Backcountry for dummies

[skiing is life]

I would really like to ski some good backcountry this season. It will be my first time and i would like to ski a nice big mountain.

Can anyone give me a good mountain thats not too difficult for a gaper like me?:lol:

 

[perfectturns]

I just posted about beacons. Please be careful and wear one!

 

[riverc0il]

I just posted about beacons. Please be careful and wear one!

For real. Because outside of Mount Washington and Katahdin, we see tons of avis in New England :roll: You'd be safer in most New England backcountry by putting on a condom before you set out rather than buying a beacon.

SIL... being in Northhampton, you have the Thunderbolt on Greylock quite close. However, it is in pretty bad shape following the ice storm, so put that on your list for next season.

As far as getting into the backcountry, doing some lift assisted side country with some hoofing probably is the best place to start. Something like the Bruce at Mansfield would be a good sidecountry 101.

Next, head up to the Mount Washington Valley where you can rent some AT Gear or Trekkers and some skins. Snowshoes optional if you prefer packing your skis. Then you can give the Sherbie a run on Mount Washington (without new snow, you can boot pack the TRT hiking trail). If you are feeling more adventurous, Gulf of Slides Ski Trail or Doublehead in Jackson are good options as well.

Wear layers. More layers than you think you might need. And bring more water than you think you might need. That is all you really need to know. It is essentially hiking with skis for the downhill. Give it a go. Bring a friend if you can.

 

[redalienx11]

enjoy the up for what its worth- not just a means to an end

 

[RootDKJ]

For real. Because outside of Mount Washington and Katahdin, we see tons of avis in New England :roll: You'd be safer in most New England backcountry by putting on a condom before you set out rather than buying a beacon.
/quote]
does that count as a base layer? :blink:

 

[Chris I]

perfect turns has been getting some HEEAAATTT for the beacon post

 

[atkinson]

Many places outside Mount Washington and Katadhin require proper gear, planning, and knowledge, which includes avy/ snow awareness, beacon use and safe routefinding. The Daks, Greens, Whites, Chic Chocs and several ski areas (mainly with man-made snow) have slides big enough to carry and bury. I've even seen a crown line 100 feet wide and a foot deep that ran about 150 vert in the lower mountain hardwoods of Vermont.

Also remember the lessons of treewells and hollow pockets in the snowpack. A friend fell upside down in a deep pile of snow on last Monday and was pinned down by his poles. His mouth filled with snow and he couldn't breathe. Trying to cough only made it worse and he started to think this might be his last breath. No fooling.

Luckily, at that point, another friend was close enough to help clear his airway and dig him out. Guess where this happened? On a trail at Sugarbush.

Imagine being way out there and separated from your friends, upside down. Would you want them to be able to find you quickly? A beacon for steep or deep backcountry really isn't such a bad idea. I use one more and more.

Learning to use a beacon is a necessary part of every backcountry traveler's skill set, along with avalanche awareness training and safe route-finding, unless you don't ever want to go to some of the best places to ski.

Bring the heat.

John