Long Distance XC race kit

[Waxagain]

Hello everyone! I’m getting ready for a couple of long distance ski races this winter and wanted to see if anyone has rec’s for my kit. I’m up for Fat Pursuit 200k and The Drift 100 (ITI qualifiers). Been eyeing these races for a few years and have put a kit together with the help of sales, industry discounts, and thrifting scores. I’m going for fast and efficient to minimize downtime and keep grinding. Extreme cold down to -25F and windchill down to -40F is a real possibility in both races. I have extensive experience in these conditions and I’m familiar with ultra-distance events but recommendations always welcome!

-MR48 210’s w/BC bindings (FK62’s if there’s significant fresh snow)
-Asnes mohair kickers in reserve
-Lundhags Guide BC boot w/ optional neoprene covers
-OW Vario BC adjustable poles
-USWE Brant pack - prefer the pack over my pulk bc the poles seem to limit my kick range (I’m 6’3”)
-TNF 0 degree down bag with RAB VBL (FF Ptarmigan if it’s super gnar)
-MSR E-Bivy
-2x headlamps w/extra batteries and power bank
- BD guide glove, Showa Winter glove, Head liner gloves
-Fleece Beanie, Fjallraven Nordic Heater
- Sunglasses, Glade Photchromic goggles
- Stio base layer, Marmot Fleece, Fjallraven Expedition down Hoodie, Marmot Refuge Shell (might bring my Marmot 8000m parka if it’s Armageddon)
- Swiss Universal X Pant, super thin tights as an optional layer, swap for waterproof ski pants if it’s crazy.
-Ski socks.
-Pocket Rocket stove w/ Ti cup (mandatory water boil test)
-Spot tracker
-Basic first aid and leukotape
-pocket map and compass, Coros watch

[spopepro]

Awesome. I’d love to hear how it goes.

I agree with most of your choices. Personally, id carry my pyramid shelter over a bivy sack as I find bivys to be just as heavy or heavier than a simple shelter. I don’t see an insulating pad on your list and I’d take an inflatable if it’s just for race requirements/emergencies, or an inflatable + thin foam if I thought I’d really need to use it.

Clothes are a personal choice… so tough to say. I’d want a truly warm mitten or glove (the guides don’t do it for me) if I was going to be stopped for any period of time. Short of that, I’d take a couple of chemical warmers. They can be digit savers. Again with preference—wearing a pack and skiing I’d want synthetic over down insulation. My back would be getting completely wetted out.

And remember to take enough food and keep eating!

[Manney]

Don’t have a high opinion of BD Guide Gloves after owning a set for three years now. Not very warm, trap perspiration. Not my worst gloves ever. But the highest cost/worst performing glove ever owned.

A better choice might be multilayer system. Shell mitten in canvas. Shell glove in leather (remove the liners from your BD Guide gloves… use the leather shell with a mid to heavy weight merino or boiled wool glove. Good quality two layer ones. 2 pair so they can be swapped out at the halfway point of a section. FWIW.

Advantage of canvas shell mittens is that they block wind but breathe. They can easily accept a chemical hand warmer. Can even sew a small pocket on the inside of the shell for that.

Avoid synthetic fleece. It usually traps moisture rather than letting it through. Multi layer merino. Covered by something like a Fjallraven Anorak no8. Waterproof only the sections that matter… hood, shoulders, bottom of the tail to ensure that most of the material will allow perspiration to pass through.

Didn’t mention an insulated Camelback. Essential. Water is needed by the body for all kinds of things, not the least of which is digestion to get energy from food and burning body fat. Ask a farmer. The quickest way to kill cattle in extreme cold is to deny them a source of free water. It’s more important than food because water, oxygen and a bit of movement is all that is required for mammals to convert stored fat into energy.

Dehydration in the winter is a huge issue… perspiration and respiration.

