UKC

Looking for advice from folk who have been ski touring on Norwegian plateaux or in similar environments.

If I were to go in early April, what ski type/boot type would you recommend? I currently have Dynastar Cham 87s and Scarpa Maestrale boots, would these be ludicrously heavy and clunky for it? I'm happy to consider lighter kit if it will make it appreciably easier.

Thinking about 6-7 day trips, taking a pulk but staying in some huts.

Any advice appreciated.

In reply to Roberttaylor:
I can't help with your question but I was confused for a bit by your post, I thought you were talking about this https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=in+a-gadda-da-vida&oq=ina-ga&aqs=chrome.2...
>

In reply to Roberttaylor:
Yes, you will hate those as the local 75 year olds come skipping past you on light tele touring skis.

Ideally something like these:

https://www.rei.com/c/metal-edge-touring-skis?r=c&ir=category%3Ametal-edge-...

With some NNN BC bindings and compatible boots - and skins for steep pulk pulling.

In reply to Roberttaylor:

I did it on an old pair of 75mm NNN skis and Scarpa T3s. It's not steep anywhere. Most of the group were in leather boots.

Nice hut at Finse too

Cheers

b

In reply to Roberttaylor:

Did that tour many years ago, back then it was leather 75mm boots, these day your spoil for choise http://www.braemarmountainsports.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=28... for skis and http://www.braemarmountainsports.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=28... for boots. Something like the Saloman X - ADV 6 would be ldeal.

In reply to Roberttaylor:
Light touring gear. I used my trusty Fischer Country crown 99, partner on slightly wider and the kids on thinner, like a Bcx 89 or similar. Not touring kit. Boots were various Alfa and Salomon leather things.

Buy it all when you get to Norway. Better choice, better price

In reply to Roberttaylor: im trying to add a link to the ski package section of xxl.no, the equivalent of Decathlon, but any shop should see you right. You're flying to Bergen?

In reply to Roberttaylor:

Spot on, thanks all.

Looking at the following...flying Edinburgh to Oslo (surprisingly cheap via Norwegian air), then train to Finse, ski tour south till Haukeliseter.

I'm also looking into making a pulk...

In reply to Roberttaylor:

Some years ago I did it on these
http://www.sporten.cz/cs/produkt/ranger/ and relatively light leather boots (SNS). NN 75 bindings is better

In reply to Roberttaylor:

They have all the sexy up to date stuff out there, as others have said!

youtube.com/watch?v=pQkCvcaet-A&

Good luck on your trip

In reply to wbo:

Yep, XXL are very good and surprisingly competitive on price, at least they are in Finland with euro prices. Not as cheap as Decathlon but more branded specialist gear.

In reply to Roberttaylor:

In case anyone is looking in this thread later on, I eventually plumped for;

Fischer S-bound 78 skis
Salomon SNS XA (manual)
Salomon X ADV 6 boots

In reply to Roberttaylor:

Perfect choice! I've just switched to Adv system and love it. I have ended up with three pairs of boots though...... don't ask!!!!

Anyone for new Adv 6 boots in 42? ☺. I'm keeping the Adv8's and spare 6's........

In reply to Roberttaylor:

Are you going out and back from Finse, I wanted to cross n to s but transport from s end looked a pain. Also does anyone have information on when you can use the huts earlier in the year, Feb/Mar as I understand there are restrictions due to reindeer?

Cheers

In reply to Fruit:

I'm going Finse to Rjukan, it's easy enough to get a bus back to Oslo from Rjukan, there are several per day. You change busses once.

Robert

In reply to Roberttaylor:

Cheers

Hi Robert, I've done a fair amount of Norway hut to hut and suggest you drop the pulk idea. I've only ever seen a few brits struggling away with punks which for a hut to hut are an unnecessary incumberance which slow you down. For the length of time you mentioned you should be able to pack everything you need within a 60/65 litre sac. The DNT huts have food which you can buy on an honesty box basis although we've always taken 2 emergency meals in case of problems. The huts also have blankets etc. So all you need is emergency bivvy gear, day food, minimal change of clothing, snow shovel, gps, lightweight crampons, ditto axe plus the clothes and trainers you arrive in. A lightweight gas stove is all we take and you can purchase gas in Bergen before you get the train. The huts have gas cooking facilities. We did once meet a Norwegian ice fisherman with a massive elk hound which he had pulling his pulk for him. Everything was perfectly designed and the dog had no problems. The contents of the pulk were designed for a superluxury 2 nights in a hut, suffice to say we got to share some of the alcohol, the dried meats and the cheeses....! However assuming you don't want super luxury then I'd avoid the pulk

In reply to Al Todd:

Its a while since I've skied in Norway but I've only seen two types of skiers with pulks - families using them for their very young kids on usually short trips or British groups, usually on their first trip to Norway. Most of the second group seemed to have little experience. I've friends who have skied long trips over several weeks at a time, none have ever used a pulk.

In reply to Doug & Al Todd
Ditto ditto
Unless the pulk is loaded with alcoholic drinks, to which you will be welcome with open arms by every Norwegian

In reply to Al Todd:

I've got a few Norwegian friends who really like thier pulks - I think the deciding factor is how much weight you're trying to shift. If you need to bring more than about 20-25% of your own bodyweight then it can get quite miserable carrying that on your back whilst skiing, so unless it's very steep it's usually easier to pull it.

Needing to bring that kind of weight pack though usually means longer and/or solo trips where you'd have to bring everything, so yeah when I'm just going between huts I'd usually pack light... but I'm not keen on big bags ever!