Tengu, the Hero of Telemark Aspirant.

[Tengu]

Now you are saying, "Urgh...Tengu has been let loose in the charity shops where we know she will succumb to temptation..."

I found a copy of Maybees `Flora Britannica` Good thing, surely?

But in the corner, a pair of skis.

Exploration with my fingers determined they are crosscountry skis.

So...I am now the proud (But baffled) owner of cross countries...no boots or poles.

How do I find boots that; A) fit the skis and B); fit my feet?

And measuring for poles.

(Yes, before you ask; I do have X country using experience, albeit last century...)

 

[Robbi]

And you think you're baffled.

 

[Limaed]

Now you are saying, "Urgh...Tengu has been let loose in the charity shops where we know she will succumb to temptation..."

I found a copy of Maybees `Flora Britannica` Good thing, surely?

But in the corner, a pair of skis.

Exploration with my fingers determined they are crosscountry skis.

So...I am now the proud (But baffled) owner of cross countries...no boots or poles.

How do I find boots that; A) fit the skis and B); fit my feet?

And measuring for poles.

(Yes, before you ask; I do have X country using experience, albeit last century...)

Different types of x-country ski. Are they normal skis but with a ‘free heal’ for going up hill or white NATO ‘planks’ with a cable binding or are they thin and take a 3 pin ‘Nordic Norm’ which is more like a lightweight boot with a tongue on the front? Pics would help

 

[Tengu]

Nordic Norm, I think.

Ill take pics tommorrow

 

[Broch]

Unfortunately, there are a number of different boot connection styles for free-heel Skilanglauf - you have to match the ski make with the toe attachment

 

[Tengu]

Says NORDIC NORM 75mm

And `Made in W Germany` so they must be fairly old.

 

[Pattree]

You’re a bit short of an essential component

 

[Tengu]

That one?

They will have it in Scotland.

 

[Pattree]

Really really hope so.

 

[Tengu]

Hah, a bit of research.

Its Nordic Norm 3 pin bindings.

Which is actually the type the military use...though as yet I have not found anything suited to me on Ebay.

It is amazing the downhill kit amount as opposed to X Country.

But having done both; Telemark skiing has a charm of its own, is more traditional and you dont need a lift pass, a lift or even a ski resort.

You just need snow!

I have found out the size of poles I need (up to my shoulders) and ordered some.

Friends are shaking heads over the `expensive hobby`

So far...

Skis £20 from a despairing but now pleased charity shop
Poles £21 from Ebay.

Need;
Boots. (Probably £20-60)?
straps. and shoulder strap (Im making a pair from old webbing)
wax (£10)
travel iron (I have one somewhere, I think)

So, in total around £100?

Im hoping to get out every weekend in March/April.

 

[Broch]

Hah, a bit of research.

Its Nordic Norm 3 pin bindings.

Which is actually the type the military use...though as yet I have not found anything suited to me on Ebay.

It is amazing the downhill kit amount as opposed to X Country.

But having done both; Telemark skiing has a charm of its own, is more traditional and you dont need a lift pass, a lift or even a ski resort.

You just need snow!

I have found out the size of poles I need (up to my shoulders) and ordered some.

Friends are shaking heads over the `expensive hobby`

So far...

Skis £20 from a despairing but now pleased charity shop
Poles £21 from Ebay.

Need;
Boots. (Probably £20-60)?
straps. and shoulder strap (Im making a pair from old webbing)
wax (£10)
travel iron (I have one somewhere, I think)

So, in total around £100?

Im hoping to get out every weekend in March/April.

Mmm... one additional thing you need in cross-country skiing as opposed to downhill is super fitness! It can be surprisingly exhausting. I was fit when I was doing it, running and playing rugby, and it was the most strenuous exercise I'd experienced - loved it though.

Still got the skis etc. but we never have the right snow

 

[TLM]

Mmm... one additional thing you need in cross-country skiing as opposed to downhill is super fitness!

Not really if one is on level ground, one can actually decide the level of power to use. Going up is the strenuous part. The exception is lots of soft snow that can kill you even on a short stretch, that can be early when it is all below 0C or late when it is bloody wet at 3C.

 

[Broch]

Not really if one is on level ground, one can actually decide the level of power to use. Going up is the strenuous part. The exception is lots of soft snow that can kill you even on a short stretch, that can be early when it is all below 0C or late when it is bloody wet at 3C.

Oh, I agree, level ground is gliding - but what goes down must go up and I never seemed to find level ground. From me, the nearest level ground of any length is 8 km away

 

[TLM]

Areas where cc skiing was a common way of travelling are usually fairly level. Lappland being kind of exception but even there they did not go over but around.

In Siberia skis were/are more like ski shaped snowshoes. They could glide but in the extreme cold were often used like half way between walking and true gliding.

 

[TLM]

Areas where cc skiing was a common way of travelling are usually fairly level. Lappland being kind of exception but even there they did not go over but around.

In Siberia skis were/are more like ski shaped snowshoes. They could glide but in the extreme cold were often used like half way between walking and true gliding