Backpacking Meal Planning Made Easy with Backpacker’s Pantry

Setting out on a backpacking trip is an adventure that brings you closer to nature, tests your physical boundaries, and rewards you with breathtaking views. A vital component often left to the last moment is the planning of meals. With their extensive selection of freeze-dried meals that promise both nutrition and taste, Backpacker’s Pantry is ready to support your journey. Let’s explore how to effectively organize your meals for backpacking with the fantastic options available from Backpacker’s Pantry.

1. Calculate Your Caloric Needs

Before anything else, it’s important to estimate the amount of energy you’ll expend. Backpacking can burn a significant amount of calories, especially with a heavy pack and challenging terrain. The average backpacker burns between 2,500 to 4,500 calories a day. Consider your body weight, the nature of the terrain, and the duration of your activity to tailor your meals accordingly.

You can utilize onX Backcountry to gain insights into the mileage and elevation for your upcoming backpacking journey, helping you to effectively plan the duration of your trip in days and nights. After you have a clearer understanding of the route, you can enter the mileage details into the Calorie Calculator Tool to estimate your caloric needs for the duration of the hike. This approach allows for thorough preparation and better management of your energy requirements.

2. Balance Nutrition

Your body will require a mix of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to sustain energy levels throughout your adventure. Backpacker’s Pantry meals are designed with these nutritional needs in mind. Look for meals that offer a good balance, like their Chicken Pad Thai for a high-protein kick, or the Three Sisters Stew for a comforting mix of carbs and fiber.

3. Consider Meal Variety

Eating the same thing day after day can become monotonous, especially on longer trips. Backpacker’s Pantry offers a wide range of options from breakfast to dinner and even desserts. Mix and match meals to keep your taste buds excited. Imagine enjoying a warm and spicy Chana Masala after a long day’s hike or starting your morning with a hearty Denver Omelet.

4. Calculate Portions and Weight

Remember, every ounce matters when you’re carrying your life on your back. Backpacker’s Pantry meals are lightweight and compact, making them an excellent choice for minimizing load. Carefully consider how many meals you’ll need per day and the total weight they’ll add to your pack. Their single and two-serving pouches offer flexibility depending on your appetite and whether you’re sharing the adventure.

5. Hydration and Meal Preparation

Water is not just essential for staying hydrated but also for preparing your meals. Ensure you have access to water sources or carry enough with you. Most Backpacker’s Pantry meals require boiling water to rehydrate. Plan your water use, keeping in mind both drinking and cooking needs. A lightweight stove and fuel will be necessary for heating water.

6. Leave No Trace

It’s our responsibility to keep the wilderness as pristine as we found it. Backpacker’s Pantry packaging is designed to minimize waste, but it’s crucial to pack out all trash. Consider repacking meals into resealable bags to reduce bulk and weight further and ensure you leave no trace.

7. Test and Taste Before You Go

Before setting out, try a few meals at home. This not only familiarizes you with the preparation process but also lets you taste test. Finding out you dislike a meal miles into the wilderness is not ideal. Experiment at home and pack your favorites.

Meal planning is a critical aspect of preparing for a backpacking trip, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. With Backpacker’s Pantry, you have a wide array of options that are both nutritious and convenient, ensuring you have the energy to explore to your heart’s content. Remember to calculate your needs, balance your nutrition, and always leave no trace. Happy trails and bon appétit!

The post Backpacking Meal Planning Made Easy with Backpacker’s Pantry appeared first on onX Backcountry.

How to Plan a Winter Camping Trip

When planning a winter camping trip, onX Backcountry can be an indispensable tool, offering detailed topographic maps and weather forecasts to ensure you find the perfect spot. The app allows you to mark waypoints for your route, campsites, and points of interest, making navigation through snowy terrains seamless. onX Backcountry’s offline maps feature ensures you have all the necessary information at your fingertips, even in remote areas without cell service, enhancing your winter wilderness adventure.

Watch: Winter Camping with Veronica Paulsen & Griffin Post

Watch: Winter Camping with Veronica Paulsen & Griffin Post

onX Backcountry ambassadors Veronica Paulsen and Griffin Post took on the winter wilderness of Wyoming, documenting their journey to showcase the practical use of onX Backcountry in planning and executing a winter camping adventure. Their behind-the-scenes look provides valuable insights into utilizing the app’s detailed maps, weather forecasts, and waypoint marking features to safely navigate and enjoy the snowy landscape.

Videos

How To Use onX Backcountry to Plan a Winter Camping Trip

Duration 11:34

Go behind the scenes and learn how to use onX Backcountry to plan a winter camping trip.

Out There: Winter Camping in Wild Wyoming

Duration 11:35

Watch Veronica Paulsen and Griffin Post embark on a winter camping trip in Wyoming.

Winter Camping with onX Backcountry

Winter camping offers an escape into a serene, snowy wonderland, but it also presents unique challenges and requires meticulous planning. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal for tackling these challenges is onX Backcountry, a comprehensive navigation app designed specifically for outdoor enthusiasts. In this guide, we’ll explore how to leverage onX Backcountry to enhance your winter camping experience, ensuring safety, enjoyment, and exploration.

