Backcountry Backpack
- Thread starter frosty
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polarisrider1
New member
Are you looking for opinions or good solid answers?
Solid answers I would take an Avalanche class. they will get you started correctly. They not only recomend the gear to get but will show you how to use it.
Solid answers I would take an Avalanche class. they will get you started correctly. They not only recomend the gear to get but will show you how to use it.
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you can carry what you want on your back but if halling hard things like shovels where your tec vest trust me a shovel can and will bust a rib and a busted rib or 2 in the back sucks 3x more than in the front.I have a older hmk works to carry probe ave pack exra socks bacalava dug out what eaver.I never had luck with watter packs.I dont like packs and hardly eaver use.never that far from cabin trailer bar or a store
Firecatguy
New member
bwhahahhahahaha...dug out......
Totally you Preference
There are as many answers to your question as people answering. The best way I can answer this is to recommend you talk to a veteran backcountry rider and ask them what they carry on their sled and themself. Put all of that material on a table and then figure out what you want to carry on your back and what you need to carry on your back. I hate back packs. I carry the essentials on my body and the rest on H-bar and tunnel bags. Everyone you have listed (add True Adventures Gear) have great set ups but it is up to you on what you are going to carry.
PS I don't like H2O bladders and am very nervous on carrying anything on my body that can poke (probes and shovels).
There are as many answers to your question as people answering. The best way I can answer this is to recommend you talk to a veteran backcountry rider and ask them what they carry on their sled and themself. Put all of that material on a table and then figure out what you want to carry on your back and what you need to carry on your back. I hate back packs. I carry the essentials on my body and the rest on H-bar and tunnel bags. Everyone you have listed (add True Adventures Gear) have great set ups but it is up to you on what you are going to carry.
PS I don't like H2O bladders and am very nervous on carrying anything on my body that can poke (probes and shovels).
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I like that, the tunnel attatchments! How well do they stick, or are you replacing frequently because they fall off.
Thats what I hoping for, you guys who've been out west and learned the hard way on what works and what doesn't. I get mixed reviews on bringing water bladders, but told you need to hydrate all the time when in the mountains.
I guess I should start a thread on what are the esstentials you should bring when riding outback.
polarisrider1
New member
Take a look in the western riding section. Cuzzinolaf has a good list of what to put in a backpack.
Frosty, the basic rule of thumb for the backcountry (in the mountains anyway, U.P. is a different story) is carry everything you need to survive the night or locate and rescue a buried friend,(most importantly the shovel, beacon and probe) on your body. The idea is if you are separated from your sled in a slide, and or it goes sailing over a 1000 ft cliff, you have what you need to make it out alive. Everything non essential to survival, such as tools, spare parts etc, can be carried on the sled.
Second this! UP is different story. Out west keep what you may need for survival in a pack on your body, not your sled.
Water Bladders are a great thing to have and a whole lot easier to deal with than bottles. I can not begin to count the number of times I have fell off my sled with my pack on and not one time did my shovel or probe injure me. I have a BCA throttle pack and shovel and my probe is a Black Diamond carbon fiber. I use a BCA tracker beacon and always carry a GPS and a compass along with a paper map.
I have the Klim and with extra tools (I ride with Arctic Cats), shovel and water its very comfortable to wear. However, the hose to routed thru the shoulder strap on the backpac and freezes up almost all the time in that area. I have tried to do a multitude of different things, but unless u pack in in th eback, its gonna freeze.
My setup if it helps
I setup for the mountains:
Hbar bag has 2 16oz bottles, 3energy bars, micro flash light, GPS, phone, knife, and an extra pair of goves. Types (True Adventer, large Ski Doo, and a Cary all from sledsolutions). We also carry a plastic garden potting shovel to clean running boards (straight from Carter)
Tunnel bag has 2 26 oz bottles of water, first aid kit, survival kit (matches, knife, saw, cord, microtarp), fleece jacket, extra pair of socks, assorment of energy bars, small tool kit, and nylon rope. We strap sno bunge, shovel and probe to the outside. Types (Ski Doo soft and semi rigid, and the E series Sled Solution "Mak Daddy" tunnel bag)
Back Pack has 1 bottle of Gatorade, couple energy bars or lunch made up, extra pair of riding gloves, long sleeve Tshirt, 2 way radio, beacon (on my body not in the back pack), very small first aid kit. It is pretty even split of carrying shovels and probes. While you always want them close to you, you don't always want them on you. If you are caught in avy your shovel and gear are not going to help you when you are buried. If you witness an avy, chances you are going to ride your sled over to the area and start helping. I am going to carry a scoop shell in my back pack but probably leave the big shovel and probe on the sled. Types (every one you listed and a few semi framed back packs from Cabellas and Gander Mountain).
