The First Ascent mantra is "Everything you need and nothing you don't". This is a solid foundation from which to build anything, it ensures you are putting thought and planning ahead of results. It's also the mantra that most backcountry skiers use to plan their outing each day, why wouldn't you? Who in their right mind would carry a full (glass) bottle of hot sauce to a three day cabin trip – don't answer that, I have seen it done.
Further to this underlying Mantra, Peter Whittaker states "What can we get rid of without compromising functionality? Bells and whistles are just extra weight. We won't carry them." We will discover if this mantra is taken to heart, goes too far or not far enough and if this is on target for the backcountry skiing enthusiast.
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