Those Backcountry Access (BCA) packs run about $700, have replaceable cartridges once they've been deployed. The theory is that it increases your surface area, keeping you on top of the snow.
Here's an old video about California. I've set it to start at 1:30, where it displays Mt Whitney -- from the WEST! Only seen by backpackers on the JMT.
Those Backcountry Access (BCA) packs run about $700, have replaceable cartridges once they've been deployed. The theory is that it increases your surface area, keeping you on top of the snow.
they work quite well in that respect. As far as statistics are available, they increase your chance not to get buried at least by a factor of 10.
problem is that $700 buys you only the most basic day pack. The bigger models are significantly more expensive ($1300), and even the biggest models are just 45 liters and too small for extended backcountry travel, which is what I have in mind. Still, those are 5 pounds of extra weight I'd happily carry for weeks, especially if I were to go alone when a beacon is just dead weight.
A Night-time Snowboarding Short Lights Up the Last of the Winter Snow
Fashion photographer and filmmaker Jacob Sutton swaps the studio for the slopes of Tignes in the Rhône-Alpes region of south-eastern France, with a luminous after hours short starring Artec pro snowboarder William Hughes. The electrifying film sees Hughes light up the snow-covered French hills in a bespoke L.E.D.-enveloped suit courtesy of designer and electronics whizz John Spatcher. "I was really drawn to the idea of a lone character made of light surfing through darkness," says Sutton of his costume choice. "I've always been excited by unusual ways of lighting things, so it seemed like an exciting idea to make the subject of the film the only light source." Sutton, who has created work for the likes of Hermès, Burberry and The New York Times, spent three nights on a skidoo with his trusty Red Epic camera at temperatures of -25C to snap Hughes carving effortlessly through the deep snow, even enlisting his own father to help maintain the temperamental suit throughout the demanding shoot. "Filming in the suit was the most surreal thing I've done in 20 years of snowboarding," says Hughes of the charged salopettes. "Luckily there was plenty of vin rouge to keep me warm, and Jacob's enthusiasm kept everyone going through the cold nights."
Verum audaces non gerunt indusia alba. - Ipsi dixit MCMLXXII
