The recent Military Mountaineering Work Shop coverage sparked some real debate which I was quite happy to see. One of our readers, David Leaning of Magnetic North Travel put this article together which I hope will both inform and spark further discussion on the top of military skiing.
Military Over The Snow Mobility – Skis by solsys
The initial discussion at the Workshop focused on Overwhites. Initially, the group discussed the old cotton Overwhites that date back to WWII. Then, it turned toward the USMC’s newer nylon Overwhites. Unfortunately, few have access to this system outside of the Marine Corps due to the proprietary pattern. Consequently, some units have identified requirements and Velocity Systems developed a 3-piece Overwhites system consisting of gaiter, over pant and parka. Both over garments feature pass through zippers and pockets with slotted buttons.
The focus tends to be concealment rather than performance. Velocity chose Kryptek’s Yeti pattern and a treated nylon fabric that won’t absorb water. Below, you can see the parka on the ground. As you can see, it is a very lightweight material that is also highly compactable.
Both Velocity Systems and Mayflower also offer armor carriers in the Kryptek Yeti pattern for use in mountain and arctic environments.
SSD is at the 2nd Annual Military Mountain and Cold Weather Work Shop. We’ll offer as much coverage as possible, all the while protecting sensitive TTPs, capability gaps and the identities of attendees.
I attended last year’s conference and I can tell you that it was a great mix of military mountaineering user representatives and industry. This year’s Military Mountain and Cold Weather Work Shop takes place next week in Stowe, VT 20-22 February.
Coordinated by Open Range Service Group, the Military Mountain and Cold Weather Work Shop is centered around practical exercise and use of the feature products of the attending vendors in a fantastic outdoor setting. Attendees will not only get to try gear out, but also cross pollinate experiences and TTPs.
As many of you know, travel and budget restrictions are hitting DoD hard. Consequently, they are introducing the Military Mountaineers Endless Knot Foundation. ORSG is teaming with past and present Mountain Soldiers to create this new opportunity. The Endless Knot Foundation will provide a venue where Military Mountaineers can unite and give back to the disciplines that they all have in common: the Military and the Mountains.
What’s more, any profits from this year’s work shop will be going to the Military Adaptive sports program. Retired Sergent Major Pat Viljanen is working with the program and will be on hand at the event, running clinics and giving a presentation on this truly amazing program.
Any questions, please contact Bill Pelkey.
A couple of weeks ago we wrote about the TRACE Systems Green Kit from Canada’s CTOMS. We were impressed that someone had produced a great rack setup for military mountaineers but some readers complained about the tactical color of the gear.
On CTOMS’ Private Bloggins site, they addressed some of the issues raised on SSD in a post entitled, “What Color is Your Rack?” What we love about their piece is that they went out and demonstrated the reason they developed the green kit in the first place by sharing photos of climbers with commercial climbing gear. It’s definitely worth a read whether you are a military mountaineer or just interested in camouflage.
New for 2013 are the Laser, Laser Speed and Laser Speed Light. The common denominator to all of these is the new tooth. Rather than 6-7 mm tooth, they’ve cut it back to 4mm which offers quicker purchase in the ice making for a faster application of the ice screw. The orange colored shanks denote the Laser Speed Light screws which combine an aluminum shank with steel teeth press fit into the aluminum tube. This sheds about 30% weight.
Petzl has also introduced the Lim’ice, a $69 ice screw sharpening tool. No longer do you have to take a trip to Ouray Colorado to sharpen your ice screws. Now, you can do it right in the backcountry. This hand operated device allows you to file both sides of the tooth.
The new Tikka R+ and Tikka RXP have combined the reactive lighting of the Nao with the Tikka form factor. Reactive lighting optimizes the internal rechargeable battery and adapts to the amount of ambient light.
These boots are the Pro Line from Salewa. Remember, Salewa is a 75 year old Italian mountaineering brand well known throughout the world for its apparel equipment and footwear. The footwear line was created 7 years ago in Europe and brought a technical line of mountaineering, approach and hike-approach footwear to the US 3-1/2 years ago. I’ve been wearing Salewa shoes and boots for over a year now.
Here you see the new Vertical Pro new for Fall 2013, the Pro Guide and Pro Gator. All three incorporate the unique Walk-Climb feature. These are the only boots on the market where you can lock out the mid-sole in climbing mode to make the boot completely rigid. Conversely, you can unlock the mid-sole during the approach or ascent to get some toe flex.
For most military users these boots are great options. He we have the Mountain Trainer Mid GTX, Alp Trainer Mid GTX and the new Snow Trainer Insulated GTX.
I am super stoked about the Snow Trainer Insulated GTX. It features Thinsulate combined with Gore-Tex. it features a snowshoe compatible heel and built-in gaiter. The real gem here is the outsole developed with Vibram. It features a softer, sticky rubber compound with these cotton Kevlar fiber discs that help grip slick ground. They are meant for wet, cold, crappy environments.
These are the new hotness from Salewa. This hike-approach is called the Wildfire. It’s already won Climbing magazine’s Editor’s choice award. Available in Gore-tex and non Gore models it incorporates a new anatomical last with a spherical heel cup. This heel is much like a climbing shoe but the forefoot gives you some room to walk. Interestingly, most of the upper is actually injection molded as one unit. The are few stitches and no clue on this upper.
These feature the new 3-piece Multi-footbed system which is a insole system that allows you to custom fit the foot based on your foot and what socks you are wearing.
Metolius is a 30 year old family owned business in Bend, Oregon. They’ve done a great job supporting the military. Here are a couple of new pieces.
First off is the low profile Patriot harness that you can wear under body armor if needed. It’s Berry Compliant and features their Safe Tech which means all components on the harness are structurally sound, even the elastic at the rear and the gear loops. It also incorporates a locking speed buckle. This feature is actually available due to the beefy webbing on the waist.
Next is the Strike sit and chest harness combo. Once again all Safe Tech construction, but completely stripped down, no padding. Additionally, you can use it for CASEVAC. There is no rear riser so you can slip it on a patient. One size fits most. Practically made by Veterans in Bend Oregon (Berry Compliant).
Above, you have the Bravo series of carbiners. They’ve engineered these to make them hard to fail. They’ve eliminated gate flutter with a wire gate and incorporated a flared nose. Additionally, these are a little smaller and lighter (30 grams) than others on the market.
The Master Cam is a family of Berry Compliant cramming units that move already been incorporated into the US Army’s MAC Kit.
Finally, we have the Belay Rappel Descend or BRD. That’s what it does and it’s Berry Compliant. It weighs only 82 grams and accepts single or double ropes 8-11 mm.
