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A hinge mechanism includes a first hinge element, a second hinge element, and a locking element. The first and second hinge elements each include a plate portion and a plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another. The pluralities of substantially parallel fingers interlock wit

A hinge mechanism includes a first hinge element, a second hinge element, and a locking element. The first and second hinge elements each include a plate portion and a plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another. The pluralities of substantially parallel fingers interlock with one another along a pivot axis such that the first and second hinge elements are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis between an extended position and a folded position. The locking element extends substantially parallel to the pivot axis and may be configured to releasably engage a receiving portion in one of the pluralities of substantially parallel fingers when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position to lock the first and second hinge elements relative to one another. A collapsible ascension ski having such a hinge mechanism as well as related methods and kits are also disclosed.

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1. A hinge mechanism comprising: a first hinge element including a first plate portion and a first plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another;a second hinge element including a second plate portion and a second plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one anot

1. A hinge mechanism comprising: a first hinge element including a first plate portion and a first plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another;a second hinge element including a second plate portion and a second plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another, wherein the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers interlock with one another along a pivot axis whereby the first and second hinge elements are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis between an extended position and a folded position; anda locking element extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis and configured to releasably engage a receiving portion in at least one of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position to lock the first and second hinge elements relative to one another;wherein the locking element comprises a substantially cylindrical member positioned within a through hole of one of the first and second hinge elements, and wherein the locking element is rotatable between a locked position and an unlocked position;wherein the locking element comprises a cam surface configured to engage the receiving portion in each finger of the other of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers when in the locked position to positively lock the first and second hinge elements relative to one another in the extended position; andwherein a first portion of the locking element includes the cam surface and a second portion of the locking element includes alternating guide surfaces and gaps, wherein when the locking element is in the unlocked position the gaps are configured to allow passage of each finger of the other of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers as the hinge elements are pivoted relative to one another to the folded position. 2. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position and the locking element is engaged in the receiving portion of one of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers, the locking element is arranged to be loaded in shear in a plurality of cross-sections. 3. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion comprises a recess defined in each finger of one of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers and extending parallel to the pivot axis. 4. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the first and second hinge elements include respective stop members configured to contact one another when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position. 5. The hinge mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the stop elements comprise first and second plates arranged substantially perpendicular to the first and second plate portions, respectively. 6. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein, when the first and second hinge elements are locked in the extended position, respective bottom surfaces of the first and second plate portions define a faceted camber. 7. The hinge mechanism according claim 6, wherein an angle between the bottom surfaces of the first and second plate portions is less than 180 degrees. 8. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, further comprising an arm coupled to the locking element and configured to allow a user to rotate the locking element between a locked position and an unlocked position. 9. A collapsible ski device, comprising: a first forward ski member having a tip and a rear end;a second middle ski member having a forward end and a rear end; anda third rear ski member having a forward end and a tail, wherein the forward end of the second middle ski member is pivotably coupled to the rear end of the first forward ski member by a first hinge mechanism, wherein the rear end of the second middle ski member is pivotably coupled to the forward end of the third rear ski member by a second hinge mechanism, and wherein the first and second hinge mechanisms comprise the hinge mechanism according to claim 1. 10. The collapsible ski device according to claim 9, wherein the ski device is configured to be collapsed from a locked and extended position to a folded position whereby the ski device is stowable in or on a backpack. 11. The collapsible ski device according to claim 10, further comprising a strip of climbing skin material secured to a bottom surface of each of the first forward ski member, the second middle ski member, and the third rear ski member. 12. The collapsible ski device according to claim 11, wherein at least one end of the climbing skin material is wrapped around an end of the ski member and secured between a portion of the hinge mechanism and a surface of the ski member. 13. The collapsible ski device according to claim 11, wherein the bottom surfaces of the adjacent ski members define a faceted camber. 14. The collapsible ski device according claim 13, wherein an angle between the bottom surfaces of adjacent ski members is less than 180 degrees. 15. The collapsible ski device according to claim 9, wherein the first and second plate portions of the first and second hinge elements are secured to respective top surfaces of adjacent ski members. 16. The collapsible ski device according to claim 9, further comprising a boot binding, wherein the boot binding comprises: a support plate pivotably coupled to a top surface of the second middle ski member proximate the forward end thereof;a toe strap coupled to the support plate and configured to be secured over a toe portion of a user's boot;a heel loop pivotably coupled to the support plate; andan ankle strap coupled to the heel loop and configured to be secured over an ankle portion of the user's boot. 17. The collapsible ski device according to claim 16, further comprising a U-shaped mounting plate secured to the top surface of the second middle ski member proximate the forward end thereof, wherein the support plate is pivotably coupled to the mounting plate. 