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Pre-Trip Planning

Before stepping out into the cold, planning your trip with onX Backcountry can set you up for success. The app offers detailed topographic maps, weather forecasts, and snow cover reports, which are essential for winter camping. Start by researching potential campsites and trails, paying close attention to elevation profiles and terrain features. Use the app to mark waypoints for your campsite, water sources, and any hazards you might encounter along the way.

Land Ownership and Regulations

Winter camping often involves navigating through a mix of public lands, like dispersed camping on BLM land, and private lands. onX Backcountry helps identify land boundaries and provides information on land ownership, allowing you to ensure that you’re camping legally. It also offers insights into any specific regulations you need to follow, such as fire bans or wildlife protection measures, helping you minimize your environmental impact. If you’re ever in doubt, onX Backcountry makes it easy to find out what type of land you’re on so you can get in touch with your local rangers.

Snow Cover and Avalanche Risk

Winter campers must be vigilant about avalanche risks. onX Backcountry provides insights into current conditions with SNOTEL data, Recent Imagery, and avalanche forecasts, which are critical for assessing the safety of your chosen area. Familiarize yourself with reading these reports and adjust your plans accordingly. Avoid steep slopes and known avalanche paths, and consider taking an avalanche safety course if you’re venturing into high-risk areas.

Location Specific Weather Reports

Understanding the weather is paramount for a successful winter camping trip, and onX Backcountry’s new weather forecast tool is designed to provide campers with comprehensive weather insights for specific regions. This cutting-edge feature enables adventurers to access detailed forecasts for any chosen location on the map, offering critical information about temperatures, wind conditions, and precipitation. With this tool at their disposal, campers can make well-informed decisions on gear, clothing, and whether to proceed or wait for better conditions, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience. onX Backcountry’s weather tool is an essential asset for anticipating and preparing for the elements.

Navigation and Safety

One of the biggest challenges of winter camping is navigation through snow-covered landscapes where trails can be obscured. onX Backcountry’s GPS tracking feature comes in handy here, allowing you to follow your predetermined route without getting lost. Be sure to save an offline map of the area you will be traveling in before you head out on your expedition so you can find your way. Always keep your phone charged and carry a portable power bank, as cold weather can deplete battery life quickly.

Safety is paramount in winter conditions. Use onX Backcountry to share your trip itinerary with a trusted contact. This feature is invaluable in case of emergencies, ensuring that help can find you if needed.

Winter camping is an adventure that rewards the well-prepared. With onX Backcountry, you can plan meticulously, navigate confidently, and enjoy the breathtaking beauty of a winter wilderness. By leveraging the app’s features—from detailed maps and weather reports to safety tools and land ownership information—you’re equipped to face the challenges of winter camping head-on. Remember, the key to a successful winter camping trip lies in preparation, awareness, and respect for the natural world. Happy camping!

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The post How To Plan A Winter Camping Trip appeared first on onX Backcountry.

Watch The Fifty: The Bloody Couloir

Having skied this line over 20 years ago, the Bloody Couloir in the Eastern Sierra Mountains of California, is a full circle journey for The FIFTY. Joined by an all-star crew of friends and pros, this is the final line of The FIFTY — so far. While there are still four lines to attempt, the end of the FIFTY YouTube series is marked by the return to a classic couloir in classic FIFTY style; a little bit of extra walking but a day in the mountains that celebrates friendship, fun and growth. Co-Starring: Elyse Saugstad, Josh Daiek, JT Holmes, Greg Lindsey, Michelle Parker, Ming Poon, Forrest Shearer, Brian Walker, Grayson Schaffer and Drew Petersen.

View Cody’s Line in onX Backcountry

  Below is an interactive map of Cody’s line on The Bloody Couloir. Use Control + Drag to rotate in 3D on desktop or two fingers to pinch, zoom, and rotate on mobile.  Login or create an account to gain full functionality.

The Fifty Project Guidebook: The Bloody Couloir

onX Backcountry has partnered with Cody Townsend to bring you guidebook quality descriptions of routes in The Fifty Project from Cody himself. Read his beta on The Bloody Couloir below. Start your free trial of onX Backcountry today to view these lines and descriptions in the App.

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Overview

Possibly the best introductory lines to the High Sierra steeps, access challenges and beautiful vistas. It is a popular spring time couloir and for good reason. With stunning views from highway 395 of the line itself, the couloir begs to be skied. It’s got a long enough approach to be quite challenging for introductory backcountry skiers and a pitch that is just steep enough to warrant caution. It’s a perfect big day out and step-up line for intermediate backcountry skiers yet fun enough and classic enough to be skied by the best.

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Ascent Description

The ascent starts wherever the road ends and the snowline begins. Depending on that line, a walk in hiking shoes on the dirt road or skinning up the snow covered road will bring you into the Bloody Basin. Don’t follow the road too far, as a lower line in the valley and near the creek makes for an easier route into the cirque below Bloody Couloir. Hiking directly up Bloody Couloir, the couloir to the lookers left or up the shale ridgeline are all possible ascent routes and avalanche conditions, warming, other groups, rock fall and weather should play into the decision of what is the safest up route.

