 Poster: A snowHead
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I have been compiling a list of stuff to carry in my backpack when going backcountry, please help me compile the ultimate list of gear:
Must have
Digital Tracker - told DTS tracker is the best
Metal collapsable shovel
Probe
mobile phone - with emergency telephone numbers preprogrammed
camel back water
lighter
torch
whistle
compass
radio (all on same frequency)
chocolate
fleece
balaclava
handwarmers
lipsyl (with spf)
suntan lotion
sunglasses
inner glove liners
3mm string/rope (can hold at least 200kg) - 10 - 15 metres
money (for taxi or bus if ending up miles from know-where
European NHS card - gives you free medical care in europe (get from url below) http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/Healthadvicefortravellers/Gettingtreatmentaroundtheworld/EEAandSwitzerland/DH_4114795
Optional
crampons
climbing pick
skins for bottom of skis
GPS (ie garmen)
flare
Climbing clips
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Duck tape, multitool.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Alpine guide; mates to help locate you and dig you out if the worst happens.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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small first aid kit - what does it include though?
Bandage
safety pins
plasters
antiseptic cream
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?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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scissors/cutting tool
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Parachute.
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Last will & testament?
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Analgesics.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Err....never done it but are Map and possibly a compass good suggestions?
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Megamum, in theory, along with an idea on how to use them. But generally you should be with someone who knows the area.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Don't put your tracker in your backpack.
Unless you want folk to find that and not you.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Tracker is best worn, rather than in backpack, with mobile phone switched off.
Latex Gloves, won't do any first aid without them.
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Whatever else you take, take the sense to know when to turn back. One day the year before last, we'd been hiking up hill for between one and two hours in poor vis (5-10m) when our two guides had a bit of a conflab and started looking rather puzzled at their map. Our altimeters were now showing that we were higher than the peak we were heading for! As the only ground nearby at that altitude was marked on the map as being glaciated, the fair decision was made that we really shouldn't be there, so turned around and retraced our steps - very carefully - until we got back below the lowest point marked as having a glacier. The guides did make the point that the Italian maps were on the whole treated as much as artworks as factual documents, but there was no point in being cavalier about things.
Spare goggles/sunnies in case of breakage - I had a bad year last year and had to use the spare three times. You've sort of mentioned it, but I always carry spare gloves in case you drop one (or get saturated). I don't think I've ever skied with a radio though - I'd put that down as an optional (maybe work out a whistle code if you get separated).
If you're more than a few minutes away from the pistes, it's worth having at least one spare (powder) basket. Never needed it before, but we had two drop off in one day last year and the pole is completely useless without a basket. I'd also suggest, along with the duct tape and multitool (I used both last year), a few cable ties. Take up no space and can be used to hold a broken binding together if necessary.
I'd say your optionals are only for really serious days out - unless you're getting into climbing. Skins are only useful if you have touring bindings/adaptors - but if so they open up so many possibilites (the odd virgin pitch that noone else can get back out of as there's no lift back etc.) - I nearly always pack mine. If you are getting that adventurous though, and going onto glaciated terrain - although unadvisable without a guide, who'll then provide what's required: one harness each, and rope, icescrews, a few karabiners and a couple of slings/prussics between the group (preferably one set carried by each of two people). Training on how to use them to get yourself and ANOther out of a crevasse.
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You know it makes sense.
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Food, survival bag, towel
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Jelly babies, hip flask.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Spyderman wrote: |
Latex Gloves, won't do any first aid without them. |
used mine for the first time last week when I bandaged my girlfriends finger, cut one of the fingers off and put it over the bandage.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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spare bottle of water for when camelback freezes up
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| jbob wrote: |
| Spyderman wrote: |
Latex Gloves, won't do any first aid without them. |
used mine for the first time last week when I bandaged my girlfriends finger, cut one of the fingers off and put it over the bandage. |
Amputation is a bit drastic for just a cut finger 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Disposable barbeque, kebabs
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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A battery powered hairdrier is very useful for creating an air-space if you're burried by an avalanche.
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| Quote: |
GrahamN:I always carry spare gloves in case you drop one (or get saturated).
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I second that - a mate of mine dropped one of his gloves into the chemical toilet at the top station in La Grave. The drop resulted in a very saturated glove. 
Poor bloke had to fish it out and waer it for the rest of the day (personally I might have gone for the alternative of severe frostbite).
Needless to say he always carries a pair of spare gloves now.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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A butler.
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A body bag. Actually, scrap that, it shouldn't go in the pack - you should wear it, cut arm and leg holes. If you're expecting to be avalanched this badly it'll save time.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Common sense pack.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Spare batteries for your Tracker (which you have practiced using)
A memory of the resort Avalanche report, or the previous few weeks snowfall and weather (Wind direction, temperature, depthe of fall etc.)
Mobile phone off but in an inner pocket.
Check the weight of your pack too - if you've got 20kg of kit you might set a slide off just by your increased body weight.
I can recommend Guy Willet and Kenton Kool's Avalanche talk 
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| Quote: |
Spare batteries for your Tracker (which you have practiced using)
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I've always been told to put a new set in at the beginning of each holiday and then forget, you shouldn't have to change batteries during the day.
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Pork Pie and a Toffee Crisp 
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Poster: A snowHead
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T Bar, The decay curve for batteries is not linear, and in cold weather they have a faster rate of loss. Once you have got down to 50% you rapidly arrive at 0%, so I would never say fit & forget. Check every day, especially if you forget to turn your tranciever overnight. I say your advisedly - just looking at buying a Traker at ther mom!nt.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Martin Nicholas,
I'll have a look but I'm pretty sure that several guides have told me to fit and forget as well as the instructions on my transceiver. I do a check each morning though. Also don't most transceivers get turned off when you take them off?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Bode Swiller wrote: |
| A body bag. Actually, scrap that, it shouldn't go in the pack - you should wear it, cut arm and leg holes. If you're expecting to be avalanched this badly it'll save time. |
You are DG and I claim my £5.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Some form of multi tool to adjust bindings. Was caught in an avalanche, two members lost skis so four of us skied out on one ski each, which meant re-adjusting bindings.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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tried to post an addition - didn't appear, anyway this was it
Pocket Tissues, don't want to get caught short.
Girlies might want to include a shewee. it is a female weeing tool, I have one and use it all the time, no hovering over portaloos or crouching down in a bowl where everyone can see you, chair lifts above etc - pee like a man!!!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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innerspaceservices, Unless it's very, very cold 
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LOL, I guess we only have to worry about a cold bum.
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| Scarpa wrote: |
| innerspaceservices, Unless it's very, very cold |
Oh yeah, that reminds me- a magnifying glass and pair of tweezers.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Martin Nicholas, the tracker DTS tells you what percentage your batteries are at when you turn it on, and recommends that you swap them below a certain value.
I always do a transciever check at the start of each off piste day anyway.
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I thought of some additional stuff
camera
wet wipes
neurofen /ibubrofen
Canesten Oasis
for the girls - they might want to take some Canesten Oasis, I can't think of anything worse than getting a bladder infection on the mountain, it also contains Sodium Citrate, (which is salt)
I suffer from it when I am hot and dehydrated, it has nothing to do with being clean or dirty, might be possibly caused by binge drinking or lack of salt aswell. I might even suggest that us girls drink cranberry juice for breakfast.
btw orange juice is really bad for your liver, so don't drink too much of it guys, especially if you are battering your liver with alchohol already.
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FAQ
