What's in your pack?

[Locotiki]

I was wondering what most folks in the NE carry with them when they venture out? I want to get out into some bigger terrain this year and most of it will be solo. More likely than not I won't be heading into avalanche terrain if the chances of slides are high or even moderate. Being that I'm solo is it worth having a probe, shovel, transceiver, etc..?

[RR]

An extra Cigar and a small flask...

In a more serious vein:
Go ahead, carry the avvy stuff. Never know what you will come across...might need that gear if you happen upon a case. It's happened! Besides, it will not hold you back much and you'll get used to having it.

I carry a Thermo-Lite Bivvy and a SAM splint. Be wary of carrying only Ibuprophen or Aspirin. Not good if there's bleeding. Tylenol or Codine enhanced Tylenol is a good choice...but be wary of medicating folks who may be allergic to meds!

Wear a medical history bracelet...might save your life if you have allergies. If you have a history of A-Shock, better bring the EPI-shooter and keep it at the top of your kit.

[Locotiki]

An extra Cigar and a small flask...

Ahh...Cigar... that's what I was forgetting. Flask is already in the kit. :D

[boardman]

Solo or not, there's a reasonable chance you will hook up with like-minded folks in pursuit of the same goods. The first question many may ask you is, "Do you have avy gear?" Bring it, so you can possibly team up with others and maybe get clued in to secrets stashes and other beta. It's not that much to carry, really.

[Locotiki]

Solo or not, there's a reasonable chance you will hook up with like-minded folks in pursuit of the same goods. The first question many may ask you is, "Do you have avy gear?" Bring it, so you can possibly team up with others and maybe get clued in to secrets stashes and other beta. It's not that much to carry, really.

Thanks, that was actually my thought process too. What is needed at a minimum? Shovel and probe? Or do I really need a transceiver? The first two aren't that big of a deal to pick up but the latter my be a budget buster right now.

[stoneman]

Beer & skins when i'm skiing, just beer when i'm skinning.

[RCL1]

in the top inside pocket of my pack, which stays for the entire season:

-leatherman crunch
-first aid kit (additional moleskin, naproxen, bandaids)
-compass
-altimeter
-skin wax
-personal locator beacon (new this season- I do some fairly silly stuff, solo)
-TP
-mini petzl headlamp w/ supposed 10 yr battery
-chemical handwarmers

bottom of pack on every tour:
-repair kit (that's another thread entirely)
-1 liter of hot sweetened peppermint tea, in a 24 hr REI thermos
-insulation jacket
-hard shell
-leather work gloves
-uninsulated overmitts
-extra gloves

on some tours:
-bibs

on mt. washington, whether I'm "going high" or not*:
-beacon
-probe
-shovel

cheers,

RL

*it's common courtesy, folks

[Luddite]

I'm getting less and less adventurous as I age I fear, so no avy gear. I carry first aid stuff like RR, bivy like RR, leatherman, flint for starting fires, lots of ski repair stuff. In unfamiliar ground I'll also bring my harness, a couple locking biners and some rope so I can rig a munter and rap if needed, which come to think of it would kinda indicate I should have avy gear...oh darn more gear to buy....bummer :D

oh and 2 headlights, compass/maps and batteries :-)

[Affix Snow]

Less and less these days. Finally learning to thin out what I REALLY need...and a bear trap.

[surf88]

Thought this was a good checklist. Found it on the Alpental website while doing reserch for my trip to WA last month.

http://www.techsourceconsultants.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/10044/bc_pack_heavier.jpg
Photo contents: 1. Backcountry shovel, 2. Avalanche probe (extended), 3. Backpack, 4. Avalanche probe (folded), 5. Extra dry gloves and a flashlight, 6. Water (insulated), 7. First aid kit, 8. Avalanche transceiver, 9. Extra dry hat, 10. Food that is high in energy.

