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September, 2024

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Backcountry help

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little1337
Posts: 8224 - Karma: 47,379
Hey NS, I was trying to get into backcountry skiing this year (my first year skiing) and needed some help with my setup. I couldn't afford an airbag so I'm planing on wearing a life jacket instead, it's the same basic principal of flotation so it should be fine. I was also wondering if anyone had any experience cutting skins? I could only afford one skin but luckily I'll be touring on ski blades this season (they're the lightest skis I own) and I was wondering if I could cut my single skin in half since it's all I need? Beacons are also a little pricey so instead I will be using a cell phone and calling my parents in the case of an avalanche. Thanks guys!
Dec 30 2020 10:27AM
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r00kie
Posts: 5238 - Karma: 59,574
Pro tip: the trail people ski on is nice to walk on as well.
Dec 30 2020 11:10AM
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_IRRELEVANT_
Posts: 944 - Karma: 4,425
I heard in times of trouble the pros carry soup spoons to dig themselves out basically the principle as an avalanche shovel but an eighth the cost
Dec 30 2020 11:22AM
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BrandoComando
Posts: 1486 - Karma: 18,753
_IRRELEVANT_I heard in times of trouble the pros carry soup spoons to dig themselves out basically the principle as an avalanche shovel but an eighth the cost


Be sure to cut off the handle of the spoon to save weight
Dec 30 2020 11:28AM
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mountaindewgirl
Posts: 2279 - Karma: 20,785
Even if it's just a little daytrip, be sure to bring all your overnight camping stuff... just in case.
Dec 30 2020 12:46PM
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Hamez
Posts: 87 - Karma: 576
dont bother buying skins and just boot pack the skin track.
Dec 30 2020 1:02PM
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bakemaster
Posts: 127 - Karma: 2,699
I like to wear a propeller hat so I can just fly away if there is a slide. Also always bring enough food for three weeks because better safe then sorry.
Dec 30 2020 2:48PM
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FitzRoy
Posts: 74 - Karma: 429
Instead of getting an airbag, just get a shit ton of the co2 canisters that fill them. Then if u get caught in an avy u can set all of them off and blow all the snow away.
Dec 30 2020 4:29PM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37297 - Karma: 118,451
use scissors to cut your skis for precision
Dec 30 2020 6:36PM
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JAHBRADOR
Posts: 3003 - Karma: 16,947
Cut your skins with the owner of Jetskis, he has razor sharp edges.
Dec 30 2020 6:39PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9224 - Karma: 60,153
Take an avalanche course, unless you have an iPhone in which case you're literally invincible
Dec 30 2020 6:44PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,237
little1337Hey NS, I was trying to get into backcountry skiing this year (my first year skiing) and needed some help with my setup. I couldn't afford an airbag so I'm planing on wearing a life jacket instead, it's the same basic principal of flotation so it should be fine. I was also wondering if anyone had any experience cutting skins? I could only afford one skin but luckily I'll be touring on ski blades this season (they're the lightest skis I own) and I was wondering if I could cut my single skin in half since it's all I need? Beacons are also a little pricey so instead I will be using a cell phone and calling my parents in the case of an avalanche. Thanks guys!


Don’t buy skins or touring bindings. Just walk up the tracks that people lay out on a powder day! Super nice of them. I wore my Billabong life jacket every day I went back country skinning last year and it helped so much when I fell over on the walking trail. Kept me floating on top! I also wore a snorkel so that if I got caught in an avalanche, I could still breathe!
Dec 30 2020 6:45PM
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Casey
Posts: 7828 - Karma: 24,026
I keep my backpack filled with nothing but duraflame logs in case I get lost in the BC I can build a fire.
Dec 30 2020 7:06PM
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BrandoComando
Posts: 1486 - Karma: 18,753
CaseyI keep my backpack filled with nothing but duraflame logs in case I get lost in the BC I can build a fire.


Psssh amateur. Don't you know that wood comes from trees?

