Teton Packbike

[caseygreene]

Here's another packbiking write up. This time of an overnight attempt through the Tetons:
http://greenecasey.blogspot.com/2012/06/teton-packbike.html

[bmike-vt]

Casey,

Really nice couple of write ups.

What pack are you using? Can you do a primer on slinging the bike on it?
I have a few rides sketched out here back east... some involve getting around 'wilderness'.
I'd rather go through, even if it means carrying the bike.

And - Ohio boy?
Me too, originally.
Cleveland area.

[Dusza]

Casey, that's an interesting way to carry your bike. How's the handling of that backpack loaded with a bike? Is it stable? Would you consider such setup usable while skiing?

[caseygreene]

Mike: Sweet. Ya, I'm from the Canton area (Louisville to be exact), and lived in Kent for about 4 years before moving out here. Go Browns!

As far as pack goes, Osprey's Variant 52's buckle-based ice axe loops are what makes it great for packin my bike. I put my toptube in one and the downtube in the other. From there its straight forward. Couple more built-in straps around the seattube tube, a couple loose straps for the wheels, velcro strap for the chain, and plenty of attachment points for other gear i haven't brought yet: skis, packraft, fly rod.

I'll try to put together a video this week showing the technique I'm using.

Dusza: That's something I've been wanting to try out for a few years now. Problem is, I'm horrible at skiing. The load is super solid though. Even while bushwacking. The only problem is catching stuff with the fork and seattube-toptube triangle. So, skiing the trees might be out. And, falling might not be a great idea. But, moderate/flat/open terrain should be do-able. Or, open backcountry slopes if your good.

[intheways]

Casey, that's an interesting way to carry your bike. How's the handling of that backpack loaded with a bike? Is it stable? Would you consider such setup usable while skiing?

I like the way you think.  Marquette Pack Skis (http://www.orscrosscountryskisdirect.com/marquette-backcountry-skis.html) might be a good alternative, unless it's a pow day.

[Dusza]

I'm not sure about the Marquette "skis". Seems like they're neither good at being a backcountry ski nor a snowshoe. For two seasons I've been polishing my telemark skills (and hillsides!  ) on a pair of Alpina Lite-Terrains with some fisher NNN BC boots and I think I'm (very) slowly getting there - quite happy with that setup but I'm considering something bigger.
I imagine that for carrying a bike on skiing trips having burlier/wider skis would pay off since you already have lots of weight on you - floatation might be an issue in fresh snow.
I think this might be cool: you bike on flats where skiing doesn't make fun and is slow and you ski through all the rest where biking is not an option. This extends your range for backcountry exploration considerably.
Though as Casey already stated it would probably only be an option for moderate terrain unless you have uber-technical skills.

[caseygreene]

Man, if you can tele in those boots, I think your doing more then good. I've been running Karhu Guides w/ Garmont Excusions for the past 3 years and am just approaching a novice level. Oh well, maybe one day...

Also, I don't know if you guys have seen these or not, but here's a few good resources on ski equipment that i think could work for the type of excursions we're talking about:

Equipment for Adventure Nordic (by Forest McCarthy)
145 Altai Hok review (by David Chenault)
Altai Skis: The Hok Ski and X-Trace Universal Binding Review (by David Chenault)

[Dusza]

It's nothing really fancy, I've been usually skiing on groomed trails marked as "easy" - up to 30% gradient - with an occasional visit on +1lvl up trail (up to 40% and more of a survival for me really). Sadly I still have no backcountry experience.
I guess starting with really gentle terrain makes further progress easy otherwise you tend to block up - it took me two seasons to learn how to turn left!  It takes time since there are not so many tele-instructors in my area so I'm self-taught, probably with lots of bad technique

Back to the topic, Casey do you have any close up pictures showing how you attach the bike to your backpack?
Carrying plastic boots just for skiing seems a bit of a weight-overkill. I think beefier duckbill shoes like the Fischer BXC875 would be ok both for skiing and pedaling? Not many reviews floating around the Internet for such shoes.

[caseygreene]

I don't. Let me put together a video this weekend showing everything i'm using and the technique.

I think Those X-Trace Universal bindings that Dave reviewed would be the most ideal in terms of in terms of keeping weight and bulk down. I hope they improve them. I've tried riding in my Excursions. Kinda sucks. Although, my feet stay warm

[bmike-vt]

I nearly rigged up an old pair of tele bindings for my Pugsley last year (prior to getting some Lake's). Was going to be able to slide the rubber toe duckbill into a slot, then have a grippy platform pedal.

Can't say I'd want to ride in my leather ski boots, but they would be warm.

[caseygreene]

I nearly rigged up an old pair of tele bindings for my Pugsley last year

That's sick! Were you trying to use the pug as an approach vehicle for skiing?

[bmike-vt]

That's sick! Were you trying to use the pug as an approach vehicle for skiing?

Mainly it was because my back country boots (old leather Karhus) were the warmest I had. Then I got to thinking about snow shoes and skis... I did a scouting trip in the ADKs where I wanted to get to a pond / lean to - after the snow machine trail petered out some skis or shoes would have been ideal.
I like having some purchase on the pedals, so I thought bolting something like the attached to the BMX pedals would sort of lock in my toe. I could get out easy for falls / bailouts in the snow, and then have ski boots on... Having my old Karhu Pavos (hopefully replaced with something shorter and more turnable this fall) would have been fun. But I'd have to figure out how to carry them on the bike.

Might have to head down that path this winter if we see more snow than last year.
My Lake's + Snowshoes weren't all that comfortable the time I did try them. (my snowshoes need to go on a diet, might have to look at those MSR things instead of the Atlas's I have).

[bmike-vt]

and, I hadn't figured on carrying the bike. That's a whole nother problem to solve. Especially trying to move in the snow. This past winter sucked, so my Pugsley time was about nil... and its in the 90s here in VT today, so a good topic.

Highly doubt I'd be capable of skiing with the bike on the back. I'm barely capable with a small pack with snacks and liquids.