A small front pack, like a bino case, can be a handy place to store a few immediate essentials. Lip balm, a cotton rag for cleaning goggles/glasses, hard candy or a few energy bars). You don’t even need to take your hands out of your pole loops to access, Good chest wind blocker too.

[Stephen]

Second those thoughts on the BD Guide gloves.
I have a decade’s old pair of BD gloves that are very similar, but have a cloth shell (with Kevlar?) that are light, warm, and comfortable (but the finger tips are finally wearing out).
I bought the closest I could find, the Guides, and am not impressed.
They are bulky and heavy, due to the leather shell, and not as warm, and would take longer to dry, if wet.

[chris_the_wrench]

Yes! Ive been eyeballing those same events for years but I haven’t taken the plunge. I will really be looking forward to reports!

Are your Mountain Races the skins or wax?

Are you doing much of a ‘training program’ or you doing it more freehand with a bunch of running/riding now and will just ski a ton once the snow hits?

Please keep us posted!

[Capercaillie]

What are you wearing on your feet when sleeping? I really like Heat Holders socks, they are great for recovery.

Is the MSR E-Bivy big enough to let either of your sleeping bags fully loft with you inside? I would be really surprised if it is. You are better off bringing a tarp and wrapping yourself in that if the weather is good (easier and faster than a bivvy as well), and having the option to make a shelter if the weather is bad.

The only reason to bring a sleeping bag VBL is if you are planning to stay out for more than 4 nights and you sleep in base layers.

[aclyon]

so just that bivy with a down bag inside for sleep system? i personally wouldnt get a wink of sleep cus i'd freeze to death. id want a frameless dyneema tent such as zpacks plex solo or durston xmid pro 1 and a sleeping pad R4 or higher, like a thermarest or similar. the plex solo is <7 ounces heavier than the MSR (but very expensive).

that USWE pack looks great-- but if you are doing water from a bladder in there, it will surely freeze. i've had really good luck on day trips (not overnights) using a running vest where the bottles are in front on the chest-- body heat there tends to keep it from freezing.

if you are melting snow for water-- make sure to bring extra fuel. the pocket rocket eats fuel very inefficiently (compared to say, a jet boil) and melting enough snow to drink or cook takes quite a while. you will likely need to keep the fuel in the bottom of your sleeping bag if you plan on making coffee or breakfast when you wake up.

sounds really cool! i do ultra-trail running and lots of fastpacking adventures, i hope i can try a long distance multi day ski event at some point! good luck

[spopepro]

Hey @Waxagain did you do it? How’d it go? The conditions were about as friendly as they could possibly be this year.

On a whim we were out there this year. I did the 28 and my wife did the 13. I used my MR 48 skin and alaska bc boots, but honestly I wish I hadn’t. The trails were ultimately smooth enough and the slopes gentle that I should have used my classic race kit. I also shouldn’t go from sea level to 8k and expect good results… but we just had the weekend. It’s a great race in a beautiful setting and I’d recommend it to anyone. Thinking of heading back for the 100 some time.

[Waxagain]

Hey @spopepro yes I was out there. I did pretty well all things considered and finished in 32hrs and 36 minutes. It was really nice conditions, so I agree that I overdid my preparations. I actually used the Otto Svedrup wax ski with BC bindings and Lundhag Guide BC boots.

One thing I didn’t end up liking on the Asnes MR 48’s is the skin trap is the same length regardless of the overall ski length. So running a 210 ski didn’t get me enough grip to pull the gear up any sort of grade before resorting to their 30mm x-skin. I think in the future, given favorable conditions, a combi boot with nnn bindings on something like a fjelltech 44 or pure track ski would be fine. You can herringbone up the steeper grades on the course, and most weren’t too bad. Shalane won overall and skated the whole course so that’s another option for strong skaters.

It’s always tricky to get a perfect setup on these courses bc of how drastic the weather can affect your kit. I think overall
my biggest takeaway is to have 4-5 different gear plans depending on the conditions and stay flexible when preparing.

[spopepro]

Congrats! Well done!

Agreed on all points made.