eugene@ames.UUCP (Eugene Miya) (12/30/85)
> > Eugene, any tips for the novice on use of skins ? If you've had the > patience to read all this, you know how much I like wax, and waxless > skis. Thanx. > > see ya there :-), tomp. Sure: 1) try to borrow a pair first. My first pair were some 68 mm (?) Colltex synthetic jobs and first generation Ramers borrowed from Dave Beck. My glaciologists friends laughed at the adhesive, they use strapped skins, I don't know the maker. I've also used, courtesy of Beck, real seal skins from the US Army (1940s). The problems with the adhesive skins are two fold: a) don't get them wet (keep them as dry as possible), not too hard to do, but can get to be a pain if you put them on and take them off and b) every year or so, you need to recoat them with Colltex adhesive. Keeping the synthetic skins clean is no problem, an occasional damp kerosene rag keeps the glide reasonable. You might be able to use Maxiglide. Skiing in areas of timber put a lot of muck into the hairs. Skins should be as durable as possible. I've a few good but small tears in mine. There is some downhill traction. Traction: not as good as waxing, but better for up and down steep hills. You should ask why you want skins. I have them for steep uphills on approaches to extreme slopes, and for load carrying when helping friends work. They are nice to have to emergencies when traction is an absolute necessary: pulling a sled for instance. Skins can be expensive. With three-pin (generic), it's better to get the slightly wider skins if you are edging or side-hill traversing on steeper terrain: the farther the skin is away from your edges, the less traction you get. I've seen 1/2 skins: no experience with them, they might be okay, I need full length for what I do. 2) my suggestion: find a pair of skins with straps and put adhesive on them for bonding. 3) some X-C skis use Mohair for their no wax base: I've heard the factory will replace the Mohair when it gets pulled out in time. Hope this is enough. 12/24-12/29 Joshua Tree: No significant snow (patches in the shade) lots of people climbing rocks. Snow above Los Angeles 7-8000 ft North exposures such as San Jacinto and Baldy, 9500 on Southern exposures. Yosemite: just returned today: RAIN at 7000 ft. Red stick wax if you want to ski. 38 F at dawn. 1(trees)-3(resort) feet of base with a slight crust. Visibility: 100 meters with medium drizzle. No new snow yet. Even the downhillers were retreating. Next report will be either Crater Lake or Inyos. From the Rock of Ages Home for Retired Hackers: --eugene miya NASA Ames Research Center {hplabs,ihnp4,dual,hao,decwrl,allegra}!ames!aurora!eugene emiya@ames-vmsb.ARPA