Splitboard.com Forums

Just ran across this deal, 2011 Avalung Bandit pack, plus probe and shovel for $155. Since the probe and shovel alone run over 100 bucks, it seems like a damn good price for an Avalung pack.

http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en ... ckage-2011


For a newb like me, likely to be doing mostly short day trips, this seems like a pretty sweet deal. I'm just not 100% certain that 11L is large enough for even short days. I have the Outlaw at 30L that I used for a couple of day tours last season and I don't recall it being "too large."
I do like the look of the new Jones 18 L bag, seems like a more appropriate size, not sure of cost, also no Avalung.

Advice?

Yeah, that thing is tiny. And there are no provisions to carry your board or poles. That's probably a side-country pack for folks ducking the ropes at ski areas who don't need to carry BC gear. I'd skip it.

Thanks. BD claims you can do horizontal board carry, but that's just sticking your board between you and the pack. But yeah, I don't want to have to carry my poles on the descent.

I'm still not quite ready to write it off, since I will be buying probe, shovel, and beacon this season anyway, and this is like getting an avalung for 50 bucks... then again I can't use a real pack with it so it may be useless.

Hey buddy! Finally gearing up?

Do your partner a favor and dont buy that shovel, it is way to small for a rescue shovel.

Check you PM's for links to some Avalung pack deals.

Hey man! I am gearing up. Over the summer I found a smoking deal on a Zephyr. Add some Sparks and the Geckos I won at the splitfest and I'm almost there. I just need beacon probe and shovel and I will be good to go. Going to take a Level 1 early in the season which should help me find more local partners, and I might even head up your way at some point...
I thought this BD shovel is the same size as the BCA I borrowed from Keffler at the splitfest, no? I'll go back and look again at the specs. I also had a look at the Voile shovel with the probe inside the handle. I do want to get an avalung eventually.
I can't really afford or justify the cost of an airbag for the few day trips I'll get this season, especially given that I'm putting an AT setup together for my wife.