In reply to a question on Backcountry packs and Avalanche search and rescue kit!

Hi Neil,

I'm looking at buying a new backpack suitable for one of your courses. Do you have any recommendations?

Also I know you provide Transceiver, shovel and probe but If I wanted to buy them what would you recommend?













My reply:

I ride for The North Face and they have a few good New packs out this year which I have given some input toward over the past few seasons.

Check out the new TNF liftie 23L and the TNF NFZ 28L. These are the packs that I'll be using this coming season and they look really good.

There is also the regular TNF Off Chute 27L and the TNF Chugach 17L if you're looking for just a good smaller volume Off piste style pack.

For transceiver, shovel and probe I use the Ortovox equipment. The new totally digital Ortovox S1 transceiver is very easy to use and very efficient for multiple searches and comes highly recommended but at a price. The Ortovox D3 is also a very good digital tranceiver, slightly cheaper and more systematic to use but highly efficient once you have your search procedure in place.

I have always been a big fan of the Ortovox F1, a fool proof analogue transceiver which again needs a systematic search procedure but is highly effective once you know the score. (I have some of these to sell from my stocks so check out the goodies page on the www.mcnabsnowboarding.com we site!)

For shovels, make sure you get a metal bladed one, I use the Ortovox Pro Alu 2.

Probes come in different lengths but around 2.5m is as short as I'd go. I use the Ortovox 240cm Carbon pfa.

I have secured a McNab Snowboarding clients deal with Ortovox for this coming season so anyone booking a course with me this winter will receive a discount deal on selected products.

Hope this helps!

Neil.