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.
Get off your damn phone in the backcountry! But also use it; it’s such a great tool. Confusing? Welcome to a moment of zillennial madness while I repeatedly get on and off my high horse regarding technology use in the backcountry with a slew of opinions you may or may not share.
Two words: kick turns. An art. A science. A timeworn skill set. To some frustrating. To others, ballet. Kick turns. It’s what’s on the skin track. Here’s a THR how to.
The elegance and efficiency of ski touring often comes to a screeching halt whenever we encounter technical terrain, as we trade the simplicity of up and down tracks for anchor building, rope tangles, and shouted commands. What a bummer. One aspect of the technical bits that can satisfy even the most idealistic of mountain travelers, however, is the humble V-Thread.
The ski/ride objective you have in mind dictates the technical gear you’ll bring along.
Do you plan to climb steep snow? Will you be on rock at all? Will there be sustained icy sections? Will it be necessary to belay or rappel? For me, these questions lead to the right answer for gear selection, starting with the most important part of your kit: crampons. The right choice in crampon can make the difference between a sketchy, terrifying climb up (or down), and a casual hike.
Get off your damn phone in the backcountry! But also use it; it's such a great tool. Confusing? Welcome to a moment of zillennial madness while I repeatedly get on and off my high horse regarding technology use in the backcountry with a slew of opinions you may or may not share.
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.
