backcountry emergency toboggan
Some one in the tech forum asked about this. I couldn't find much on google,
so I thought it would be worth while to post a how-to. Hope this gives some
useful info and maybe even helps people out one day.
How to construct a backcountry emergency toboggan, by Mark.
There really isn't a decisive set of rules to follow on this one, so I'll give some
general advice and tips I've learned. I've always had the mentality that
traveling in the backcountry meant you were prepared to evacuate under
your own means in case of emergency. While SAR groups are an awesome
thing and I truly respect their members, I still think there's a lot of value in
being able to get yourself (and others) out of a bad situation in the backcountry. Here's one of the tools I would rely on to do such.
If someone's hurt beyond the ability to ski themselves out (and assuming they
need medical attention enough to cancel a trip and focus on their evacuation), you can built an impromtu toboggan by using their equipment
and some materials you can easily stash in your pack.
Begin by placing their skis in the classic "pie" shape. Attatch the tips together with duct tape or cord (I didn't do this b/c I'm lazy and don't
need to evacuate anyone from my computer room).
This shape will give you more control over the moving toboggan via cords.
http://www.smiththemark.org/stuffarooni/3.jpg
If the patient has brakes, remove them. It's much easier to simply take them
off with a screwdriver on a multitool than it is to Macguiver a way to keep
them up. The brakes will slow the toboggan down otherwise.
Now, if you're lucky, the patient was skiing with sticks that had those
mysterious holes in the tips. Among other things, they can be used to help
you out here. Place his/her pole tips in the holes and rest the handles over
his/her bindings. If there aren't any holes, duct tape the tips in place or
get creative with some parachute cord. Once the tips are secured, tie down
the handles on the bindings.
http://www.smiththemark.org/stuffarooni/1.jpg
Next, take your telescoping shovel handle completely apart. Hopefully this
gives you two tubes. If not, borrow one from the victim... err, patient. Place
one tube across the skis at the toe of the bindings and the other at the
heel.
http://www.smiththemark.org/stuffarooni/6.jpg
Secure these down firmly -- they'll provide the base of the seat the patient
sits on. Then place your shovel on these two tubes and secure it down
using the holes in the shovel that patrollers use when they make a
shovel sling.
http://www.smiththemark.org/stuffarooni/5.jpg
Then, wrap a piece of cord around the poles from the bindings to the tips of
the skis. This makes a basket for the patient to place their legs in (they'll
probably have to cross them).
http://www.smiththemark.org/stuffarooni/4.jpg
Finally, attach two pieces of cord to either binding heel from the rear for one
person and if you have another, a long piece of cord to the front. Use these
to control the toboggan and pull it if necessary.
Have the patient sit in the shovel and place their legs in the "basket." Control
her/her descent with the cords from behind and in front. You'll be doing alot
of pulling on a powder day, but it still beats postholing.
If you want complete control, put skins on the toboggan. This might require
more pulling, but will keep things from getting too exciting.
That's it. There's really not much to it. Telemark skis are a bit easier since
they usually don't have brakes. Taking the time to do this right the first
time is really worth it since it'll fall apart on you during the descent otherwise.
Hope this proves useful and I really hope nobody has to use it :)
