Let me tell you right away that in the middle of the winter season it's not always realistic to find the right stuff, so even now think about what you lack for a complete freeride set and what else is worth adding to your freeride backpack.
Where do I start to assemble a freerider backpack? Actually, with the backpack itself.
The main points:
- A freerider's backpack is not just a container for carrying various equipment, but also an additional protection for your back in case of a fall. That's why it should fit you like a glove, should be fixed on the belt and chest with straps, and should be adjusted to the size of your back. Many models of backpacks are reinforced back.
- Often it is necessary to walk to the freeride spot and in case of bootpacking, skis/snowboard need to be secured to the backpack. The freeride models of backpacks have special fasteners and clasps, which make mounting and carrying the crew as comfortable and easy as possible. It should be worthwhile to have rope, helmet and ice axe holders on the backpack if you plan to continue with freeride as a ski mountaineering activity.
- Fast access to all parts of the backpack. During emergencies and rescue operations time is a matter of seconds - the longer you search and retrieve the necessary avalanche equipment, the less chance you have to rescue your fellow freerider who got in trouble. Basically, all freeride backpacks have access inside from the back - it's really convenient.
- Dense, water-resistant outer fabric, glued seams. Nothing should fall out of the backpack, nor should anything get inside. Snow, rain with snow, rain - the weather in the mountains is different, and no matter what, the contents of your backpack must be dry.
- Optimal volume - from 15 to 40 liters, depending on the seriousness and duration of the freeride route.
- Airbags. Avalanche backpacks, which contain a special system of air bags, which are triggered when the rider in an avalanche and help to stay on top of the snow. Such systems greatly increase the cost of the backpack, but so do the chances of survival and staying in an avalanche quickly.
Of particular models we can recommend: Pieps Track (20, 25, 30 liters), Pinguin Ridge 40, Jones Dscnt 25, Deuter Freerider Pro 30, Ortovox Free Rider 26
With the backpack itself sorted out, but what's inside?
- An avalanche kit: a dipstick, a shovel, and an avalanche sensor (beeper). This, as they say, is a must!
Dipstick - must quickly and easily unfold (it is worth practicing in its use), be strong enough to break through if necessary, dense and knocked down avalanche snow, while remaining lightweight enough and not take up much space.
Dipstick are mostly made of aluminum and carbon alloys. We use the Pieps Probe Aluminium 300 Sport
Shovel. Shovels come in two varieties: lightweight and good. So we suggest we leave the removable buckets and plastic options to the marketers for digging something simpler than an avalanche 🙂 An aluminum shovel with a telescopic handle is just the thing. We have this shovel: Pieps Shovel T 640 Telescop
Beeper. There are really many variants of beepers, they come in digital and analog (however, both are compatible and look for each other in case of anything). Analogue ones are produced less and less every year. In short, we recommend getting a digital tri-antenna device with "mark the victim" function - it will reduce the time of search operations if several people are caught in an avalanche. We use the Pieps DSP sport beeper. For those who seriously want to get into the subject of choosing a beeper, we recommend an article with a detailed comparison, review and analysis, here
- Phone with a full charge + paverbank. Don't forget to charge the paverbank, too. It is desirable to have an offline map on your phone, such as maps.me, and practice sending your coordinates in advance by any messenger or text message. In an emergency you will not have time to google how to do this, and the cellular network with 4G may not be.
- Walkie-talkies. At freeride schools and on freeride safaris we have two radios per group - the starting and the trailing guide. In the mountains, cell phone service is an unstable issue, so walkie-talkies will add to the group's safety and confidence in the correct action. We recommend to have your own walkie - talkie, tuned to the frequency, which is worth agreeing with all the participants, who also have walkie - talkies, in advance.
- Spare mask. There are different situations at freeride, it's very dangerous to stay without eye protection from wind, snow and sun. Mask can: get lost in the fall, icy, broken, so it is strongly recommended to have one more universal mask (glasses) in reserve.
When choosing a specific mask pay attention to the way it sits on your face (yes, you have to measure it!), how comfortable a particular lens is for your eyes, is there anti-fog coating that will prevent fogging and icing, is there a possibility to change the lens and is there a changeable lens included, UV protection level and lens protection category (better to have two - for sunny weather and for fog)
Specific models: POC Lobes, Oakley Airbrake, Oakley Flight Deck, Bolle Nevada
- Ski Helmet. An important piece of protection that will help in case of falls and collisions. The helmet should be measured together with your existing mask or choose a helmet model with a visor that replaces the mask.
- Protection. There are three main types: hips and coccyx, back and extremities. It is these parts of the body that are most prone to injury in falls. Protection is equally necessary for both beginners and experienced freeriders.
- Spare mittens, verhonky. Just as necessary as a spare mask! In case of bad weather, getting wet, loss of the main mittens will save you from possible frostbite and discomfort.
We always have Black Diamond Recon Mitts in our backpack, which more than once saved not only us, but also "that guy" who had frozen hands.
- Another +1 insulating layer is a lightweight puffer, fleece. The down may be replaced by the same model with Primaloft, because the Carpathians are humid mountains and down, especially without special waterproofing, when wet loses its function, while synthetic materials, even when wet, continue to keep you warm.
We recommend to pay attention to the models Marmot, Black Diamond, Salewa.
As the main outerwear you can choose overalls Reactor, designed specifically for skiing.
A small personal first-aid kit (taking into account that the guide has the main first-aid kit in his backpack). Here we recommend to put the specific medicines you need (e.g. for allergies, headache), plaster, sunscreen and lipstick.
Thermos flask with hot tea/coffee. The volume of thermos is approximately 0.7l/person. Thermos should choose a quality thermos, so that its contents will keep warm for a long time.
Good thermoses: Tatonka, Esbit, Thermos, Zojirushi
- Energy bars, snacks
- Flashlight with a full battery charge
- Small folding knife or multitool, reinforced scotch tape
- Specific equipment for complex trekking and ski climbing