Photo: @the.fifty.project

The Descent

The descent starts at around 40 degrees and gradually rolls over to 45 degrees as you transfer from the upper face into the couloir itself. Be careful to not drop too far to the skiers right and cliff yourself out over the 500ft cliff that guards and upper hanging face. Ski through the couloir and back out your skin track back to the car and the desert below. Don’t forget to bring your cooler and a couple cold ones waiting for you at the end of the day

Photo: @BjarneSalen

Hazards

Avalanche hazard is the main concern and should be heavily considered like all backcountry days. Otherwise, open creeks, rockfall and exposure danger are all present

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Exit Description

Ski back to snowline, walk back to your car

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Find Your Fifty

onX Backcountry gives you the tools to find, plan, and execute your own backcountry ski adventures.
Try onX Backcountry for free for 7 days.

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The post The Fifty Project: Bloody Couloir appeared first on onX Backcountry.

Mapping the Natural Selection Tour: Duels

The Natural Selection Tour is an innovative competitive event series in the world of snowboarding, showcasing some of the sport’s most talented athletes in a unique and dynamic format. Unlike traditional snowboarding competitions that often take place in manicured parks or halfpipes, the Natural Selection Tour emphasizes riding in natural, backcountry conditions. This approach challenges competitors to demonstrate not only technical skills and aerial tricks but also their ability to read and adapt to the natural terrain. By focusing on natural conditions, the tour aims to highlight the roots of snowboarding, emphasizing creativity, exploration, and a deep respect for the mountain environment.

onX Backcountry x Natural Selection Tour

onX Backcountry was a game-changer for setting up the Natural Selection Tour, thanks to its mapping tech built for the backcountry. Our app brought detailed maps and all the terrain features right to the event planners’ fingertips, making it a breeze to pick out the perfect spots for the competitions. It wasn’t just about finding places with awesome snow and cool features; safety was a big deal, too. With onX Backcountry’s help, the team could spot the best, safest, and most epic locations where athletes could really show off their skills.

Crested Butte Mountain Resort

Emma Crosby Vs. Jamie Anderson

Crested Butte Mountain Resort, with its majestic peaks and legendary snowfall, set the stage for an epic showdown between two formidable riders—Jamie Anderson and Emma Crosby. As the snow dusted the towering pines, Anderson and Crosby carved their way through the backcountry, each showcasing their unique style and mastery of the terrain.

See The Duel

Map the Duel: CBMR

Go behind the scenes of the Natural Selection Tour with onX Backcountry. Click the link below to see the course and view Emma and Jamie’s lines from the Natural Selection Duel at Crested Butte Mountain Resort

View The Lines

Eleven/Irwin:

Red Gerard vs. Austen Sweetin

The rugged beauty of Irwin served as the backdrop for another thrilling duel, this time between Red Gerard and Austen Sweetin. Amidst the untamed wilderness, Gerard and Sweetin unleashed a flurry of tricks, seamlessly blending technical precision with raw style. From deep powder carves to breathtaking jumps, they pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in backcountry a backcountry competition.

Map the Duel: Irwin

Go behind the scenes of the Natural Selection Tour with onX Backcountry. Click the link below to see the course and view Red and Austen’s lines from the Natural Selection Duel at Eleven’s Scarp Ridge @ Irwin

View The Lines

RED Mountain Resort: Mary Rand vs Spencer O’Brien

With its vast expanses of untouched powder and dramatic terrain, Red Mountain Resort provided the perfect canvas for O’Brien and Rand to showcase their skills. Towering peaks framed by ancient forests created a breathtaking backdrop for the showdown, setting the stage for a clash of titans amidst nature’s grandeur.

View The Duel

Map the Duel: RED Mountain Resort

Go behind the scenes of the Natural Selection Tour with onX Backcountry. Click the link below to see the course and view Mary and Spencer’s lines from the Natural Selection Duel at Red Mountain Resort.

View The Lines

All Roads Lead to Revelstoke

Through every twist and turn of the Natural Selection Tour: Duels, onX Backcountry stood as a steadfast companion, providing riders with the tools they needed to navigate the backcountry with confidence. With detailed maps and real-time information at their fingertips, riders were empowered to explore the untamed wilderness, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible and forging unforgettable moments in the snow.

Get ready for the ultimate showdown at the Natural Selection Tour Finals in Revelstoke from March 10th to 17th. This is where the best snowboarders from around the globe will gather to tackle the rugged terrain and compete for glory. Against the backdrop of breathtaking peaks and fresh powder, riders will showcase their skills, pushing the limits with every turn and jump. It’s bound to be an action-packed event that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

The post Mapping The Natural Selection Tour: Duels appeared first on onX Backcountry.

The Unsung Hero of the Backcountry

Low-angle terrain, defined as pitches with an incline of less than 30 degrees, is sometimes seen as the less glamorous cousin of steeper slopes. But for those who know, these slopes offer a world of their own, rich with possibilities and devoid of the crowds often found on steeper terrain. It’s a world where every turn is a dialogue with the snow, and the mountain speaks in a gentler tone. And contrary to what many think, they can be thrilling and downright fast.

A Refuge from Avalanche Risk

One of the most compelling reasons to embrace low-angle skiing is safety. Steep slopes often carry higher avalanche risk, a danger that even the most experienced skiers must respect. Low-angle terrain, conversely, is generally safer and less prone to avalanches, making them ideal for those days when the avalanche forecast is less than favorable. Especially this season, where persistent weak layers riddle snowpacks across the country, we are especially grateful for safer low-angle slopes. 

