Essential Gear for Backcountry Safety!

A comprehensive guide to what you need in your pack before stepping out of bounds. The most important tool in the backcountry is your brain, but having the right gear is a close second.

The Holy Trinity

1. Beacon: Always wear it on your body, not in your pack.
2. Shovel: Metal, not plastic. Digging through avalanche debris is like digging through concrete.
3. Probe: Long enough to reach the depth of a burial (at least 240cm).

Beyond the basics, you should always carry an airbag backpack if possible. Data shows it significantly increases your chances of survival in the event of a slide.