What’s in Your Pack?

Nov 27, 2012 by Heather Thomas

Posted under: Blog Post

Talon Crew with their packs

Every Talon Crew course worker must carry a backpack on the race course during the work day. What gear should volunteers pack? Remember, you’ll be carrying your pack all day long. Take what you need, but not more!

At a minimum, everyone should bring:

Lunch – picked up at the morning meeting.
Water – hydration is critical. Plan to carry at least 50 oz with you and refill your containers throughout the day.
Snacks – bring high-energy snacks instead of junk food.
A thermos – soup will be available and may even be brought out to you on the hill.
Helmets – helmets are required.
Layers – be prepared to do anything from shoveling snow in the full sun to standing still in the shade.
Spares – your socks and gloves may get wet on the hill, so bring a spare pair of each.
Sunblock and spf chapstick.

Volunteer packs

Some personal additions that I carry are:

Baseball cap – this keeps the sun my face when I’m out of my skis and working the hill.
Chemical hand warmers.
Balaclava.
Sharpie – for labeling jackets and just in case I get the chance for an autograph!
Ziplock bags for cookies and for trash (especially banana peels).
Spare pair of shoes for doing work on the hill (depends on the day/task).
Yak-tracks for my boots (depends on the day/task).
Camera.
Sunglasses.
Kleenex.

Packs on course

Things I’ve noticed some other volunteers carry:

A knife/multi tool.
Duct tape.
Band-Aids.
Crampons – note that you must pass the crampon training course before you’re authorized to use these.

Talon Crew – What’s in your pack? Share your tips of the trade with others by commenting below!

by Heather Thomas

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4 Comments + Add Comment

Scott Knoll November 27, 2012 at 1:19 pm

Thanks Heather!
Great list. Here’s a couple other thoughts about backpacks:
Gloves – it is nice to have a second pair not just for a backup in case your gloves get soaked or torn, but you might want a different kind depending on the work you’re doing. I use a pair of insulated leather-palm work gloves from a hardware store. They have nice grip on shovel handles, and I’m not wearing out my expensive ski gloves. They would get soaked, however, when watering the course, so my second pair is very water proof.
Map – if you’re not familiar with name of every spot on the course, print a copy of the course map for your pack.
Name/Phone Number – put your name/number in or on your pack somewhere. It is common to take your pack off, work your way down course, and have other folks “bump” your gear down. If you get separated from your pack, folks will know how to get it back to you. It is also smart to keep everything securely zipped inside if you set it down somewhere.
Small water bottle – many of us have big hydration bladders in our packs, but it is nice to have a small water bottle you can throw in a pocket so you can still hydrate while you’re away from your pack.
Spoon – they sometimes run out up at the food tent.
Lens cloth
Advil

Reply
Heather November 27, 2012 at 9:47 pm

My crew chief has a head lamp in his pack. Should I be scared?

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Denise Roach November 28, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Sausage and cheese, just can’t do another sandwich right now.
Protein bars, energy gel, cookies and CHOCOLATE!!!

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Sean December 3, 2012 at 8:33 pm

I carry a ski sharpening tool in case any of my team gets a free detune. Next to the headlamp, I have a lighter, space blanket, moleskin, reading glasses, extra gloves, multitool, sun screen, crampons and ear plugs. Only one of these has never been used on the Birds of Prey, so yes Heather, you should be afraid!

Scott, if you rub mink oil into your lined leather gloves from the hardware store, and put them in the oven at 200 for 10 to 15 minutes, then repeat twice, your gloves won’t get soaked. When was the last time you saw me wear ski gloves?

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