ABS Avalanche Bag Backpack


ABS Avalanche Backpacks really will save your life.

I describe these backpacks as self rescue. It amazes me that companies are spending so much time and money developing avalanche transceiver beacons and have not picked up where ABS left off.

These backpacks contain 2 deflated balloons which will inflate when user triggered. They will bring you to the surface of an avalanche you are caught in. There is enough statistical evidence now to show that they will save your life 99% of the time. This is great news for those of us skiing powder and constantly at risk of being buried by a slide.

For the winter of 2007/2008, the ABS range has added a "Vario" model which enables a user to zip on 3 different size bags over the base system. This means one can keep the expensive base unit and add different modules to suit different outings. The sizes are 10, 30 and 50 liters.

The size ratings are really conservative though. I will be skiing with the 10 liter module, which is closer to 25 liters. In this bag, I will be able to carry a glacier kit (rope, binners, screws, crampons, axe) on top of the usual fare- medical and repair kit, water, extra layers, skins and food. It weighs only slightly more than the "Freeride", which is a superb bag for off piste skiing around the resort.

Jean-Michel Schmetz is the dude responsible for this new breath of fresh air in the ABS line. His site give lots of info on the system. Check it out.

I have bags to supply clients who have not yet invested in the system. And as a result, I am selling last year's models at reduced rates. Send me a note if you would like to pick up one of these models at less than half price. We stock the Vario and Freeride in the Rock Shop

Posted: Tue - November 29, 2005 at 12:44 PM        


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