18. The collapsible ski device according to claim 16, wherein one or both of the heel loop and the toe strap are longitudinally adjustable along the support plate. 19. The collapsible ski device according to claim 16, wherein the heel loop is pivotable relative to the support plate between a collapsed position and an activated position, the heel loop extending substantially parallel to the support plate and the second middle ski member when in the collapsed position. 20. The collapsible ski device according to claim 16, further comprising a heel elevator device fixedly secured to the top surface of the second middle ski member proximate the rear end thereof and configured to engage and support the support plate, wherein the heel elevator device comprises a base member and a wire element. 21. The collapsible ski device according to claim 20, wherein the base member of the heel elevator device comprises a longitudinal groove or protrusion arranged to receive a longitudinal protrusion or groove on a bottom of the support plate to provide lateral support during use of the ski device over flat or slightly inclined terrain. 22. The collapsible ski device according to claim 21, wherein the wire element is pivotably coupled to the base member and is rotatable between a first position, in which the wire element is substantially parallel to the top surface of the second middle ski member, and a second position, in which the wire element is at an angle to the top surface to receive and support the support plate during use of the ski device on steep climbs. 23. A kit for accessing and ascending snow-covered backcountry terrain, comprising a pair of the collapsible ski devices of claim 9. 24. The kit according to claim 23, further comprising a backpack configured to receive and stow the ski devices when the ski devices are in a collapsed configuration. 25. The kit according to claim 23, further comprising a boot binding on each collapsible ski device, wherein the boot binding comprises: a support plate pivotably coupled to the top surface of the second middle ski member proximate the forward end thereof;a toe strap coupled to the support plate and configured to be secured over a toe portion of a user's boot;a heel loop pivotably coupled to the support plate; andan ankle strap coupled to the heel loop and configured to be secured over an ankle portion of the user's boot. 26. The kit according to claim 25, wherein the heel loop is pivotable relative to the support plate between a collapsed position and an activated position, the heel loop arranged substantially parallel to the support plate and the second middle ski member when in the collapsed position. 27. A hinge mechanism comprising: a first hinge element including a first plate portion and a first plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another;a second hinge element including a second plate portion and a second plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another, wherein the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers interlock with one another along a pivot axis whereby the first and second hinge elements are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis between an extended position and a folded position;a locking element extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis and configured to releasably engage a receiving portion in at least one of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position to lock the first and second hinge elements relative to one another;an arm coupled to the locking element, the arm pivotable with respect to the first plate portion and the second plate portion, wherein the arm is configured to allow a user to rotate the locking element between a locked position and an unlocked position; anda safety lock element on the arm arranged to be removably attached to a portion of one of the first and second hinge elements when the locking element is in the locked position to prevent the unintentional release of the locking element. 28. The hinge mechanism according to 27, wherein the safety lock element comprises a cable connected to the arm and configured to be received over an edge of one of the first and second hinge elements when the locking element is in the locked position. 29. A method for making a collapsible ski device, comprising: providing a first forward ski member, a second middle ski member, and a third rear ski member;permanently attaching a strip of climbing skin material to a bottom surface of each of the ski members;pivotably coupling an end of the first forward ski member to an end of the second middle ski member by a first hinge mechanism;pivotably coupling another end of the second middle ski member to an end of the third rear ski member by a second hinge mechanism, wherein each of the first and second hinge mechanisms comprise: a first hinge element including a first plate portion and a first plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another;a second hinge element including a second plate portion and a second plurality of substantially parallel fingers spaced from one another, wherein the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers interlock with one another along a pivot axis whereby the first and second hinge elements are rotatable relative to one another about the pivot axis between an extended position and a folded position; anda locking element extending substantially parallel to the pivot axis and configured to releasably engage a receiving portion in at least one of the first and second pluralities of substantially parallel fingers when the first and second hinge elements are in the extended position to lock the first and second hinge elements relative to one another;an arm coupled to the locking element, the arm pivotable with respect to the first plate portion and the second plate portion, wherein the arm is configured to allow a user to rotate the locking element between a locked position and an unlocked position; anda safety lock element on the arm arranged to be removably attached to a portion of one of the first and second hinge elements when the locking element is in the locked position to prevent the unintentional release of the locking element; andpivotably attaching a boot binding device to a top surface of the second middle ski member. 30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the step of permanently attaching comprising wrapping at least one end of the strip of climbing skin material around an end of the ski member securing the end between a portion of the hinge mechanism and a surface of the ski member. 31. The method according to claim 29, wherein pivotally attaching a boot binding device to a top surface of the second middle ski member comprises attaching a boot binding device comprising: a support plate pivotably coupled to the top surface of the second middle ski member;a toe strap coupled to the support plate and configured to be secured over a toe portion of a user's boot;a heel loop pivotably coupled to the support plate; andan ankle strap coupled to the heel loop and configured to be secured over an ankle portion of the user's boot.