An early morning sun rises steep and fast come mid-spring. The hydration hand off from Graham Zimmerman.
Not much is static in the backcountry. The same is true of what’s in a pack as we shift from winter to spring. While much of the kit remains similar between winter and spring, the pack’s contents adjust to meet the changing hazards that we are most worried about.
As we go from mid-winter skiing into spring, our conditions, objectives, and hazards shift. In the Tetons, the shift to spring usually brings more regular forays into the high peaks, which brings with it the need for technical gear and a light pack to reduce our fatigue from long days. The shift to spring often comes in stages in the Tetons, and I often find myself swapping back to a mid-winter kit two-three times each spring as we often have big spring storms and return to stormy powder skiing at various points.
While much of my kit remains similar between winter and spring, I like to adjust my pack to meet the changing hazards that we are most worried about. Mid-winter, my kit reflects the priorities of avalanche hazard/snow assessment and keeping warm. This translates to packing a snow saw, robust 320cm probe, and plenty of layers to keep me warm and have some extra insulation for a client/patient to fortify their layers. In the spring, we often mitigate avalanche hazard with timing (being out of avalanche terrain before the wet avalanche hazard elevates), and staying warm is less of an issue.
2023 Mid Winter Powder Skiing Packing List
- Beacon (Mammut Barryvox S)
- Shovel (BD Transfer LT)
- Probe (Voile 320cm Aluminum)
- Snow saw (Primo)
- Comms (Garmin Inreach, Baofeng Radio)
- Headlamp (Petzl Bindi)
- Multitool (Gerber Dime) and Binding tool (Craftsman Ratcheting offset screwdriver)
- Scraper (GSI pot scraper), ECT Cord, sunscreen, lip balm
- Two Voile straps (for ski carry on Apocalypse Eqpt pack, more in repair kit)
- First aid kit
- Repair kit
- Rescue Sled (Apocalypse Equipment)
- 5m of 5.5mm tech cord or 20m Beal Backup Line
- Down mittens (Camp Hot Mitts)
- Durable parka for skiing (Arc’Teryx Nuclei)
- Ultralight “spare” parka (Arc’Teryx Cerium)
- Goggles (Giro Contact) wrapped in buff/balaclava (Skida X 4FRNT)
- Helmet (Giro Grid)
- Well stocked snack bag (Homemade Dyneema)
- Water (1L Nalgene)
2023 Spring Skiing Packing List
- Beacon (Mammut Barryvox S)
- Shovel (BD Transfer LT – consider foregoing handle and bringing Venom LT ice tool)
- Probe (Mammut 240 Short)
- Comms (Garmin Inreach, Baofeng Radio)
- Headlamp (Petzl Swift RL)
- Multitool (Gerber Dime) and Binding tool (Craftsman Ratcheting offset screwdriver)
- Scraper (GSI pot scraper), sunscreen, lip balm
- Skin Wax (G3) and/or ski wax + cork
- Two Voile straps (for ski carry on Apocalypse Eqpt pack, more in repair kit)
- First aid kit
- Repair kit
- Rescue Sled (Apocalypse Equipment)
- 5m of 5.5mm tech cord or 20m Beal Backup Line
- Warmer Gloves (Arc’teryx Venta AR)
- Parka for skiing (Arc’teryx Nuclei FL)
- Ultralight “spare” Insulation (Arc’Teryx Nuclei Vest)
- Helmet (Giro Grid or Petzl Sirocco)
- Well stocked snack bag (Homemade Dyneema)
- Water (1L Nalgene)
What changed?
Not too much, honestly. The big changes are ditching some snow assessment tools (snow saw, ECT cord, shrinking probe), and paring down my insulation pieces, mostly by bringing a super light synthetic vest rather than a down parka. It is pretty rare to dig a full study pit once the snowpack has transitioned to spring diurnal, hand pits and other quick assessments are normally sufficient. As far as insulation, the vest is a great additional layer and come late spring when we rarely see temperatures below the high 20s, it was often my only insulation piece. While this kit often changes if I am going to an objective with minimal sun or a marginal forecast, I often think of my insulation needs in terms of what I’ll need to stay comfortable during a break before the sun comes up in the morning, if my layers are sufficient then, they will likely be more than enough if we have to wait at the top for a slope to soften or in the case of an emergency once the sun comes up.
I make a few other small changes to my kit as the spring transition progresses. I swap the ultralight Petzl Bindi for a brighter Swift RL – on a case-by-case basis but generally given the earlier starts and longer walks in the dark. I also add skin and/or ski wax, especially if there is a long and potentially sticky egress in the cards. I generally leave my goggles at home in the spring and prioritize full coverage, dark sunglasses (shield style or glacier glasses each work great). Depending on the outing, I’m more likely to bring my Petzl Sirocco helmet to save 100g of pack weight on a big day, although the better coverage, durability, and MIPS in the Giro Grid often feels worthwhile.
Many will note that I haven’t included ski crampons, I suppose this is an instance of do as I say not as I do, but with appropriate ski selection (skinny(ish) and cambered) and technique, I often don’t miss ski crampons in the Tetons. I also haven’t delved into technical gear here. This will be the subject of another post, as it is ever-changing based on conditions and objectives. The kit described above generally comes along regardless of the objective.