Backcountry travel is a calculated risk. Every time we click into our skis and start breaking trail we enter a world that requires sound experience and a knowledge of snowpack stability. Good judgement and common sense are of utmost importance, as are reliable partners, tranceivers, shovels and probesand the knowledge of how to use them effectively. A wise addition to your repertoire of backcountry tools is the AvaLung II. Should you ever be caught in an avalanche, the AvaLung II is designed to extract air from snow to potentially enable you to continue breathing while an immediate rescue effort is being made. The Avalung II separates exhaled carbon dioxide into a different part of the snowpack and minimizes "ice masking." Its minimalist harness design is virtually undetectable when wornand it folds down compactly to fit easily in your pack. Lig