That's why I always pack a chainsaw and a few gallons of fuel
Dec 30 2020 7:13PM
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CatdickBojangles
Posts: 6199 - Karma: 62,926
Just use find my iPhone instead of a beacon. Also a cheap airbag alternative is a car battery and the airbag out of your car. If you get buried touch the wires and boom your good.
Dec 30 2020 7:26PM
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Butterytips69
Posts: 718 - Karma: 8,028
Personally I prefer full scuba gear. The wetsuit keeps me warm from my own juices and the oxygen tank is perfect for surviving slides or just breathing at high elevation
Dec 30 2020 8:15PM
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rones
Posts: 1 - Karma: 8
I would see how you like it before dropping a lot of money on gear homie, and never go into crazy deep/steep zones without friends or a beacon! If you're buried in snow not even a 2005 Nokia could save you
Dec 30 2020 9:12PM
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NateDude
Posts: 183 - Karma: 1,295
Just blow all of them inside your jacket, then you become the airbag
FitzRoyInstead of getting an airbag, just get a shit ton of the co2 canisters that fill them. Then if u get caught in an avy u can set all of them off and blow all the snow away.
Dec 30 2020 10:33PM
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animator
Posts: 4552 - Karma: 26,237
CatdickBojanglesJust use find my iPhone instead of a beacon. Also a cheap airbag alternative is a car battery and the airbag out of your car. If you get buried touch the wires and boom your good.


LMFAO IM DEAD THIS IS HILARIOUS
Dec 30 2020 11:34PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,826
3.5/10 feeble attempt
Dec 30 2020 11:51PM
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drifts
Posts: 588 - Karma: 4,339
NateDudeJust blow all of them inside your jacket, then you become the airbag


Bigger jacket = bigger airbag
Dec 30 2020 11:54PM
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Julius_Steezer
Posts: 776 - Karma: 4,531
The only issue with the life jacket is it could be a little restrictive when skiing. Maybe grab a few balloons, keep them to hand (maybe jacket pockets) and just start blowing them up as soon as you feel the ground start to slide (you could bring a pump but obviously that affects your weight)
Dec 31 2020 5:44AM
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powpatrol
Posts: 1656 - Karma: 10,824
Julius_SteezerThe only issue with the life jacket is it could be a little restrictive when skiing. Maybe grab a few balloons, keep them to hand (maybe jacket pockets) and just start blowing them up as soon as you feel the ground start to slide (you could bring a pump but obviously that affects your weight)

just buy some nitrous canisters and float above the avalanche mentally till it’s over
Dec 31 2020 10:50AM
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Casey
Posts: 7828 - Karma: 24,026
Julius_SteezerThe only issue with the life jacket is it could be a little restrictive when skiing. Maybe grab a few balloons, keep them to hand (maybe jacket pockets) and just start blowing them up as soon as you feel the ground start to slide (you could bring a pump but obviously that affects your weight)

You can pack way more gear with you if you just offset the weight with helium balloons.
Dec 31 2020 11:59AM
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Roumarin
Posts: 53 - Karma: 384
CaseyI keep my backpack filled with nothing but duraflame logs in case I get lost in the BC I can build a fire.

you should hollow out the logs so to make them lighter!
The lighter your setup, the better a skier you are.
Dec 31 2020 5:51PM
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Kevski
Posts: 7056 - Karma: 2,785
Butterytips69Personally I prefer full scuba gear. The wetsuit keeps me warm from my own juices and the oxygen tank is perfect for surviving slides or just breathing at high elevation


Don't forget the flippers. Game changer when you need to swim to the top of an avy.
Dec 31 2020 6:29PM
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Knapzach
Posts: 471 - Karma: 5,142
I have found the water wings to be a more effective tool to ensure one's floatation in the event of an avalanche
Dec 31 2020 6:40PM
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Lilb907
Posts: 27 - Karma: 173
You need skins but not touring bindings. Loosen up those boots and "alpine shuffle".
Dec 31 2020 6:55PM
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byubound
Posts: 1636 - Karma: 9,870
Getting caught in a few smaller avalanches will make you stronger and less prone to dying in a large avalanche later
Dec 31 2020 8:50PM
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TRVP_ANGEL
Posts: 12494 - Karma: 115,933
instead of a beacon you can save some cost by just doing marco-polo exercises with your riding partner
Jan 1 2021 1:01PM
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Lonely
Posts: 6710 - Karma: 61,191
https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/986778/Training-to-Survive-Deadly-Waves---Red-Bull-Cape-Fear-2015
Just find a homie and a pool and do this for avalanche training
Jan 1 2021 1:35PM
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