Thanks for the advice Alexander - Much appreciated.

That's a bummer Ralph, sorry to hear about your ankle. We've got the Voile Hardwire (http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorgear/Voile-Hardwire-CRB-Telemark-Binding/VOL0004M.html) which I've skied on and personally don't like very much. Never skied on the Garmonts, but the movable pivot point on them is similar to the Hammerheads, and will give you the ability to transfer more power to the turn if you are a more aggressive skier. The classic side-of-foot cartridge style is OK for cruising, but I've always preferred the option of increasing the torque and leverage of the binding with a movable pivot point. I'd go with the Garmonts.

Brakes are available at:
http://www.backcountry.com/store/GAR0162/Garmont-7tm-Brakes.html

atomic kalias
cheap light powerful (but more forgiving than most atomics) and fairly fat. good quiver of one

Tour or no tour, the 7TM is heavy, but I still prefer the reliable release mechanism. Weight is where you pay the piper. If I was restricted to a 1 ski quiver (I'm not) the Icelantic Nomad would get the nod. Stable on pack, great with champagne, rules in the mank/mashed potatoes/concrete and avalanche debris. Forget ice. This ski is light enough to balance out the weight gain from 7TMs.....
I also like Volkl Gotamas (very light with freight train stability) but the Nomads are fatter and in the length you desire (168 cm or shorter [156 cm]). Otherwise prepare to be waterboarded.

if you have backcountry in mind, the tour is the way to go. let's the binding pivot freely and has almost no resistance. makes a huge difference touring. think of taking full strides instead of a shuffle steps.

I'll second Bud's comment. I thought I'd be okay with this binding mounting directly to the K2 World Piste, and they do not fit without an adapter plate (or riser plate). I wish I had ordered the plate - I'd be skiing on them tomorrow.

These do work with K2 skis that have a pre-drilled 4 hole system (like the World Piste) These skis have an insert so they won't need a conversion plate.

Make sure to check the mounting style of the ski, a lot of the newer skis (after '08 are compatible with any 4 hole binding)

If you do need a plate the best place to find them is direct from K2

You need the K2 adapter plate, around $40. If you're mounting to non-insert skis, you probably want the similar riser plate, which is around the same $$. That's the biggest downside of these bindings - expensive, required accessories. Cheaper than knee surgery, though.

Yes you can get risers for these.

No, they're tele bindings. You need to be able to flex your toe or you'll just rip the toe piece out of the ski. If you want to tele, get some tele boots.

You have the 7tm All Mountain. Adjust the length with the knob on the back of the binding. Adjust the DIN release according to your weight and skier type. There should be instructions that came with your bindings that include the chart for weight/skier type. If you don't have it, go to www.garmontusa.com/7tmtech1.html

Nope, same (oddball) mounting pattern as the original 7tm. They probably mean you should have help with the adjustment of the heel throw tension and DIN setting, which if you're at all unsure of, you probably should get help.

You need the K2 adapter plate, around $40. If you're mounting to non-insert skis, you probably want the similar riser plate, which is around the same $$. That's the biggest downside of these bindings - expensive, required accessories. Cheaper than knee surgery, though.