 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi All, We are off to Argentiere on the 8th January with UCPA for our first go at "proper" off-piste skiing. They provide tranciever, shovel, probe etc. but what size rucksack would be suitable? As we have climbed, mountaineered, and mountain walked for several decades we have a large selection to choose from, but being new to off-piste skiing are unsure of the best size.
Robin
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have an 18l Black Diamond frenzy that fits everything in ok. Wouldn't be much use if you were going anywhere overnight but as a day pack its fine.
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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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RobinS, For a day trip I tend to use my Dakine Heli-pak which is pretty small. Mine is the old version so the shovel fits on the outside leaving room for the other paraphernalia inside.
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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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RobinS, you will also need space for extra layers, spare gloves, liquids etc - as you will know as a climber. Skins and first aid kit if going further afield. 18-22l should be fine unless you are planning to overnight somewhere.
What I would check is that your pack can carry a pair of skis in either an A-frame or diagonal configuration attached securely.
Last edited by You need to Login to know who's really who. on Fri 31-12-10 18:02; edited 1 time in total
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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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I used to have the Dakine Heli Pak - which was fine for carrying off piste gear, but I found it too small to use as hand luggage on the plane. So I went to the other extraeme and now have a Deuter Guide 35 - which is a great size for plane hand luggage but a bit big for skiing with ..... although would be fine for longer/overnight trips I think.
Anyway it is very comfortable to wear - both on the snow and the plane so that is what I use.
If I was going for one allrounder, I would go for 25 litre sac.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks all, will have look in the loft, I believe MrsS has a nice Deuter 25 litre sack that will do fine, side compression straps should be OK for carrying skiis, and I have a similar 30 litre one (which is actually no bigger!), again side compression can make it smaller when not full, and we will need to carry lunch as well as it is provided by UCPA.
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RobinS, UCPA provide you with a rucksack when handing out the gear (shovel, probe, transceiver, helmet). It has all the straps and webbing you'll need. You don't have to use it but you'll have to keep it in your room if you use your own.
I took my own to UCPA Chamonix a couple of years ago but ended up using theirs. My BCA Stash wasn't big enough to cope with all my gear plus the enormous amount of food I tried to cram in.
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I am a big fan of the Heli-pak, but anything 12L to 20L will be fine.
Don't go bigger than you need, you'll just end up filling it, & like mountaineering you want to keep it as light as possible.
The thing to watch with smaller packs is that it has a decent hip belt with a buckle you can undo wearing gloves.
A chest strap, and some way of attaching skis are important too.
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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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jzBun, Thanks for that, I can remember seeing somewhere that UCPA provide packs, but it not listed anywhere on the Action Outdoors information. I think we'll take our smallest climbing sacks and then whether we prefer to use thiers or ours, as rucksacks are sometimes one of those things where you are more comfortable with some than others.
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Dakine heli pro. Nuff said.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| Captainpirateboy wrote: |
| Dakine heli pro. Nuff said. |
Yup, great kit.
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