Layers in the backcountry

T

twinkle_toes

Member
Shell + mid + base layers VS. throw your normal ski jacket in your bag for the ride down?

Gloves on the way up? Waterproof? Water resistant? Do you just wear liners?

Wet + numb hands during a companion rescue are not ideal... most gloves I've looked at so far that are waterproof have little to no dexterity so that doesn't help either

Also where do you keep your water? Bladder hose usually freezes. Stopping every 20 minutes to pull the bottle out of the bag gets a bit annoying...
 
If you can get a pack like the Dakine's which routes the tube through the shoulder strap, then also add a neoprene sleeve to the tube it should keep it from freezing. I had a lower leg condition which I was able to mildly mitigate with hydration so I always rode with a pack on, and I never had my tube freeze. The bite valve would occasionally, but I just melted that with my mouth.
 
I wear a base layer under a wool sweater on the way up, putting a shell over if it gets windy. I have a down jacket that I wear at the top/skiing down. I bring 2 pairs of gloves; uninsulated leather work gloves for the way up that I don't sweat much in but provide good dexterity, then a pair of Hestras that I ski down with. I typically just bring 2 water bottles, one in reach on the outside of the pack and the other inside.

Looking at getting a pair of down pants for if I have to spend a night outside in an emergency.
 
I'm based in the south coast of BC so it's often pretty warm (and wet), but:

1. On the up usually just baselayer n bibs, keep the microfleece or synthetic puffy and shell in the pack for if weather rolls in so I could just throw on a shell if need be.

2. Typically I use some cross country ski gloves, mildly insulated and minimally water resistant and leather palm. Often don't use any gloves on the way up. Then I keep a pair of leather insulated gloves in the pack for the top and the down. Liking the sounds of the uninsulated leather work gloves for the up though - might have to try that.

3. I'm back to Nalgene. Keep it accessible enough and honestly don't hate the occasional break.
 
Baselayer and shell with a puffy packed.

Gloves are weather dependent. Winter: Mitts usually start in my pocket and I'll just wear liners. Spring: Liners exclusively.

I just wear basic Mechanix shooter style gloves, they're not waterproof but they are really dexterous.

Water is just in a nalgene packed away. I hate bladders because I end up sucking down all my water fast af, I do know lot's of people who use neoprene sleeves on hoses though.

From skiing to anything else that requires lots of gear, setup is about trial and error. Run something for a bit and then think critically about it until you eventually goldilocks your kit.
 
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