Any backcountry recommendations?

[eric]

I just started backcountry skiing this season, and I'm curious if anyone has any really good recommendations for some simple terrain (avalanche wise) to get started on?

[darrenterhune]

I'd hike Arrowsmith to the top of Cokely above the old ski tow bars. I've seen some avalanches there. It's pretty mellow cause it's not a big slope, although if there was a big dump it could be dangerous. I watched a friend ride one out on a sled that was about 6 inches deep when it broke and he was fine. On ski/snowboard might be a different story though. Just a good spot to learn cause it's easy to hike and it's nothing huge, plus the ski hill has some sweet stuff off to the right when your looking up.

[flary]

Bring a stuff sack down to the creek or lake, fill it with water and it will slowly leek out enough to shower under. Hang it from a tree at least 200ft away from the water source, you don't need to be polluting the drinking supply and harming the fishes. You don't need an extra heavy solar shower the stuff sack from your sleeping bag will work just fine. Go ahead and use the biodegradable soaps you can get at sporting goods stores, they don't have a strong oder and won't attract bears. Use a sham-wow to wash and dry with there light weight and dry quickly. Use deodorant get the small travel size container and keep that with your tooth paste in the bear bag along with your food. Don't worry about bears cause there after your dinner more than your soap keep a clean camp and body, hang the food up and you won't have any problems.