We'll be revealing the equipment list for the backcountry skis I've been using this season [Part 2]
Written by Yasushi Hisatomi
Continuing from last time , I will write about the equipment I carry as starting gear when I enjoy backcountry skiing (for high season day trips from January to February).
Just like last time, this choice is just a personal lineup that I am currently satisfied with. There is a good chance that it may change depending on your purpose, season, and the person's ability and preferences, so we hope you will read it as a reference, such as "How do you choose this way of thinking?" wrote about the basic criteria for choosing tools , so please refer to that.
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Equipment list (reposted)
Continuing from last time, we will repost a list of the equipment we currently carry while backcountry skiing (click on the photo below to enlarge).
By the way, the things I forgot to put here are cold drinks such as underwear pants, socks, sports drinks, general cameras (SLR cameras, 360-degree cameras, GOPRO), and spare gloves (sometimes I bring them with me and sometimes I don't). In addition, the climbing equipment (ropes, carabiners, eight rings, harnesses, crampons, axes) and radio systems that are bundled at the left edge of the photo will be decided whether to bring them with you depending on the route.
Comments on each item (Part 2)
Cold protection wear: THE NORTH FACE L3 50/50 Down Hoodie
Purchased this season. In short, it's a down jacket that won't get stuffy. The 800 fill power down, which is directly water-repellent, is ultra-lightweight and extremely warm, making it a perfect winter wear in the unlikely event. In addition, the inside has an independent tube baffle structure developed by its own developed, providing amazing breathability. It's so comfortable that you can easily wear it while you're downhill and wear it over a hard shell.
This jacket covers the weaknesses of down, such as being prone to stuffiness and weak to wet, while also ensuring the advantages of down, such as lightweight and cold protection, making it seem like there will not be many more comfortable down jackets in the future.
Backpack: Osprey Soledenpro 32
I try to fit in with a backpack equipped with an avalanche airbag whenever possible with modern backcountry skis that involve sliding around powder on valleys. I've written a lot about this backpack , but I'm addicted to the comfort of my backpack, which overturns the conventional wisdom of avalanche airbags. It puts a load on your lower back, and the waist buckle is easy to tighten, and the back panel is also very firm and the shoulder harness cushioning is good. Storage is also a plus. The latest airbag system powered by super capacitors is also reliable and easy to use, making it a highly qualified student. If there was one other size, it would have been perfect for a SLR camera.
However, if you are using a route that is shorter and less dangerous, you should choose a snowpack that does not have an avalanche airbag. I think there are many options available depending on your preference, but now I'm using the Patagonia Desenjonist Pack 32L, which I love how light it is, it has a minimum required specification, and it has excellent storage capacity and a high fit on the back, making it comfortable to carry, which is hard to believe is a lightweight backpack.
Goggles: SMITH 4D MAG
The SMITH 4D MAG, which I finally bought last season, is my current personal best goggles. I had been looking for a model that would have less distortion, a high contrast lens, and a wider field of vision, especially in terms of comfort, and I had been waiting for this cutting-edge snow goggle to come.
This model was of course at a high level in the above points, but in addition to that, the underside of the eye is curved, making it a high-level, well-balanced goggles that incorporate a characteristic feature of wider vision, which is the advantage of spherical lenses. Two highly visible chroma pop lenses are included as standard, allowing you to clearly capture the contours of the snow surface in a wide range of environments, from sunny to cloudy. It is a very easy magnetic system to put on and take off, and is not easily fogged and has an ASIA fit, no matter what.
Helmet: Salomon MTN LAB
Personally, when choosing a helmet that is not just about fit when worn, it is important to note that it is breathable and it goes well with goggles. Helmets with poor ventilation tend to fog up the goggles, making them unable to wear them for long periods of time, and since helmets had pushed them down and their noses were suffocating in the past, heavily placed importance on the comfort of wearing them with the goggles.
If you use goggles and helmets from the same brand, these should be balanced, but it's hard to find a brand that's satisfying for both. In the midst of all this, the Salomon MTN LAB is a helmet that is lightweight, breathable, and safe enough to be used for climbing during the snow-free seasons if the liner is removed, and it also goes well with the goggles, and I was attracted by the unusual two-tone coloring of white and black.
Avalanche Beacon: PIEPS Micro BT
The 3-announced avalanche beacon is the smallest and lightest in the lineup of PIEPS , a long-established snow safety gear brand Many manufacturers currently have the option of choosing beacons, which are essential for searching for buried people during an avalanche, but it is almost impossible to compare them on the field, so it is currently difficult to tell which beacons are actually better for the high price (I would like to compare and review them on this site this year!). However, in fact, there are quite a few differences in antenna reception sensitivity, operability, and detailed usability, and it is not well known that there are models with stronger quirks than you might think. Among these, I personally recommend this PIEPS micro BT (by the way, the one I used up until recently was the MAMMUT Barryvox).
