Grand Nature Club - Hiking and outdoor activities in Banff and in the Rockies

Gear Tips

It's winter, so be safe out there!
by Stormy of Monod Sports Ltd

Below are a few recommendations on what the crew at Monod Sports in beautiful Banff National Park would carry when traveling into avalanche terrain (it is NOT a complete list, so please use your common sense and judgment as well). For more detailed questions, please contact our backcountry department at (403) 762-4571 extension 38, or write us at info@monodsports.com.
At the end of this article are some useful websites to check BEFORE venturing into avalanche terrain. Again, this is not a complete list by any means, so always make sure to educate yourself thoroughly before venturing into the Canadian Rockies during winter.

Basic 'Must Haves' when traveling into avalanche terrain
1. AVALANCHE TRANSCEIVER (a/k/a Avalanche Beacon). An avalanche transceiver is an electronic device which you wear on your body (under your clothing) which transmits a signal. Transceivers [beacons] can be switched from transmit to "receive" in an avalanche burial situation so the rescuers can find the buried victim whose beacon is still in the "transmit" mode. The International frequency standard is 457 kHz and is the standard frequency which all search and rescue teams use. Transceivers on a different frequency will not be picked up! **All of Monod Sports' avalanche transceivers operate on the 457 kHz standard ** (See Monod Sports' transceiver selection at www.monodsports.com).
EVERYONE IN YOUR GROUP MUST HAVE A TRANSCEIVER! NO EXCEPTIONS!

2. AVALANCHE SHOVEL and PROBE POLE. A shovel and a probe pole will increase the speed at which you can dig out an avalanche victim. Here are some sobering facts (provided by Ortovox) if you decide to go without a shovel and probe [the times listed are minimal times, assume the person is buried under 1 meter of snow and that you have a transceiver in all cases]:
• With a transceiver, your hands, skis or a snowboard: 1 to 2 HOURS!
• With a shovel and a transceiver: 25 minutes
• With a shovel, a probe and a transceiver: 15 minutes
Monod Sports carries a variety of lightweight shovels and probes that easily store in or on your backpack for easily access (see Monods' shovel and probe selection at www.monodsports.com.

3. BACKPACK AND ESSENTIALS. In addition to the above items (considered ESSENTIAL), you should also carry the following items as well (this is not a complete list, so please use your own common sense as well):
• DOWN OR SYNTHETIC DOWN JACKET
• FIRST AID KIT
• SMALL TRAVELING STOVE AND POT for melting snow (MSR's Pocket Rocket with its own titanium kettle is PERFECT!)
• WATERPROOF MATCHES in a WATERPROOF CASE
• BIVOUAC SACK or EMERGENCY SPACE BAG which can be used to protect in an emergency against hypothermia
• FOOD and WATER (seems obvious, but remember it!). Because water has a habit of freezing in winter, take along a thermos of hot tea or cocoa to keep you hydrated as well!

The above list is by NO MEANS complete. Remember, you are your own best judge, so take responsibility to insure you have a safe, memorable backcountry winter trip.

SPECIAL NOTE: Although cell phones may be a good idea to carry, some people mistakenly think that if they get into trouble in the Canadian Rockies, they can just whip out their cell phone and a helicopter will materialize within minutes. Unfortunately, vast areas in the Canadian Rockies have no consistent cellular service, so be responsible by always erring on the conservative side and carrying the necessary tools for your own safety!

Useful websites to check out
Below are some useful websites links to help you assess whether you should venture into the Canadian Rockies' backcountry. Remember: nothing replaces your own good judgment!
TO HELP YOU ASSESS AVALANCHE DANGER: http://www.avalanche.ca/
FOR WEATHER: http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/ and select the area you wish to check.