You can find low-angle terrain in onX Backcountry using the Slope Angle Layer, which shades your map based on slope angle. Keep an eye out for green and yellow slopes on your map when the Slope Angle layer is turned on—these colors signify slopes below 30 degrees. Keep in mind that you should always verify the slope angle with what you’re seeing on the ground. Ski with your head up, and don’t get lost in your phone. 

This year, we’ve added another tool to your arsenal called the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES). This layer integrates multiple variables to effectively map and visualize avalanche terrain, providing a unified language for discussing terrain in relation to avalanche risk. Remember that it isn’t just about the terrain you’re on. What’s uphill matters, and the ATES Scale Layer helps us make sure we’re not cruising below dangerous terrain that could easily slide. 

The Joy of Exploration

Low-angle terrain beckons the explorer in every skier. These areas often feature wide-open meadows, gentle glades, and rolling hills that are perfect for those who love to take in the scenery and enjoy the journey. They encourage exploration and wandering, where the focus shifts from conquering steep descents to discovering hidden nooks and crannies of the mountain. It’s about the journey, not just the destination.

You can find your own low-angle ski touring zone in the Backcountry App by using the Slope Angle, Slope Aspect, and ATES Layers combined with Satellite Imagery to understand tree cover in the areas you’re seeking to ski. Pair that with Recent Imagery and SNOTEL data to determine the snow conditions on the ground and Avalanche Forecasts to better understand the hazards. You can also pick from thousands of curated guidebook adventures, many of which are low-angle tours. Additionally, we have Beacon Guidebooks’ two “Light Tours” books specifically focused on mellower terrain integrated into the App, featuring ski lines across Colorado and California. 

A Social Affair

Skiing on low-angle terrain often lends itself to a more social experience. Groups can ski together without the fragmentation and group tensions that steeper slopes might cause. It’s a place for shared laughter, conversations, and the collective appreciation beauty. Here, families and friends of varying skill levels can enjoy the day together while creating bonds and memories.

Develop Your Skills

For those new to backcountry skiing or looking to refine their technique, low-angle terrain offers the perfect playground. The gentler slopes allow for a more relaxed environment to practice turns, control, and overall technique. It provides the space and safety needed to experiment and grow as a skier without the pressure of navigating through more complex and challenging terrain.

Enjoy the Scenery

Amidst the low-angle slopes, the beauty of the backcountry shines in its full glory. These areas are often less trafficked and offer pristine snow conditions and a connection with nature that can be hard to find on busier, steeper slopes. It’s where you can find silence, save for the sound of your skis gliding through the snow and the wind whispering through the trees.

So, It’s a Date?

The world of low-angle backcountry skiing is one filled with beauty, safety, and joy. We love low-angle terrain because it’s welcoming to everyone from the seasoned veteran to the novice explorer. As we continue to write our love story with the mountains, let’s not forget these gentle slopes that offer so much. Embrace the low-angle terrain, and discover a different kind of adventure—one that’s just as thrilling, just as beautiful, and just as worthy of our love.

The post Low-Angle Love Story: Embracing the Gentle Slopes of Backcountry Skiing appeared first on onX Backcountry.

View Cody’s Line in onX Backcountry

 Below is an interactive map of Cody’s line for The Polar Star Couloir. Use Control + Drag to rotate in 3D on desktop or two fingers to pinch, zoom and rotate on mobile.  Login or create an account to gain full functionality.

The Fifty Project Guidebook: Polar Star Couloir

onX Backcountry has partnered with Cody Townsend to bring you guidebook quality descriptions of routes in The Fifty Project from Cody himself. Read his beta on The Polar Star Couloir. Start your free trial of onX Backcountry today to view these lines and descriptions in the App.

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Buy onX Backcountry

Overview

Possibly one of the most beautiful and perfect couloirs in the world. It’s a 3,700 ft chute of ever steepening pitch set deep in ancient granite. Everything about the couloir draws you into it and as a skier, it begs to be skied. The hardest challenge is getting there.

Ascent

The ascent starts by stepping over the ice bulges and floes that crack and break on the junction of the frozen ocean and the shore. Once in the lower pitches of the couloir, it’s 3,700ft of boot packing straight up the middle. Make sure your quads are ready, because it’s a no-nonsense, physical climb. Climbing plates and crampons are potentially necessary for the boot pack and as you near the top of the couloir, the pitch steepens from 45° to the 50°-53° range. The last 500 feet are the steepest and permanent ice can be exposed or dangerously hidden below a couple inches of snow. Ice climbing gear and protection may be required to ascend and descent through the final pitch. The col has a great rest area and is wide enough to comfortably hang out and put your gear on for the descent.

Descent

The descent starts steep and the potential for blue ice in the first 300-500 feet is high. Slough from the first upper pitch must be factored on descent. After that, the pitch gradually mellows to a “fun steep” 45° for almost 2k vertical feet. Wide enough for GS turns, 3k falls that collect snow like a lint trap, it’s as perfect of a couloir as it gets

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Hazards

The main hazard is avalanche hazard from above while climbing with few safe spots to hide from the overhead exposure while climbing up. Caution must be prioritized when it comes to the sometimes tricky Arctic snowpack. Rockfall from above is also a possibility so climb in the shade and utilize overhangs for rest points on the way up. The top 300-500 feet can have icy neve or blue ice, so crampons and ice axes are imperative and the potential for ropes and ice protection along with ice climbing skills should be considered.

