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Touring/AT NSers...

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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627

I've been noticing lately that there are a few people on here who are into touring and earning their turns.  Where are you from, where are you touring and whatchagot for touring setups? 

I'm from mass but tour all over the EC and also when I go west for vaca (usually UT/BCC/LCC).  Mostly in VT along the green spine though while I'm home.  Right now I'm on Whitedot Redeemers quiverkilled for Plum Guides, but my 12/13 ON3P Billy Goat Tours should be on my doorstep by tomorrow- and will be my go-to touring skis for the majority of the season.  My boots are Dalbello Virus Tours with cochise top straps grafted on as well because I hated the stock top bail. 

So what's up with you, oh rando beasts of NS?   

Nov 13 2012 11:28AM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
Thanks bro!
Nov 26 2013 1:54PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627




I thought people were being ridiculously nice.

You absolutely should be yelled at for that! Your camera gear is on point and your blogging is clearly important to you but you were pretty ignorant when it could have cost you and your friends your lives- And it's not like you don't know better! Dafuq dude. Seriously.


Nov 26 2013 2:02PM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
let me be the first to remind you i'm the MOST EXTREME
one of those in this thread
side from that
almost all bc incidents share group dynamics as large factors
more peeps ya tour or are willing to tour w/ both overall and on any given outing ,the more complex a tricky thing gets and the better your skills become
double edged sword
Nov 26 2013 2:04PM
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danbrown
Posts: 11939 - Karma: 21,828
we have a pretty good deal at backcoutnry for a beacon/shovel/probe package right now...under 370 for a tracker 2, basic shovel and probe, nothing too intense.


http://www.backcountry.com/backcountry-access-tracker-2-avalanche-package?ti=U2VhcmNoIFJlc3VsdHM6YmNhIHBhY2thZ2U6MToyOmJjYSBwYWNrYWdl
Nov 26 2013 2:17PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,143

Thanks, but not to sound like a dick but I would not want to tour with you using that beacon, unless you had years of experience and practice to make up for it, which you don't.

That is a single antenna transceiver. Basically, if you get buried people should be able to find you, but it will take you significantly longer to find anyone else using it. From beaconreviews, "it is not appropriate for people who are purchasing their first transceiver or who have been using a multiple antenna transceiver. These folks won't understand the additional practice required to search using a single-antenna transceiver. Please don't skimp on price and give this as a gift to a novice".

These are Lou Dawson's conclusions:

1. Since it’s affordable, Freeride would be a good spare beacon for storage in your automobile, cabin, and so forth in the event someone forgets their own unit.

2. Use in certain controlled situations could be reasonable. (e.g., a guide service with several guides and lots of clients who would never use a beacon in search mode.)

3. Ultra lightweight option for skimo racers in situations when carrying a transceiver is a formality and rule requirement, not a safety necessity.

5. But if there exists any chance at all that a person with a Pieps Freeride would have to search for a buried avalanche victim, the possible searcher should be carrying a more sophisticated unit.

5. Perhaps most worrisome is the Freeride could become quite popular with budget shoppers and gift buyers — that could be unfortunate as the units could proliferate like inexpensive socks. (Look what’s in your Christmas stocking Annie, a new beacon from dad!)

I really think it's downright selfish to try to "budget shop" an avalanche transceiver. Sure, if you can get one of the good ones for less than full retail, go nuts, you're not passing up quality. But if you're not willing to spend an extra hundred bucks on a massively better piece of safety equipment, I just don't know what to tell you.

Good beacons depend on the user, different things click for different people, but IMO if you're buying a beacon right now it should probably be a Mammut pulse, Mammut element, Pieps DSP Pro, Ortovox 3+, Ortovox S1 or S1+, or BCA Tracker 3. Tracker 2 is also okay I just don't know why you wouldn't spend and extra 40 bucks for the third antenna.