The main attraction is that it is lightweight, and although it is not the longest, it is also wide enough (long). Additionally, it is not to be overlooked that the search area is spherical and has a more likely chance of searching for buried people (in a shorter time) than other manufacturers. Furthermore, even in the world of avalanche gear, you can feel the same convenience as regular electronic devices, such as the Bluetooth-connected smartphone app checking the device's status, training modes for practical practice, and software updates to the main unit instantly.
Scoop: ARVA ACCESS TS
It's not something you can use actively, but I keep in mind that I'll minimize the weight of gear that I rarely get to use (of course I don't want to use if possible). So I chose the ARVA ACCESS TS Now, as in this case, there is no dissatisfaction if you are carrying it with you in case you are set up in an emergency, but if you are sure to seriously dig or harden the snow, such as setting up a tent on a snowy mountain, a larger, more durable shovel would be convenient.
Thermal Bottle: mont-bell Alpine Thermo Bottle 0.5L
the mont-bell Alpine Thermo Bottle , a lightweight, compact thermo bottle developed for mountain climbing, is the best of today. Not only is it excellent in durability and heat retention, but it is also a modestly important point that it comes with a cup to bring hot drinks and is easy to use while still wearing gloves.
Ice Axe & Crampon & Harness: PETZL Ride & PETZL Leopard LLF & BLUE ICE Caucas Light
The expected route this time is not something to assume long walks or rappelling down the rocky ridge. For this reason, when it comes to items that you carry at the level that you may use, I chose the same criteria as the shovel mentioned earlier, which is to have the minimum functionality and prioritize lightness above all.
three models chosen this time ( PETZL Ride & PETZL Leopard LLF & BLUE ICE Caucas Light ) are ultra-lightweight models that are perfect for carrying in the unlikely event or temporary situation for backcountry skiing. However, both PETZL and BLUE ICE are top brands that are known for their uncompromising manufacturing as a climbing brand. It has high functionality and durability that can be sufficiently handled even if you encounter a severe situation.
Summary: List of all items listed this time
In the previous and second parts, I have introduced my personal best gear list for day trip backcountry skiing.
Finally, we have compiled a list of current day-trip backcountry ski equipment (full version), including items that we were unable to introduce here, so please use it for reference if you need it.
It's about time for snow season to go back. It's now the season for spring's rough snow, and for a while, you'll be able to experience the deepest joys of backcountry. This season, take particular care in terms of health and safety, and enjoy the limited season!
| kinds | Item name |
|---|---|
| Underwear | MILLET Drynamic Mesh |
| Base layer (up and down) | Thin base layer made of merino wool |
| Middle layer | MILLET Trilogy Edge Alpha Hoodie |
| socks | Smartwool PhD ski socks |
| Hard shell (tops) | Patagonia Stormstride Jacket |
| Hard shell (pants) | THE NORTHFACE Purist Bib |
| Ski board | ATOMIC BENT CHETLER 120 |
| binding | MARKER KINGPIN M-WERKS 12 (& Ski Eisen) |
| Ski boots | TECNICA COCHISE 120 |
| Ski pole | G3 VIA CARBON |
| Climbing skin | POMOCA FREE PRO 2.0 |
| Backpack | Osprey Soledenpro 32 (or Patagonia Desenjonist Pack 32L) |
| goggles | SMITH 4D MAG (& spare sunglasses) |
| helmet | Salomon MTN LAB |
| Snow Gloves | Mountain Hardwear Exposure 2 Gore-Tex Gloves (and spare) |
| Cold weather wear | THE NORTH FACE L3 50/50 Down Hoodie |
| Avalanche Beacon | PIEPS Micro BT |
| scoop | ARVA ACCESS TS |
| probe | MAMMUT Probe 240 |
| Balaclava | Fine Track Merino Spin Balaclava |
| Heat bottle | mont-bell alpine thermo bottle 0.5L |
| Ice Axe | PETZL Ride |
| Cranpon | PETZL Leopard LLF |
| Harness | BLUE ICE Caucas Light |
| rope | 8mm x 20m (length is case by case) and fulcrum sling |
| Carabiners | Carabiner Eight Ring |
| Communications Equipment | Smartphone・Garmin InReach mini・Kokoheri |
| Mobile battery | VENTURE 30 POWER BANK |
| Headlamp | PETZL Swift RL |
| GPS Watch | Garmin fenix 6 |
| Repair supplies | Tools, wire, ski straps, snow removal brushes, wax |
| Behavioral foods and drinks | Gels, sports drinks, etc. |
| Towels and tenugui | Quick-drying towel |
| First aid supplies | Taping, band-aids, gauze, tissues, disinfectant alcohol, etc. |
| Toilet supplies | Toilet paper lighter shovel |
| others | Maps, compasses, knives, sunscreen, thin drawers, emergency seats, cameras, etc. |
