Backcountry help

little1337

little1337

Active member
Hey NS, I was trying to get into backcountry skiing this year (my first year skiing) and needed some help with my setup. I couldn't afford an airbag so I'm planing on wearing a life jacket instead, it's the same basic principal of flotation so it should be fine. I was also wondering if anyone had any experience cutting skins? I could only afford one skin but luckily I'll be touring on ski blades this season (they're the lightest skis I own) and I was wondering if I could cut my single skin in half since it's all I need? Beacons are also a little pricey so instead I will be using a cell phone and calling my parents in the case of an avalanche. Thanks guys!
 
I heard in times of trouble the pros carry soup spoons to dig themselves out basically the principle as an avalanche shovel but an eighth the cost
 
14219678:_IRRELEVANT_ said:
I heard in times of trouble the pros carry soup spoons to dig themselves out basically the principle as an avalanche shovel but an eighth the cost
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Be sure to cut off the handle of the spoon to save weight
 
I like to wear a propeller hat so I can just fly away if there is a slide. Also always bring enough food for three weeks because better safe then sorry.
 
Instead of getting an airbag, just get a shit ton of the co2 canisters that fill them. Then if u get caught in an avy u can set all of them off and blow all the snow away.
 
topic:little1337 said:
Hey NS, I was trying to get into backcountry skiing this year (my first year skiing) and needed some help with my setup. I couldn't afford an airbag so I'm planing on wearing a life jacket instead, it's the same basic principal of flotation so it should be fine. I was also wondering if anyone had any experience cutting skins? I could only afford one skin but luckily I'll be touring on ski blades this season (they're the lightest skis I own) and I was wondering if I could cut my single skin in half since it's all I need? Beacons are also a little pricey so instead I will be using a cell phone and calling my parents in the case of an avalanche. Thanks guys!
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Don’t buy skins or touring bindings. Just walk up the tracks that people lay out on a powder day! Super nice of them. I wore my Billabong life jacket every day I went back country skinning last year and it helped so much when I fell over on the walking trail. Kept me floating on top! I also wore a snorkel so that if I got caught in an avalanche, I could still breathe!
 
I keep my backpack filled with nothing but duraflame logs in case I get lost in the BC I can build a fire.
 
14219882:Casey said:
I keep my backpack filled with nothing but duraflame logs in case I get lost in the BC I can build a fire.
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Psssh amateur. Don't you know that wood comes from trees?

That's why I always pack a chainsaw and a few gallons of fuel
 
Just use find my iPhone instead of a beacon. Also a cheap airbag alternative is a car battery and the airbag out of your car. If you get buried touch the wires and boom your good.
 
Personally I prefer full scuba gear. The wetsuit keeps me warm from my own juices and the oxygen tank is perfect for surviving slides or just breathing at high elevation
 
I would see how you like it before dropping a lot of money on gear homie, and never go into crazy deep/steep zones without friends or a beacon! If you're buried in snow not even a 2005 Nokia could save you
 
Just blow all of them inside your jacket, then you become the airbag

14219810:FitzRoy said:
Instead of getting an airbag, just get a shit ton of the co2 canisters that fill them. Then if u get caught in an avy u can set all of them off and blow all the snow away.
Click to expand...
 
14219889:CatdickBojangles said:
Just use find my iPhone instead of a beacon. Also a cheap airbag alternative is a car battery and the airbag out of your car. If you get buried touch the wires and boom your good.
Click to expand...

LMFAO IM DEAD THIS IS HILARIOUS
 
The only issue with the life jacket is it could be a little restrictive when skiing. Maybe grab a few balloons, keep them to hand (maybe jacket pockets) and just start blowing them up as soon as you feel the ground start to slide (you could bring a pump but obviously that affects your weight)
 
14220062:Julius_Steezer said:
The only issue with the life jacket is it could be a little restrictive when skiing. Maybe grab a few balloons, keep them to hand (maybe jacket pockets) and just start blowing them up as soon as you feel the ground start to slide (you could bring a pump but obviously that affects your weight)
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just buy some nitrous canisters and float above the avalanche mentally till it’s over
 
14220062:Julius_Steezer said:
The only issue with the life jacket is it could be a little restrictive when skiing. Maybe grab a few balloons, keep them to hand (maybe jacket pockets) and just start blowing them up as soon as you feel the ground start to slide (you could bring a pump but obviously that affects your weight)
Click to expand...

You can pack way more gear with you if you just offset the weight with helium balloons.
 
14219882:Casey said:
I keep my backpack filled with nothing but duraflame logs in case I get lost in the BC I can build a fire.
Click to expand...

you should hollow out the logs so to make them lighter!

The lighter your setup, the better a skier you are.
 
14219904:Butterytips69 said:
Personally I prefer full scuba gear. The wetsuit keeps me warm from my own juices and the oxygen tank is perfect for surviving slides or just breathing at high elevation
Click to expand...

Don't forget the flippers. Game changer when you need to swim to the top of an avy.
 
water-wings.jpg
I have found the water wings to be a more effective tool to ensure one's floatation in the event of an avalanche
 
Getting caught in a few smaller avalanches will make you stronger and less prone to dying in a large avalanche later
 
instead of a beacon you can save some cost by just doing marco-polo exercises with your riding partner
 
[video]https://youtu.be/JbZOJKDVhdg?t=59[/video]

Just find a homie and a pool and do this for avalanche training
 
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