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10-08-2007, 03:55 PM
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#1 | | knuckledragger
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: vt
Posts: 857
| new to the backcountry?
first things first, take an avy course before venturing out there! out in the backcountry, ignorance=bad news. http://avtraining.org/ - american institute for avalanche research and education
here's a list of places that give the aiare avy courses, find the local one near you and sign up! http://www.avtraining-admin.org/courseprov.cfm http://access.jibc.bc.ca/avalancheFi...onse/index.htm - online avy refresher course
taken the level 1 avy course? ready to get your own avy gear? then start researching beacons, they are one of your most important pieces of gear in the backcountry. http://beaconreviews.com/transceivers/
feel free to add any other useful info to this thread and hopefully it will turn into a good resource for people who are looking to venture out beyond the lift lines.
Last edited by gnurider1080; 10-08-2007 at 03:57 PM.
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10-09-2007, 12:33 AM
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#2 | | Member
Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Surrounded by NORCAL police in a hail of gunfire
Posts: 58
| Quote:
Originally Posted by gnurider1080  |
werd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | |
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10-11-2007, 11:04 PM
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#3 | | Member
Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SB
Posts: 61
| Great Idea for a sticky thread. Thanks for all the info. | |
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10-14-2007, 12:29 PM
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#4 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In a van....... down by the river
Posts: 3,421
| Oh - and leave the f**king snowmobiles at HOME!!  | |
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10-16-2007, 12:52 PM
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#5 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Farmington, NM
Posts: 1,129
| Just cause you aren't lazy doesn't mean other people can't be 
Oh and thanks for the info gnu | |
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10-30-2007, 07:29 PM
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#6 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14
| Of course, having all the proper avy gear doesn't do anyone much good if you don't know how to use it, and PRACTICE usiing it so that you're good at it.
Ideally, you should be able to do a beacon search (this includes unzipping, getting out your beacon and switching it to receive) and finding (by probing) one buried person in five minutes or less. Also, know how to dig quickly and efficiently so that once you do find your buddy, you can dig them out in time to save him/her.
All this comes with practice. The best way to practice is on a steep slope in the type of terrain and conditions where avalanches happen, but when it's safe. Unpopular ski runs inside a ski area are great for this. Talk to your local ski patrol about a good place to practice--more than likely they'll be happy to help, maybe even bury a couple beacons for you. Some ski areas have established beacon practice courses that are open to the public. Just ask.
One other thing...save the plastic shovels for building kickers and carry a good metal shovel for backcountry use. Typical avy debris is nearly as hard as concrete. When i go backcountry with a buddy who carries a plastic shovel i always trade and let him carry my metal shovel. That way, if he has to dig ME out, he'll have a nice tough tool for the job. | |
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10-30-2007, 07:45 PM
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#7 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Finally settled down in Anchorage, AK
Posts: 652
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Public_Enemy Just cause you aren't lazy doesn't mean other people can't be |
I don't know how many times I have had stupid snowmachiners cut a big highmarking arc right over me as I am skiing down and almost trigger avalanches on me. | |
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10-30-2007, 07:48 PM
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#8 | | Avatarded!
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Spokanistan
Posts: 717
| Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorspro When i go backcountry with a buddy who carries a plastic shovel i always trade and let him carry my metal shovel. That way, if he has to dig ME out, he'll have a nice tough tool for the job. | That's pretty funny. Does the buddy your with know the reason for the trade?
__________________ Be grateful, everyday, for snow, mountains, gravity, and skiing! (and/or riding!) | |
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10-30-2007, 11:56 PM
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#9 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: In a van....... down by the river
Posts: 3,421
| Quote:
Originally Posted by outdoorspro Of course, having all the proper avy gear doesn't do anyone much good if you don't know how to use it, and PRACTICE usiing it so that you're good at it.
Ideally, you should be able to do a beacon search (this includes unzipping, getting out your beacon and switching it to receive) and finding (by probing) one buried person in five minutes or less. Also, know how to dig quickly and efficiently so that once you do find your buddy, you can dig them out in time to save him/her.
All this comes with practice. The best way to practice is on a steep slope in the type of terrain and conditions where avalanches happen, but when it's safe. Unpopular ski runs inside a ski area are great for this. Talk to your local ski patrol about a good place to practice--more than likely they'll be happy to help, maybe even bury a couple beacons for you. Some ski areas have established beacon practice courses that are open to the public. Just ask.
One other thing...save the plastic shovels for building kickers and carry a good metal shovel for backcountry use. Typical avy debris is nearly as hard as concrete. When i go backcountry with a buddy who carries a plastic shovel i always trade and let him carry my metal shovel. That way, if he has to dig ME out, he'll have a nice tough tool for the job. | This is all fine and dandy. I, however, just make sure that I go out with someone ELSE who is really good at beacon searches. I don't need to be. | |
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10-31-2007, 01:44 PM
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#10 | | Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 14
| Quote:
Originally Posted by riverside73 That's pretty funny. Does the buddy your with know the reason for the trade? | Yeah, i always explain it. In fact, when i first started going out in the backcountry, a patroller friend of mine pulled this on me. I'd just bought my first shovel, a nice plastic one that i was particularly proud of. After he traded shovels with me (wouldn't go with me unless i did), i returned my plastic shovel for a sturdy aluminum one that i've had ever since.
This does bring up a good point though. All that ultralight backcountry gear is nice, but it's not very rugged. To be good with your emergency and life-saving gear, you need to practice. Unfortunately, ultralight gear doesn't stand up well to repeated use. Me, i want sturdy stuff that i know won't break, 'cause if your probe breaks before you find your buddy, he's pretty much out of luck.
On the topic of beacons, be especially sure that you know how to use them and your batteries are full of juice. Always check them every time you go out. Also, if you have an older, analog model and especially if you have an old dual-frequency model, you need to upgrade.
Again, you can always check with your local pro ski patrollers for info, tips and advice.
Last edited by outdoorspro; 10-31-2007 at 01:51 PM.
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