Wick’s Picks for 2011-2012 Ski Mountaineer Racing

I am once again attempting to accumulate some ski mountaineering race gear.  US Ski Mountaineering Association team members Luke Nelson and Bryan Wickenhauser have personally given me a lot of great advice on what gear to go with and what to avoid.  I was privy to an email Wick sent to some friends about this years rando race gear.... and he was nice enough to let me publish it for all of our benefit.  Lot's of great info for the aspiring SkiMo racers below.

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Wick’s Picks for 2011-2012
Three Time USA Ski Mountaineering Team and Team Crested Butte Member Bryan Wickenhauser

Disclaimer:  Rando racing is about getting out, skiing hard and having fun.  NO SPECIALIZED GEAR IS REQUIRED!!!!  That’s right, you can race on your normal backcountry setup – both Tele and AT gear will get you by.  That said, Rando specific gear is HIGHLY specialized AND offer’s an enormous benefit.  So if you really want to compete, specific rando race gear is CRITICAL!  Let me repeat that – the rando specific gear is SO GOOD, that it offers an insurmountable advantage over traditional backcountry gear.  Here are some specific suggestions:

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BOOTS

1. SCARPA, Alien 1.0 
   Super light for the up’s, and with a carbon upper cuff it hangs it out there with any four buckle boot on the downhill!  It’s on every elite, light & fast athlete!  It not just about the up’s with this boot.
2. SCARPA Alien
   Just getting into the light and fast scene?  This one does the trick at a price conscious point.

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Bindings 

1. Ski Trab TR-Race
   Super light, durable and will release you when its time to “pull the E-Brake” 

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Skis

1. Ski Trab Duo Race Aero World Cup
   The best race ski period, durable and light
2. Ski Trab Tour Rando
   A great alternative to a pure race ski.  It’s at home in the back country pow and on the race course

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Skins
 

1. CAMP Mohair 
2. Ski Trab Duo Race Mohair 60mm
   Either Euro brand works great.  Just make sure they are 100% mohair.  Get some Gold Label glue and make sure your metal edges are still showing.  Get two pair!

 

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Pole

 

1. Ski Trab Carbon - Piuma Vertical Poles
   Carbon with a race basket and a great grip/strap
2. Ski Trab - Piuma Race Poles
   a great price conscious alternative.  Get them slightly longer as the race basket will sink through the soft snow.

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Pack
 

1. CAMP Rapid 260
   At 260 gr. use this one for all your race day and dawn patrol missions 18L
2. CAMP X3 600Use this 600gr. pack for the Elk Mountains Grand Traverse or longer day outings 30L
3. Ski TrabAnother great race day pack & and for your light and fast dawn patrols…gotta get to work!

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Suit
 

1. CAMP Ski Mountaineer Suit
   Laugh at it now, but once you get it, you’ll see its function before fashion.  Use it on race day, and then use it again as a complimentary base layer under your shell for back country powder missions.  Designed for those that know how to travel light and fast in the mountains!

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Helmet

1. CAMP Starlight
2. CAMP Pulse
   
3. CAMP Speed

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Probe

1. CAMP Carbon Light
   Lightest 2.4M probe in the world!  133 grams!
2. CAMP Light Avy Probe
   130gr. heavier than the Carbon probe, gets the job done

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Shovel

1. CAMP Crest
   The only ISMF certified real shovel, when weight matters in competitions
2. CAMP AT Fix
   Your Aluminum version, heavier and more well round use in the back country

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Gloves

1. CAMP G Comp Wind
   This glove is a must, totally rocks.  I use it nearly every sunny day, back country or race day.  Works down to 5F for me.  The external shell that pulls out of the wrist, gives this glove a very broad temperature range for its minimal appearance.
2. CAMP G Hot Dry
   My go to glove when temps on my ski tour will be in single digits or less, or stormy.
3. CAMP Wind Mit’N
   Add this 15gr overmit to your quiver.  It’s like putting a wind layer over your core.  Adds a huge temperature range to your glove you already wear.  Perfect for those that love to play up high!

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Harnesses

1. CAMP XLH 95
   Lightest skimountaineering harness in the world.  You don’t even know its on!  95gr.
2. CAMP CORAL
   Great lightweight alternative.

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Other Misc.

• Ice Axe: CAMP Corsa
  Lightest ice axe in the world! 205gr.
• Crampons: CAMP XLC390
  Lightest 12 pt crampon in the world 390gr.
• Shell Jacket: CAMP Flash Anorak
  Put this jacket on at tree line and say good bye to your competitors, it goes on in a flash!
• Puff Ball Jacket
  CAMP ED Micro Jacket: under 350 gr. Down filled with a hood!
• Shell Pant: CAMP Flash Pant
  When you need them you’re psyched you have them.  At 111gr. there is no need to EVER leave them behind on your ski adventure!

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