Paul Hauk, probably circa 1950.
I was at the Colorado Ski Museum yesterday doing some errands, and curator Justin Henderson reminded me that a western skiing pioneer passed away September 20. Paul Hauk was an early Colorado skier of the 1930s, and was given the job of making ski area recons and feasibility studies for more than 50 ski areas in the West.
Hauk was inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 1982, in recognition of his pioneer work as one of the first “snow rangers” at Berthoud Pass and A-Basin, and for his contributions to most Colorado ski areas of his time. Newspaper obit here. Justin has Hauk’s touring skis in the museum, and yep, another touring binding I’m missing from the collection. Check it out!
This is an unusual binding setup. It’s a cable binding circa 1950 with a releasable toe, only in this photo it is configured with a touring adapter “toe iron” that hooked on to the ski behind the release toe. As shown, the adapter is farther back than its intended location, but you get the idea. At first I thought the adapter was a home made job, but it appears to be something that was manufactured.
Click here to enlarge image.
And check these out, Hauk’s sealskin climbing skins made out of real seal fur. Look out, PETA is coming! I’ve used real seal skins, and the glide is unbelievable. Someday they’ll make synthetic that’s just as good…. This skin is made with two strips of fur, the forward one still has the animal’s pigment pattern on it.
Which leads us to 10th Things To Know: Part 8; avoid using your climbing skins to give your scalp a Brazilian.
This one is basic, but it’s amazing how many people struggle with their climbing skins in the wind — luckily they’re wearing a hat (and pants) as the depilatory effect of skin glue is quite effective. (Paul Hauk didn’t have to worry about this, as his skins buckled on the skis rather than using glue.) The trick is basic. Start stripping your skin from tip or tail, doesn’t matter. When you’ve removed the skin about half way along the ski, fold it sticky-to-sticky, then finish stripping and fold again. I’ve done this in 80 mph. wind with no problem whatsoever. If you’re removing the skins from the ski tail first (as most do), stick your ski tails in the snow after you’ve got the skin half stripped. Do this in one motion as you pull the skin off from the tail. With the ski tail planted, you can then fold the skin without a moving ski to deal with.
Anyone have more skin tips? Please leave some comments so we have a good knowledge base for this tip.
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The list:
10. Jump start a car without blinding yourself.
9. First-aid a serious laceration.
8. Rip skins in the wind without giving your scalp a bikini wax.
7. Fix a broken ski pole with duct tape and pocket knife.
6. Do a jump turn in the face of danger.
5. Start a fire in the snow while you’re shivering.
3. Quickly dig a person out of an avalanche.
1. Practice a humble mindset so caution rules the day.
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PSA: Colorado Ski Hall of Fame Induction Banquet, October 27 at Denver Marriott City Center, call Ski Museum for details: 970-476-1876
WildSnow.com publisher emeritus and founder Lou (Louis Dawson) has a 50+ years career in climbing, backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering. He was the first person in history to ski down all 54 Colorado 14,000-foot peaks, has authored numerous books about about backcountry skiing, and has skied from the summit of Denali in Alaska, North America’s highest mountain.
