Backcountry people, how much time do you lose on the transition because of ice and compact snow? Obviously it depends on the time of backcountry setup, the bindings themselves, etc, etc, but ice can become a real problem, especially when looking at the toes of pin bindings. Not only can ice make clipping in and out more difficult, but it can affect the safety and function of the device, potentially leading to prereleases or injuries.
So what if there was a handy little tool designed just to clear ice out of backcountry bindings? It wouldn’t need to be very complicated. Really it could just be a small pick of some sort. It could just be the KikPik.
The KikPik, designed by The Alpine Lab, is a simple little device designed specifically to clear ice and debris from your ski boots and bindings and quicken up transitions in the backcountry. One end features a pick like needle point, allowing you to clear out snow and debris from those hard to reach locations on the binding. The small brush on the KikPik’s other end allows for even more perfection when it comes to clearing out your bindings. When the ice is clear and you’re done with the device, just stick it back into its bright and easily recognizable tube container and toss it back in your bag. Easy peasy.
Added weight will always be a concern when skiing in the backcountry. Bring what you need, not what you want. But the KikPik apparently weighs less than 2 oz, so it could be a pretty darn good addition to your toolkit if you have the space. For now, the device is only available through Kickstarter pledges. But, for $29, you can get your hands on either the sapphire or red KikPik.
Additionally, you could use the KikPik to clear out your bike cleats, scrape mud off your hiking shoes, or do whatever else you need to do with a stick-like device that weighs very little and could easily be tossed into your pack.
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Image Credit: The Alpine Lab via YouTube