Issue link: https://bluemagazine.uberflip.com/i/25234
VALANCHE BEACON The triad of avalanche rescue gear includes the beacon, probe and shovel. The beacon is a wallet-sized frequency transmitter and receiver that can locate another beacon (and person) buried in avalanche debris. It is one of the most crucial pieces in this triad. It works by emitting a continuous signal, but can also switch to receive mode to pick up a signal. Here, we focused on the needs of recreational backcountry users, those 95 percent of skiers and snowboarders who don't practice transceiver rescues intensively. We looked at how user-friendly the beacon was, how easy it was to learn to operate and how quickly it located a buried beacon. BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS TRACKER DTS The world's first beacon with a digital display is far and away the easiest transceiver on the market to learn and use. The DTS uses the same analog signal found in all beacons, but processes the information digitally using two internal antennas. The result is a unique visual directional and distance display that guides you along the buried beacon's signal to a location within a one-meter area. Backcountry Access, 303-417-1345, www.bcaccess.com. $299.95 SHOVEL & PROBE Besides a beacon, every backcountry traveler should carry with them a strong and sturdy shovel and collapsible probe. Once you locate the buried person with your transceiver you'll quickly extend your probe to its 10-foot length and start "probing" in the snow to determine the person's exact location and depth of burial. Once your probe "hits" the victim, leave the probe where it is and dig to its end with your shovel. Our test focused on strength, light- ness, assembly speed and functionality in weather conditions ranging from deep freeze to spring slush. LIFE-LINK PROBE 300 At an extended length of 10 feet, the life-Link Probe 300 provides adequate length to pre- cisely locate a buried avalanche victim. But what separates the 300 from the competition is its quick and easy assembly. life-link's revolutionary Tension System uses a simple T-handle at the end of the probe which secures the sections without using wing nuts or threaded tight- eners. The 300, which uses hardened and anodized high-strength aluminum, removes-by not having them-the potential failure of small, crucial parts. Life-Link, 800-443-8620 www.life-Iink.com. 12.75 oz, $76.00 BACKCOUNTRY ACCESS COMPANION EXT SHOVEL Backcountry Access kills two birds with one stone with their Companion EXT Shovel. Perfect for short backcountry trips where space is at a premium, this burly, extendable aluminum shovel comes with an avalanche probe in side the shaft. Both are solid, well-constructed pieces of gear that worked extremely well when tested, although, at six feet the probe is too short for deep burials. However, this unit is worth the purchase just for the shovel; its ovalized shaft provides incredible strength and an aluminum blade cuts easily through the densest of snow. When tested, its assembly mechanized seemed unaffected by supercold temperatures, a problem common with many backcountry shovels. Backcountry Access, 303-417-1345 www.bcaccess.com. 1000g, $105.00 BACKCOUNTRY BACKPACK A pack specifically designed for backcountry riding will increase your touring experience tenfold. Waterproofness, straps that carry your board or skis securely, comfort and durability were the key design elements we considered when testing. ARC'TERYX MIURA 30 PACK The Miura is possibly the best touring pack ever built. The backcountry mavens at Arc'teryx thought of everything an out-of-bounds snowboarder or skier could ever need in this compact, highly functional pack. The Miura features a snow- proof roll-down top, much like that found on a dry bag, which eliminates the potential grief of a blown zipper (a common plague of packs in winter environs). Features include: a unique lash system that allows a board, skis or snowshoes to be carried in a vari- ety of ways, a shovel pocket, com- fortable harness system designed for heavier loads, waterproof zip- pers, and high-grade, waterproof materials. Due to the sheer quality of design and construction, no other pack tested even came close to this must-have touring gem. Arc'teryx, 800-985-6681, www.arcteryx.com. 30-litre (4Ibs), $210; 40-litre (4.6Ibs), $225