Ever wondered to start touring (topptur,) but didn’t know where to start, what’s important, and where to go? Make sure to read through your newest guide then!
By BENJAMIN MOEYERSONS
Got that feeling in your body everytime you wake up in the morning, open up the window, and be amazed by the amount of snow all of a sudden is present in front of your room? That uncontrollable urge to go outside and explore? Well, you definitely get that feeling when going touring. Of course touring, like every other sport, needs equipment, knowledge, and a bit of preparation. To help you out, we made a quick start-up guide to get you going on your first trip!
Equipment you need
Whether you’re a snowboarder or a skier, everybody can go touring! Besides some experience in off-piste snowboarding, there are several things you need before you can go.
For starters, the most important one of course: a splitboard or touring skis (randonnee skis.)
RELATED: Professor Olsen’s favorite local touring mountains
Next up: skins to put underneath your board/skis, so that you can walk up the mountain yourself
Third in the row: poles! Yes, also snowboarders need poles, again in order to be able to walk up the mountain.
Special to touring there is the avalanche equipment needed: a shovel, probe, and tracker. Keep in mind, this does not clear you from every danger, just enables you to keep it more safe.
Other than that: goggles, a helmet, gloves, warm clothes, some drinks/snacks are a necessity to take along.
Places to go
If you’re all set to go equipment wise, but don’t know where to go, there are several sources of information you can consult.
Morotur.no provides a clear overview of all the different toppturs in More&Romsdal with different levels of difficulty, in the different kommunes, and types of tours.
Another good source of information is the Facebook groups “Toppturer i Nordvest” or “Toppturer i Sunndal/Romsdal og omegn”.
Not to forget, locals always know the most! So don’t be afraid to ask people about tips and tricks for tours in the surroundings.
Things to keep in mind
“There are several things you have to think of before heading out. Avalanche awareness and first-aid are critical skills for every backcountry rider,” as mentioned by Jeremy Jones, one of the most famous and extreme backcountry snowboarders in the world.
He formed five red flags for you to keep in mind which are visual clues that are a sign of potential avalanche danger:
- New snow.
- Signs of recent avalanches.
- Collapsing or cracking in snowpack.
- Rapid rise in temperature.
- Strong winds, blowing & drifting snow.
Another way to keep track of the avalanche danger in Norway you can find on http://www.varsom.no/ This is a more accurate digital way to check the general avalanche conditions in Norway. However, it is always important to look out for it yourself and make clear decisions!
Other than that, the only thing left to do is gather some friends, look for a place to go, head out and enjoy the endless possibilities Mother Nature has to offer!
