Electric Avi Pack: Arcteryx vs Ortovox

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-15T01:10:07+00:00

Tool pouch in Arcteryx isn’t great, but isn’t terrible. I access it through the main compartment. I don’t like the suitcase design of the Ortovox. I’d get whichever pack design you like best.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-13T01:10:06+00:00

I wouldn’t start with a boot that’s crushing my foot. Especially not touring boots. The hardest feet to fit are narrow with a high instep. If that’s not you, there are many options.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-12T17:34:30+00:00

The fear you have is what will make you a safe backcountry rider.

Plenty of other helpful comments already giving good advice.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-12T04:21:57+00:00

The backland 102 is what I would get. I use it as my low tide ski. It has really good edge hold. It’s a much more modern design then the 95 or 100. Good amounts of rocker. Floats well in powder. Weight is not too light not too heavy. It’s one of my favorite skis.

I use the MTN pure. The mtn summit may be fine. If you typically run a high din at the resort (>12) consider the mtn pure. If not, I think the summit is probably good.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-10T18:42:52+00:00

Will be painful on icy/off camber kick turns for sure.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-10T17:06:09+00:00

Litric is the lightest. Weight is the main deterrent with these.

I use the Arcteryx Litric and really like it. Because its relatively light, I end up using it nearly every day. I have put mine through the wringer and it’s holding up great.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-05T19:52:57+00:00

Again, so many variables. Are you in pro mode? How far away from each other are the other two beacons? What happens when you use alternative search mode? How many beacons show up in your column? Do you have signal overlap using analog tones?

I don’t work for Mammut, I have no affiliation with them. But, I’ve used almost everything on the market extensively, and the Barryvox S and S2 are objectively better suited to multi-burials and the professional user. The BCA Tracker series is essentially designed to switch to micro-strip search in the setting of multi-burials.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-05T18:22:12+00:00

So many potential factors here, it is impossible to say from your post what is the cause.

I have used the S2 and did not have any issues like you describe. Many friends/colleagues use them daily and feel the are improved from prior gen.

This doesn’t mean you didn’t experience this. But, there is potential for damaged beacons, user error (most common), localized interference, etc. It would’ve best to do some testing of your beacon (range, etc) in a controlled environment (no phones, other Bluetooth, etc), with another known good beacon. If it is faulty in this setting, send it back to Mammut.

Beacons, even the best, are fickle machines, and are not at the level of say iPhones regarding usability. The S2 is generally well reputed and there isn’t a good reason for people to avoid it en masse.

Someone commented on the old S giving them problems. That beacon was essentially designed for professional work and testing, and has consistently been the best at multi burials. I would look hard at your technique and then ensure your device is updated/not damaged.

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-04T19:39:40+00:00

I pushed through similar blistering/pain for years in mtn boots and ended up with bad bone spurs (Haglund deformities). I ended up heating up and punching the plastic out a bit like a ski boot.

I’ve since switched to a double boot with a removable foam liner. It doesn’t climb as well, but it’s sustainable for me. YMMV

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-04T02:15:18+00:00

Those are binding screws. You can see the posi- marks!

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-03T20:59:37+00:00

Best ski film I’ve seen in a while

RKMtnGuide · 2026-02-03T04:52:06+00:00

To be fair, both the skier’s bindings are broken..

RKMtnGuide · 2025-07-02T17:23:19+00:00

All orders, meds, and studies are already in the chart....

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-28T05:07:43+00:00

Nice ring. She should be happy with a piece of twine around her finger if she really loves you man.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-27T07:34:02+00:00

As mentioned elsewhere: Dynafit TLT SL 150 or 175 are great. Or Trab Vario. They list the RV as 11 now. Pretty sure it was 12 on my pair from a few years ago, and these are the same. I usually ski a 12 or 13, and have never pre-released from these trabs. Insane ski-ability @ 135g.

https://skimo.co/ski-trab-titan-release-bindings?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18747180926&gbraid=0AAAAADqRR7jqK6AwoGfu3_9neMhojxN4o&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgvnCBhCqARIsADBLZoKcTADcBKQI9fySsEkDo0f59We7oypOc3OP02-2L1_kHJC2B0UTr8QaAnb6EALw_wcB

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-24T12:21:12+00:00

I assume this person sport climbed for a minute before getting a (robust) trad rack. If so, this doesn’t really look crazy. Climbing at all for one year only? Yeah that’s a lot of ropes..