Exit Description

Ski to the ocean, walk or snowmobile back to camp

Access Description

Getting to Baffin Island is the hard part. Flights, logistics and rides out to Sam Ford Fjord are extremely difficult, expensive and frustrating.

Find Your Fifty

onX Backcountry gives you the tools to find, plan, and execute your own backcountry ski adventures.
Try onX Backcountry for free for 7 days.

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Enter The Ski With Cody Giveaway

Enter to win the ski trip of a lifetime. One lucky winner and three of their friends will win a guided backcountry ski trip with Cody Townsend. But that’s not all, your crew will stay 3 nights at the Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe and win some awesome gear from our friends at Salomon, Mammut, and Rocky Talkie. Winners will be drawn on Dec 7, 2023.

Enter Giveaway

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Go Behind The Line with “Mapping The Fifty”

Go Behind The Line with “Mapping The Fifty”

Hidden in the remote wilderness of the notorious Rogers Pass in British Columbia, Canada, you’ll discover the seldom-tackled marvel known as the Comstock Couloir. This remarkable descent spans a staggering three thousand feet and is protected by a full day’s trek, a labyrinth of avalanche-prone slopes, varying aspects, imposing glaciers, and a colossal cornice that stands sentinel at the line’s summit.

Videos

Mapping The Fifty: Comstock Couloir

Duration

Go behind the scenes with @CodyTownsend , Bjarne Salen, and Greg Hill in “Mapping the Fifty.” In this episode, we reveal how these legendary adventurers harness the power of onX Backcountry to plan their mission on the elusive Comstock Couloir.

The Fifty Project: Comstock Couloir Round 2

Duration

Round 2 on the wild, rugged and exposed Comstock Couloir in Glacier National Park, Canada. With 28 days to ski three lines, a tough decision to stay in the Sierra versus driving ~2000 miles for a two day weather window hangs over Cody and Bjarne. Go to Canada and risk an opportunity in the Sierra or wait in the Sierra while wasting an opportunity in Canada. After making the call, the FIFTY crew links up with Greg Hill, Mali Noyes and Spencer Harkins to give another attempt at one that got away last season. An episode that opens up some of the philosophy behind the project, the irony of this objective based dream and why a lot of us go into the mountains.

The Fifty Project: Comstock Couloir Round 1

Duration

Watch Cody and his friends Sam Smoothy, Greg Hill, and onX Backcountry Ambassador Mali Noyes attempt to summit and ski Comstock Couloir on Rogers Pass in British Columbia. A two-week hunt followed by a two-day mission fraught with incredibly challenging weather, subarctic cold, and a turn around due to dangerous conditions is going to leave you hungry for snow.

View Cody’s Line in onX Backcountry

Below is an interactive map of Cody’s line from the Comstock Couloir episode of The Fifty Project. Use Control + Drag to rotate in 3D on desktop or two fingers to pinch, zoom, and rotate on mobile.  Login or create an account to gain full functionality.

The Fifty Project Guidebook: Comstock Couloir

onX Backcountry has partnered with Cody Townsend to bring you guidebook quality descriptions of routes in The Fifty Project from Cody himself. Read his beta on the Comstock Couloir below. Start your free trial of onX Backcountry today to view these lines and descriptions in the App.

Start Free Trial

Buy onX Backcountry

Overview

Deep, complex, and steep. That’s the name of the game for Comstock Couloir. While Rogers Pass offers a bounty of lines within a day’s walk of the highway, if you go a little deeper, an endless amount of rarely seen or skied terrain lies just beyond. The Comstock Couloir isn’t heavily sought after because of its distance from the road, but it represents the full gamut of ski mountaineering techniques like walking a long distance with a heavy overnight bag, mapping multiple slope aspects and elevations bands, glacial travel, and exposure while navigating a 1,000 meter couloir under an overhanging cornice. It’s a line that needs specific snow, weather, and stability conditions to sync in order to give it a go.

This line should only be attempted by highly experienced ski mountaineers.

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Ascent Description

The trail starts at the infamous Illecillewaet Glacier trailhead on Roger’s Pass and winds along the decommissioned railway path before getting into the Asulkan Valley. Passing by the notable Asulkan hut, you walk about five miles and over 5,000 vertical feet to get to Asulkan Pass. From there, the views of the Comstock Couloir are impressive and intimidating. It’s important to not get ahead of yourself, the next crux is below you, the South Face of Asulkan pass. Getting down it must be done cautiously and with the right timing as avalanches litter the face and a sudden warming can lead to tragedy. Once at the bottom of the valley, you ascend up the narrow avalanche gully, on the edge of old moraines into the basin of Mt. Dawnson. If planning for an overnight, the safest spot is in the trees before ascending the glacier. The route up to the Comstock has two options, to go around from the north side, up to Twisted Rock and the summit of Dawson from the north or booting straight up the couloir itself. The much safer option is skiing the Comstock top down as an ascent of the Comstock Couloir itself presents extreme danger with a massive overhanging cornice that bakes in the sun all day and would be immediately fatal if anything were to dislodge. Climbing the couloir itself must be done on only the safest of days, and even then you’re taking a dice roll with your life.