I add an emergency space blanket, chemical pack hand warmers,and extra socks in my bag.
Oh yeah... and dont forget your headlamp ......aaaahem. ;)

[BostonHoward]

Here's my list for overnight trips:

http://nebackcountry.blogspot.com/2010/11/gear-list-what-to-bring-for-night-on.html

[jlanesnow]

I was wondering what most folks in the NE carry with them when they venture out? I want to get out into some bigger terrain this year and most of it will be solo. More likely than not I won't be heading into avalanche terrain if the chances of slides are high or even moderate. Being that I'm solo is it worth having a probe, shovel, transceiver, etc..?

Good question! The answer can change a lot from day to day given the conditions, your experience and fitness, and your objectives. Going solo definitely adds risk, but can be a very rewarding experience.

Avy gear in avalanche terrain is always a good idea. Pieps now makes the "Freeride" model, that doesn't have the bells and whistles that a lot of newer models have, but only costs about $200. A small metal shovel and probe don't cost/weigh much either. It can keep the door open to bigger terrain if you run into trustworthy friends in the bc.

One thing I think about is the question of what happens if I have a catastrophic gear failure? Am I going to be postholing for miles to get out? If so, I'm more likely to carry a repair kit (or snowshoes if I'm on a board). The easier the walking, the less likely I'll want to bother fixing something.

I'll almost always have some sort of warm down jacket, extra hat, socks, and mittens stuffed into a waterproof bag the bottom. It's just insurance against a cold lonely night in the woods, and can keep you warm when you stop unexpectedly for a long time. In reality I'd be more likely to slog on through the night to get out to a road. In NE, they're usually not that far away and the snow usually isn't that deep.

Don't forget some extra liquids and calories. Can't go anywhere if you don't have gas and oil.

Almost as important as having the right gear in your pack is to leave your itinerary with someone whose judgment you trust, then stick with it, and call them as soon as possible when you're out safely.

happy touring,
jl

[RR]

Ahh...Cigar... that's what I was forgetting. Flask is already in the kit. :DI bring an extra cigar in the BC...in case I am unable to self rescue. That way I can, at least, have a nice smoke before the end.

I have also started carrying an extra lighter and matches.

[stoneman]

It's good to see some one has their priorities straight. Alot worse ways to go than in the snow with a stoggie... maybe an extra flask too.

[surfsnowywaves]

I probably go light by most people's standards. I mostly tour solo, usually pretty mellow stuff. I typically pore over topo maps, and know where the drainage leads out to.

1. Map and compass. In good weather, the compass sometimes gets left behind. I typically try to navigate by topo anyways.
2. Headlamp
3. Food
4. Water
5. Extra clothing (typically extra base layer, hat, gloves)
6. Skins

I'd say, if you're not ready to make the investment in a beacon, and you're typically solo, I'd recommend an avy shovel. Digging around is a valuable way to gain knowledge of what the snow is doing. Above all else, invest the money into your brain and take an avy course. This will help you more than any beacon, shovel, and probe.

[Locotiki]

Thanks for all the great info!
I've looked into courses and want to take one. Are there any standout ones I should be looking at?
Unfortunately I was recently laid off so all plans are prob on hold for a while now, but when things change I want to be ready.

[surfsnowywaves]

I can't, per se, compare between any guides, but I took my class through Marc Chauvin (http://www.chauvinguides.com/iceprograms.htm) and had a really great time. By great, I mean that Marc is really thoughtful, smart, and is really great at teaching rather than just blabbing on. I'd highly recommend him (and I'm sure others here would chime in on his behalf as well)

[Luddite]

One thing I added to my pack is liquid bandage, pretty much super glue. I sliced my foot open on a delaminated water ski this summer, nasty deep, but really wasn't in the mood to interrupt vacation for the hospital. This stuff worked pretty well. It did take longer to heal than stitches would have, and maybe a little more scar but it closes up a wound pretty effectively provided you've cleaned it and put neosporin or whatever on it. That and zip ties, I carry a lot of those. Never know when you have to handcuff someone in the wild or something...

[icelanticskier]

my pack: beacon, probe, shovel, crampons, goggles, mitts, hat, neck gaitor, light down puffy, water bottle, food, hand warmers, knife, handkerchief, whistle, ski strap, headlamp, compass (i think, wouldn't do much good, never used one), diamond stone, binding screws, and maybe a bandaid.

rog