BC equipment guide...
Here we take a quick look at some of the essential kit needed for a day in the Backcountry or a quick foray out of bounds.
McNab Kitted out for the Backcountry.
When you duck under the boundary rope of the ski area (or even simply venture off the side of the piste) you will be immediately riding on an un-pisted snow pack of which you may know very little about.
Whilst today it is common practice and in many instances you may even be following in the tracks of those that have gone before, you might also know very little about the circumstances of those that put the tracks in or even when they put them in and how much the conditions have changed since.
When even the smallest foray away from the piste to get a few fresh turns can take you onto a potentially unstable snowpack it is important to be prepared for every occasion, always wear an avalanche transceiver and carry at least the bare minimum for an avalanche rescue scenario.
Here we take a quick look at the essentials for a day in the Backcountry or a quick foray out of bounds.
Transcievers
The bare minimum for riding beyond the boundaries or off the piste is the Avalanche transceiver.
The Avalanche transceiver is a simple transmitter and receiver that works on the international frequency of 457mhz and when switched on will transmit a detectable signal from dawn until dusk.
The Avalanche transceiver is worn under your layers of clothing close to your skin. It should be one of the first things you put on in the morning before riding thus allowing you to check its signal before you leave for the mountain.
Every morning you should check your transceivers ability to pick up and transmit testing it with those that you will be spending the day with before heading up the mountain.
There are many different types of transceiver on the market, they all work on the same frequency but differ in their search capabilities and search patterns.
Modern transceivers now come with directional search capabilities and digital search readings to help speed up and simplify the search process and some can even identify how many people are buried. Whilst in theory these transceivers should make the search process very simple, they can also be quite complicated to operate and as with all transceivers they are not fool proof and need practice.
Traditional Analog transceivers are cheaper and very basic relying on an accurate and systematic ‘search pattern’ that must be thoroughly learned and frequently practised. Whilst an Analog transceiver may seem less user friendly initially, with practice these models can be highly efficient and in some cases can be found to send and receive over greater distances than modern directional digital transceivers.
A transceivers search capabilities are only ever as effective as the your ability to use it. Which ever transceiver you purchase it is up to you to become experienced in using it following the old adage ‘practice makes perfect’.
In the even of an avalanche incident it is essential that you already have a simple systematic search process fixed in your mind. With only a 15 minute search and rescue window available (even for multiple burials) this is not the time to get out the manual or for experimentation.
Your transceiver is only ever effective if you also carry the essential rescue tools that go with it, these being the Shovel and probe.
In the event of a search and rescue procedure the probe is employed to locate the exact location and depth of the buried victim and the shovel is used to move the snow and extract them.
A probe is a simple collapsible pole that is used in a systematic grid search pattern to probe the localised area where the victim is buried thus saving valuable digging time in the wrong location. Probes come in a variety of lengths ranging from 1m minimum to around 2m. A probe can also be useful for checking glaciated terrain for crevasses.
An avalanche shovel is designed to be collapsible and light weight for easy storage in your backpack. It is simply a shovel designed for digging and there are many different models available. Metal shovel blades are more effective that plastic ones but both will do the job.
Choosing your Backpack
In order to carry the essential items needed for an out of bounds experience you will need a backpack designed for the occasion. Here I offer you some tips and advice on choosing a Backpack based upon my own Backcountry experience.
Most Freeride/Backcountry snowboard backpacks are designed to be low profile on your back with carrying straps for your board if you are hiking out away from the resort in search of the fresh lines. Big sturdy non slip board carrying straps are essential for Backcountry snowboard adventures.
Some Backcountry Ski packs have special ski attachment straps for when you are hiking or climbing on foot. I personally prefer to attach my skis one on either side of the pack using the side compression straps, keeping the tips together with an extra strap to form a solid and well balanced A frame.
Backpacks come in different volumes to suit the ‘off piste’ rider 15L to 18L up to around 35L for those with a little more exploration on the agenda.
My ideal Backpack will be about 35L in volume. This will enable me to fit in all my essential kit, food and drink for a day or multi day BC adventure.
I like to carry all my equipment inside my pack where possible. Some packs have shovel and probe attachments on the outside of the pack so that you ‘look’ like a freerider! In the event of a fall it is quite common for this kit to get ripped from the pack with out you realising and then it is either missing or in pieces when you need it.
I like a full zip opening system, rather than a backpack with a hood/lid, so that I can get into the top or either side easily, even when I have snowshoes, my board or skis attached.
A small zip pocket for essential tools, sun glasses, sun screen and other small items near the top accessible from out side the pack is a nice feature.
A large flat easy access external map pocket is useful.
An insulated drinking tube in a shoulder strap is a good idea to avoid it freezing up in cold weather.
An Ice axe carrying loop is useful for high mountain adventures.
Clip release compression straps on the side of the pack are a good idea for when you need to attach hiking poles, skis or an item of clothing when hiking.
An inner keys and important items pocket inside the top of the pack is a good idea.
The more you carry the heavier your pack so pack wisely and choose carefully the kit you carry.
What’s in my pack
Leatherman style tool
Sunscreen - small tube of Mtn factor 30+ sun screen
Sunglasses/Goggles – (sunglasses for hiking, goggles for riding) - Lense rating 4/5
Shovel + Probe – Metal shovel blade preferable.
Lightweight jkt – I always carry a spare lightweight shell, such as the ‘The North Face, Diad jkt which I use as an insulation layer or a TNF Catalyst light weight duvet jkt if it’s really cold .
Hiking gloves – lightweight.
Harness – if not wearing it.
Glacier and Crevasse rescue kit – Petzl mini traction + oval locking carabiner, 7mm prusik cord loop + locking carbiner, rope man + carabiner, 5m of 7mm cord + locking carabiner, 2 slings with locking carabiners, 2 Ice screws, abalkof hook, knife, 2 spare carabiners, 30m semi static glacier rope.
Head torch – you just never know.
Mobile phone with First aid kit and emergency numbers in memory or emergency radio.
Crampons for either ski or snowboard boots.
Ice axe.- light weight randonee axe.
Map and compass – in plastic water proof sleeve
GPS and altimeter – my altimeter watch and separate GPS
Spare prussik cord – for making belays and leaving in-situ if necessary.
1 litre of water or hot drink flask.
Food – Science in sport ‘Go bars’ and Gel.
Skins and couteau for uphill travel if I’m Backcountry Skiing or ski touring.
What’s on my pack
If I’m Backcountry boarding I’ll be carrying these items on the out side of my pack.
Snowshoes – sturdy shoes with crampons such as the MSR Denali are recommended. These fit easily in your board carrying straps.
Collapsible poles – 3 piece twist or clip locking poles work very well and fit in your side compression straps. This year I started using four piece collapsible light weight poles that fit easily in my pack, they work on the same principle as a Probe and are a bit more delicate but are very light and efficient. Twist lock poles need maintenance to stop them sticking. Keep your leatherman tool handy!
Snowboard – when hiking fasten your board high rather than low so it doesn’t catch the ground or your legs. I put the lower strap on the pack either through or below the back binding of the board.
If I’m Backcountry skiing everything except my Ice Axe will be inside my pack!
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