Getting Started in the Backcountry
Dec 05, 2006 · 08:26 AM · permalink
One of my personal goals this season is to start backcountry skiing. Although I’ve done a reasonable bit of guided backcountry skiing, I have never done it on my own and I’ve been looking for resources to get myself going.
Today Lou Dawson over at WildSnow publishes an nice little intro to beginning backcountry skiing.
I’m far from a backcountry expert, but I’ve been doing it for a couple years now and I love it. Lot’s of untracked powder, and far smaller crowds than a resort. You won’t get as many runs in as you would by riding the ski lift, but there are other rewards.
For starters, buy an avalanche beacon, shovel (preferably metal), and probe and learn how to use them if you don’t already know from your prior guided experiences. Going into the backcountry without those items and the knowledge to use them is foolish. A great book for additional learning is Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain by Bruce Tremper.
Before you head out, check the avalanche forecast for the area (for Colorado - http://geosurvey.state.co.us/avalanche/).
Neptune Mountaineering (in Boulder) and The Mountain Shop (in Fort Collins) both rent backcountry gear. A friend of mine just rented some tele skis/boots/climbing skins from The Mountain Shop for around $35. I don’t know if they rent beacons too.
You know how to reach me if you want to join us for a day in the backcountry. I can loan you a probe and a shovel (although it’s plastic) and the Bruce Tremper book. Then once you’re in love with the backcountry, you can join us for our yurt trip in March.
Thanks for the tips, Ryan. I’m in!
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