Photo: @BjarneSalen

The Descent

The couloir requires a big snow year to fill in properly, and is a 45-50 degree ski down. Rocky conditions, thin snow, and blue ice can be present on the 1,000 meter descent. Its best to move quickly in the morning as the cornice hanging over your head the will be warming and more prone to break throughout the day.

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Hazards

Cornices, glacier travel, a variety of slope aspects and elevations must be factored as well as fall-you-die ski terrain. There is serious exposure, hidden crevasses, and navigation hazards abound throughout this line.

Photo: @BjarneSalen

Exit Description

After the descent, climb back up the South Face of Asulkan Pass. Be extra cautious about this ascent as afternoon warmth creates extreme avalanche hazard. Ski down the way you walked up back to Illecillewaet Trailhead.

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Access

Parking and winter permits required to ski from the Illecillewaet Trailhead at Roger’s Pass in Glacier National Park, Canada. Overnight permits required if overnighting in the backcountry, and do not ski Roger’s Pass without them.

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Find Your Fifty

onX Backcountry gives you the tools to find, plan, and execute your own backcountry ski adventures.
Try onX Backcountry for free for 7 days.

Buy Now Start Free Trial

The post Comstock Couloir, Rogers Pass BC appeared first on onX Backcountry.

The Best Day Out Starts With Having The Best Plan

Whether planning a dawn patrol jaunt, a day of deep powder turns, or a multi-day ski tour, onX Backcountry provides key planning tools to find new zones to ski, sniff out the best powder stashes, and navigate avalanche terrain safely. Our digital toolkit for backcountry skiing seamlessly combines thousands of ski lines featuring guidebook-quality route descriptions with the best conditions info from local SNOTEL data and Recent Satellite Imagery, as well as regional avalanche forecasts and slope angle analysis tools. Your best day out ski touring starts with having a dialed plan before setting out on the skin track, and onX Backcountry is your go to tool for planning.  

1) Start Your Planning Process By Discovering New Guidebook Ski Lines – We Have Thousands In Our App 

onX Backcountry has partnered with Beacon Guidebooks, leaders in backcountry ski guidebooks, to create a first of its kind digital experience which pairs their highly vetted ski lines with our set of critical avalanche safety and navigation information. Beacon Guidebooks has been on the leading edge of curating the best ski tour guides written by local experts across the country. This partnership represents our commitment to providing the best and most comprehensive ski route data available to our community.

Our current coverage includes guidebook content across:

• 26 Regions 
• 282 Zones
• 1,805 Lines

Each guidebook in our app has a regional overview with detailed descriptions of zones and lines within that region, giving you tons of local insight. You can also easily see avalanche forecasts and recent SNOTEL data right in the app, as well as Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) ratings indicating terrain complexity. Hop in the app in Snow Mode and toggle into the Discover tab to find guidebook ski lines near you.

The current guidebook snow routes in the onX Backcountry app are:

• Marble
• Tahoe
• Taos and Santa Fe
• Mount Hood
• Shark Park
• Willams Peak
• Spring Creek Pass
• Wolf Creek Pass
• Sugar Bowls
• Van Horn Park
• Meadow Mountain
• Independence Pass
• Vail Pass
• Monarch Pass
• Ball Mountain
• Caribou
• Bald Mountain
• Hoosier Pass
• Washington’s East Side
• Loveland Pass
• Berthoud Pass
• Snoqualmie Pass
• Buffalo Pass
• Mount Baker
• Crystal Mountain
• Olympic National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Cameron Pass
• Crested Butte
• Silverton

For more info on interacting with guidebook content in onX Backcountry, you can find more info here.

2) Take All Your Planning To The Next Level With 3D

 Embracing the unparalleled utility of onX Backcountry’s 3D Map is pivotal for backcountry skiers seeking a safer and more immersive experience. This feature grants skiers an immersive, bird’s-eye view of the terrain, elevations, and intricate topography. By offering a three-dimensional perspective, it enhances route planning and enables skiers to comprehend the landscape’s nuances, such as cliffs, gullies, and ridges. Elevating your adventure, this 3D map layer transforms your mobile app and desktop webmap into an indispensable tool for precise e-scouting and allows you to understand ski zones both new and old on another level. 

3) Break Down Avalanche Hazards With Slope Angle And ATES Ratings

Toggle on the Slope Angle Layer to find areas prone to avalanche activity to plan the safest route possible. Drop Waypoints along your potential route at safe locations where there will be a decision point and your group will need to stop, check in with one another, and assess the snowpack. Understanding as much as you can about the ski line before you head in will make you more prepared and give you a better understanding of when during the winter you might be able to ski that specific line. When the stars do align, you’ll have a rock solid plan with notes in onX Backcountry and you’ll be ready to get out there.

