7 Ugly Backcountry Skiing Gear Items that Rock – can you make it 10?
Fire Starter
Fire starter made from petroleum jelly and dryer lint.
Why it rocks: Add a few shavings from your fire starter stick, strike a spark, and you’ll ignite anything but floating driftwood.
Paper Towels
They work, but pack out what you pack in.
Why they rock: A classic multiple purpose item, unlike toilet paper will continue to function when moist. Also doubles as fire starter when twisted up with wax or PU ski strap shavings
CPR Mask
CPR mask
Why it rocks: Save your buddy’s life.
Sunscreen
We couldn't face publishing an ugly sunscreen shot. Use your imagination. You've been there.
Why it rocks: Because melanoma is worse than imaginary face fungus.
Custom Footbeds
Footbeds for backcountry skiing. Some define gross but we luv 'em.
Why they rock: They prevent blisters, make you ski better — and some chiropractors claim they even cure rabies.
Energy Gel
Energy gel might take the prize. Even so, we like the stuff.
Why it rocks: The stuff works like rocket fuel. Use it and big days are yours. We prefer the GU brand variety, but it all works to one degree or another. Main thing is to test and see what agrees with your stomach. Beware of caffeine versions if you limit your buzz bean intake.
Old Skins (that still rock, and carry small rocks.)
Yuck. Old climbing skin glue.
Why they rock: You made them that way, because you did so many laps your skins finally gave up. And they include rocks.
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21 Responses to “7 Ugly Backcountry Skiing Gear Items that Rock – can you make it 10?”
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JB Weld, because it’ll fix practically anything in the woods!
Steve, but why is it ugly? Or, is JB just inherently ugly and needs no explanation?
Smashed up energy bars from sometime in the last decade. Ugly, yet surprisingly still tasty!
My ski partner is surprisingly ugly
Luke, LOL
8. Compressor with my wet socks in it
9. bear barrel in select AK parks’ low lands
Brazil nuts. Super friggin ugly but you can eat them and light them as a candle.
duct tape
Why it’s ugly: Cause you never carry a full roll. It’s always wrapped haphazardly around something else essential. And by the time you make it home, it’s peeling a bit in an attempt to imitate your old skins.
Why it rocks: Because of the age old tool box rule: if it moves and it’s not supposed to…
A banana that’s ridden 5000 vertical in my pack. Ugly because it doesn’t look anything like it did when I put it in there this morning.
foam earplugs. they’re ugly because you found them in the lid of your pack and they have earwax on them from the last hut trip – maybe yours. They rock because they help you pretend the ugly cavemen you chose to spend time with in a small hut instead of staying home with your polite, hygenic, loving family aren’t there shaking the rafters with their deviated-septum log-sawing.
Untangling the earplugs of my Nanopod on a cold ski day as I pull them from my pocket. This can be made worse if in the same pocket as an old, folded and used GU pack.
So far, Mark has the best addition. Not sure I want to add a photo to the post, however (grin).
Hydration bag (i.e.Camelbak)
Why it`s ugly? Because it seems that you’re drinking from Grandpa’s pee-bag.
Why it rocks? Because I can maintain a good hydration during a long journey due to small drinks (If I have a bottle I can drink it all in just one drink…)
Duct tape, my feet and my ski partner Andy’s skiing style. All ugly.
the bottom of my cooking pot after a few winter days in the Adirondacks, not much cleaning going on at 20 below….
Crushed large-batch beer cans, old “emergency beef jerky” and a slave.to.turns childhood family portrait (*shiver*).
Ugly: red dusted CO spring snow.
Rocks: because it still beats working.
My first ski pants. Hand me downs. In-the-boot stretch pants. Any questions?
The lid to my tin of Dermatone z-coat. Where does all that dirt come from? Ugly no doubt.
And beautiful because painting your lips white like a clown is super photogenic.
“The Pee Bottle” – ranks high on my ugly list – not sure it needs much more explanation. One of those things that just is…
Toby, good point. The P-bot slipped my mind for some reason (grin).