BACKCOUNTRY SKIING
Ski touring, also called ski mountaineering or skimo, is a skiing modality consisting of two clearly separated parts. The first consists of skiing up the mountain with sealskins on the boards. This "backcountry" part is for many the most fun, as it requires a knowledge of the mountain and careful planning of the travel plan. The second part of skimo skiing consists of skiing down the mountain.
Ski mountaineering is a modality for advanced skiers who are already experts in alpine skiing. It is not a modality for beginners. The reason is simple, ski mountaineering requires advanced ski handling but not necessarily because of the difficulty of the slopes to be descended, but because of the types of snow.
When we plan the ascent we also plan the descent route, so we can make it more or less simple. What we cannot plan is the subject of snow we will encounter. The need to be an intermediate or advanced skier for ski touring is defined by the need to be able to ski on different types of snow. During the descent in ski mountaineering we can find powder snow, crusted snow, windy snow, ice, etc. and in the same mountain descent.
From Sports Service we will program outings looking for the best snow conditions and places where we can start the route with our skis on, avoiding as much as possible having to carry them on our backs.
The season will start as soon as there is snow in the Pyrenees mountains (usually in January) and will probably end in May-June.
The ski trips that we program will be day or weekend (one or two nights) staying overnight in a mountain hut.
It is essential to be in good physical shape as well as having a minimum of skiing and mountain technique (cramponing, etc.), to know the different types of snow that we can find, and to know how to use safety systems (ARVA, etc.). It is not enough to know how to ski on piste.
That is why the Eskimo Club of the UNAV proposes for those who want to get started in this sport to do the introductory course whose info you have on this website. We will notify through the RRSS of Sports Service and the University.
requirements
- Medium or high level of alpine skiing and knowledge of skiing techniques, or have done the introductory course.
- It is essential to be in good physical shape.
- For the outings it is mandatory to be federated in Mountain (minimum modality C which includes the French Pyrenees).
- To do the introductory course it is not necessary to be federated since the course includes insurance.
Equipment
- Skis, equipped with touring bindings, regulated to the boots. A skate of about 75-90mm is ideal for most of the outings where we will find different types of snow (crust, powder, spring, rotten, hard...).
- Telescopic ski poles (those with 2 sections are the most suitable), or specific ski poles.
- Mountaineering ski boots with soles in good condition.
- Seal skins adjusted to the skis.
- Blades compatible with ski bindings
- Lightweight backpack (30-40L), with good lumbar belt, suitable for carrying skis and strap to tie skis.
- Touring/skiing ice axe (55-60cm).
- Crampons: Aluminum ones, they are much lighter and for ski mountaineering activities are very suitable.
Avalanche safety equipment:
- Arva: Mandatory, digital 3 antennae.
- Shovel: Metal with extendable handle
- Probe: 240 cm long
- Helmet: climbing helmet is better, because we can regulate the heat, removing or putting a cap.
- Spare batteries for Arva
Equipment
- Windbreaker pants
- Thermal mesh (legs)
- Waterproof pants: subject gore tex
- Waterproof / windproof jacket gore tex
- 2 pairs of socks. 1 for skiing and others for the shelter
- Thermal underwear and spare for the shelters.
- 2nd layer garment, with high calorific power: fleece, primaloft, feathers....
- Pairs of gloves:
1 thin and manageable (for skiing).
1 thick, quality glove for cold weather.
1 extra pair
- Warm hat and sun visor, buff.
- Blizzard goggles
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip protector
- Headlamp
- mobile and charger
- Camera
Food
- Energy bars, chocolate, dried fruits, quick assimilation carbohydrate gel, with caffeine: in case we hit a slump. Some cheese and sausage...
- Hydration: A bottle of water (1 or 1.5 liters). A thermos for hot drinks (0.50 or 0.75 liters).
Weekend outings
- Sleeping bag for the shelter
- Spare clothes
- Toilet bag
- Microfiber towel
- In Pamplona there are two sites: Basati kirolak and Intersport.
Responsible
JAF Fernandez
jaf@unav.es
The course takes place in two intense days. We leave early on Saturday from Pamplona and go straight to the mountain. We spend the whole day in the mountains doing theoretical and practical classes and in the afternoon we go to the refuge to have dinner and sleep. If there are good snow/weather conditions, the course will take place in the Belagua valley. If there are not good conditions, the course will take place in the Aragón valley or in the Tena valley. On Sunday after breakfast we will go to the mountains and in the afternoon we will return home.
At the refuge you will have average board (dinner, bed and breakfast). It is necessary to bring a thin sleeping bag. It is necessary to bring snack food for two days to spend the day in the mountain and hot water or thermos.
It requires a minimum of technique on blue runs with ease and you must be physically prepared. It is a demanding activity.
What you need to know
- Material
- Progression techniques
- Mary turns
- Choice of pathway
- DVA, probe and shovel protocols
- Basic technique crampons and ice axe
- Transitions
- guide High Mountain UIAGM
- Advice on
- RC and accident insurance for the activity
- Collective activity material
- Insurance
- Transportation
- accommodation
- Handling
- Skiing equipment (skis, seals, blades, poles, etc.)
- 130€ per person for group of 6 persons
- Weekend March 23-24, 2024
- Send email to jaf@unav.es
- In Pamplona there are two sites: Basati kirolak and Intersport.
What to bring
- Skis, equipped with touring bindings, adjusted to the boots. A skate of about 75 -90mm is ideal for most of the outings where we will find different types of snow (crust, powder, spring, rotten, hard...).
- Telescopic ski poles (those with 2 sections are the most suitable), or specific ski poles.
- Mountaineering ski boots with soles in good condition.
- Seal skins adjusted to the skis.
- Blades compatible with ski bindings
- Lightweight backpack (30-40L), with good lumbar belt, suitable for carrying skis and strap to tie skis.
- Touring/skiing ice axe (55-60cm).
- Crampons: Aluminum ones, they are much lighter and for ski mountaineering activities are very suitable.
Avalanche safety equipment:
- Arva: Mandatory, digital 3 antennae.
- Shovel: Metal with extendable handle
- Probe: 240 cm long
- Helmet: climbing helmet is better, because we can regulate the heat, removing or putting a cap.
- Spare batteries for Arva
- Windbreaker pants
- Thermal mesh (legs)
- Waterproof pants: subject gore tex
- Waterproof / windproof jacket gore tex
- 2 pairs of socks. 1 for skiing and others for the shelter
- Thermal underwear and spare for the shelters.
- 2nd layer garment, with high calorific power: fleece, primaloft, feathers....
- Pairs of gloves:
1 thin and manageable (for skiing).
1 thick, quality glove for cold weather.
1 extra pair
- Warm hat and sun visor, buff.
- Blizzard goggles
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and chapstick
- Headlamp
- mobile and charger (in most shelters there will be possibility)
- Camera
- Energy bars, chocolate, dried fruit, quick assimilation carbohydrate gel, with caffeine: in case we have a slump. Some cheese and sausage....
- Hydration: A bottle of water (1 or 1.5 liters). A thermos for hot drinks of 0.50 or 0.75 liters.
- Sleeping bag for shelter
- Spare clothes
- Toilet bag
- Microfiber towel
Monitor introductory course
Xabier Paternain
High Mountain Superior Sport Technician
guide High Mountain UIAGM
xabixut@gmail.com
Tfn: +34 660 383 508