Crevasse Rescue for Skiers Gear List

This list is for the Town of Banff Crevasse Rescue for Skiers course.

CREVASSE RESCUE KIT 

I can supply all of this if you need:

  • Climbing harness

  • One “triple-action” locking carabiner.

  • 2 regular locking carabiners

  • 2 non-locking carabiners

  • One 5m length of 6 mm prussic cord

  • One 120 cm sewn sling

  • Optional if you have it: climbing rope (single, half, twin or specialty glacier travel ropes all work), 1 Tibloc or equivalent with locking carabiner, 1 Micro-Traction or equivalent with locking carabiner, pulley with locking carabiner, belay/rappel device with locking carabiner.

Ski Touring Kit

RENTAL EQUIPMENT

I may be able to provide the following (trip location and trip date dependant):

  • Transceiver (charge of $15/day applies)

  • Shovel (no charge)

  • Probe (no charge)

Touring equipment and safety gear may be also be rented at the following locations:

Banff: Bactrax

Canmore: Gear Up

Lake Louise: Wilson Sports

SKIING EQUIPMENT

  • AT touring skis or telemark skis or splitboard

    • Understand that telemark and snowboard bindings may not be releasable and greatly increase your risk if caught in an avalanche.

    • No snowboard/snowshoe combinations, splitboards only.

  • Skins

  • Touring specific boots

  • Adjustable length ski poles

EQUIPMENT THAT YOU SHOULD BRING SKIING EVERY DAY

  • Digital avalanche transceiver (marking function recommended)

  • Avalanche shovel

  • Avalanche probe

  • Helmet

  • Sunglasses

  • Goggles

  • Water bottle and/or thermos

  • Small headlamp

  • Skin wax: I find a simple candle works fine.

  • Small personal first aid/repair kit: band aids, blister kit (Leuko tape works best), headache pills, hand and toe warmers, extra batteries for your transceiver, duct tape, pocket knife, specialized binding and boot parts.

  • Toilet kit: toilet paper, baggie for used paper, hand sanitizer

  • Camera

  • Health insurance information

  • 35-45 L capacity backpack.

    • All your gear and clothing must fit inside your pack

    • Nothing should be strapped to the outside.

CLOTHING SYSTEMS

  • Average temperatures are normally about -5 to -15 but you need to be prepared for temperatures from -25 to +5

  • Several thin layers are better than fewer thicker layers. No cotton!

  • Long underwear tops and bottoms - wool or synthetic

  • Ski pants – softshell or light hardshell pants both are fine

  • Thin windbreaker/softshell - for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warmer softshell jacket – I prefer a hooded jacket but it’s absolutely necessary

  • Shell jacket – to keep the wet out, Gore-tex or similar seems best

  • Down or synthetic insulated jacket – for breaks and emergency use

  • Lightweight gloves – for walking uphill in warm conditions

  • Warm gloves. Mittens are optional but recommended if you get cold hands. Electric gloves are allowed but cannot be used when searching with a transceiver due to electrical interference.

  • Hand warmers if you get cold hands

  • Warm toque for skiing down

  • Lightweight toque for walking up

  • Balaclava or neck tube – essential for cold conditions

  • Sun hat

  • Consider heated socks

GROUP GEAR

Each guide will provide:

  • Group first aid kit

  • Group repair kit

  • Emergency toboggan/shelter

  • Radio

  • GPS, compass, map etc

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