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Jonathan S. Shefftz
Alpine Skier // AT Skier // Camper/Hiker // Nordic Skier // Trail Runner // Backpacker // Biker // Hiker // Road Biker // Skier
Jonathan S. Shefftz:
#1,767
of 174,379
85 Reviews:
Helpful?
44 Yes
0 Questions:
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0 Yes
6 Answers:
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0 Yes
0 Photos:
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0 Yes
0 Videos:
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3 Comments:
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4 Yes
0 Wishlists:
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0 Field Tests:
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Stomping Grounds:
New England, Sierra, PNW -
Bio:
National Ski Patrol:
-- Avalanche Instructor (Level 1 and Level 2)
-- Mountain Travel & Rescue Instructor
-- Outdoor Emergency Care Technician
Also:
-- PSIA Level 2 Alpine Instructor
-- USSA Level 200 Alpine Race Coach
-- Completed Wilderness EMT training module
-- Rando race finishes include 2nd Bretton Woods Jan-05, 3rd Jay Peak Feb-05, 4th Mad River Valley Feb-06, 3rd Jay Peak Feb-06, 5th Mad River Valley Feb-07, 1st Bretton Woods Mar-07, 1st Jay Peak Jan-08, 6th Mad River Valley Feb-08, 2nd Bershire East Jan-09, 6th Mad River Valley Feb-09, 1st Magic Mtn Mar-09.
Related publications and public presentations (in addition to course lectures):
-- "Beacon Features Chart," The Avalanche Review (Vol. 25, No. 3, February 2007)
-- "Review of Signal Separation Beacons:
Ortovox S1 vs. Barryvox Pulse vs. Pieps DSP," hosted online at: http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/shefftz.asp
-- "Outdoor Recreationalist Use of Consumer-Level GPS and Topo Software," Northeast Arc Users Group Spring Conference (May 13, 2008)
-- "A Brief Mathematical Note On: Multiple-Burial Likelihood," The Avalanche Review (Vol. 27, No. 2, December 2008)
-- "A Brief Mathematical Note On: Snowmobiler Avalanche Deaths," The Avalanche Review (Vol. 27, No. 2, December 2008)
-- "Eastern Ski Patrol Avalanche Instructor Event Held This Fall," The Avalanche Review (Vol. 27, No. 2, December 2008)
-- Avalanche Beacon Reviews guest blogs hosted online at http://www.wildsnow.com/1476/avalanche-beacon-review-intro/
-- "Skin to Win: So You Wanna Be a Rando Racer?," Off-Piste Magazine (January 2009)
Rankings 
- #44 of 599 - Avalanche Beacons
- #49 of 892 - Climbing Skins
- #111 of 520 - Shovels
- #126 of 781 - Avalanche Safety
- #153 of 495 - Backcountry Ski Poles
- #215 of 1,181 - Alpine Touring Boots
- #228 of 265 - Life Jackets and Safety Gear
- #302 of 1,431 - Alpine Touring Bindings
- #352 of 714 - Navigation
- #453 of 513 - Bivy Sacks
- #454 of 1,290 - Telemark Skis and Alpine Touring Skis
- #471 of 524 - Men's Rain Pants
- #484 of 590 - Lightweight Gloves
- #557 of 1,339 - Trail Running Accessories
- #597 of 962 - Telemark Skiing
- #612 of 717 - 55 to 30 Degree Down Bags
- #642 of 1,102 - Canister Stoves
- #1,016 of 1,145 - 25 to 5 Degree Down Bags
- #1,072 of 1,161 - Overnight Backpacks (2000 - 2999 cu in)
- #1,080 of 1,230 - Lightweight Sleep Pads
- #1,192 of 1,800 - Cross Country Skiing
- #1,214 of 1,331 - Daypacks - Technical
- #1,218 of 1,786 - Trail Running Hydration
- #1,271 of 1,609 - Headlamps
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G3 Onyx AT Binding
December 22, 2009
"Dynafit's 1 flaw, if they have any, is that in order to switch modes you have to step out of the bindings. [...] With the Onyx, G3 has figured out a way that you don't have to do step out of the binding to change modes. You can stay in the bindings and change from one mode to another."
-- With any Dynafit binding, the user has no need to exit the binding to switch modes from skinning to skiing: rotate the heel unit then step down. (And no need to clear snow from underneath any parts, like on Diamirs.)
-- The only need to exit the binding is when switching from skiing to skinning, but that is almost always necessary only when reapplying skins, which requires removing skis anyway.
BTW, one other thing that keeps getting overlooked (and listed incorrectly by every etailer), is that according to the tech manual:
http://www.g3onyx.com/_pdf/Mounting-and-Installation-Instruc
... and also from what I could tell by inspecting a pair,
"Your G3 ONYX binding has a lateral twist (Mz) release setting scale from 6-12, and a forward falling (My) release setting scale from 5-10."
The effective range of the binding is therefore a relatively narrow 6-10 (except for a skier who wants a higher lateral setting than forward).
This would rule out the Onyx for my wife (who has a 5 setting on her Dynafits), as well as rule out any skier who really needs the higher release setting of the Dynafit FT12.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
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Dynafit Low Tech Race Binding
August 29, 2009
In addition to what Jared noted, the race version lacks any release adjustment (unclear what it's equivalent DIN value is) and also lacks any fore/aft length adjustment (so be very careful with your mounting). Therefore, it's really appropriate only for racers.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
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Backcountry Access Tracker DTS Beacon
August 29, 2009
With the exception of the Pieps Freeride, size and weight varies comparatively little across beacons. More important (aside from functionality of course) is whether the harness designs is a good fit for your body and personal preferences. Only way to know that for sure is to try it on.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Pieps iProbe
August 29, 2009
12.2 ounces (with single AA battery)
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
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Black Diamond GlideLite Mohair Mix STS Climbing Skin
August 29, 2009
The general guideline is that compared to nylon, mohair has better glide, but less traction. My personal experience with 100% mohair skins has been that I couldn't tell the different in traction, but did notice enhanced glide in nice midwinter snow. Springtime and summer snow, no different in glide . . . but definitely wore down more quickly than nylon (which, in the case of Ascension, never seems to wear down). My expectation is that the mix will be a compromise between the two.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Dynafit TLT Vertical FT Binding
August 29, 2009
If you're very capable (and careful) with woodworking in general, and download (and read carefully) all the material from WildSnow.com, then you can mount Dynafits accurately by yourself without a mechanical jig. I think my first attempt that way took about two hours. After that, subsequent mounts took about an hour. But once I bought the mechanical Dynafit jig, mounts now take only about twenty minutes.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
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