All of us have 2way radios. A couple of us have shoulder mic's so this year I am trying a shoulder holster that will hold my radio under one arm and my beacon under the other arm. I am hoping to keep things tighter to my body and in a less restrictive way.
I don't know if this is right or wrong because I have never had to spend the night out in the mountains or evacuated a medical stituation. I do feel comfortable that I could help out effectively in an emergency and that is what you should be planning for " An Emergency"
I setup for the mountains:
Hbar bag has 2 16oz bottles, 3energy bars, micro flash light, GPS, phone, knife, and an extra pair of goves. Types (True Adventer, large Ski Doo, and a Cary all from sledsolutions). We also carry a plastic garden potting shovel to clean running boards (straight from Carter)
Tunnel bag has 2 26 oz bottles of water, first aid kit, survival kit (matches, knife, saw, cord, microtarp), fleece jacket, extra pair of socks, assorment of energy bars, small tool kit, and nylon rope. We strap sno bunge, shovel and probe to the outside. Types (Ski Doo soft and semi rigid, and the E series Sled Solution "Mak Daddy" tunnel bag)
Back Pack has 1 bottle of Gatorade, couple energy bars or lunch made up, extra pair of riding gloves, long sleeve Tshirt, 2 way radio, beacon (on my body not in the back pack), very small first aid kit. It is pretty even split of carrying shovels and probes. While you always want them close to you, you don't always want them on you. If you are caught in avy your shovel and gear are not going to help you when you are buried. If you witness an avy, chances you are going to ride your sled over to the area and start helping. I am going to carry a scoop shell in my back pack but probably leave the big shovel and probe on the sled. Types (every one you listed and a few semi framed back packs from Cabellas and Gander Mountain).
All of us have 2way radios. A couple of us have shoulder mic's so this year I am trying a shoulder holster that will hold my radio under one arm and my beacon under the other arm. I am hoping to keep things tighter to my body and in a less restrictive way.
I don't know if this is right or wrong because I have never had to spend the night out in the mountains or evacuated a medical stituation. I do feel comfortable that I could help out effectively in an emergency and that is what you should be planning for " An Emergency"
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With all do respect doo-dr, you are giving out some very poor advice. You should ALWAYS carry your shovel and probe on your body PERIOD! Have you taken an avalanche class?? If you have I suspect you were not paying attention when they drilled into you the importance of keeping your gear on your body. There is always a chance you could self extract if you managed to swim to the side and aren't buried deep, and/or you are recovered by someone else, you can then join the search for more victims in a multiple burial situation. Your shovel and prob do absolutely no good attached to your sled which is now buried under ten feet of concrete!!! Not trying to jump down your throat, just feel an obligation to give out the proper information that could possibly save someones life.
In my comments I stated that this is my preference and not God's word. I know they preach to keep it all on you. This is my preference and "as stated" everyone should make up their own minds. If you PAY ATTENTION in the Avy class you should have a back pack that weighs 30-40 lbs and feels like a small bale of hay on your back and that is not for me. I have carried my probe in my back pack and will probably will in certain stituations this year.
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I really like my True Adventure Gear Lightning Pack (www.tagear.us). It is slightly larger than the HMK and Klim packs but it still fits very close to your body and is not bulky (not to be confused with the TA Gear Storm Pack which is pretty large).
Out west I would never ride with someone who keeps their shovel and probe on the sled. Generally speaking, people think less and act more in an emergency situation - hence it is best to have all of your rescue tools on your person at all times. A 3 lb shovel and 1 lb probe is not the difference between a nicely weighted 20 lb pack and 30 lb monster, but it can mean the difference between saving a life and not.
In the Yoop, I would probably never ride someone who did carry a shovel
There just really isn't a need for it up there 95% of the time.
Here is a picture of the lightning pack...
Out west I would never ride with someone who keeps their shovel and probe on the sled. Generally speaking, people think less and act more in an emergency situation - hence it is best to have all of your rescue tools on your person at all times. A 3 lb shovel and 1 lb probe is not the difference between a nicely weighted 20 lb pack and 30 lb monster, but it can mean the difference between saving a life and not.
In the Yoop, I would probably never ride someone who did carry a shovel
There just really isn't a need for it up there 95% of the time.Here is a picture of the lightning pack...
I really like my True Adventure Gear Lightning Pack (www.tagear.us). It is slightly larger than the HMK and Klim packs but it still fits very close to your body and is not bulky (not to be confused with the TA Gear Storm Pack which is pretty large).
