What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

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freeheelfreemind
Posts: 23
Joined: Fri Jan 10, 2020 10:41 am
Location: PNW
Ski style: Telemark
Favorite Skis: S-Bound 112s
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska 75
Occupation: Astronaut
Website: https://www.clark.wa.gov/sheriff/jail-roster

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by freeheelfreemind » Wed Dec 02, 2020 12:27 pm

It depends on the day.

For short (< 2 hours) trips near populated areas, I just carry my registered ACR ResQLink PLB.

When I have a long solo day that is miles from help, and little likelihood of passers-by, I carry the 10-essentials +Nordic essentials (a more robust shelter system, shovel, etc.). Your pack should be as light as possible, but no lighter.

My overall backcountry strategy is to avoid problems. When I am solo, I do not ski any slope of avalanche potential and avoid tree wells. In order not to Ralston myself, I always leave a detailed plan with my wife.

I prefer a plan, and plan execution, that avoids getting into trouble, than a plan for getting out of trouble - but I do both.

BTW, check out the new avalanche forecast feature on Caltopo: https://caltopo.com/map.html#ll=44.8402 ... =mbt&a=avy
I want to die peacefully in my sleep, like my grandfather.
Not screaming in terror like his passengers.

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Telecat
Posts: 80
Joined: Sat Sep 28, 2019 8:03 pm
Location: Catskills, NY
Ski style: Resort telemark, backcountry XC

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by Telecat » Wed Dec 02, 2020 9:39 pm

Oh I forgot about this thread!


The PLB beacon is great peace of mind. Seeing as how I tell friends where I'm going and no where too far out of rescues reach, I just wanted something to alert the Authorities when I was our of cell phone range. I didn't personally think the subscription for the Sat phones was worth it for me.
Though if I ever moved out west and was putzing around in larger, and more remote and dangerous wilderness areas, id probably make the investment


I got my backpack by the way... weeks ago. Lol.
Dakine heli pro 20

I love it, replaced 2 crappy day packs, right now its holding:
-2.5L hydration bladder
-PLB (in a little compartment where it's out of the way)
-repair kit (a few feet of steel cable, 3 strips of duct tape each 2 feet long, a few zip ties, paracord)
-SOL emergency bivvy
-empty life straw bottle (empty because only for emergencies incase I run out of water in the bladder)
-leatherman
-several lighters and leafy greens
-ski lock for in-bounds skiing
-very simple first aid kit
-headlight (and spare batteries)
-portable battery for phone

This is just compact enough to take on a lift, including a few snacks and maybe a spair pair of gloves or something.

The idea was to have a pack that could be good for both lift served and XCd backcountry touring. Theres PLENTY of room left to stuff crap in, so I plan on having a bag of spare and dry socks, base layers, and gloves (to keep warm incase of emergency) to shove in there when I go XC skiing, since thst will be the bulkiest part of the pack that will be the only thing I have to take in and out, and all the other gear can stay in even for lift served.



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johral
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Joined: Mon Dec 18, 2017 10:43 pm

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by johral » Thu Dec 03, 2020 12:34 am

freeheelfreemind wrote:
Wed Dec 02, 2020 12:27 pm

My overall backcountry strategy is to avoid problems. When I am solo, I do not ski any slope of avalanche potential and avoid tree wells. In order not to Ralston myself, I always leave a detailed plan with my wife.
I try to Ralston myself as often as possible...but that's my last name :mrgreen: . Maybe a TQ should be in there too.

For a pot, I have used my Primus ETA Lite. Works good and you can boil water in a couple minutes for tea, cocoa or coffee. I even bought the coffee press attachment so I can brew it on the trail. I have also cooked in the pot, but you do have to watch the flame so as not to burn it. Melting snow can also be tricky if you try to do it at warp speed, since you can overheat the heat transfer fins.

Image



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Andinista
Posts: 65
Joined: Sun Jun 01, 2014 3:25 pm

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by Andinista » Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:04 pm

I think the following items haven’t been mentioned
- face mask
- toilet paper



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Woodserson
Posts: 2969
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2015 10:25 am
Location: New Hampshire
Ski style: Bumps, trees, steeps and long woodsy XC tours
Occupation: Confused Turn Farmer

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by Woodserson » Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:40 pm

Andinista wrote:
Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:04 pm
I think the following items haven’t been mentioned
- face mask
- toilet paper
Or something fortifying and around 40-45% to improve moral and deepen friendships. Usually clear and distilled from fruit.

La goute? Bien sur que oui!

Tchin-tchin!



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TomaJo
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Joined: Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:50 am

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by TomaJo » Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:57 am

hey



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greatgt
Posts: 909
Joined: Wed Dec 13, 2017 7:37 am

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by greatgt » Mon Jan 25, 2021 7:39 am

Extra clothes....rope....hand saw....waxes....like yesterday two seltzer waters.....five beers....and lots of smoke....man the visuals were awesome....free the heel free the mind and that was done decades ago....Arc on boys and girls...Teleman



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kniepisler
Posts: 27
Joined: Fri Aug 16, 2019 1:03 pm
Location: East Aurora, NY
Ski style: Tele, Alpine and Nordic
Favorite Skis: Rossignol Experience 88's w/Rotte Freerides
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Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by kniepisler » Mon Jan 25, 2021 8:50 am

Damn not sure I want to see myself in a rawhide thong...
Have gear, will travel



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fisheater
Posts: 2525
Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2016 8:06 pm
Location: Oakland County, MI
Ski style: All my own, and age doesn't help
Favorite Skis: Gamme 54, Falketind 62, I hope to add a third soon
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska, Alico Ski March
Occupation: Construction Manager

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by fisheater » Mon Jan 25, 2021 10:25 pm

Woodserson wrote:
Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:40 pm
Andinista wrote:
Thu Dec 03, 2020 8:04 pm
I think the following items haven’t been mentioned
- face mask
- toilet paper
Or something fortifying and around 40-45% to improve moral and deepen friendships. Usually clear and distilled from fruit.

La goute? Bien sur que oui!

Tchin-tchin!
Can you be more helpful in regards to these clear liquids? I’ve seen unrecognizable bottles in beautiful NH landscapes, but I am a simple Midwesterner.



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lowangle al
Posts: 2741
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Location: Pocono Mts / Chugach Mts
Ski style: BC with focus on downhill perfection
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Occupation: Retired cement mason. Current job is to take my recreation as serious as I did my past employment.

Re: What do you carry in day packs? Backcountry XCd

Post by lowangle al » Tue Jan 26, 2021 4:48 am

TomaJo wrote:
Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:57 am
hey
I think you mean "hay"



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