Nov 26 2013 2:25PM
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ankhou
Posts: 505 - Karma: 238
"+ Small, light, dynamic, cool"

Oh sweet. I've always wanted a cool avy beacon.
Nov 26 2013 2:35PM
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zahava
Posts: 7791 - Karma: 12,039
Tracker 2 and 3 are both three antenna beacons, the tracker dts is a two antenna.
Nov 26 2013 2:42PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,143
Yeah you're right, my mistake. Apparently it just has better search range, a bit lighter, multiple burial mode. Still worth the extra bucks - at MEC here in Canada the Tracker 3 is listed at $350, the 2 is $315. For $35 it should be a no brainer IMO. But that Backcountry deal posted up there is excellent if you're in the USA.
Nov 26 2013 2:49PM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
I am just starting my touring career, and I like to think about it like this: is your life worth $150 to you? if not then get shitty kit that wont work or help in an emergency. If you do, then buy good transceiver/other gear. It is just something you absolutely dont skimp out on. Aside from this though, the most valuable tool at your disposal is training. Even classwork could save your life. That is the biggest problem these days: people get good gear and think they are completely protected from anything and everything, so get overconfident and make mistakes.
Nov 26 2013 2:57PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Yes. Very much so. Now I give this advice as a full retard so listen up other retards!


IF YOU ARE NOT 150FUCKINGPERCENT PROFICIENT IN INTERPRETING FLUX LINES GET A MORE ADVANCED TRANSCEIVER THAT DOES IT FOR YOU.


Otrovos 3+, S1, Barryvoxes, Pulses etc are all models that will allow you to pay a little extra and be your retard self and still likely be able to find something.


YES, BEING A RETARD COSTS MORE. So fucking pony up already. If you aren't going to take the time to know what the fuck you're doing, at least have the decency to spend the extra money to try to make up for AT LEAST SOME of your lack of proficiency. Unless of course, you want the time you realize you have no idea what you're doing to come when one of your besties is locked 6ft down in sierra cement.



This reminds me of the time some kid started a thread on TGR asking whether he should buy a beacon or an avalung. It's like people have already made up their mind that they're going before they even bothered to know what the fuck that even means and it is blowing my mind on a daily basis.






Nov 26 2013 3:43PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
I think the better analogy would be spending another $150 to not have to explain to your best friends' parents that Beacon X was on sale and that's why you couldn't find him in time since you weren't that good with it and it kinda sucks anyways.



I think I'm going to start doing fun beacon searches just to get people on board with knowing. Beers with beacons hidden around the hill? Hell yeah.
Nov 26 2013 3:46PM
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MLJ
Posts: 1849 - Karma: 3,649
I could definitely see that working. Set up a little booth with a sign that reads "FREE BEER" hide a few around and just give people the beacons.
Nov 26 2013 3:53PM
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J.D.
Posts: 21362 - Karma: 5,143

It's not even this for me... even if you do have experience with the older technology, the combination of simple ease of use and the added difficulty in... well, thinking rationally in an emergency response situation suggests to me that basically EVERYONE should use an adequately rated recent product.

How much do you want to bet that with a couple of hours of practice, even the guy who's spent 10+ years using an analog beacon could find a buried victim considerably faster using an S1?

When you look at it like this it seems a bit unethical for Pieps (or anyone else) to even be selling the obsolete technology.

Nov 26 2013 4:01PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
some stoke

