Comments on: Avalanche Airbag Packs at Outdoor Retailer Trade Show 2013 http://www.wildsnow.com/9312/avalanche-airbag-backpacks-skiing/ Backcountry Skiing Weblog Blog, FAQs, more, links and info about randonnee, telemark and backcountry ski mountaineering. Fri, 24 May 2013 12:39:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: R2 http://www.wildsnow.com/9312/avalanche-airbag-backpacks-skiing/#comment-51423 R2 Thu, 21 Feb 2013 03:52:26 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=9312#comment-51423 Thoreau said ~ "Beware of sports that require the purchase of special clothing." In the Tunnel Creek avalanche Elyse was wearing an av-airbag and still was immobilized under the snow, though closer to the surface than her non-bagged companions, who ended up spindled and dead from being pounded around on the bottom of the slide perhaps. We need larger airbags to keep us on top, so has anyone tried making a dual-use pack, one that functions as a life-raft as well? Would be nice if the avalanche sweeps you off a cliff into a river, eh? ;-) Thoreau said ~ “Beware of sports that require the purchase of special clothing.” In the Tunnel Creek avalanche Elyse was wearing an av-airbag and still was immobilized under the snow, though closer to the surface than her non-bagged companions, who ended up spindled and dead from being pounded around on the bottom of the slide perhaps.

We need larger airbags to keep us on top, so has anyone tried making a dual-use pack, one that functions as a life-raft as well? Would be nice if the avalanche sweeps you off a cliff into a river, eh? ;-)

]]> By: justin http://www.wildsnow.com/9312/avalanche-airbag-backpacks-skiing/#comment-51002 justin Sat, 09 Feb 2013 21:09:10 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=9312#comment-51002 Is the Mystery Ranch Blackjack changed for next year? You say they got the weight under 8 pounds, but I think the current model is already under 8 pounds so its unclear to me if they are changing anything. Thanks Is the Mystery Ranch Blackjack changed for next year? You say they got the weight under 8 pounds, but I think the current model is already under 8 pounds so its unclear to me if they are changing anything. Thanks

]]> By: Jordan D http://www.wildsnow.com/9312/avalanche-airbag-backpacks-skiing/#comment-50929 Jordan D Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:32:59 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=9312#comment-50929 Is the helmet carry on the new Mystery Ranch bag a separate component, or is permanently fixed to the pack? I have a Blackjack that would definitely benefit from a helmet carry - just wondering if I could order that part from MR separately. Is the helmet carry on the new Mystery Ranch bag a separate component, or is permanently fixed to the pack? I have a Blackjack that would definitely benefit from a helmet carry – just wondering if I could order that part from MR separately.

]]> By: Brian W http://www.wildsnow.com/9312/avalanche-airbag-backpacks-skiing/#comment-50928 Brian W Thu, 07 Feb 2013 18:11:48 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=9312#comment-50928 This is interesting. Are there any statistics on survival with or without an airbag? Seems like a good idea, but how likely are they to make a difference. This is interesting. Are there any statistics on survival with or without an airbag? Seems like a good idea, but how likely are they to make a difference.

]]> By: Lou Dawson http://www.wildsnow.com/9312/avalanche-airbag-backpacks-skiing/#comment-50885 Lou Dawson Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:28:29 +0000 http://www.wildsnow.com/?p=9312#comment-50885 Muffin packs, they're best left in the bakery (grin). The tool pocket thing is pretty funny as well. I ski with hundreds of different people now, in so many different places, and hardly anyone ever takes their shovel out of their pack. That's neither good nor bad, it just depends on the situation. But the point is that the pack makers going to all this effort and weight to do "tool compartments" and such are looking sort of dumb. I mean, it's like buying a car and having an elaborate special compartment built in, adding cost and complexity, for storage of your ice scraper and box of facial tissues. Only you probably use your ice scraper more than you use your avy shovel. My crystal ball says we're going to be laughing pretty hard in a few years, looking back on some of these creations. They should be sold with a razor blade for junk removal. Muffin packs, they’re best left in the bakery (grin). The tool pocket thing is pretty funny as well. I ski with hundreds of different people now, in so many different places, and hardly anyone ever takes their shovel out of their pack. That’s neither good nor bad, it just depends on the situation. But the point is that the pack makers going to all this effort and weight to do “tool compartments” and such are looking sort of dumb. I mean, it’s like buying a car and having an elaborate special compartment built in, adding cost and complexity, for storage of your ice scraper and box of facial tissues. Only you probably use your ice scraper more than you use your avy shovel. My crystal ball says we’re going to be laughing pretty hard in a few years, looking back on some of these creations. They should be sold with a razor blade for junk removal.

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