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Trying to get a little back/side-country smart

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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
Heyo,
So I live in boston and have skied in Killington my whole life, logging about 55 to 60 days a season for a while. Next year I ship off to college in Montana and want to get a little more backcountry proficient. I just bought a pair of Moment Belafontes (STOKED) and I am going to put some of the Marker heel release touring bindings on them, and get some skins and what not. But I am pretty clueless on what I need, what I should know ect. Any points to a site or literature I should read would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks a ton!
Feb 3 2011 9:47PM
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PeteySkeety
Posts: 996 - Karma: 209
Take a Avy I course and of course have a beacon, probe, and, shovel. I would recommend a tracker beacon because they are fairly cheap and are super easy to use. I suggest finding / befriending someone who is experienced in the backcountry. If you are going to school in bozeman you will most likely be skiing at Bridger Bowl which as some of the best lift accessible terrain in the country (IMO).
Feb 3 2011 9:52PM
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_Jesus_
Posts: 2070 - Karma: 260
well when we actually have new snow and I hike..its nice having a backpack with ski carrying abilities. Also I guess you'll need some safety equipment (shovel, probe, becon ect.) if your getting hardcore.


Feb 3 2011 9:54PM
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Chaka
Posts: 424 - Karma: 79
First things first; Get certified as level 1 in backcountry/avalanche safety, get a beacon (and learn to use it very well), and then get 2-3 good friends who are just as good as you or better at backcountry safety and travel. Also get you probe, shovel and pack ect ect. Something that is always handy is duck tape. People look at me weird when I say that but I have duck tape rolls on my poles and shovel and bag and it comes in handy so much more than you would think. You break something? Duct Tape. You need to make a splint? Duct tape. Its great, and its saved my life. Also have fun.
Feb 3 2011 9:56PM
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S.C
Posts: 3068 - Karma: 2,285
First thing you need is avy gear (beacon, probe, shovel, maybe avylung) That's pretty obvious though.

Most important thing though is to have a reliable partner/group who you always ski with who you'd be willing to put your life in to their hands, as that is essentially what you're doing. Take an avy class with them and make sure they have proper gear.

Be careful though, avy gear doesn't make you by any means invincible.

Also, analyze the terrain you ski before you ski it, I made that mistake earlier the season. it sucks.

Have fun and shred some pow! Backcountry's the shit!
Feb 3 2011 9:57PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
I will be in Bozeman, and I am pumped on bridger. yea a beacon shovel and probe are in the work. I assume there are courses in Bozeman but finding one around Boston is gonna be a chalenge lol.
Feb 3 2011 9:58PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
They offer Avy 1 Courses right at the beginning of the season here, so that's not a problem. Just find someone who knows the terrain and is willing to show you around the area. I'll probably be here next season too, so find me!
Feb 3 2011 10:07PM
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.[sanhedrin].
Posts: 1652 - Karma: 932
I agree with all the gear mentioned above, and would add the following: 1. Avalung system for your backpack. Could buy you precious moments while they digg you out. 2. SIA showed some pretty cool air bag systems now which drastically reduce the likelihood of you being burried at all. 3. Become familiar with your local avy forecasting website, etc. Always check before you go out.
Feb 3 2011 10:41PM
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soup
Posts: 6343 - Karma: 4,415
my only concern with the whole avalung system is it only works if you get it in your mouth. Any of my friends who have them, never get the tube out. Even if you do need to take it out that probably means you shouldn't be skiing that line anyways. The only way would be if you ski the line with the thing in and then what happens when you start getting bucked around in an avy? chances are, the thing is going to pop out. If you dont have the cash for a pack with one in it, or just the piece itself, dont sweat it. just my two cents

but ye all the above is good info definately take a 2 day avy introduction course just to get familiar with the gear you are using. Get really really really really really good at using your probe and shovel. IA beacon may find you, but its the shovel that gets you out.

Find a couple of friends that you trust with your life to save you is also very very key. If your buried under a metre of slide snow your fucking under a metre of cement. Its extremely hard and tiring to dig through that stuff so get used to digging through it and make sure your frineds are good at it too.

Watch the snow report, weather forecast, as well as the avalanche report for your local area. Always check it out before you go out.

A good movie to start with is The Fine Line, its a great tool just to get you thinking about what is going on out there.

