Skiers include those using either alpine or telemark equipment or, in two instances, a mono ski. The category here excludes snowboarders on the premise that the orientation of the skier's body to a slope differs significantly from that of a boarder affecting the capacities to negotiate a pitch. A separate entry tracks snowboard descents on 8000 meter peaks (). Even within the category of skiers equipment has evolved significantly from the time of Yuichiro Miura's first foray on skis above 8000m in 1970. Big mountain skiers have benefited greatly from incorporation of lighter and stronger composite materials into the manufacture of skis, boots and bindings, reducing the carry weight of their ski gear in addition to similar advances in designs for their other climbing gear and attire. Today's ski-mountaineer has likely shaved .) off their gear packs compared to when, for example, Sylvain Saudan hop turned down the face of Gasherbrum I in 1982, perhaps the first full descent of an 8000-meter peak. The length, width and shape of skis has evolved to facilitate turning and flotation in deeper snow conditions. (Reports for most high altitude descents actually are far more likely to complain of hard, rutted ice than deep snow. Back country skiing whether at altitude or on the lower ranges has also seen the development of alpine touring bindings with detached and fixed heel configurations for use in both upslope (in the walk configuration) and downslope (in the fixed-heel configuration).