Ski mountaineering is a sport that combines the techniques of skiing (often ski touring) with those of mountaineering. The goal of the ski mountaineer to climb a beautiful mountain by a worthy route and then ski the mountain down an elegant line, preferably from the summit. Alpine skier carving a turn on piste Members of the U.S. Air Force skiing (and snowboarding) at Keystone Resorts 14th Annual SnoFest Downhill Ski Racing This article is about snow skiing. ... Skinning up the mountain Ski touring, also referred to as ski mountaineering, ski randonnée, and alpine touring (or AT), is a form of backcountry skiing (off-piste skiing) involving trekking from place to place in the wilderness, that has parallels with hiking, backpacking and Alpine climbing or mountaineering. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Crampons on a ski boot

While using skiing techniques for much of the time, ski mountaineers climb otherwise inaccessible or dangerous slopes on foot using a range of mountaineering equipment - typically crampons, ice axes and ropes - while skis are carried strapped to their backpack. This either permits access to extreme slopes, or more often allows transit through otherwise impassable terrain in order to continue beyond on skis, where normal ski touring equipment such as skins and harscheisen (ski crampons - also called couteau or cortelli) are used. Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Crampons on a ski boot Crampons are outdoor footwear that are made from spikes and are worn on boots to provide traction on snow and ice. ... Ice axe 1 â€“ pick 2 â€“ head 3 â€“ adze 4 â€“ leash 5 â€“ leash stop 6 â€“ shaft with rubber grip 7 â€“ spike An ice axe is a multi-purpose mountaineering tool carried by practically every mountaineer. ... Coils of rope used for long-line fishing A rope (IPA: ) is a length of fibers, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. ... Skinning up the mountain Ski touring, also referred to as ski mountaineering, ski randonnée, and alpine touring (or AT), is a form of backcountry skiing (off-piste skiing) involving trekking from place to place in the wilderness, that has parallels with hiking, backpacking and Alpine climbing or mountaineering. ...

History

The use of skis for over-snow travel & winter mountain access only recently divided into sub-categories like "ski-mountaineering". See the history of skiing for a time-line of early development. Skiing, or traveling over snow on wooden runners, has a recorded history of almost five millennia. ...

• Perhaps the earliest & certainly one of the most prolific ski mountaineers was John "Snowshoe" Thompson, who used skis to deliver the mail at least twice a month up & over the steep eastern scarp of the Sierra Nevada mountains to remote mining camps & settlements. His deliveries began in 1855 and continued for at least 20 years. Thompson's route of 90 miles took 3 days in & 48 hours back out with a pack that eventually exceeded 100 pounds of mail.

• One of the earliest European inspirations for the sport was the Englishman Cecil Slingsby, who crossed the 1,550m high (5,800 feet) Keiser Pass, Norway, on skis in 1880.

• However, the "father" of the sport is generally regarded as the German Wilhelm von Arlt, who made the first ski ascent of over 3,000m, when he climbed the Rauris Sonnblick (3,103m / 10,180 feet high) in 1894.

• The first ski tour in the Alps took place near Davos when the Branger brothers teamed up with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle for a tour from Frauenkirch to Arosa in 1894.

Snowshoe Thompson (April 30, 1827-May 15, 1876) was a nickname for John A. Thompson, an early resident of Nevada and California. ... Motto (French) God and my right Anthem God Save the King (Queen) England() – on the European continent() – in the United Kingdom() Capital (and largest city) London (de facto) Official languages English (de facto) Government Constitutional monarchy  -  Queen Queen Elizabeth II  -  Prime Minister Tony Blair MP Unification  -  by Athelstan 967  Area... William Cecil Slingsby (1849-1929) English Climber and alpine explorer. ... Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... 1894 (MDCCCXCIV) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Arthur Conan Doyle Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle (May 22, 1859 - July 7, 1930) is the British author most famously known for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered a major innovation in the field of crime fiction. ...

Ski Mountaineering (Randonnée) Racing

"A Ski Mountaineering race is a timed event that follows an established trail through challenging winter alpine terrain while passing through a series of checkpoints. Racers climb and descend under their own power using backcountry skiing equipment and techniques." --USSMA

See also

• Skiing and Skiing topics
• History of skiing
• Ski touring
• Haute Route
• List of climbing topics

Alpine skier carving a turn on piste Members of the U.S. Air Force skiing (and snowboarding) at Keystone Resorts 14th Annual SnoFest Downhill Ski Racing This article is about snow skiing. ... Skiing, or traveling over snow on wooden runners, has a recorded history of almost five millennia. ... Skinning up the mountain Ski touring, also referred to as ski mountaineering, ski randonnée, and alpine touring (or AT), is a form of backcountry skiing (off-piste skiing) involving trekking from place to place in the wilderness, that has parallels with hiking, backpacking and Alpine climbing or mountaineering. ... Part of the Haute Route; two alpinists can be seen following the trail in the snow. ... This is a list articles related to climbing and mountaineering. ...

External links

• The International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation (UIAA - Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme)
• Skimountaineering.org: ski mountaineering competitions
• British Mountaineering Council - Ski Mountaineering
• United States Ski Mountaineering Association
• Mountain Storm - Ski Mountaineering Race
• John "Snowshoe" Thompson
• Crossing An Alpine Pass On Ski by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, published in "The Strand" magazine, 1894