Pack/Pole Recommendations

IMO it's worth it to spend more on a nice pack than on adjustable poles. I've only ever used normal poles and I think they do the job just fine. That extra cash will let you get a nicer/bigger pack with more safety features i.e. airbag if you're not wanting to die

stinky_cheeseIMO it's worth it to spend more on a nice pack than on adjustable poles. I've only ever used normal poles and I think they do the job just fine. That extra cash will let you get a nicer/bigger pack with more safety features i.e. airbag if you're not wanting to die

I'm fine to spend the money for both, I totally understand the value of a great pack as a photographer/videographer. My camera pack was almost $400, but I realize a ski pack is specific to touring and has features I would like instead of my bulky ass camera pack. What pack(s) do you like? The brands I'm mostly familiar with don't make the type of pack I'm looking for, so I'm trying to gain some insight lol

As far as poles go, I come from the midwest so I have no experience with poles. Adjustable has been recommended to me by some trustworthy friends who have been doing this for a long time. Standard poles would work, but I can spend an extra $50 to make sure I have all the right equipment.

Also, yes I plan on taking an Avy course before anything

Are you looking for a pack with an airbag? That makes a big difference. Get a pack that can carry your skis, also decide the length of day you are after. Chill 5 hour day trip is much different than 14+ hour lets climb something big day trip. Most folks that I know that are on the 14+ hour side are also figuring out how to optimize the gear in their packs.

I fit in the 5 hour day trip group. I run about a 30L pack with avy gear, food, etc. it runs fairly well. I put my helmet inside as well so that eats up a lot of space.

I like adjustable poles. Do not buy any of the probe combo poles. You need a real probe that you can get fully extended (here comes the NS sex jokes) within about 3 seconds. Most back country folks do not like leashes on their poles.

You might use whatever you can find and as you figure it out narrow down what you want to buy. So use a crappy Jan sport bag or something and figure out what you want do not want. I would not dump a ton of money into something and hope it works.

I mostly do 3-7 hour days and have a 30L patagonia pack, it fits everything I need pretty well, sometimes wish I had something a little bit smaller for the shorter tours. I love the helmet carry feature, definitely suggest a pack with that. I just use my non-adjustable poles, but thinking about buying a whippet soon.

You absolutely don't need to buy an airbag when you're just starting touring, they're mega expensive and you should be making super conservative decisions as you learn anyway.

The two things I would most look for in a pack are an easy access pocket to hold all your avy gear and straps to hold your skis on the sides of the pack while hiking

Where will you be doing the majority of your touring? Do you anticipate getting into steep skiing/mountaineering?


For poles. BCA’s scepter poles are great. The grip has a cool tool on them that makes things easy with avy stuff or scraping off skins, ski bases. Definitely get adjustable. If you are going to be doing steep Couloir climbing, you may want a BD whippet set up instead. I use an ice axe but some people enjoy the simplicity of a whippet. I think they are a good tool for security in easy snow climbing conditions. When the snow or climb gets sketchier, having an ice axe is nice.

SkiingNinjaWhere will you be doing the majority of your touring? Do you anticipate getting into steep skiing/mountaineering?


For poles. BCA’s scepter poles are great. The grip has a cool tool on them that makes things easy with avy stuff or scraping off skins, ski bases. Definitely get adjustable. If you are going to be doing steep Couloir climbing, you may want a BD whippet set up instead. I use an ice axe but some people enjoy the simplicity of a whippet. I think they are a good tool for security in easy snow climbing conditions. When the snow or climb gets sketchier, having an ice axe is nice.

I'm moving to Salt Lake City Utah come August. So I'll have some time to sort out gear. I plan to take an Any course, start slow and work my way up. I'm confident I can ski down a lot of stuff, but I want to make sure I get experienced and stay safe on the ascent and understand how to choose good lines, etc. Where might be a good spot to go in person and look for packs? Poles seem more straight forward to me but packs are so non linear

Not sure on local shop recommendations. Key features I’d recommend are:
- snow compartment for B/S/P
- great hip belt for support
- ice axe / gear loop
- breathable back if you get hot on hikes
- rear entry is nice
- helmet carry
- diagonal or a-frame ski carry
- 30L or so is a good all-around size
- some packs like the BCA stash 42 have a removable brain that can make it more adaptable to smaller days up to hut trips.

Dont get carbon poles or probes or any of that shit. Alu is the way to go. I have a pair of cheap atomic adjustible poles that have worked for me for a few seasons now without any issues.

As for pack, that entirely depends on your goals. Start with volume.

Planning on shorter missions to get your feet wet, or know how to pack efficiently for weight savings? get a 15-20L pack.

Want something a little bigger for some longer missions, but something that wont be too cavernous, get a 25-30L pack. (personally this is what I recommend for a good do-everything pack)

Looking for longer missions or the local area is mostly deep access type stuff where youll be out all day and you want all your shit? or maybe going to do some huts? or you just want to bring everything you can? get a 35-40L pack.

From there, its a question of if you want it loadable from the top or from the back (both is nice)

Then its a question of if you really feel like you need to spring for the airbag or not. If youre just starting out, I wouldnt unless you do your research and find a good deal on one (or unless you just reallllly want to spend a lot)