First things first: The G3 Rutschblock Cort is probably the most unnecessary Gear of the Week I've ever presented. Almost nobody really needs it and it's definitely something for powder geeks and material fetishists. But it's damn well made and the details are simple and convincing. And therefore still deserves Gear of the Weak. For all those geeks who like to have the perfect material, who spend day and night thinking about mountains and snow or who are simply too weak to cut through the snow with a simple cord.
In addition, locally limited snowpack testing methods have gone completely out of fashion in Europe because they are largely demonized by the dominant doctrine. I personally think this is a complete aberration. Of course, they are completely unsuitable for direct decision-making and especially for individual slope assessment and are rightly condemned for these purposes, but their benefits are much broader than just that. Only those who occasionally look at the snowpack and test what happens under pressure can really understand what an avalanche situation report is, what its contents mean and be in a much better position to make the right decisions on the mountain. Especially if you are traveling in regions where the conditions differ significantly from the familiar conditions at home or where the avalanche report is not as regular and detailed as in the Alpine regions - or even missing altogether - you can learn a lot about the snowpack and the weather history that has influenced it in the past.
And anyone who does this regularly will appreciate the Rutschblock Cord from G3. Of course, you can work just as well with a simple rope or washing line with knots in it, but the Rutschblock Cord cuts through the snow like a warm knife through butter. Actually just a simple, thin, plastic-coated wire rope, the spiral springs held in position at regular intervals with copper clamping sleeves are the highlight of the cutting line, as they easily rasp through hard intermediate layers of snow. And the loops at the end make it easy to pull the line back and forth. This is very helpful, especially if you want to cut off cornices at the start. The only disadvantage: if you run the cord around inserted probes or poles and use it regularly, it can leave scratches on them. It is better not to handle carbon probes or poles in this way.
The pack sack supplied is also practical. A stitched clip holds the cord in place so that it can be folded up easily and neither the bag nor the cord can be easily lost. In addition, instructions for a standard slide block test and the normal shovel compression test are sewn into the bag. And if there is not enough space in the accommodation after a sweaty day of skiing, the slide block cord can also be used as a washing line. The sleeves and springs hold the clothes in place perfectly. But of course, a cord or clothesline with knots in it can do this (almost) just as well.
All in all, extremely well thought out, well made and a highly recommended product that you simply don't really need. And as a real powder nerd and internet skier, I still wouldn't want to be without it! Even if, to be honest, I don't use it very often.