If you’re e-scouting a Beacon Guidebook ski line, doing your own assessment of the zone and looking at slope angles is just as important, but you’ll also have a helpful ATES rating of the Region, Zone, and Line right in the app. What is ATES? It’s a standardized system used in avalanche safety and forecasting to assess and communicate the level of avalanche risk and exposure in backcountry terrain. The ATES system categorizes terrain into various zones or classes based on factors like slope angle, terrain shape, elevation, and the potential consequences of an avalanche. Learn more about ATES here.

4) See Real-Time Conditions With Recent Imagery

Updated every 1 to 2 weeks, Recent Imagery allows Elite subscribers to see current conditions anywhere in the United States with unparalleled detail. Our recent imagery is twice as detailed as free sources (5 meters/pixel vs. 10 meters/pixel). As a skier, you can use this tool to determine whether a zone has enough snow to ski or whether a cornice is forming over your favorite line. To toggle on recent imagery on your mobile app, click into the layer selector tab in the bottom right corner of your screen, click Satellite or Hybrid Basemap, then click Preferred Basemap Imagery and select Recent Imagery.

5) Get Avalanche Forecasts, Snowfall Data, And Weather Right At Your Fingertips

When the snow does start flying, onX Backcountry is your one stop shop for honing in on your ski plans to find the best snow in the safest areas each day. Right in the app, you’ll see the latest avalanche forecasts from every avalanche center in the U.S. and Canada. You can tap into each forecast zone for more detailed information and observations (if you’re not familiar with reading avalanche forecasts or are looking for a refresher, check out this helpful blog for more info). 

You’ll also have the most up-to-date snow info in the palm of your hand with over 800 SNOTEL stations integrated right on your map showing you recent accumulation, temperature, and snow water equivalent. This info will help you know where it’s snowed recently and determine snow quality (will you be getting cold smoke, cream, or crust?).

Finally, you’ll also have real time wind and weather data right in your app. You can find this by tapping the weather icon in the upper right corner of your map, or tapping the map to pull a forecast for any point. We’ve tapped into Weather Underground’s network of 250,000 weather stations to ensure that you know you can count on the forecasts and current weather conditions you’ll find in onX Backcountry. You’ll be able to see current temperature, precipitation, pressure, sunrise / sunset times, as well hourly forecasts for that day and a seven-day forecast.

Pro tip: you can also set Wind Direction on your Waypoints, which will show you which way the wind is blowing and how hard it is blowing to help you determine if an area is getting scoured, filled in, or wind loaded. To toggle this on, drop a Waypoint and click on the Wind Direction button. 

The post Top 5 E-Scouting Tips To Plan Your Backcountry Ski Adventure appeared first on onX Backcountry.

Go Behind The Line with “Mapping The Fifty”

Go Behind The Line with “Mapping The Fifty”

Split Mountain is a 14,000 foot peak with a perfect couloir dividing two prominent summits. Visually, it’s a line that begs to be skied yet is guarded by a series of icefalls, rock steps and blue ice patches that make it extremely challenging. On top of that, the towering walls of the couloir present significant rockfall hazard along with an upper basin that can create dangerous avalanche conditions. It’s a line that requires patience, perfect timing…and many many attempts. Over the last 4 years, Cody Townsend, Nick Russell and cinematographer Bjarne Salén have been waiting, trying, scoping and learning about the history of this line, its moods, its conditions and its energy to successfully, and safely, ski it. 

Videos

Mapping The Fifty: Split Couloir

Duration 19:37

Join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse into The Fifty Project as @CodyTownsend and Bjarne Salén plan their routes for The Fifty Project. In this episode, Cody Townsend and Bjarne Salén take you through the logistics and potential hazards they faced when tackling the legendary Split Couloir. And the secret weapon in their arsenal? onX Backcountry – the ultimate tool for adventure planning.

The Fifty Project: Split Couloir

Duration 50:41

Split Mountain is a 14,000 foot peak with a perfect couloir dividing two prominent summits. Visually, it’s a line that begs to be skied yet is guarded by a series of icefalls, rock steps and blue ice patches that make it extremely challenging. On top of that, the towering walls of the couloir present significant rockfall hazard along with an upper basin that can create dangerous avalanche conditions. It’s a line that requires patience, perfect timing…and many many attempts. Over the last 4 years, Cody Townsend, Nick Russell and cinematographer Bjarne Salén have been waiting, trying, scoping and learning about the history of this line, its moods, its conditions and its energy to successfully, and safely, ski it. 

View Cody’s Line in onX Backcountry

 Below is an interactive map of Cody’s line for The Split Couloir. Use Control + Drag to rotate in 3D on desktop or two fingers to pinch, zoom and rotate on mobile.  Login or create an account to gain full functionality.

The Fifty Project Guidebook: Split Couloir

onX Backcountry has partnered with Cody Townsend to bring you guidebook quality descriptions of routes in The Fifty Project from Cody himself. Read his beta on The Split Couloir. Start your free trial of onX Backcountry today to view these lines and descriptions in the App.

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Overview

A name that makes sense the moment you see it. Visually stunning, Split Couloir is a perfect cleft dividing a two peaked, 14k foot summit in half. To skiers, the perfect white ribbon slicing between towers of granite looks enticing. But upon further inspection, the line primarily appeals to skiers with climbing and rope skills as the perfect white ribbon is choked off by multiple cliffs, thin rocky sections and an ice fall which either requires high level technical climbing, anchor building and rappelling skills. It’s also a unique dangerous line that has killed extremely skilled ski mountaineers and has been the sight of multiple very close calls from rockfall, avalanches and ice fall. It’s a tempting line but it requires ultimate patience and caution.

