Pro Guiding Service - Backcountry Life Insurance

Two types of people ski the backcountry: those who aren't prepared for misadventure, and those who are. And as a rule the latter group is made up of graduates of the former group--graduates who smartened up after a taste of scare therapy.

Scare therapy comes in many forms. There's the "broken" class of mishaps--broken boards, broken bindings, broken bones.... There's the "lost" class of mishaps--lost skis, lost way.... And there's the "avalanche" class of mishaps which often leads to both the broken class of mishaps (bones and gear) and the lost class of mishaps (boards and life).

All in all, there are a lot of ways to turn into an ice cube once you venture beyond the domain of the ski patrol. Most of us don't care if you blow it because fewer tracks in the backcountry mean more plums for us. But YOU may want to live to ski another day, so think about packing some insurance before skiing the outer limits.

TO BUILD A FIRE

Even if you carry no extra clothing, a fire can help you survive a night under the winter stars. That makes a lighter and firestarter two of your most important survival tools. Even if you carry nothing else, put a good lighter and a few one-inch squares of rubber (made from a cut-up inner tube) in your pocket.

The squares of inner tube make great firestarter. They are compact, waterproof, and crush proof. And each one-inch square burns for at least three minutes--enough time to get twigs burning.

Another useful item in the fire department is a pocket saw like the Commando (made by Moule), which is a 31" toothed cable weighing less than an ounce. The cable easily saws through tree branches some three inches in diameter yet rolls up small enough to slip in a pocket. Purchase these saws at outdoor-equipment stores like REI (800-426-4840).

COCOON

After fire makers, the single most important item I throw in the pack is a product called the Bivouac Poncho made by Ortovox (603-746-3176). The word "poncho" is a misnomer because the side seams of this lightweight storm shelter are sewn together to create a baggy cagoule.

Lightweight is no exaggeration--the product weighs nine ounces and packs into a bundle the size of a summer sausage. Yet it has several serious uses. If you find yourself in the middle of a spring rain squall, or a soaking snowstorm, use the poncho like a long anorak--the coated nylon fabric, the hood, and the loosely cut arms will not let any of that dampness soak (or chill) you.

Meanwhile, if you or a friend is injured in the backcountry, tie off the hood and arms of the Bivouac Poncho and you've got a weatherproof bivy sack. The heat this sack preserves will dramatically increase the odds of surviving until a rescue is mounted. Likewise, if you find yourself lost as darkness settles in for the night, using this poncho as a bivy sack gives you a significant head start on seeing the morning dawn.

ALIVE

Some other items that can deliver you safely from mishaps in the outback?

Pocket Survival Tool. This one tool with its screwdrivers, plier, awl, and file will fix most backcountry equipment failures. Plus its incredibly sharp blade is always a comfort to have along--you never know when you'll need to rip open a ski buddy and climb inside.

Duct tape. Carry seven or eight yards of this eighth wonder of the world and you'll be ready to splint broken poles, patch torn outerwear, tape on skins that have lost their stick, tape a bandanna over chest wounds inflicted by ski buddies with knives...

Nylon cord. Combined with duct tape, a 30-foot supply of 1/8" cord will let you jury-rig a solution to just about any backcountry gear failure.

Bandanna. Couple it with duct tape and you've got a minimal first-aid kit for cuts and gashes. Wrap it around your nose and mouth, cowboy style, and it will preserve loads of heat should you ever need to spend the night out.

Spare basket. In deep powder and corn it's easy to lose a pole basket. And it's remarkably hard to ski well with a pole that plunges every time you plant.

Extra hat. Properly clad skiers lose the most heat through their heads. Although it weighs much less, an extra hat (like a thick balaclava) conserves as much heat as an extra sweater.

Map and compass. If the terrain is complex and/or you're new to the area, bring along these navigational aids. If you don't carry them, be quick about donning skins and climbing up what you've skied down. Most misplaced skiers get into the deepest guano when they ignore the inner voice saying, "Follow the track back, Luke" and listen to the inner laze saying, "Keep going, there'll be an easy way out."

Whistle. Yelling for help makes you hoarse. Fast. A GOOD whistle, not only lets you signal forever, its scream travels farther than your own.

Metal cup. With a fire, a metal cup lets you whet your whistle, too.

Energy bars. Keep a few spares in the pack--they taste better than your friend's thigh.

Avalanche gear. A good shovel and a good avalanche beacon should be in tow whenever you ski uncontrolled terrain (more about these items in the next backcountry report).

PACKMAN

To carry your insurance you'll need a pack. Get one with enough straps to carry skis and enough cargo space for this minimal arsenal of weapons. Contrary to the American macho mentality that bigger is better, however, buy small. A well-known axiom of packing is that the stuff you carry expands to fill the space available. A large pack will quickly become a tumor that breaks your back rather than a cache that can save your ass.