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peter707
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Joined: 16 Jun 2022
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peter707
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 Fri Jun 30, 2023 10:00 pm |
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I was thinking of building an uphill touring roller-ski, using a one-way bearing to act as a climbing skin: https://www.mcmaster.com/products/one-way-bearings/. However, I am wondering if this is legal to use in wilderness areas.
I feel like i could put in some serious distance on a well-graded trail like the PCT if it works as expected.
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jinx'sboy
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Joined: 30 Jul 2008
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Location: on a great circle route |
| peter707 wrote: | | However, I am wondering if this is legal to use in wilderness areas.
I feel like i could put in some serious distance on a well-graded trail like the PCT if it works as expected. |
Nope
From the Wilderness Act, “…no other form of mechanical transport..” is very clear.
This isnt any different from a bicycle -
 vibramhead
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Kim Brown
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The PCT isn't that well-graded! 
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
RumiDude, rossb
"..living on the east side of the Sierra world be ideal - except for harsher winters and the chance of apocalyptic fires burning the whole area."
Bosterson, NWHiker's marketing expert
RumiDude, rossb
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Cyclopath
Faster than light
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Cyclopath
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Fri Jun 30, 2023 10:36 pm |
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| jinx'sboy wrote: | | From the Wilderness Act, “…no other form of mechanical transport..” is very clear.
This isnt any different from a bicycle - |
Are the binding mechanisms on my skis mechanical transport? Because those are allowed.
pimaCanyon
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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Fri Jun 30, 2023 10:40 pm |
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| peter707 wrote: | | I feel like i could put in some serious distance on a well-graded trail like the PCT if it works as expected. |
I feel like they would be unpleasant as a best case scenario on any surface that isn't pretty smooth. The trail has so many rocks, roots, mud patches, and weird little bits of topography that it seems like this would be hard to control, "the bone shaker," and really frustrating. The wheels don't look like they'd handle an obstacle larger then your thumb.
I've never tried it, I'm speaking as a cyclist. Let me know if I'm wrong!
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NightOwl
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NightOwl
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Fri Jun 30, 2023 10:43 pm |
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LOL, does this dude think the PCT is like an urban bike trail? Let him try it, he will be carrying them on his back in a few minutes and regretting the whole idea. Good luck finding any wilderness trail where those would be useful.
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BigBrunyon
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Location: the fitness gyms!! |
There was a handful of guys who did this last year to cover big miles thru parts of Oregon.
ChinookPass, zimmertr
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treeswarper
Alleged Sockpuppet!
Joined: 25 Dec 2006
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Location: Don't move here |
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treeswarper
Alleged Sockpuppet!
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 6:16 am |
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I double dog dare you! Be sure to make a video a post to youtube.
What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
 Schroder
What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
Schroder
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Sculpin
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Sculpin
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 8:37 am |
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| Cyclopath wrote: | | Are the binding mechanisms on my skis mechanical transport? |
Not the bindings so much, but I am scratching my head as to the fundamental underlying wilderness principle that accommodates waxed skis but not roller skis. 
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Cyclopath
Between every two pines is a doorway to the new world. - John Muir
Cyclopath
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philfort
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philfort
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 9:05 am |
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I've always wondered why bikes counted as mechanical transport but not skis.
Is it because of the gears that give you a mechanical advantage? In that case roller skis seem no different than skis (or a bike with no gears).
Or is it a concession because there'd be no way to get anywhere without skis/snowshoes in snow, so something has to be allowed.
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 9:19 am |
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| philfort wrote: | | Or is it a concession because there'd be no way to get anywhere without skis/snowshoes in snow, so something has to be allowed. |
Has to? Nobody really needs to travel across the wilderness in snow. It's entirely for hobby. People allow that inconsistency because they want to.
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 9:21 am |
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Have ultralight materials changed the wilderness experience? Dramatically lower pack weights allow more people to travel further into the remaining wild lands.
What about satellite communications?
And guide services?
And Bluetooth speakers?
But wheels!!  
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Cyclopath
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Cyclopath
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 10:09 am |
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| Sculpin wrote: | | I am scratching my head as to the fundamental underlying wilderness principle that accommodates waxed skis but not roller skis |
This part of the Wilderness Act is arbitrary and needs to be fixed.
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Anne Elk
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Anne Elk
BrontosaurusTheorist
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Sat Jul 01, 2023 10:43 am |
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| Sculpin wrote: | | I am scratching my head as to the fundamental underlying wilderness principle that accommodates waxed skis but not roller skis. |
Probably that the wheels are "mechanical" (ie, moving parts), like a bicycle. Assuming they'd even work at all on trails, I can see how they could be destructive. But maybe not as destructive as horses.
"There are yahoos out there. It’s why we can’t have nice things." - Tom Mahood
pimaCanyon
"There are yahoos out there. It’s why we can’t have nice things." - Tom Mahood
pimaCanyon
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solohiker
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Joined: 23 Jan 2004
Posts: 1081 | TRs | Pics
Location: issaquah |
| philfort wrote: | | I've always wondered why bikes counted as mechanical transport but not skis. |
Skis are only used on top of snow. Generally, several feet of snow must be on the ground in wilderness areas before it's ski-able because rocks and brush need to be completely covered. Unlike bikes, skis don't come into contact with the ground, so they aren't eroding soil.
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
pimaCanyon, zimmertr, IanB, rossb, ChinookPass
I have never been lost, but I'll admit to being confused for several weeks. - Daniel Boone
pimaCanyon, zimmertr, IanB, rossb, ChinookPass
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