Search and Rescue is an organization of voluntary members sponsored by the provincial government to offer assistance to those who find themselves in difficulty in the backcountry. In the summer this includes bikers, hikers and hunters who may find themselves lost or injured away from urban areas. In the winter the focus moves to assisting snowmobilers, skiers and other winter recreationalists who get into trouble in the vast backcountry areas. The organization has considerable resources at its disposal including avalanche technicians, first aid equipment, snowmobiles, ATVs and helicopters.

Anyone visiting during the winter will be drawn to the backcountry. Once you set foot outside controlled areas (essentially Alpine Resort), you expose yourself to substantial avalanche risk. Legendary deep powder and steep mountains can be fatal if not approached with respect.

While Search and Rescue will help those who get lost or into difficulty in the winter months, it is better for all concerned if we are not called out at all! As such, we set out a Top 10 list of gear to take with you when heading into the backcountry, plus a couple of pre-trip reminders.

Before you go ....

There's been a big dump and you want to head out for some fresh turns. You decide to hit the backcountry. Take some precautions before you go:

• Check the weather report. That bluebird morning may be turning nasty in a few hours.
• Check the Canadian Avalanche Association website (www.avalanche.ca).
• Know the avalanche risk in your area. Become familiar with the CAA's Avaluator system.
• Tell someone where you're going. Search and Rescue's catchment area is some 8,000 square kilometers. If you've left a detailed itinerary with someone who knows when you were due back, then we have a good idea of where to start looking.

When you go ....

You've done your pre-trip checks, left your itinerary with someone in town and you're ready to go. That pack weighs a ton, and you're going to be hauling it uphill all day. You pull everything out and try to work out what you can leave at home.

Everyone has their "must-have" stuff, and it may depend on whether your trip is a couple of hours or a multi-day epic, but here's our Top 10 items that need to stay in that pack;

1. Transceiver
   Have one, and know how to use it. Make sure your buddy knows how to use his/hers, as well. If you get buried, he/she’s the one looking for you. After 15 minutes under the snow, your chances of survival fall by about 90%, so a practice might be a good thing.
2. Shovel
   Get a good quality shovel, preferably not plastic, and know how to use it in hard post-avi snow.
3. Probe
   It's #3 of the Big Three with the two above. Practice using it.
4. Map
   For any backcountry recreation, unless you're with someone who really knows the area. And even then, maps don't weigh much, so take one just in case.
5. Navigation equipment
   Everything looks the same in the snow, so it's easy to get lost. GPS is great, but the cold kills the batteries, take and know how to use a compass.
6. Extra clothing
   More people than you might think have spent an unexpected night out in winter. That extra fleece could make the difference.
7. Food and drink
   Throw a bit extra in just in case the trip ends up longer than expected.
8. First Aid pack
   At least a minimum amount to cover minor injuries. Keep a thermal wrap in your pack. They weigh nothing, and in the case of a more serious injury can keep the subject protected from the elements. Also, means of lighting a fire.
9. Tools
   At least enough to make sure you have some means of getting a binding to work if it breaks on you. Walking is no fun!
10. Communication equipment
    Cellphones work in plenty of places, and they are the communications equipment most people will have. They won't work everywhere though, and you may need to climb to higher ground to get a signal.

Have fun, play safe and we'll see you out there.