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| Photo Credit: Mark Johnson |
This is Part Two of my discussion of Backcountry Skiing gear vs. Ski Mountaineering gear. In Part One, I discussed what goes in my pack for a Backcountry Ski trip. Today, we'll talk about what goes into my pack for a Ski Mountaineering trip, and how the gear might differ.
For me, ski mountaineering is all about a destination: a summit, a ridge line traverse--getting from Point A to Point B (and back). In the Oregon Cascades, ski mountaineering typically involves a summit, and the route will dictate the gear.
If you're heading up South Sister, you probably won't need much technical gear. Bring an ice axe on your pack, because you never know when you'll need to set an anchor to help rescue a dog from a moat...
On the other hand, if you're heading up the Pearly Gates on Mt. Hood or you have your eyes on the summits of Mt. Jefferson or North Sister, more climbing specific gear will be necessary.
