Hello, I'd like to ask if anyone knows where to get wands for flagging trail purpose in whiteout condition. Going to Mt. Washington in 2 weeks and last time we were there it was whiteout and 90mph wind and we got lost above treeline, pretty scary moments. Thought these wands with surveyor's tapes would be great to lead us down, not sure where to buy them.

Appreciate your help!

-Alex

Bamboo dowells are usually available in hardware stores. Use those; slit the top and tie flagging tape to them.

sm0421 wrote:last time we were there it was whiteout and 90mph wind and we got lost above treeline, pretty scary moments.

I understand that things can happen unexpectedly, but generally speaking if you get to treeline and it's whiteout conditions with 90 mph wind blowing, it's a good time to turn around...

Agree with the above, but ;

Garden center/nursery will have you want - look by the tomato plant wires/frames. Sold in big bundles of 50 at some places, dead cheap. If they're stained green, some of the dye will come off in places you wish it wouldn't.

another neat trick is to add a second flag below the (usually red) marker flag made out of nearly weightless reflective mylar from a good graphics supply/craft store: night return routes buried in new snowfall light up like a Christmas tree under a good headlamp!

thank you! I've only been in the country for a few years so I appologize I'm not familiar with the stores, I'll go check out local Home Depot Garden section tonight. Already bought some tapes from Staples.

-Alex

Hi, Alex.

Yes, they sell the basic variety at our local hardware store. The wire section on the standard ones is only about 12 inches long, though.