Feb 3 2011 10:53PM
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Aenigma
Posts: 11256 - Karma: 424
^Eh, that's one of the things that certainly doesn't hurt you to at least have. I always have mine out when I'm touring or skiing just in case something happens, because the chance of using an Avalung is better than having nothing at all. And I actually did get caught in a small (50' wide, 18" deep) slide last spring and was able to keep it in my mouth. A lot of people will argue about its merits, but I feel more comfortable having every bit of safety stuff I can reasonably take with me, just in case I am able to use it.
Feb 3 2011 11:01PM
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captainEMERICA
Posts: 1386 - Karma: 122
thanks guys, this is all really helpful advice
Feb 4 2011 7:55AM
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little_ey
Posts: 609 - Karma: 392
primary equipment: probe, beacon, shovel, skins, touring bindings

secondary equipment: snow saw, slope meter, extra lens or goggle

point: proper layering is more important than you think.

read: snow sense

take: an avy certification course

do: go out to new areas with people who already know it.

most important: BRAIN safety is all dependent on the choices YOU make.  Think about what you're skiing, where you're skiing, and when you're skiing it.  Keep your eyes open.  Know when to call it.
Feb 4 2011 9:17AM
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Mr.Huck
Posts: 6096 - Karma: 14,896
This exactly!  You need to find some guys that have done it for awhile and see if you can hook up with them.  Emphasis is on "done it for awhile".  If they have been doing back country for about 5 years and they are still alive, they probably know their shit.  You will get really good skiing Bridger. 
Feb 4 2011 10:37AM
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MoarCowbell
Posts: 102 - Karma: 10
Avalanche course is a must. You should get all the gear needed for backcountry travel. Beacon, shovel, probe, bag etc.
Feb 4 2011 12:04PM
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-ShredTheGnar-
Posts: 2038 - Karma: 111
spare goggles and gloves would be primary IMO.

Gloves because you should always hike with gloves on in the Backcountry incase anything happens, so its nice to have a dry pair for the top for skiing,

and goggles cause you neever know what might happen. (I smashed goggles on a rock 2 weeks ago at the top of a line and was so grateful to have spare pair)

just my 2 cents.
Feb 4 2011 12:21PM
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Yossarian
Posts: 1078 - Karma: 56
I'm definitely keen to get more into skinning and more advanced backcountry so although I don't have any advice I'm glad this thread exists and want to add one question.

What would be the best Avy course internationally speaking?
Feb 4 2011 12:31PM
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Dntel.
Posts: 1026 - Karma: 21
all this is good info, and lots of other good info in this thread too.


The main thing is don't just buy the gear and assume that you'll learn to use it through experience. I put a LOT of emphasis on the importance of taking an AIARE avy course because its where you are going learn standardized, time tested techniques for both studying the snow and understanding it, as well as rescue techniques. Also, if you ever want to guide/ patrol, you're gonna want that on your resume.

as far as things that I carry in my pack?

1. REPAIR KIT:

-*leatherman*
-baling wire
-multiple screws of different sizes
-small roll of duct tape
-safety pins
-whatever else you can think of that might help in a pinch.

very important, because if shit hits the fan equipment wise, you are gonna want some materials to jerry rig something that will work to get you home at least.


2. packable synthetic down layer.

if you get injured, or for some reason have to stop for awhile (i.e., fix your bindings, dig a pit, etc.) you are going to get cold, fast. Synthetic down (primaloft) will keep you warm even if it is wet. It's not something i pull out all the time, but in a pinch, you're gonna want it.

3. FIRST AID KIT.

kind of speaks for itself, but also, know how to use the stuff in it.

4. space blanket.

I have a great one from ortovox that is like a big bag that can fit two people, be used as a tarp for building a shelter, and its also reflective and bright, so you can use it to flag down help.

5. Snow study kit

you'll know what to do with this once you've taken you Avy 1 course!

6. monocular

comes in handy when trying to scope terrain (i.e., for natural slides, windloading, sick drops and whatnot)

and of course shovel and probe.


thats all I can really think of right now, i'm sure theres more shit.
Feb 4 2011 1:58PM
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californiagrown
Posts: 9794 - Karma: 2,014
when you get a shovel, do not...DO NOT get a plastic one. you want T6000 aluminum. becasue the plastic ones wont beable to cut through ice chunks when your buddy is suffocating beneath. Basically get the more expensive aluminum shovel.
Feb 4 2011 2:12PM
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