Crevasse Rescue Kit for Ski Touring

Previous topic

Ask Andy

Next topic

You need to be logged in to get access to the forums. You can do so here

Author	Message
Paul Martin Moderated by: Andy Perkins	Monday 15 June 2009 12:30:52 pm Hi Andy I Have just had all my ski's serviced and waxed and are put away for next season. i have completed my equipment check (I must have to much time on my hands) but it was while i was going through this exercise that I started to question if I were carrying the right equipment, for (God forbid) a real live situation. In addition to the kit I already carry, ie probe, shovel, first aid kit, map, compass, multi tool and dry clothing,but what other essentials should I carry? it is not that i want to carry gear/stuff for the sake of it, but,if I were skiing with you and you went into a crevasse with your equipment on your back, what equipment would you want me to have, to get you out of it? looking forward to skiing with you and the ski club next year. all the best Paul paul martin
Andy Perkins	Wednesday 17 June 2009 9:59:54 pm Hi Paul The question of crevasse rescue kit doesn't have a simple answer. Primarily it depends on the number of people I'm skiing with. If I have the normal maximum of 6, then a rescue can be effected using a few people clipped together, so all you need is a screwgate karabiner each. At the other end of the scale, skiing with just one client in a remote environment, the other person will need to have full crevasse rescue kit. I carry: 3 large screwgate karabiners 2 120cm slings each with its own large screwgate krab 1 Ropeman Mk 1 with a small screwgate krab A small karabiner with 3 prusik loops A Kong Duck with a large screwgate krab 2 ice screws That's quite a bit of weight and you'll need the techniques to get the best out of it. What I generally advise people to carry on glacial ski tours is: 1 large screwgate karabiner 1 120cm sling with its own large screwgate krab A small karabiner with 2 prusik loops I am considering right now after this winter whether to add an ice screw to that list.... With that kit you can look after yourself down a crevasse, get yourself out by prusiking, and 3 people on the surface could cope with most rescue scenarios. Thanks in advance, and I look forward to skiing with you next winter. ANDY P

Author

Message

Paul Martin

Moderated by: Andy Perkins

Monday 15 June 2009 12:30:52 pm

Hi Andy
I Have just had all my ski's serviced and waxed and are put away for next season. i have completed my equipment check (I must have to much time on my hands) but it was while i was going through this exercise that I started to question if I were carrying the right equipment, for (God forbid) a real live situation. In addition to the kit I already carry, ie probe, shovel, first aid kit, map, compass, multi tool and dry clothing,but what other essentials should I carry? it is not that i want to carry gear/stuff for the sake of it, but,if I were skiing with you and you went into a crevasse with your equipment on your back, what equipment would you want me to have, to get you out of it?
looking forward to skiing with you and the ski club next year.
all the best
Paul

paul martin

Andy Perkins

Wednesday 17 June 2009 9:59:54 pm

Hi Paul

The question of crevasse rescue kit doesn't have a simple answer. Primarily it depends on the number of people I'm skiing with. If I have the normal maximum of 6, then a rescue can be effected using a few people clipped together, so all you need is a screwgate karabiner each.

At the other end of the scale, skiing with just one client in a remote environment, the other person will need to have full crevasse rescue kit. I carry:
3 large screwgate karabiners
2 120cm slings each with its own large screwgate krab
1 Ropeman Mk 1 with a small screwgate krab
A small karabiner with 3 prusik loops
A Kong Duck with a large screwgate krab
2 ice screws

That's quite a bit of weight and you'll need the techniques to get the best out of it. What I generally advise people to carry on glacial ski tours is:
1 large screwgate karabiner
1 120cm sling with its own large screwgate krab
A small karabiner with 2 prusik loops

I am considering right now after this winter whether to add an ice screw to that list....

With that kit you can look after yourself down a crevasse, get yourself out by prusiking, and 3 people on the surface could cope with most rescue scenarios.

Thanks in advance, and I look forward to skiing with you next winter.

ANDY P