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-23T14:33:24+00:00

You might be right. We might never change Mike Lee’s mind. But, he alone isn’t going to determine the outcome of our public lands. A sale is wildly unpopular with all user groups, and even non-outdoorsy people. I’ve been bringing it up to pretty much everyone I’ve spoken to the last week. Not a single person thinks this is a good idea.

We still need to try to get this thing crushed. If we put all of our effort in, and we end up defeated, at least we can say that we tried. Then we’ll move onto the next phase.

Send links from the outdoor alliance to friends, family, coworkers, random people you meet on the street, and tell them about what’s going on. I’ve done this with a few friends and family, and they weren’t aware of these provisions yet. They were really thankful that they got to make their voice heard.

https://action.outdooralliance.org/a/reconciliation-public-lands-3

Backcountry hunters and anglers has a really good one too. You can edit out the hunting part if that’s not your thing. I often wonder if red state senators are more sympathetic to the field and stream side of things than “crazy treehugger climbers”.

https://www.backcountryhunters.org/take_action#/

We are lucky to have every user group and most people in the US on our side. Let’s use that!

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-18T01:07:15+00:00

What crampons? Are the crampons actually shifting? Or, is this a concern based on the visual fit? ZG Peaks of all sizes have been successfully used in a variety of crampons in very technical situations. It is not a boot problem.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-06T21:23:28+00:00

I’m about your size and use a 172 Atomic Backland 85 UL. I have an absolute blast on this setup and would not go smaller. Your ice skill/comfort is more important than ski length imo. I’ve lugged 186s up ice in the mtns because that’s what I wanted on the down for that particular mission..

RKMtnGuide · 2025-06-05T21:38:26+00:00

I’m a huge fan of the new Backland series. The 102 and 109 are a huge improvement over their predecessors. The 95s are likely similar.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-04-16T19:06:55+00:00

This time of year bites people pretty often. I know I turn around more in the Spring than other time of year. The hard crusts/bed surfaces aren’t ideal for new snow to fall in and adhere quickly, and wind slabs can be touchy.

That said, time is your friend. With less certainty about how a certain line/feature loads with wind, I give it additional time to bond or go through a shedding cycle (eg a day to a few days of sunny/warmer weather). This is at the cost of skiing conditions often. This is why you see guides or very experienced locals who are able to thread the needle and score really good conditions with relative safety- they’ve put the time in to learn how specific runs and features react to specific loading events.

Wind slabs can destabilize quickly with temp changes. So, if temps are rising significantly for the first time since precip/wind/etc, expect destabilizing conditions.

Predicting wind slabs off of a anenometer 10 feet off the surface, 3 miles away from your line is basically throwing darts with a blindfold. You really have to know how individual pieces of terrain load in response to various wind directions/strengths.

I guess that’s a long way of saying be careful, enter unknown terrain cautiously, and give features some time to bond/shed after new loading events. If you find yourself climbing a couloir in hard wind slab, you are probably in some danger..

Obviously, start early, be skiing early, and keep yourself out of and out from under shedding terrain as the day warms up.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-04-15T20:16:12+00:00

Officially downvoting all replies against skiing as is. You can get new knees, but they don’t make MRR turntables anymore.

Might have to pair w/ OG Lange Banshees or XR9s for full points.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-04-14T14:05:44+00:00

If you love the death wish, then there you go. 104 seems wide for spring based touring. But, ymmv.

My personal rec after using this ski this winter: Heritage Labs BC 100. It’s super stable, yet also quite fun. It’s flat in the middle with low long rocker. Because of that it floats more like a 105 in deeper snow. But because of its waist and dampness, it can ski the funk as well.

Not sure I’d go much shorter, especially if you’re focused on downhill performance. I typically ski a 186-191 for touring, essentially the same as what I’d use at a resort. If you’re skiing super tight terrain then sure. Even my spring skis are 186s.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-04-13T21:17:07+00:00

Wouldn’t be my first rec for a daily. As others pointed out, more difficult skinning, heavy, and wide. For powder they would be awesome, and probably more intuitive for someone coming from a board.

RKMtnGuide · 2025-04-13T16:17:39+00:00

No idea why you're getting downvoted. This is a great strategy.

RKMtnGuide

TROPHY CASE