Cooped Up? Get Uncooped.

If this season brings you to that revered moment when you decide to give backcountry skiing a go, you might have basic questions beyond all the heady avalanche training and gear, stuff like, "How do I carry my skis when I have to bootpack or cross rock fields?"

The local guys at TetonAT.com offer some help in the form of a few recent pics:

Method One - the A-frame:

And Method Two - What I Call the Diagonal:

Everybody has a favorite way to carry, but give both of these a try and see which one you prefer. Many backpacks will come with straps that allow you to carry your skis either way; if yours doesn't, not to worry. You can get creative with a few nylon straps and a few lash points to attach to, like these here.

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Depending on what type of terrain you're in and what length of ski you're carrying, you may find one more stable and less cumbersome than another. No matter how you attach them, make sure they are solid ON, but quick to get off with gloved fingers.

Now, giddy'up to go, go down!

• backcountry
• skiing
• backpacks
• how
• to
• carry
• skis
• alpine
• touring