Out west I would never ride with someone who keeps their shovel and probe on the sled. Generally speaking, people think less and act more in an emergency situation - hence it is best to have all of your rescue tools on your person at all times. A 3 lb shovel and 1 lb probe is not the difference between a nicely weighted 20 lb pack and 30 lb monster, but it can mean the difference between saving a life and not.
In the Yoop, I would probably never ride someone who did carry a shovel
Here is a picture of the lightning pack...
Where do you carry all of the rest of your gear? From your picture I do not see a tunnel or H-bar bag and I know you would have a hard time packing spare belt in that sled.
cuzzinolaf
Well-known member
A Columbia back pack full of Twinkies for me....
Seriously speaking... check out the TNA Gear packs. I looked long and hard and ended up with my mini suitcase backpack. It is comfy, probably weighs 40+ pounds, and I'll be the first one you're buddies with in the event we get stranded in a group. I honestly think I could spend a few nights out in the woods if needed.
Here is my list. It isn't current but I can't remember the new stuff since I last updated it.
Backpack –
1. 2 pairs of gloves
2. Socks
3. 2 pairs of extra goggles
4. Beanie hat
5. Hand warmers
6. Swedish Firesteel (fire starter)
7. Parachute Cord
8. Stainless steel cup
9. First aid stuff
10. Shovel
11. Saw
12. Excedrin/Asprin
13. Warm weather liner for my Klim helmet
14. Toilet paper
15. Heetsheet
16. Emergency Sleeping Bag
17. Tampons (excellent fire starter if dipped in gas)
18. Torch lighter
19. Flare gun
20. Power Bars
21. Instant Oatmeal
22. Beef jerky
23. Chocolate
24. Extra under garments on those cold days
25. Leatherman Tool
26. Batteries
27. Matches
28. Chapstick
29. Cell Phone
30. Strobe Light
On Sled -
1. Spare gas
2. GPS
3. Snow Bunje
4. Tools
5. Flashlight
6. Compass
7. Tow rope
8. Glow stick
9. Duct tape
10. Different sizes in zip ties
11. Local trail maps
12. Hand warmers
13. Water/Gatorade
14. Red ribbon
15. Bolts
16. Hand warmers
17. Gloves
18. Goggles
19. Wire
20. Pipe Clamps
Seriously speaking... check out the TNA Gear packs. I looked long and hard and ended up with my mini suitcase backpack. It is comfy, probably weighs 40+ pounds, and I'll be the first one you're buddies with in the event we get stranded in a group. I honestly think I could spend a few nights out in the woods if needed.
Here is my list. It isn't current but I can't remember the new stuff since I last updated it.
Backpack –
1. 2 pairs of gloves
2. Socks
3. 2 pairs of extra goggles
4. Beanie hat
5. Hand warmers
6. Swedish Firesteel (fire starter)
7. Parachute Cord
8. Stainless steel cup
9. First aid stuff
10. Shovel
11. Saw
12. Excedrin/Asprin
13. Warm weather liner for my Klim helmet
14. Toilet paper
15. Heetsheet
16. Emergency Sleeping Bag
17. Tampons (excellent fire starter if dipped in gas)
18. Torch lighter
19. Flare gun
20. Power Bars
21. Instant Oatmeal
22. Beef jerky
23. Chocolate
24. Extra under garments on those cold days
25. Leatherman Tool
26. Batteries
27. Matches
28. Chapstick
29. Cell Phone
30. Strobe Light
On Sled -
1. Spare gas
2. GPS
3. Snow Bunje
4. Tools
5. Flashlight
6. Compass
7. Tow rope
8. Glow stick
9. Duct tape
10. Different sizes in zip ties
11. Local trail maps
12. Hand warmers
13. Water/Gatorade
14. Red ribbon
15. Bolts
16. Hand warmers
17. Gloves
18. Goggles
19. Wire
20. Pipe Clamps
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cuzzinolaf
Well-known member
techsledder
Member
Doo_Dr, He's got a Boss aftermarket seat in that pic, lots 'o zippered pocket in those... I'd venture to say he's got a couple goodies in there. Also, XP Summits have a spare belt holder in the from under a panel.
frosty, I got to try out my True Adventure Gear Lighting Pack this past week in the yoop. Worked out well. Comfortable and not huge. Also have a kayaking dry bag I'll be attaching to the sled's rear tunnel for more goodies (see Cuzz's list) that aren't deemed essential for emergencies, avy aids, etc. Out West if you need to stay a night out, best be prepared. Also, go over to Mike Duffy's website for additional info: http://avalanche1.com/ and gear suggestions: http://avalanche1.com/content/gear