Bird of Prey
Osprey's Switch 36 Takes Hybrid Approach
ospreypacks.com
$149
3lbs. 3 oz (size medium)
S/M/L
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Like its namesake, Osprey's Switch 36 snatches up the full quiver of backcountry tools with bird-of-prey-like tenacity.
The 36-liter top-loader features A-frame and diagonal ski carrying capacity and reinforced straps for attaching a snowboard vertically. It's most functional fully loaded and ergonomically bomber. But fit is what Osprey is known for.
For the meticulous packer, the Switch has a top-mounted, stretch-fit helmet pocket and a removable goggle bag. Inside there's a wet-dry gear divider—the dry side is also accessible via a side-zip panel. The wet side doubles as the probe and shovel storage. It's water reservoir ready as well and has two adequately sized waist-belt pockets to hold your stash, shades, sweat rag etc.
Boarders will have to rig something to pack their poles during the descent and ice axe storage could be a challenge. But, overall, the hybrid Switch flies alone in a large field of day touring packs.
–Mike Horn
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G3 Targa Ascent
2.9 lbs. $290
genuineguidegear.com
With every step, the bellows of your tele boot sap energy, just as your freely articulating AT buddies are breaking trail out front with an efficient hinge binding. Tired? Well G3's got an answer—the Ascent. It's essentially a classic Targa with an articulating AT underpinning. With a simple slide of the button at the binding's toe, the Ascent switches from telemark to AT mode. Standard with the Ascent is the 70mm elastomer-spring heel.
One Backcountry tester concluded: "The new Ascent system takes all the wasted boot-flex resistance and uncomfortable hip strain out of the tour. But this binding still keeps the natural feel and flow classic to G3."—Adam Howard
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Black Diamond
Covert 32L/22L with AvaLung
$199.95/$189.95
Anarchist 42L/32L with AvaLung $269.95/$259.95
www.bdel.com
As I strapped into an early production Black Diamond AvaLung pack last December, I contemplated gizmo madness, a human factor documented in avalanche accidents. With the accordion mouthpiece hovering before my lips, was I safer or more prone to the big “A” due to some misjudged sense of security in the gizmo?
What is this gizmo? Well, for those of you who've been living in a cave since 1999, the Avalung is essentially a breathing tube designed to prolong the amount of time an avalanche victim can stay buried, by allowing fresh air to be drawn from the snowpack. Via one-way valves, exhaled C02 is vented away from where fresh air is taken in delaying asphyxiation. During simulated burials, I've watched BD testers chill for a couple hours before depleting O2 in the snowpack.
But for all its utility the original AvaLung was yet another—some would say awkward—gizmo. But now it's just part of your backcountry pack.
“So why not wear a pack that can save your life?” asks Nathan Kuder, BD’s soft goods manager. Based upon initial sales—“unprecedented for a winter pack”—that’s a question many of us are responding to.
I found that the integration of pack and AvaLung never once left me questioning when to don the device or how to manage layering—two hassles with the vest and sling version. Simply put, the smaller panel-style Covert and top-loading Anarchist are competent carriers of everything I take into the backcountry, from quick excursions to overnight forays. It’s always on, just like my beacon, and it's still up to me to travel safe and smart.
–Jonah Cantor
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Isis Raven Jacket
$199
isisforwomen.com
The Isis Raven softshell didn't increase my hang time on backcountry airs. But there's plenty else to crow about. Made by women's specific Isis, the Raven has a helmet-eating hood, easy to grab Velcro tabs on the wrists, and a big pull-tab on the main zip. The DWR-treated stretch Duet fabric provides both a soft wicking layer and a durable shell. It sheds light rain and snow like its dark, greasy-winged namesake. There are plenty of pockets, including one inside for an mp3 player. The only drawback is the small zipper pull on the chest pocket that seems better suited for sharp beaks than gloves and cold hands. —A.F.
