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Alpine set up vs. touring set up?

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bigskier1010
Posts: 126 - Karma: 187

I am getting ready for this season... Heres my details

1. I Have purchased the 2012 K2 Obsethed 189 . I am a level III skier, 6'3", 215#, solid ,strong aggressive skier.

2. I live in midwest flat land. these skis are my travel skis for 2-3 trips out west a season.

3. having flatlander lungs and living at 600', I have never toured, and dont own touring/avy gear, but am very intersted to get into touring, backcountry, hut trips  in the coming years

4. I am debating  on binders, Currently I bought ROssi axial 2 140's for alpine use. I am debating if its worth mounting Marker Dukes instead. Are the dukes plenty strong for inbounds abuse, park landings, normal alpine use? Will I benefit with the Dukes for inbound stash access without leaving boundaries due to lack of avy gear? Should I just wait to get a touring binder until I am ready to purchase all the back/sidecountry avy gear? Anyone with helpful thought s would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rich  

Oct 18 2012 3:15PM
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Goku
Posts: 8119 - Karma: 4,220
Get dukes, they will be fine as long as theyre not your dedicated park set up. Start conditioning. even do cross country trails as a way to train. This years dukes are fucking rad
Oct 18 2012 3:31PM
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iLLbiLLy
Posts: 2865 - Karma: 2,631
Do you know someone to take you out into the back country on these trips? The dukes are pretty solid for an AT binding but at your weight an awkward landing on firm snow off a big jump could definitely rip them apart.

If you don't even have avy gear or experience yet I would hold off. If you end up with the opportunity to go out with someone experienced you can always rent.
Oct 18 2012 3:38PM
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bigskier1010
Posts: 126 - Karma: 187

I do plan to use these in park a bit too, that is one of my concerns. And no I will not be introducing the bc alone... seeking guides or friends of friends. Mostly  I have been intrigued by touring from all the current trend craze to " get out and keep explioring" Marketing is almost telling me that my new boards are meantto find the untracked out of bounds! ON the other hand, I know what living at 600 ' is like when I vacation to 8,000 - 12,000! Thanks for the helpful opimnion!

Oct 18 2012 3:55PM
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jblaski
Posts: 5547 - Karma: 787
For this year's new skis, I'm actually planning on them being my daily driver AND side/slackcountry ski (K2 Petitors). So my plan is going with quiver killers. That way I'll ride something like Jesters for daily use, and switch over to my Barons if I plan to do a little touring. Maybe try something like that?
Oct 18 2012 4:26PM
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Banane.
Posts: 3102 - Karma: 414
Treckers? not the best and heavy but you won't be affraid of ruining your duke in the park. Could be a good alternative.
Oct 18 2012 4:30PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8862 - Karma: 31,463
get an alpine binding, it doesn't sound like you are ready, knowledge or gear, to be akiing a lot of BC.
You can get a touring binding/setup when you are ready to make the commitment to safely skiing in the backcountry
Oct 18 2012 4:41PM
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Drail
Posts: 13993 - Karma: 9,835
Well, normally I am of the mentality where I wouldn't wish Trekkers upon my enemies, but considering how little experience you have, combined with your lack of climbing shape, the amount of 'touring' you will do is very, very limited. Because of this, I think getting a heavy duty AT binding like the Duke or Guardian is overkill and expensive. Just get a pair of Trekkers and see how it goes.
Oct 18 2012 4:55PM
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bigskier1010
Posts: 126 - Karma: 187
Thanks for the insight guys and helping me reafirm myoriginl thoughts.... stay on alpine binders until I move west permanently or invest and educate a lot!  thanks .
Oct 18 2012 6:05PM
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250r
Posts: 2274 - Karma: 1,019
i wouldnt use a duke to land switch. There is only one screw stopping the heal from ripping out. If you really want an at set up to use for everything, get mfds. But they are quite heavy and expensive, still though i used them as on my daily driver resort/slackcountry skis last year and never really noticed them even in the park, a bit heavy for side stepping but thats about it.
Oct 18 2012 6:26PM
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