With a five day ski tour around the corner (taking 28 kids to the mountains around Voss) I thought it prudent to brush up on some techniques. I tried to get hold of Allen & Mike's Really Cool Backcountry Ski Book: Travelling & Camping Skills for a Winter Environment last year but it was always out of stock on this side of the Atlantic. Phil reminded me about it just before Christmas and Amazon delivered my copy last week. The very first page, after I tore the packet open and sat down with a cup of tea, taught me something new and the accompanying illustration was classic Mike Clelland! (he of BPL fame), technically accurate but cute and funny at the same time. More of Mike's wide ranging artistic skills can be seen on his blog here. Allen's text is informative but also very encouraging and humorous. The book is stuffed with advice and lots of head-slapping why-didn't-I-think-of-that tips that are already making a difference to my enjoyment of the winter environment (who would of thought that ski straps would make such great emergency climbing skins!). It makes for a great read that gets important safety messages, on subjects such as cold injuries and avalanche safety, across to the reader. Highly recommended.
Looking forward to sleeping in a snow hole!
