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hi_vis360
November, 2024

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Backcountry gadgets

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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Hi NS,

I went touring with some really awesome guys yesterday, and their gadgets were rad. It made me want to know more about what little items really support or increase your enjoyment of slack/side/back country - any suggestions?

In particular, my buddy's compass + declinometer was really neat, as was his small magnifying glass for analyzing snow crystals in a variety of packs. We were on a avalanche safety-specific tour, but despite that, it's amazing how much a tiny piece of kit can improve your hike.

What are your favourite gadgets?
Dec 13 2015 10:02PM
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MTPOW
Posts: 173 - Karma: 115
The referenced post has been removed.


Do you have those small ones or like full size binos? Either way they can be heavy.
Dec 13 2015 11:40PM
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paige.
Posts: 1932 - Karma: 922
I've got the Poleclinometer. It's a super simple concept, just a sticker that wraps around your pole shaft and allows you to approximate slope angle, but that makes it pretty foolproof. Plus it was designed by one of the dudes over on TGR.
Dec 14 2015 1:08AM
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ChasingFlakes
Posts: 822 - Karma: 1,544
I rock this thing. Can also be used as the above photo in a pinch.
Dec 14 2015 9:55PM
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wrichmond
Posts: 562 - Karma: 369
Emergency locator beacon or SPOT in case bc gets real
Dec 14 2015 11:23PM
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Mr.Penguin
Posts: 207 - Karma: 165


As dumb as these things look this was $2 well spent, not sure it qualifies as a gadget though.
Dec 15 2015 3:12PM
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250r
Posts: 2276 - Karma: 1,013
headlamp in case youre out later than expected
Dec 15 2015 6:57PM
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TheBigApple
Posts: 1169 - Karma: 488
Mr.Penguin


As dumb as these things look this was $2 well spent, not sure it qualifies as a gadget though.


I always bring a headlamp. Also what the heck are these?
Dec 16 2015 6:20PM
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Mr.Penguin
Posts: 207 - Karma: 165
TheBigAppleI always bring a headlamp. Also what the heck are these?


SkiGee, you wear it on your thumb and it's a squeegee for your goggles, useful in variable weather conditions when you don't want to take your goggles off to wipe them.
Dec 16 2015 7:50PM
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doglotion
Posts: 32 - Karma: 49
this thing should do the trick http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/technology/bombardiers-new-concept-to-eliminate-hiking-for-backcountry-skiers/article27688417/
Dec 17 2015 12:24AM
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tBatt
Posts: 9632 - Karma: 580
My bat and dugout are a pretty sweet set of gadgets. Also a pretty big fan of keeping my brain turned on.
Dec 18 2015 10:06PM
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Idahoskier420
Posts: 719 - Karma: 86
Shouldnt everyones favorite BC gagets be the beacon, shovel, probe combo?

I keep my brooks range clinomometer/snow crystal card handy at all times!
Dec 26 2015 8:49PM
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soup
Posts: 6345 - Karma: 4,442
doglotionthis thing should do the trick http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/technology/bombardiers-new-concept-to-eliminate-hiking-for-backcountry-skiers/article27688417/


naaahhhhh. what?
Dec 27 2015 8:30PM
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Dirty.Harry.
Posts: 1779 - Karma: 351
Mr.Penguin


As dumb as these things look this was $2 well spent, not sure it qualifies as a gadget though.


All my friends I skied with at Baker this year carried those...and I quickly learned why. So helpful there.
Dec 29 2015 8:04PM
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ATLskier
Posts: 8203 - Karma: 406
Rutchblock cord and Snow saw.

Besides that I have little wooden sticks to clear snow out from underneath my dynafit toe piece (ice forms under it and you can't get into tour mode). Those have been a big life saver.
Jan 7 2016 12:44AM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
You can make do with all kinds of things in the backcountry, and many people have different ideas there, but I think the main thing is to be super dialed with the kit you carry.

The new generation of GPS watches are pretty dang rad for tracking vert and location. I back mine up with standard sighting compass that's got an inclinometer, so that's redundancy and the tool I need for pit data.

I've got twenty feet or so of 6mm cord. Easy to use for cutting out ECTs, useful for rigging gear, and it's strong enough to hold body weight.

One of those small, packaged emergency bivis isn't a bad idea. Probably won't need it, but if you do, it could be the difference.

Buff.

Glopstopper. When you need it, you really need it.

Rite in the Rain notebooks. Taking pit data or making observations while its snowing doesn't work with anything else. This one is the best I've seen: http://www.snowpit.com/products/products.htm

First aid kit. Go with your skill level.
Jan 8 2016 2:34AM
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Most-D
Posts: 729 - Karma: 1,088
Nice. Thanks for your post - and I enjoyed exploring your blog and insta. Great to see that you're in Japan; so am I!
Any idea how I can purchase one of these notebooks and have it shipped internationally? Would love to document my tours.



LiteratureYou can make do with all kinds of things in the backcountry, and many people have different ideas there, but I think the main thing is to be super dialed with the kit you carry.

The new generation of GPS watches are pretty dang rad for tracking vert and location. I back mine up with standard sighting compass that's got an inclinometer, so that's redundancy and the tool I need for pit data.

I've got twenty feet or so of 6mm cord. Easy to use for cutting out ECTs, useful for rigging gear, and it's strong enough to hold body weight.

One of those small, packaged emergency bivis isn't a bad idea. Probably won't need it, but if you do, it could be the difference.

Buff.

Glopstopper. When you need it, you really need it.

Rite in the Rain notebooks. Taking pit data or making observations while its snowing doesn't work with anything else. This one is the best I've seen: http://www.snowpit.com/products/products.htm

First aid kit. Go with your skill level.
Jan 16 2016 6:16AM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Most-DNice. Thanks for your post - and I enjoyed exploring your blog and insta. Great to see that you're in Japan; so am I!
Any idea how I can purchase one of these notebooks and have it shipped internationally? Would love to document my tours.


Thanks for checking out the blog/insta! Glad you liked them.

Just headed home now, actually. Enjoy that pow that showed up just after I left.

I have no idea on the international shipping on those books. They're the shit, but the online sales don't seem to exist. And that web design from 1995 makes all my "oh shit these people just learned about the internet" senses start tingling. I could look into it though, as I want one for myself.
Jan 18 2016 12:08AM
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JohnJonsz
Posts: 317 - Karma: 871
Radios are key for quick communication and as a safety backup. Also saves your cell battery to be on airplane mode. Like if you're skiing first and want to tell your buddy to stay to the right of your track, keep their slough skiers left, and maybe hit a chute or air skiers right... are you gonna ring their cell? Not if out of cell service. Shout all that? Prob not.

I'd recommend at least having a pair of cheap walkie talkies. For ~$60 I got a pair of midland 30mi range that give me weather alerts and a SOS siren. To answer OPs question, any gadget that can call for help if you don't have cell service like a decent radio or satellite phone. Over n out
Jan 20 2016 2:05PM
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estaked
Posts: 7388 - Karma: 79
Here is another spot to get a nice field book.

http://aiare.info/store/product_list.php
Jan 28 2016 11:19PM
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