GUIDED BY GOODLAD
What’s in my pack?
British Mountain Guide Bruce Goodlad has honed his kit list over the years. Here, he shares his must-have kit for off-piste skiing or ski touring
Deep days on the hill call for clever kit-packing
PHOTO Bruce Goodlad
I am often asked as a guide what I carry on the hill for a day’s off-piste skiing or ski touring. The kit I use on a day-to-day basis has been honed over many years in the mountains. There are some things, like a first aid kit, that are always in there, but (hopefully) aren’t used from season to season, while other items, like ski straps, get used every time I ski.
Here is a peek inside my pack – it might get you thinking about your own system. Bear in mind that these are my own personal preferences, and what works for me may not work for you!
Bruce's pack and his trusted gear − all sorted and ready to go
THE BAG
I like a sack that I can easily pack on the hill. It’s all very well having a small bag that looks great when you’ve packed it in your hotel room, but as soon as you need to find your duvet because it’s cold, or stuff your jacket into it because the sun has come out, you won’t feel so clever.
My optimum size is between 30-35 litres; I can get everything in it for off-piste skiing, ski touring and even add a rope for skiing on a glacier. It’s roomy enough for hut-to-hut skiing too.
The beauty of having a slightly larger sack is that I can use the same one from December to June, so I don’t need to worry about swapping key items from trip to trip – just fine-tuning to the specific objective or weather conditions on any given day. So now you have your bag sorted it’s time to start filling in…
AVI KIT
The sack I use, a Mammut Nirvana (30 and 35l versions), is typical of most ski packs in that it has one main compartment with a safety pocket on the outside, accessed by a zip. I love this feature because it allows quick access to my avalanche safety equipment. I don’t keep anything else in this compartment, because I don’t want any tangles when I’m trying to deploy things quickly. A digital triple-antenna avalanche transceiver, a metal shovel that meets the UIAA standard, and an avalanche probe of at least 240cm (preferably 280cm) in length can all go in the safety pocket.
SKINS AND CRAMPONS
I have a pair of skins in my bag for the whole season. If you have touring bindings, these can be your ‘get out of jail (almost) free’ card if you make a bad decision or someone in your team has a problem. It also allows you to be spontaneous if you decide you want to skin to get some fresh tracks. If I’m planning a ski tour, I always have my ski crampons in the bottom of my bag. They aren’t heavy and if you need them you really need them. I keep my group shelter in between the blades.
EXTRA LAYERS AND GLOVES
Next in goes my extra layer and spare gloves. I carry a down jacket that will fit over the top of all my other items of clothing. This way, if I’m cold, I don’t need to take any layers off. The jacket is stuffed with waterproof down, so it will cope with some moisture, and its hood will fit over my helmet. I always carry a Gore-Tex shell jacket with me. This is much more versatile than an insulated model, as you can layer underneath it, depending on the season. The hood fits over my helmet and it has some easily accessible pockets for a map, lip block etc.
My gloves depend on the time of year; if it’s early season I’ll wear a pair of mitts, and if I’m planning to ski tour I will have a lighter pair with me for the climb. I have three pairs of gloves with me on most days.
GOGGLES
I always carry a pair of goggles with me, stored in a stiffened case to protect the lens – the Arc'teryx Powder Face is the best one I’ve found. I usually have a spare pair of sunglasses too, with an orange lens for flat light. If it’s a cold day I will be wearing my beanie, or a helmet, and if not then I will always have a beanie in my pack. If it’s the second half of the season I have a sun hat or baseball cap with me.
SUSTENANCE
I always have a drink and a couple of energy bars in my pack. I bring a half-litre flask with some blackcurrant cordial and a few slices of root ginger in it.
Bruce's glacier gear.
SHARED ITEMS
Some items can be shared between the group, including ski straps (Voile or Black Diamond). Take some physio tape with you, and a multitool is essential, just make sure it has the tools to adjust everyone’s bindings. A first aid kit is another must: my favourite item is an Israeli bandage, designed for use by the military. I always have a group shelter in the team. Like a lightweight nylon tent fly sheet it packs away small, but should you have a problem the team can sit on their rucksacks for insulation then pull it over their heads (try summit gear).
The last bit of group kit I always carry is a secondary form of communication. Garmin InReach is a satellite emergency beacon that can summon help from anywhere in the world. Units cost between £250-£300, plus a monthly subscription. In terms of navigation, I carry an Ulefone, which is shockproof and has a long battery life. I don’t even have a sim card for it – I just download the maps I might need using wifi, then I can use the phone’s GPS receiver to track my position. I always have a paper map and a compass in my bag just in case.