The CAST Binding system in all its glory.
When a couple of good ol’ boys from Vermont corner you in Salt Lake City you know something is up. I knew I was safe from being converted but would they let me in on some secret cheddar cheese? Or a few sips of maple syrup? Not quite, but they did give me the run down on a new binding plate system they’ve been working on for the last 3 years.
I’ll let the pictures tell the story.
From their site, “CAST is derived from the collective noun for a group of hawks and named in honor of Green Mountain Freeride founding member Ryan Hawks. Ryan possessed an indomitable spirit and never ending love of life. It is CAST’s mission to honor Ryan’s spirit and all of those we have lost in the mountains, by creating quality products which allow for easier access and greater enjoyment of those special places where we are closest to them.”
Lars Chickering Ayers and brother Silas have been ripping up the Freeride World Tour for a few years now. Both have come to a realization that they needed a system for touring and dropping into some of the steepest lines with the biggest cliffs in the world. Behold the CAST touring binding.
The latest video from the guys at CAST.
LOOK binding toe piece mounted to custom CNC plate.
Plate and binding interface feature custom CNC'd stainless. Production version will vary slightly.
The plate is secure by a welded bar system inspired by the safety mechanism on your favorite high powered rifle.
The interchange plate system has a very positive engage and release. Or safety and Fire! These boys love their lathe and it shows.
Dynafit toe piece plate looks to be inspired by a PLUM Yak plate. The production version will vary slightly in materials.
Additional weight savings are made on the alpine toe-piece.
Dynafit toe piece on plate.
Once fully engaged forward the boot has moved approximately an inch forward on the plate system. This is to prevent the boot from going from tour to ski mode.
Rubber bands have been tested and proven to be the most effective at holding the brakes up. Note additional lifter plate below the heel ensures a flat interface between toe and heel when in ski mode.
Toe baseplate with further weight reduction. Such a shame all this work will be hidden once mounted.
Cast binding, Dynafit toe piece, and Rossignol race boot with custom forged tech fittings.
The CAST boys are also offering a service for around $100 to retrofit any race boot plug with their own in-house forged tech fittings and new soles. This is for the toe only.
Rossignol B Squad 130 and Nordica Doberman 150 race boots all teched out. No there is no WALK mode in these boots, if you had to ask.
Stay in touch with Cast Touring Binding Site and on Facebook
Joseph Risi was raised on pasta and meatballs in the “backwoods” of Long Island before seeking higher education in the mountains of Vermont. Always looking for adventure, building treehouses, working too many odd jobs around the world he now lives in the Aspen area of Colorado.
