The Magic of Plastic Bins

Among all the different ways you can organize your gear, there’s one important staple you should always keep in mind: the plastic bin. While it may seem like a small thing, it’s a mighty tool for mobilizing for adventures big or small, spontaneous or planned.

I like to keep bins organized by season and or activity. Right now, I have a general camping bin, a climbing bin and a skiing bin. This weekend, I’m going up to Tahoe and packing is as easy as throwing a duffel with some town clothes, the ski bin and my skis, boots and poles in the car.

My ski bin includes items for backcountry and resort like:

• Skins
• Avalanche beacon
• Shovel
• Probe
• Helmet
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles
• Sunscreen
• Bibs or snow pants
• Insulated resort ski jacket
• Softshell jacket
• Hardshell
• Medium gloves
• Heavyweight gloves
• Mittens
• Small backpack and water bladder

For my climbing bin, I keep:

• Padded climbing harness
• Ultralight alpine harness
• Climbing helmet
• Black diamond camalots small to large
• Nuts
• Sport quickdraws
• Alpine quickdraws
• Cordelette
• Grigri
• ATC
• Assortment of locking and non-locking carabiners
• Assortment of slings
• Rocket pack

My camping bin includes:

• Whisperlite stove
• Refillable fuel bottle and pump
• MSR Reactor stove
• Fuel canisters 
• Lighters
• Headlamp
• Spork
• Mug
• Repair kit
• Inflatable Thermarest mattress
• First-aid kit
• SPOT emergency locator beacon
• GPS
• SteriPEN

With this kind of system — be it seasonal or activity-based — makes it so much easier to get out in the mountains whatever your schedule is. If you’re a busy guide, you always know where your stuff is and it’s easy to find in the correct bin. If you’re a weekend warrior, you can load up the car on Friday with your bin and whatever else you need and head out. I recommend it as a simple and efficient way to organize your gear.

--Shelby Carpenter, AAI Instructor and Guide Alumna