Backcountry Gear

easiestEC

easiestEC

Active member
I'm starting to build my backcountry setup, so I'm turning to you guys to see if anyone has any good recommendations for equipment and whatnot.

what I need:

Avalanche Beacon

Shovel

Probe

Touring Bindings

Touring Poles

Skins

Backpack

and whatever else you guys think I might need.

+k for good suggestions

-k for hate or whatever.

please help cause I dont want to die in the backcountry
 
look at the new salomon/atomic touring bindings

dakin heli pro

heard alot of good stuff about g3 skins but never used any so not sure

 
First of all and most important sign up for lessons in safety, recovering, avalanches and general BC skiing.For gear like probes and shovels Black Diamond is cool. Back Pack go with Dakine or North Face They hold up nice. Ex: Dakine Heli Pro.

The market for touring bindings is growing and with a new version of the Duke, the new Salomon and Tyrolia stepping in to the game - you might look for comparing reviews on that.

Good luck - but remember take lessons and stay safe.
 
Im currently in some avalanche safety courses and Im minoring in Outdoor Adventure Leadership. I just need quality equipment.

+k to both y'all
 
Mammut Barryvox Element BeaconK2 Probe & Shovel

Dakine Heli Pro backpack

I have no idea about boots and skins since I don't tour. Hope it helped

 
no.

guardian/tracker is a super solid binding. if this ski is going to be used ONLY for touring and longer tours than you want to go with a dynafit/plum style binding.

look into skis with no tail rocker, and something 110 under foot, i wouldnt want to go to much wider for a pure touring ski.

Black diamond avalung pack, osprey, mammut, anything with an airbag is going to be good also.

bca tracker 2 beacon

bca also makes a nice probe

and you are going to want a shovel with a flat back to make nice clean pit walls.

BD ascension skins.

and most importantly, a partner with knowledge and who you trust.
 
I'd search on other forums where people actually tour a bit and have some real life knowledgethe gear that works for me may not be right for you.

imo bca= marginal meh

BD makes pretty bomber bc gear

as does ortovox and brooks range
 
As far as packs go I just replaced my Dakine pack with one of the Black Diamond AvaLung packs. If you google around you can find them online in the $140-$160 range in lieu of the $200+ most places charge. I have a BCA Tracker beacon which is pretty simple to use, and I'm sure the newer Tracker 2 is better. I will say that I have a BCA shovel and I don't like it all that much- having some problems with it jamming when I go to extend it for digging.
 
cell phone.

a lot of people dont bring 'em or don't charge them. many a dude has been saved by mtn rescue because they had their phone. Make sure you pack that bad boy.
 
Lol at the guy who said cell phone. Yes you should have one, turned off in your pack. They can fuck with your beacon.
 
no need for special touring poles. use the money on something that will make the experience more enjoyable (like skis or bindings) or something that will save your life (avalung or airbag)

my ideal setup would be:

snow pulse airbag backpack- AIRBAGS ARE BY FAR THE BEST TOOL IN AN AVALANCE!!!!! They are way more beneficial than any other any safety tool because they prevent burial but you also need a beacon/shovel/probe in case you or a friend does end up buried. if you do go with the help pro pack like people were suggesting then DO NOT PUT YOUR SHOVEL ON THE OUTSIDE!!!!!!! people can lose shovel handles that way and that can cost a life in an avalanche. All my avy instructors at the silverton avalanche school went on a rant about how stupid that design is and how people have died because someone in a group's shovel handle fell out so they couldn't dig but dakine refuses to change the design because people think it looks cool to have the shovel handle outside.

avalung- i just got the harness but if you aren't going to get the airbag pack then might want to go with one of BD packs

BCA tracker 2 beacon- definitely go with a 3 antenna beacon. it will significantly decrease the time it takes to find you/ to find others.

bca shovel and probe (definitely get metal as plastic won't cut through any debris) i also like the semi circle not T handles so i can dig with mittens on and make sure your probe is long enough and sturdy enough to cut through debris. I have the bca companion shovel and probe where the probe fits in the shovel handle but got a different probe because the companion probe won't break through debris and is short plus it takes a full minute or two to get the probe out of the handle and set it up so make sure the probe is easy to put together quickly... seconds are precious and you don't want to waste any fumbling with the probe

Skis- whatever you want but make it light

Bindings- depends on how much touring your going to be doing but i would only go with 3 bindings

super light (not as durable and then must buy touring boots)- dynafit

fritschi free ride- not as light but can be used as everyday ski binding

marker duke/ mfd all-time with other bindings- these will be super heavy and you will get sick of them if you do much touring. I have dukes on my everyday ski and would only get them for side country tours.

I personally think the fritschis are the best combination because they are fairly light and feel more durable than the dynamist plus you don't need to buy extra boots.

I tour in my regular boots unbuckled to save money by not buying touring boots (spend the money on an airbag!!!!). touring boots aren't necessary unless your doing it a lot or using dynafit bindings

I use BD ascension skins and the guys at my local shop say they are the best but idk the differences between different skins

most important is having the knowledge of the BC and a partner or group that you trust to find you and dig you out if you are buried.

 
BCA Tracker 2 beacon

Don't get a Heli-pro, I find mine too small for full day tours, go with something a little bigger.

Probes and shovels are pretty much the same, you can spend some extra cash and get a carbon probe though.

As far as bindings go, I would reccomend Dynafit/Tech bindings if you have the money to have a dedicated B/C set-up.
 
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