Comments on: Colorado Winter Storm Number Ten Provides Backcountry Skiing

By: Ernie

Ernie — Mon, 04 Dec 2006 21:08:44 +0000

Hi Lou….just picked up the Alp 40 and am impressed with BCA’s ongoing thought process. Weight is always on their minds….
Your photo looks really great as I sit here in Vermont…..looking at bare ground….ahh…patience is a virue I guess.
Thanks for the review and happy turns.

By: Derek

Derek — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 03:08:38 +0000

Beautiful pic in this post Lou. Nice work.

By: Lou

Lou — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:31:19 +0000

Shane, yep, I don’t use a GPS much and indeed find that map/compass/altimeter are usually all I need. BUT, there have been a few times when the GPS is incredibly useful, such as for finding a pass in a whiteout or in the dark, that sort of thing. I only carry it when I think we might have visibility problems, and could also see using it when I’m in totally unfamiliar terrain, though I usually depend on a local for that. I usually leave the GPS at home. 2-way radio is usually much more useful.

By: Mark Worley

Mark Worley — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 00:14:19 +0000

Wow, that snow looks really nice and dry–not to mention deep. I’m ready to go, but we’ve got no snow here.

By: Shane

Shane — Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:09:30 +0000

Lou, You mention using one of the hip pockets to carry a GPS. Out of curiousity, how often do you use a GPS on your trips?

My partner often brings one with him and we’ve yet to use it for anything. I personally have never seen the need because my BC trips tend to be in places that I’m familiar with and/or are easy to navigate in.

I’ve used a map and compass to get out of a couple jams while travelling cross country in fog or dense timber and find that to work good enough and at less of a weight penalty compared to a GPS.