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Rossignol BC90
www.rossignol.com
The BC90 light touring ski is a reach into the vault for Rossignol. Well, sort of. If you were to simply look at the 90-70-80 footprint you might recall the popular Tempo, replaced last year by the more touring oriented 83AR. But the similarities end with side-cut. The new BC90 is a do it all ski that is equally adept at a wide range of turning radiuses. And even kicking in dust on crust the wax-able version we tried tracked well for a wider light-touring ski. The no-wax version is a steady climber like the Positrack-based 83AR. Look for a more complete review in the second November issue, on sale October 15, 2004.
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Wookey Shovel Pack
retail: $143
www.wookey.net
Though slightly larger than the average koala cub, the 680 cubic inch, foam framed Wookey Shovel Pack throws a unique spin into the small daypack world. Designed as a short outing pack, this high riding pack is ideal for on piste ripping with the occasional dash into the wilds.
The waist band on the high riding Shovel Pack actually secures just beneath the rib cage and though strange at first, any awkwardness induced by the uncommon fit is out the door in a hurry. With it's sublime fit, maneuverability in the trees is as good as it gets with a small pack.
The Shovel pack features unique ski, snowboard, and shovel carrying systems that fasten to the pack's exterior for super quick loading, and unloading. Other attributes include hydration system compatibility with hose ports in either shoulder harness, and a small internal stash pocket. This year's pack will feature upgraded foam in the frame and harness, and a newly reinforced bottom. Wookeys are made in Bozeman, Montana.
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Mont-Bell Down Inner Jacket
retail: $129
www.montbell.com
The UL Down Inner Jacket is as light as, well, the feathers that stuff it. No one likes to haul around items in their pack that never get used, but extra clothes are always a good idea. Because this jacket is so small (stuff size is 4 by 6 inches) and so light (7 oz for a medium), you won't mind carting it around on a tour even if you never pull it out. The 725 fill power-down is encased in a gossamer 15 denier "Ballistic Airlight" nylon that's both 50% thinner and lighter than more common down fabrics. To save more weight, the front closes with snaps instead of a zipper. Granted, this jacket is not as warm as a full-blown down parka; but at less than half the weight and bulk, its warmth and convenience make it the perfect extra piece that can live unnoticed in the bottom of your pack, until you need it.
-Lance Riek
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Fitter First Fitball
retail: $29.95
www.fitter1.com
Staying on top of a lifetime of skiing injuries is tricky, especially in the autumn vortex between summer sports and skiing. Enter the Fitball. One rolled into the office last fall and is now part of our everyday routine. The Fitball offers an excellent base from which to do nearly every common callisthenic. It's just more entertaining. We've found crunches and sit-ups are low impact, but offer more resistance due to the dynamics of the ball. With every routine the adjustment needed to maintain posture and balance creates a powerful workout for the body's core. Stretching the lower back and hamstrings is especially easy on the ball, allowing it to support deep back bends. We've found opposite arm, opposite leg lifts with the belly on the ball are great for the lower back. Bridging, with legs on the ball and pelvis lifted from the floor, is another great one for the quads, abs and general balance. Whether you're outside and active all day, or an office monkey, the Fitball will help workout the kinks. It might be the best $30 you can spend on skiing this year.
-Adam Howard
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Quixote Goose Down
Pillow
retail: $33
www.quixotedesign.com
Tired of laying your head on a rolled up fleece pullover, a bag of donuts or your ski partner's stinking feet? Quixote, a family run pillow company out of Washington, offers rest for the backcountry weary with their new European White Goose Down Pillow. With the plush comfort of 550 fill white goose down tucked away beneath your dome, poking zippers and toes will no longer keep you from that well deserved slumber. The 11" x 14" version of the pillow weighs a mere six and one-quarter ounces and literally disappears when stuffed in a compression sack next to your sleeping bag. Add your choice of a cotton, flannel or fleece (1.1oz) pillowcase for ultimate comfort. Quixote's pillows sport a micro fiber ripstop water resistant shell and a patented "Q loop" that makes hanging it to dry easy should it get wet. A PrimaLoft Synthetic Down model and a larger 13" x 17" model are also available to meet your demands wherever you lay your head.
- Jonah Cantor
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