Click for larger image
Nov 26 2013 4:16PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Agreed on all kinds of levels.
Nov 26 2013 4:20PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
This is what dreams are made of.
Nov 26 2013 9:44PM
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ankhou
Posts: 505 - Karma: 238
We've got a great program at Revelstoke - there's a beacon plot right at the top of the gondola (everyone has to walk past it to get to the top chairlift) where remote control transmitting units are buried every day by patrol. It's a ready-made practice plot, and there's always a patroller nearby to help people out if they're interested.
Nov 26 2013 11:16PM
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jon@wh2o
Posts: 314 - Karma: 158
https://www.newschoolers.com/ns/forums/readthread/thread_id/765858/ I would look very to try and answer anybquestions about beacons that you guys have. These opinionated rants possible me off to no end, and it might be nice to keep the touring thread related to touring and have a thread for beacon questions and vents
Nov 26 2013 11:24PM
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doyle.
Posts: 1624 - Karma: 596
that's where I first learned how to use a beacon a few years ago
Nov 26 2013 11:31PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Same at the base of the stairway chair at kicking horse.
With the amount of BC accessibility at the hill, I'm surprised that it's not used more often
Nov 27 2013 12:02AM
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Drail
Posts: 14012 - Karma: 10,011
Your a dickwad. Dickwad
Nov 27 2013 1:07AM
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Pancake_Fucker
Posts: 1843 - Karma: 1,923
Having a very real experience at revy with a bad outcome, I think every mountain should have something like this, know how to use your gear no matter which beacon you decide to buy, and always have it on you. Even when you know how to use your gear the worst case can still happen. The mountains are in charge out there so be as prepared and cautious as you can. Stay safe this winter and have fun everyone.
Nov 27 2013 1:16AM
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Mama.
Posts: 3066 - Karma: 2,607
Just stop it.
Nov 27 2013 2:20AM
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Avifarer
Posts: 5926 - Karma: 598
You know what really bugs me? When people take their AST 1 and they call it Avi 1. Completely different shit! Hear it all the time in the shop.
I know some patrol at sunshine were saying wilderness first aid should almost be taken instead of emr to get on patrol. And i could be completely talking out my ass but dont bc patrol just need wilderness first aid? Definitely a really good point though.
Do you tour around Calgary JD?
Nov 27 2013 3:24AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
i could give a fuck about your blog and didn't bother reading
but i thought i remembered the handle yup sure enough
"The steeper it gets, the more likely an avalanche.
The later it gets in the year, the more likely anything will slip. Loveland was a prime example of people thinking that because they had ABS and some beacons they'd be alright no matter the snow stability."
leads me to believe you are the least informed dickweed in this thread and possibly ns
you being stupid to the point of scary ignorance doesn't bother me nearly as much
as the fact you are attempting to monday morning armchair qb an incident that you obviously have no fuckin idea about that left the tribe 5 outfuckinstanding members short is beyond reprehensible
one of the deceased was an avvi instructer who spent his time trying enlighten little aint got a fuckin clue shitstains like yourself.
so if reminding you how much you suck makes me a dickwhatever so be it perhaps your family friends
and local sar will appreciate it more
Nov 27 2013 6:13AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
Somehow I feel like Turkelton is somekind of touring/bc troll. Like he wants to piss people off..

Anyways.. I just received my Plums, really stoked!
I got a great deal on these. I went for the Yak instead of the Guide.. Why? Because I would have ordered the extra heelpad on the the Guide and Plum doesnt make risers for under the toes of the Guide. Yes you can make those yourself etc but this is way cleaner. So the added mounting width might not add anything, but damn they are sexy!

Click for larger image
Nov 27 2013 7:52AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
.



It's like they were made specifically to go on some PM Gear Lhasa Pows.
Nov 27 2013 9:50AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
sexy as fuck
them oud look so good on the new kusala pows
Click for larger image
to bad Alexis left and they couldn't figure out how to make sub $100 brakes
like the ones on pretty much every other binder made in the past 20 years

Nov 27 2013 9:53AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
This is awesome!


Also Bakerpow... I kind of hate you in a glorious sort of way haha keep up the awesome work with the stoke, you've been killing it!
Nov 27 2013 9:55AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
awesome is when you put your beacon park in the parking lot like solitude and snowbird do so anyone can use it
on the mountain not so much
Nov 27 2013 9:59AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
So.





Much.






This.




Nov 27 2013 10:05AM
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Ghini
Posts: 2262 - Karma: 3,004
Wow yes that would be a beautiful setup!

Who is Alexis? Did he work for Plum or what?

Nov 27 2013 11:57AM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
Yes.
Nov 27 2013 12:54PM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
Heading out on Saturday, maybe back to high wood, not sure yet.
Nov 27 2013 12:59PM
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rudager
Posts: 11335 - Karma: 4,626
Better get out there. The highway closes Sunday morning unfortunately.

Which sucks, since I don't have my new guardians yet
Nov 27 2013 2:12PM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
Having incurred your wrath, and seeing how dumb my points were, I was told by a friend that the ARVA Evo 3+ is a good beacon for a beginner. Is this true?
Nov 27 2013 3:09PM
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minihef
Posts: 813 - Karma: 781
You might want to look elsewhere unless we get snow by then. From Facebook today:

Kananaskis Country Public Safety Section
Up at Highwood pass here today doing a Snow Science refresher training day with 9 conservation officers from throughout Kananaskis. To say that this area is tracked up would be a colossal understatement. Lots of big lines being skied in search of a clean descent. I wouldn't head up this way looking for any fresh lines...

