Comments on: Gearing up for the Season: Backcountry Gear!

By: PowderGangster

PowderGangster — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 20:20:14 +0000

Splitboarding is not a new concept but is surely taking off in the mainstream these days which is very exciting to see. If you’re just starting out it’s likely most of the experienced riders in the backcountry are your skier friends. You can definitely learn a lot from them but splitboarders are a bit of a different breed!

Check out http://www.splitboard.com for a wealth of information, discussions and resources about splitboarding, touring in the backcountry and if you’re lucky, meeting some splitboarders in your area to ride with!

By: Brek Leines

Brek Leines — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 03:18:21 +0000

karakorum bindings all the way!

By: Gary

Gary — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:15:53 +0000

Congrats Shannon.

The Burner is a solid choice and is a better binding than the Blaze imo. The highback is stiffer and more suited for bc riding unless you are a freestyle nut.

Beacon, shovel, probe of course are necessities.

A pack that has a hydration reservoir with in insulated sleeve is nice. You need water out there and some food. Especially if you are touring for the day. For day tours I generally get a pack that is around 35 liters. Big enough for long day tours, but small enough you can also use them for resort assisted sidecountry riding. The Stash BC is the pack I am using this season. http://www.bcaccess.com/bcastore/english/products/product_detail.php?productID=38301

Other handy items. I always pack an extra pair of gloves and goggles. I won’t go without that. Wet gloves or foggy goggles can ruin your day.

First Aid kit and I also have a CPR mask. Taking a basic life support class could help save someone’s life out there too if you encounter the worst. If you have to recover someone from an avalanche, there is a good chance you are going to have to do some sort of BLS measures to save them.

Extra layer. I pack one of those lightweight down super compressible down jackets in my pack. If you get stuck somewhere and have to stand around, it can make a huge difference in comfort.

Avalungs are not a bad addition to your arsenal either. Lightweight and the sling is relatively inexpensive. The integarted avalung with the packs are nice too.

Finally, avalanche airbags though pricey work great. I might be rocking one later this season. They cost a lot, but then again if you are getting buried in an avalanche, at that moment, you’d probably be willing to take out a small mortgage to get out of that situation. Not saying run out and buy one, but keep it on the wish list.

By: Fes

Fes — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:51:27 +0000

Got the same board (K2 Panoramic kit in 158) and the poles. Opted for the K2 kit since it’s preinstalled with Voile hardware and it comes with the climbing skins.

Have the Blazes instead since they’re lighter than the Burners. Need to get the Mr. Chomps crampons.

BCA Tracker 2 and BCA SR3 probe. Have a Dakine pack. Used these

Signed up for my AIARE level 1 in January.

Have a BCA shovel as well.

I think all of those are basic necessity in a backcountry rider’s pack. Some room for water and some snacks is also a good thing.