Backcountry Access Alpine Trekker

Couloir Magazine
Lou Dawson
December 97

Weight: 21 ounces per plate

Mega-slogs such as Canada's Mount Logan—or your favorite Colorado couloir. In either case skis are your tool; but backcountry skis cost a king's ransom. Have you got alpine skis and boots? If you do, forget bailing out the king, it's possible all you need for backcountry skiing is climbing skins and a pair of adapter plates such as the Alpine Trekker from Backcountry Access.

The Alpine Trekker is simply a dummy ski-boot sole you clip into your ski binding. Attached to the dummy is an adjustable frame that holds your ski boot via a clip such as those used with clip-on crampons. An axle attaches the front of the frame to the foundation, and the resulting pivot allows you to lift your heel and walk with the shuffling gait of a backcountry skier (or Quasimodo if you can't find snow). Attach climbing skins to your skis and up you go. To keep your Achilles tendons happy the Trekker even has adjustable heel lifts. If your path gets icy, snap on the optional crampons which do not lift with the plate; which is the preferred mode for many hard-cores.If you like fat sticks, the crampons are also available in a 90 mm width. When it's time to ski down, stow your Trekkers in your pack and cut snow on the same gear you use at the ski resort.

If you've done much backcountry skiing, the first difference you'll notice about using Trekkers is the weight. A conventional alpine ski setup, combined with the Trekker, can yank at your feet like Inquisition torture. I calculated one rig, using my heavy alpine skis, at over fourteen pounds per foot! Even so, ski touring a short distance with that kind of load is not as bad as it sounds, since you mostly slide your skis rather than lift them. Also, it's easy to cut weight by using modern skis, bindings, and boots—all have dropped pounds in the last few years.

Adjusting the Trekkers is easy, just turn a screw at the rear and match up the length to your ski boots. You can use a Swiss Army knife for this, but a cordless drill works better. (Early Trekkers required many different tools for adjustment; for field adjustment of recent models all you need is a fiat head screw driver). Loan your Trekkers to your friends or change your equipment; one size fits all. If you know how to ski, and long for untracked backcountry powder on the gear you love so well, consider trekking with the Trekker.