This has been a great season for backcountry skiboard innovation . Today I had the distinct pleasure of testing out what I think is a very cool new backcountry riser prototype . Bill here on the forum has designed a new low profile riser to which a standard medium length Fritschi binding can be attached . All the Fritschi model bindings have the same screw pattern for a given size model . The medium length version fits most boots other then the very large and very small boot sizes. There are also small and long versions that have a different screw pattern . I donated one of my old Fritschi bindings to Bill so he could figure out how to make a riser to work with it . His riser like the Spruce riser ,is compatible with the 10x4 insert pattern of the Spruce longboards , as well as the 4x4 pattern of Revel8 boards. Basically , what it does is allow a rider to attach a medium size Fritschi touring binding to the riser with machine screws and then attach the riser to their skiboard and immediately make their skiboard touring ready with a high end alpine touring release binding . I hope that Bill will share some of his pictures of how the binding riser is constructed as I think it is a very innnovative design . I will focus on how it performs in the field . Here is the binding riser attached to my Sherpa . It attaches with 4 screws just like a Spruce riser attaches . Weight is about the same as a Spruce riser /release system and the height of the boot above the skiboard (stack height ) is very similar , so those folks riding Spruce risers will be right at home . Bill has installed nice wide brakes on the Fritischi binding that fit my Sherpa nicely .
Ok let's get on with the test . Beautiful day for a backcountry tour .
My buddy , Michael , is along with his Icelantic Scout direct mounted with a Fritschi binding as well .
Here is a comparison picture of Michael's "narrow" 140 cm Icelantic Scout and my fat 130 cm
Sherpas both of us using Fritischi touring bindings.
Here is a picture of my Full Tilt boots in climbing mode in the Fritschi binding atop of Bill's nice riser .
Here is the boot locked and loaded for descent .
The riser and binding work great. Although the setup is heavier then my custom Jeff Singer designed two plate low riser Fritschi mounted Sherpa , I really don't notice the extra weight all that much . The Fritschi binding is very efficient and rather then picking up the skiboard with each step , the skiboard is just slid along with little resistance .. . some extra weight is not a deal breaker.
Here is a little video of me touring on the set up .
Michael heading up hill
I am a happy camper ...
Snow is crusty and very challenging today , but both of us make short order of the difficult first run descending in the trees to the left of this cliff ridden face . Michael loves his Icelantic Scout and I am super pleased to be on the Sherpa .
Lunch time by the lake ...
Bill's riser has a great crampon attachment system with super nice big plastic thumb nuts to attach the crampons . Didn't need to use the crampons today .. but nice to know that if the climb is icy , a nice crampon system is available.
We climb up for one more run .. and then head out by the lake which has not frozen yet
Heading back after another great day in the backcountry
Looking back over the lake ...
Final wrap up of this report .... Bill's backcountry Fritschi riser is super sweet !!!
very nice job . Bill .. the machine work on the riser and the thought and care that went into it is amazing . I am returning it to you and I hope you will be able to join me on your invention in the backcountry during Shredfest !
Ok let's get on with the test . Beautiful day for a backcountry tour .
My buddy , Michael , is along with his Icelantic Scout direct mounted with a Fritschi binding as well .
Here is a comparison picture of Michael's "narrow" 140 cm Icelantic Scout and my fat 130 cm
Sherpas both of us using Fritischi touring bindings.
Here is a picture of my Full Tilt boots in climbing mode in the Fritschi binding atop of Bill's nice riser .
Here is the boot locked and loaded for descent .
The riser and binding work great. Although the setup is heavier then my custom Jeff Singer designed two plate low riser Fritschi mounted Sherpa , I really don't notice the extra weight all that much . The Fritschi binding is very efficient and rather then picking up the skiboard with each step , the skiboard is just slid along with little resistance .. . some extra weight is not a deal breaker.
Here is a little video of me touring on the set up .
Michael heading up hill
I am a happy camper ...
Snow is crusty and very challenging today , but both of us make short order of the difficult first run descending in the trees to the left of this cliff ridden face . Michael loves his Icelantic Scout and I am super pleased to be on the Sherpa .
Lunch time by the lake ...
Bill's riser has a great crampon attachment system with super nice big plastic thumb nuts to attach the crampons . Didn't need to use the crampons today .. but nice to know that if the climb is icy , a nice crampon system is available.
We climb up for one more run .. and then head out by the lake which has not frozen yet
Heading back after another great day in the backcountry
Looking back over the lake ...
Final wrap up of this report .... Bill's backcountry Fritschi riser is super sweet !!!
very nice job . Bill .. the machine work on the riser and the thought and care that went into it is amazing . I am returning it to you and I hope you will be able to join me on your invention in the backcountry during Shredfest !
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