Is Duck Tape dead???????????
OK now this will get the blood boiling in all those die-heart Red Green fans but really is duck tape really thing for the modern backcountry tourier? Duck tape can be traced back as far as 1903 but saw it really come into being in 1950 after it's use in WWII. Now for as long as I can remember I have toured with duck tape, I have had rolls in my pack, special small wraps in my first aid kit and even wrapped my pole with it. It has saved my butt when my skins became unglued and I don't know how many times I used it in SAR first aid, especially when the triangulars got left behind. But hey baby times they do change, are we still touring in grampa's skis and binding from the 50s? No and then why can we not accept that maybe duck tape has seen its day in the backcountry. Lets remember that most of the time duck tape does not stick in the cold and how many times have I seen fellow tourers go to use their duck tape only to find it dry and flaky. Today we have a better option, the new plastic ski strap that can find a 100 uses in the backcountry besides keeping your skis together. As one gear reviewer found out they can keep your skins on when the glue fails. They can also be the cats #%#% for first aid to hold a splint in place or apply pressure. So I would suggest all BC travelers switch to these straps and carry at least 4 of the longest ones you can find. Keep the duck tape down stairs maybe for the new duck work in the shack.
