 'tech' system.

(Photo Above: Integrated Crampon Slot)

The toe's are designed with a full metal locking lever for the toe, also a big advantage, as I have seen many plastic levers broken in the cold or due to crashing into rocks, alder, or other skiers.  It is also one single piece, opposed to other competition models, which are two separate pieces and are made with one part plastic.  The toes have the same beautiful engineering as all their race bindings, and also have a crampon insert directly molded in with the overall frame of the toe.

The heel is pretty cool looking.  It's only plastic piece, the main body and housing for the springs, is actually made from aerospace polymer to ensure the bindings stay light.  Like the polymer, the aluminum and steel, on the heel and toe are also aerospace grade.  What skiers may find is that the volcano, or climbing aid, is much easier to turn and less likely to break as it has also been CNC'd out of metal.  Yep, no more pesky climbing aid breaks in the backcountry!

The heel does not have a rearward adjustment screw, like it's competition, but a wider sliding platform that adjusts and screws in on a track (pictured on the right).  Having been modifying and trying to find the widest and most stable options, for many high end freeskiers wanting to huck more, I am happy to see the slightly wider metal platform.  As a result it will stand up to hucking, skiing high speed through debris, and generally poor snow conditions far better.  The track itself has 30mm of adjustment in it, so you can swap multiple models of boots, and sizes without having to re-drill your skis.  The DIN is set at 12, for both the lateral and forward release settings.  Steep skiers will be happy to know the rear pins are quite long allowing for a great deal of negative flex of the ski in awkward conditions, and barely any chance of popping out unexpectedly.

Although the bindings do not yet have brakes, do not fear, Plum is already designing one for the Guide which should be out shortly.  That being said, brakes are just more weight!  One cool feature, which also sets these bindings apart is they have been TUV certified, making them the only TUV certified tech system on the market.

Overall, these bindings have a lot going for them.  Expect to see even more fantastic designs and models in the very near future from Plum.  Having been sworn to secrecy, I can honestly only say, this is only the tip of the iceberg.  Ski Mountaineers, Racers, and hard skiing Freeskiers should take note of these designs as this the path I see ski gear trending towards.  If you want to get a pair, The Escape Route, in Whistler has them here. Plum also has multiple different models, with lower climbing aids, and lower DIN's so check them out here.

Soloing - A Reminder For What's Out There

Recently, just on a whim, I had the chance to get out in the mountains before work to solo the Banana Chute  on Mt Fissile (Pictured And Marked Above). Banana Chute is an aesthetic line I've skied numerous times, but never solo.  After skiing weeks of powder due to avalanche conditions, I believe the season is starting and objectives are now available to get done, in regards to stability.  Fissile woke up that mental process of thinking about ski mountaineering, even though it is not a major checklist in my mind, the very real possibility of dying is there if care is not taken and respect must be paid.

(Photo Above:  A group of four, headed to Fissile, on my way out)

However, being on my own, on a mountain that has nearly killed a few of my friends, I can remember what lies ahead.  The big mountains, bigger ranges, and the thought of going far.  I don't want to think of the mountains in a singular fashion, but in a grander, larger scale.  Hopefully, you can decipher the ideas to which I am hinting at, but just know that the little light is on for this seasons list of goals.  I'll leave it at that, to think about what is out there, and get stoked.  (Total Time:  3.5 hours with return)