Nov 27 2013 8:54PM
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Pudge
Posts: 3718 - Karma: 3,117
What is the general consensus in this thread with inserts? After reading the thread over on TGR, I took away a bad vibe. I was more hesitant to put them on my skis for any number of reasons.

I am not installing them myself and I plan to put them into my veneered Jeffrey's for my STH2s. They have no purpose now, however in two years or so I am going to add my quiver one way or another and I plan to put my STH2s on that ski too. I am not doing multiple mounts on one ski. Would this be a wise move if I never plan on getting rid of these skis? Do inserts back out often? Any first time buyer suggestions/thoughts? Other than to go BF over QK
Nov 27 2013 9:56PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
If you're already looking two years down the line, stay the fuck away from inserts and just save up for a second pair of bindings to go with the new skis.
Nov 27 2013 10:13PM
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-SnowSnoli-
Posts: 756 - Karma: 1,703
You can mount normal, then if you do wish to go down the insert root in a couple of years, you can put inserts in with no extra damage as inserts could go in the same hole (you have to drill wider for them)

People say to go BF as they are the original, But really they are offering the same insert. and QK offer a better installation kit.
Nov 28 2013 1:41AM
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SFBv420.0
Posts: 2539 - Karma: 3,124
my first beacon was th olde arva 9k and performed great for years good beacon reviews here
You'll find the answer to bout every question somewhere on the webz if you search
Far as instabilities ussually what cha didn't see or find that kicks yo ass. gots to search which is funny cause it seems your generation seems to want instant answers.
get snow sense and/or trempers book and read more post less
hindsights always right. leave that mmacqb to the professional condencending assholes like lou dawson
stoke
Click for larger image
Nov 28 2013 7:48AM
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Turkelton
Posts: 2829 - Karma: 8,558
Thanks!
Nov 28 2013 7:54AM
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PoLaRpEaK
Posts: 439 - Karma: 555
Yeah I saw that post on FB. I guess I might try my luck elsewhere.
Nov 29 2013 1:04PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
STOKE ALERT

Click for larger image
(Sorry 'bout the shot-Its pretty dark around here around christmas)


HOLY FUCK!
The past few weeks have been really annoying with a perfect climax. Week one and Two- Starting on bare ground, it snows two or three feet. Week 3- it starts to rain. This week: Sitting on the school desk looking out the window- IT FUCKING DUMPS! Fast forward to today; Between one and two feet of fucking perfect pow. My new sticks lost their snow-virginity in the best conditions I have ever skiied. I live in Tromsø, which is in the background of the photo above. Tromsø and its surroundings is considered a mecca for touring(mainly for the many mountains nearby, we only get something like 3 feet + of snow each season). I cant wait for the snow to stabilize and go out touring some bigger lines!
Nov 30 2013 8:58AM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
im pissed that i left school a little early. finnmark got dumped on this past week also. baker has been geting nothing.
Nov 30 2013 2:21PM
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Belzebub
Posts: 451 - Karma: 812
Update:
Went skiing on Sunday too, same place.Even more pow- first time I have consistently gotten face shots for a full run. We have really short days around here at this time of the year which sucks. Anyways; it still snows and the forecast is reporting that it will stay this way until next weekend->I can't fucking wait(4/5 avalanche forecast=forest pow)
Dec 2 2013 2:03PM
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Huck_Norris
Posts: 11487 - Karma: 18,627
That's awesome man, just be freakin' careful, the woods aren't as safe as we would like to imagine and if they do go you're pretty much hamburger.



Moar pics though please :)
Dec 2 2013 3:27PM
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bakedpow
Posts: 8770 - Karma: 10,467
Got back out today on the moonlight skis in the baker backcountry. Wasn't expecting much but was pleasently surprised. 16ish inches of 17 degree low density blower. Got some amazing turns tomorrow will be epic. Supposed to clear and be 10 degrees.
Dec 2 2013 7:43PM
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Sklar
Posts: 8864 - Karma: 31,612
I want to get out SOOO bad, but now til the end of the semester its going to be tough
Dec 2 2013 7:48PM
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malonius_funk
Posts: 2249 - Karma: 1,500
Bozeman is getting dumped on right now. gonna be a great few days (cold as fuck) before the resort opens!
Dec 2 2013 7:51PM
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