The Backcountry Access Analog Thermometer is a crucial tool to have for studying snowpack. It accurately measures temperature gradient in the snowpack to research possibly dangerous changes to current avalanche conditions. You can better determine whether their are warmer, air pockets underneath the snow, too. This thermometer is calibrated for temperatures commonly found in the backcountry, and Backcountry Access included a sling that you can strap to skis for measuring the air's temperature.