Ascent

The ascent starts in the desert of the Owens Valley amid sage brush and lava flows. Depending on your point of access, an 8k to 9k vert ascent to the summit awaits. Following the creek bed valley of Red Lake Creek, a steep, technical and gullied ascent is difficult and must have avalanche forecasts considered as overhead exposure from the south face of Mt. Tinemaha frequently floods the creek bed with Size 3-4 avalanches. After 5k feet of ascent, you arrive to Red Lake basin and the base of Split Mountain. To summit, one can choose to directly climb the couloir through WI4 or M5-6 Mixed climbing or co around the north side to gain the NE ridge directly to the summit.

Descent

The descent is not quite as steep as the couloir looks from afar, but is plenty steep enough that any fall would likely result in a fatal fall over the exposure below. The couloir is a magnet for slough, avalanches, rock fall and ice fall and timing your descent is critical to safety. The line gets steeper and steeper as you approach the main ice fall and water ice hidden under a few inches of snow is probable. Caution and a slow approach to reaching the ice fall is absolutely essential

Photo: @the.fifty.project

Hazards

The hazards abound on this line. From traversing under the S Face of Tinemaha to the line itself, Split Couloir has every present extreme hazard in the mountains. Primarily, overhead hazard while in the couloir is the most pertinent hazard. Rockfall, icefall, avalanches, sluff, exposure and blue ice are all present and all much be considered before descent. This line is as serious as it gets when it comes to consequences and one must be prepared to factor in every detail to descend safely. Also only skiable on the largest of snow years in the Sierra

Exit Description

Exit follows your exact ascent. Caution for warm slides in the lower gullies is advised. On low snow years, your walking out the Red Lake Trail

Access Description

Access to trailhead is extremely difficult because of private land ownership, washed out, unmaintained dirt roads and tricky navigation. A 4wd high clearance vehicle or motorcycle / e-MTB is advised. To access traditional starting point of Red Lake TH, one must drive from the north on McMurray Meadows road, which is an extremely difficult dirt road to navigate. Lifted Jeeps, Broncos or other extremely capable off-road vehicles only. Subarus, Vans, trucks cannot make this newly washed out and unmaintained road. A second access point, from the south, via Aberdeen is an easier road to navigate but puts you a mile away and 1000′ lower than the RedLake Trailhead. The road is rough but doable by most 4wd vehicles.

Find Your Fifty

onX Backcountry gives you the tools to find, plan, and execute your own backcountry ski adventures.
Try onX Backcountry for free for 7 days.

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Enter The Ski With Cody Giveaway

Enter to win the ski trip of a lifetime. One lucky winner and three of their friends will win a guided backcountry ski trip with Cody Townsend. But that’s not all, your crew will stay 3 nights at the Gravity Haus Truckee-Tahoe and win some awesome gear from our friends at Salomon, Mammut, and Rocky Talkie. Winners will be drawn on Dec 7, 2023.

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The post The Fifty Project: Split Couloir appeared first on onX Backcountry.

Why Mountain Project and onX Backcountry Make the Perfect Pair

Mountain Project has long been a trusted source of information for climbers and mountaineers. With a vast database of climbing routes and crags, approach descriptions, and recent conditions reports, it’s the ideal companion for anyone exploring the outdoors with an interest in climbing. In 2021, onXmaps acquired Mountain Project and brought together two powerhouses in the outdoor adventure community. Mountain Project’s wealth of climbing knowledge and user-powered insights combined with onX Backcountry’s best-in-class mapping tools for navigation and route planning, offers a new way to find and tick off climbing objectives. This acquisition paved the way for the seamless integration of Mountain Project’s extensive climbing and outdoor data within onX Backcountry’s maps, providing outdoor enthusiasts with a trusted GPS map they can rely on to navigate to the crag and beyond.

What You Can Expect

So, what does this integration mean for you? It means access to a treasure trove of climbing and alpine content right at your fingertips in the onX Backcountry app. Whether you’re planning to go bouldering one afternoon, sport climbing in the canyon, a full day of big wall climbing, or a multi-day alpine mission in the backcountry, you’ll have the following features at your disposal:

• Mountain Project on your maps: Enjoy a seamless integration of Mountain Project’s content into the onX Backcountry app, making it easier than ever to access the information you need. View the locations of climbing areas on your map to plan your next climb. 
• Climbing Route Information: Access Mountain Project’s extensive climbing route database, complete with ratings, descriptions, pictures and user reviews. Plan your climbing adventures with confidence, knowing you have the most up-to-date information at your disposal.
• Trail and Route Descriptions: Get detailed descriptions of trails, approaches, and routes to navigate to the crag and a map you can trust to guide you there. 

With the Mountain Project content integrated into onX Backcountry, your outdoor adventures will be more informed and more enjoyable than ever before. So, plan your next climb, download an offline map, grab your gear, and go with confidence on your next epic adventure with the power of Mountain Project and onX Backcountry at your side. Climb on!

Frequently Asked Questions

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