backcountry gear

Posted: 27 October 2010 07:32 PM

Hi guys wondering if you have any suggestions for backcountry/touring packs…

looking for something that has a good pocket for avi gear, needs to be able to fit the shovel blade, handle and probe in the pocket (dont want to strap any of that stuff to the outside as i will invariably lose it in a fall).

other than that, durable, insulated hydration sleeve would be good, and have a good solid snowboard carry.

my top pick at the moment is the mammut nirvana pro… but i cant seem to find it anywhere…

so any suggestions would be great

cheers guys!

Posted: 28 October 2010 03:31 PM

Hi Powdog,

You really are getting kitted out for the season! Funny that you ask about packs as my girlfriend has just bought a great new backcountry bag. She’s bought the Ortovox Freeride pack. As far as features go, it has a board and ski carrier, a helmet carrier, tons of pockets and loops for gear and ice axes etc etc, waterproof zips, a built in alarm whistle for helping to get located if you’re in a slide, a quick access shovel and probe pocket and best of all a built in back protector! I’m thinking of upgrading my old DaKine heli pack because these bags are the business! You can buy them in 16, 18, 24 and 26 litres depending on how much gear you want to take.

Ortovox Freeride phantom pack

Posted: 28 October 2010 06:16 PM

Hi Rich,

yeah - I have been putting off a lot of backcountry gear for a while now, but I am signed up for my Avi course and taking the plunge… sidecountry around here is great, but i have charged most of what i can easily access and now need to head a bit deeper :D

thanks for the tip on the pack… ortovox seem to make good gear… i will check it out and see if i can find it in some of the shops around here - i need to get one for the missus too, so this might also suit her if you say that your girlfriend got one… she is quite small though, does this have a relatively short length back?

cheers

Posted: 11 January 2011 12:43 PM

ABS avalance airbag 35 L. Good for daytrips. Ads a lot of safecreds in the backcountry. A bit heavy. Very cleaver design. Lot´s of pockets and stuff for easy access to powerbars, cameras or anything else of similar size.