Unprepared for the backcountry

Okay, the temperatures are dropping, the snow is starting to fall, and the high country is getting some coverage, but are you ready to get out there and shred?  Have you pulled out your shovel from that trash heap under your bed?  Your flithy longjohns are still balled up in the corner of the closet and your Camelbak bladder is filled with Sea Monkeys.  It’s time to get ready!

1. Clean & Wash Your Gear
   • Throw the capilene, soft shell, and especially the neck warmer in the wash.  Clean out the Snickers wrappers and char-babies from the bottom of the pack.  Bleach out the Camelbak.
2. Get Everything Working
   • Forgot to replace those cracked goggles last spring?  Bindings still holding strong? Follow the old proverb:  Check yourself before you wreck yourself.
3. Replace Your Beacon Batteries
   • Dead batteries means dead Snow Junkie!
4. Pack It All Up
   • Get the essentials into your pack.  Shovel, probe, bladder, snacks, stash and lighter(s).  You don’t want to be digging around for your gear on the first day back to the slopes.  Check out our Checklist.
5. Don’t Worry About Tuning
   • Unless you’ve got major damage from last year, forget about spending cash on a tune.  It’s early season and the rocks are just under the surface.  Wait until there’s a decent snow base…unless you can trade brews for tunes, then by all means wax on.