Freeriding - especially in the high spheres of fat freeski mountaineering - is an injury-prone sport. Something can happen quickly: a sprained ankle, a twisted knee, a torn cruciate ligament. And then you find yourself on crutches. So that this doesn't have to be the end of your activities on the mountain, the author has developed a walking aid for freeski mountaineers together with the renowned but modern company Ortho-Works. We present the prototype to you here:
The ski jammed, I turned and with a loud "SNAP" the right anterior cruciate ligament said goodbye. A classic "season ender" in other words, an injury that inevitably means you're unlikely to get back on the boards this season.
But I didn't want to accept the idea, so my brain was racing to develop the necessary tools that would allow me to get to the mountain anyway. Fortunately, I found open ears and doors at the orthopaedic specialists Ortho-Works, so that together we were able to realize a first prototype of the Freeski Mountaineering Crutches with my input.
These modern crutches allow versatile outdoor activities even for people with limited mobility. At the heart of the development was the tri-stride(TM) crutch tip. Three different attachments (which will soon be available as accessories) allow for versatile use: the normal rubber cap for everyday use; a three-pronged ice tip with excellent ice grip and optional powder plate for walking use in winter, but also in the summer mountains; and an adapter for classic pole short skis, so that the Freeski Mountaineering Crutch can be used with mono or single ski technology, but also with classic sit skis.
Useful aids such as a compass, slope inclinometer or integrated avalanche probe allow you to handle a wide range of situations on the mountain without having to take off your backpack - which is always particularly difficult with crutches. A fixation strap on the forearm makes it easier to carry out all the small tasks that would otherwise require stowing or securing the crutches. An optionally available POV camera allows you to capture the crutch action from interesting angles.
The freeski mountaineering crutches in the sickeinself(TM) version will also have an ice axe pick on the rear shaft, which provides support even in critical situations. However, this advanced version is still under development and it is not yet clear whether the market-ready product will have a retractable pick or whether it will be permanently installed. The sickeinself version also has the an-core(TM) anchor point. A helpful fixed point that is useful for stowing the crutches on the material belt, but also allows the crutch to be used as a snow or firn anchor, as well as for temporary self-belaying when ice climbing.
The freeski mountaineering crutches have already proven themselves in their first outdoor use, but will be further developed until they are ready for the market. We are also looking for more testers who would like to give their input into improving this useful mountain multi-tool for people with walking disabilities. Walking disabilities are not a mandatory requirement for testers. Please send applications to ortho-works[at]8knut.de.
Finally, I am grateful to Ortho-Works for helping me to continue living my dream and giving me the opportunity to turn the product of my imagination into reality.
